Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-29
CAVALRY OPERATIONS
IN HANOVER COUNTY
Veteran, Who Took Part in Fighting,
Tells Incidents of Campaign
In May, 1864.
HOT BATTLE OF HowE's SHOP
Custer's Men Took Part, and by
Their Dash Contributed Largely to
Success of Grant-HOw Slayer OF
j. E. Ii. Stuart Met Death.


In the closing days OF May. 1864, the
army under General Grant crossed the
North Anna and Pamunkey Rivers and
set out across Hanover County towards
the Chickahominy and the Richmond
defenses. General Lees army was at
the same time moving to got into posi-
ton at New Cold Harbor to resist this
movement. On the eth OF the month
our regiment, the Ninth Virginia
= Cavalry, was moved 30 as to get In tho
rear OF Warren's Corps as 1t advanced
from the Pamunkcy to annoy them and
gather up the strngglers.
1t was distressing and narrowing to
the last degree to witness as we fol-
lowed the line of march OF this corps
the smoking ruins Of houses. tho
spoliation and outrages committed on
the innocent women and children.
whose homes had been looted and their
scanty provisions carried off and they
left to weep and starve.
part of my company formed our
advance guard in this movement, who
marched 200 yards or more in front
OF us. and among them were my two
younger brothers. AT a certain point
on the road. where another from the
left intersected 1t. quite suddenly late
In the afternoon a small body of Union
cavalry, escorting an ambulance made
an appearance ahead OF us. Ii was
seen by us that this was but small
party. and few OF our men dashing
forward captured them without "A shot
being fred on either side.
Our advanced guard. having passed
tho intersecting road without observ-
ing this party. were moving on quietly
WI nf
the road behind them filled with
mounted men in blue. and, feeling sure
that a regiment or brigade had cut
them off and were ready TO givo them
chase. at once put to their horses and
plunged into tho woods. and we saw
them no more until the darkness had
we'll set in and we had gone into camp
and kindled fires.
TAKE UP POSITION TO
RETARD UNION FORCES
1t was deemed necdful now to our
comma nding officers for tho secure
movement OF part of our army TO stay
the progress of several of General
Grants corps who were threatening
the Confederate line OF march; and
nearly all OF our cavalry took position
near Hawes Shop to retard the Fed
eral advance. Both Fitz Lees and
Hampton's divisions were d.smount-d
mcager hrcastwo-ks as they could. The
Federal cavalry, consisting OF General
GreggsR division and Clusters brigade.
soon assailed this line, and there ensued
for seven hours fercely contested en-
gasement, with heavy losses on each
sidc
We did not reach the ground Of this
battle until the afternoon, and were
then halted in the road as though we
might be needed in mounted charge
While We halted rode 10 a tree by the
roadside where the body OF young
3 Georgia major had been laid. His head
rested ar the roots OF the tree. and his
upturned face showed that q bullet had
penetrated his forehead just above the
line of his eyes. He was rather small
Of stature, but his face was intellectual
and his brow noble and it seemed a
pity indeed that the death dealing mis-
sile had found so splendid a mark.
We soon moved forward and then
were halted. and ordered TO dismount,
form line OF battle and march across
ieid. y line of skirmishers was de-
p!oyed in front of MS and lively fire
was opened on the cnemy's lines. Pri-
rate B. b. Anvil OF my company was
seen TO leave the skirmish line wound
ed In the side by a minnie ball. and we
learned that the force advancing on us
were infantry. Very soon we were
ordered TO halt. and slowly fall back
This we were glad to do. and having
gained our saddles We withdrew with
out being pressed.
In marching away from this field our
course led US near some omen and
swampy ground from which the enemy
discharged their guns on us quite
furiously. The twilight had set in, and
the flashes of the musketry would have
been beautiful but for the whizzing of
the bullets. One of them cut the hat
band OF Lieutenant William McGauley.
In tho nle ahead n u
his head no harm. One man near mo
exclaimed as tho guns flashed out on
tho darkness. Lore. they beat tho
lightning bugs"
SLAYER OF j. E. d. STUART
RECEIVES MORTAL WOUND
1t was in this days engagement that
Clusters Michigan brigade came into
action, and with their customary reso-
luton and DASH greatly assisted the
Federal cavalry in maintaining their
ground and winning the day. In one
or the regiments of this brigade was
Private John A. Huff Company f, Fifth
Miohisan). who. just seventeen days
before at Yellow Tavern. had fired the
snot which MORALLY wounded Gem
eral j. e. B. Stuart. the idol Of the
southern cavalry. He was in the ac-
t'on or This afternoon and received n
bullet wound from which he died.
ON the day following this battle at
the intersection of the road on which
we marched with one leading to Rich
mond. and where some fighting had
occurred large mound Of fresh eorth
appeared with tall fence of rails IN
closing 1t, and at the head of the
mound board set up on which was
Wri.ten ,he name or coloners horse
that had been shot and here buricd
Tho men of the regiment had thus naid
tribute to the familiar steed which tbcv
had been wont to follow on the n,arcb
and In battle. This regiment, with
many others, was now forcing its way
to the bloody field of New Cold H.,
hor and the inquiry readily suggested
itself within mo, how many of these
brave men are destined to fail of such
considerable and honorable sepulturo