The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-02
BATTLE OF HAYES
SHOP, JUNE "a, 1864

along the front Of one or more Confed-
crate regiments in order 20 secape.
These unfortunate Federals maintained
good order in their bdOule-quick move
ment. despite the fact that numbers
OF them fell in the road as they ran
one Of them pursuing spsaia,v u pSa.n PIE Pc
eye OF the present writer who, seeing
him fall supposed ar the moment he
had stun bled and fallen. OF reach n.
IL a nne pistol was taken and a few
missives from his New England lady
The men who were posted behind
the breast orks being now In general
retreat. the Southern line was pushed
forward in eager pursuit IL had not
advanced far however before an open
OF which behind barricade and trees,
second Federal line appeared, ana
this met the Confederates win such
sary TO pause and reform their line.
Here the Confederate hre became so
rapid that their ammunition was soon
exhausted Some OF Hampton's reg
iments were advancing under more
favorable conditions. having the shell
ter Of woods. Their advance soon
caused the men under Gregg. 70 with
draw from their barricade and remount
in order 20 escape.
When Hampton line advanced into
the woods thus vacated they could see
from its farther edge not a little bur
rying and confusion in the Federai
ranks. AnDulances were in motion,
and filters carried by four men each
were noticeable bearing away the DEAD
and wounded. few sharpshooters
were still in line. giving occasional
shots. and shells continued TO be thrown
to check pursuit, but the order TO re-
hsS been gwen pe sha anG had the
Confederate cavalry more inviting
or promising occasion for bold ana
rapid dash.
After this several movements on foot
had been made; however, consider
able distance interviewed between most
of the men and their led horses, and
such was the Overpowering heat OF the
day and the unappeased thirst OF the
men that many were placed nOTs ue
for the pursuit were the Phillips and
JEFF Davis Legious, Robins Battalion.
and the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry
These gave chase to the retreatlng
columns, which they followed to within
two and one-half miles of Charles CITY
Court house, and halted some time after
darkness had Obscured the road. Col
Onei Thomas 3 Massie. OF the Iwelfth
Regiment. was wounded in this pursuit.
One hundred and seventy nine prison
ers were taken in the engagement by
the Confederates, including one colonel
and twelve other commissioned officers
The aggregate of casualties on the Fed
erai side was $50. and in the Confederate
probably not less, though the reports
OF these have not been preserved.
General Gregg IN n..r reporting this en- en-.
enemy was largely superior 70 ours. and
that his retreat was without confusion
or disorder" General Sheridan in his
report. with greater candor. states that
General Gregg. after a stubborn fight,
which lasted until after dark. was forced
10 retire IN some confusion.
This hardfought engagement and
pursuit OF the Fecerals created no little
uneasiness within their lines. Early
that night General Grant telegraphed
General Butler Sheridan has been at
tackled this evening. and with great diff
ficulty and heavy loss OF men has saved
his train so far. He expects another at
tack at daylight, and would be much
assisted II some infantry could reach
him in time"
Butler. in reply. asked: will Cen
eral Grant please tell me exactly where
Sheridan is2' And the answer came
place where our troops are, and the
enemy j. confronting them" General
Butler immediately. on getting this
reply, directed General Brooks as fol-
lows March at once two regiments
hicn will number 1000 men TO the
hospital wharf in the utmost haste.
Take the nearest men" About
wo hours later General Brooks re-
sponded --Orders gone out. II Will take
three regiments ana at Is A. NJ,
S baRs - ne TiT fo1 pojpa regiments
Soon afterward. that same day, But
ler's assistant adjutant-general wired
General Brooks: Sheridan is safe
behind the intrenchments at Douthat's
Landing
Both General Hampton and one of
the Federal commanders bore witness
regiments with their Enfield rifles. on
this field. OF Chambliss and his men
Hampton wrote Brigadier-General
Cham bliss with his brigade rendered
most efficient service. contributing
argely to the success at St. Mary's
Church c.. W. BEALE.