The Washington herald., 1914-10-06
CIVIL WAR DAY BY DAY
Fifty Years Ago.
S64-Conederates Defending the Approaches Richmond
the North Side Of the James River Began Movement Designed Check
Further Advances by the FederaI
(written expressly for The was

he Washington HeraldD
attack him. The division Of Gen. Charles
w. Field and Gen. r. F Hoke. together
about 1000 men. were Withdrawn from
in front OF the Federal lines Of the New
Market road and set IN motion by a
circuitOus route toward the Darbytown
road. Late that night they reached posi-
ton. and prepared to attack at dawn.
Flee Through SwampG.
Gen. Ksutz was warned at 10 p. m,
October s, by two refugees from Rich
mord Of the enemys movement
Sending the men 10 Gen. Birney's head
quarters, Gen. Kautz notified Gen. Butler
Of the impending danger Daybreak
found both cavalry and batteries in the
same swamp-girt position on the Darby
town road. exchanging the opening shots
OF the day with the oncoming Confed-
crate infantry.
The brigades Of Gems. John Bratton
and George T. Anderson advanced along
III" Darbytown road and threw them
selves upon the Federal outposts. driv-
ing them back and carrying the 9ghting
up TO the main Union positions. The
two Confederate brigades outnumbered
Gen. KautZ' command al least two to
one. and had no difficulty in pressing
back the Federals in spite of a most
determined resistance
Retreating sl1wly and supported by a
heavy fire from the batteries tie Fed
erals succeed in holding their forma-
tion through the early morning At s
O'Clock the Confederates came up in
overwhelming force and the Federais be-
gan a retreat from the field
The danger OF the narrow road now
became apparent. The bulk Of the men
had been fighting on foot with their
horses in the rear. Before they could
reach them 100 Confederate cavalry. un-
der Gen. NJ. W. Gary, swung around
from the Charles City road at the north,
dashed in among the led horses and
created such confusion that the roadway
was blocked
The Federals made of through the
swamps as best they could, while the
great throng dashed along the roadway,
and forcing back the Confederate cavalry
found shelter in the lines OF the Six
teenth Corps on the New Market road,
to the south.
Federal Guns Abandoned. q,
The men Of the Federal batteries lin
bered up their guns and attempted to
withdraw them. but such was the con-
dition Of the roads that it was found
to be impossible Consequently the guns
were spiked and abandoned.
After the Federals under Kautz had
taken refuge behind Gen. Birneys lines
the Confederates reformed their ranks
and attempted to break down the Fed
eral lines in furious assault The men
Of the Tenth Corps repulsed the enemy
with heavy loss. Gen. Gregg. command
ing a Texas brigade of Fields division,
being killed at the head of his men, and
Gen. BrattOn being wounded. In the af-
ternoon the Confederates withdrew and
Gen. Kautz' command resumed position
on the Federal right, with its picket
line in the original position. but with the
bulk CT his command in a more tenAble
one
The Federal cavalry losses in the fight
Ing of October were eighteen killed,
hfty-four wounded and 2O2 captured and
missing. total Of 274. The Confederate
losses for the day were heavier.
This was the last attack by the Con-
federates upon the Federals north OF
the James River.
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