Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-06

continued from Last Sunday)
we moved on more direct route
than the road on our right. over which
the squadron had passed In some
measure the gray light had begun to
appear, and the goddess Of the early
lawn was scattering rosy light over
NH ana dale Thus far the quiet which
mao reigncd since VIZ left our horses
had only been broken by some officer
IN suppressed acccntg, giving orders to
ms men. Our thin line dcploycd from
right to left, and, consisting perhaps
~ less than 100 men, had passed the
middle OF the field when the ominous
Sliehcc that had prevailed was broken;
our men were checked BY II terrific
ire. Colonel Baker had formed his,
mon Just outside OF the field. which was
skirtcd by woods ana thick under
growth. and the enemy was on "a CON
siderable elevation; their position was
much more favorable than ours: they
hcinG somewhat concealed except as
VIC saw the continuous iInHhcS Of their
GUNS. ] do not th!pk that the firing
continued NOR" than two minutes. but
II was long enough for them To empty
their sixteen shots into our line when
their column gave way. ANA in retreat
they Ned from the field
tn" Twelfth Regiment ana whites
battalion, which had thus far been
h"ld In reserve. were pushed forward
ia pursuit. taking many of them pris-
"ncrS No attempt Of mine to describe
the suspense Of those fatcful moments
when bullets were whizzinr thick and
last about our heads could adequately
portray tho nature Of tho ordeal
through which VIC passed Ms nwn
.oinpanN. j.. with scarcely twciyc men
~ the contest. had one uobl. youth OF
seventeen years noria3lt wounded and
so others disabled for life. in fact.
on" Of them died q f"w years later
rom the effects of the wound
When now r"cur TO the shower OF
lead to which we were o. posed 10 seems
Incredible that the number killed and
wounded Was not creator
The cattle were nearly two miles
farther on, and soon another body OF
men III line OF battle was discovered
u"ar the cniu" 10 oppos" Eosscr's i'm .
petuous advance. Thcy were very OBJ
stinat" A. first. bat being foiicd In their
p"ta!sicnt attempt to hpid our troops
IN check until the cattle could b" driven
beyond our reach, they too. fed from
tho field some OF them taken prisoners.
aud soon 2,iNG fine cattle wcr" In our
possession: also captured wagons and
other army supplies and more than 900
prisoners, Including those already re
fcrrcd to- The Twelfth Regiment also
had lost some valuable men. IL Tho
duty assigned to Genera! Lee and
bearing. tl.ey had in most radiant man
h"r rendered most deserving service,
aul uu the reverse march they were
.'trHst"d with guarding tic rear OF
tn" command from assault ny troops
,I"t might be dispatched from Grants
army for mat purpose
u was no surprising matter thar
THIS daring feat, occurring. as ii did.
under the shadow Of Grants head
quarters. in sight of @unboars on the
James River. ana hut few miles from
th" h"si-cpuippcd army that up to that
limo had ever marched TO the musir
OF fife aud drum. should produce tn,
widest commotion in military circles.
and PARTICULARS among the officers III
command. Tho extent OF the apprA-
hension that prevailed may be seen ~
reference TO the fifteen pages Of dis
patches and reports on the cattle raid
in Volume Mill. series J, OF tic United
states records
Apart from the spoils of battle as an
cucumbruncc to Hamptou'- rcvcrs.
mHucUVcr. IL would have required spe-
cial tact TO escape from - situation SO
pcrilous. Roads intcrsccting the one
over which his troops must pass had
10 tie piCkctcd ANA defended, but the
gallant iiatlpton. VINO, q few years
later. was destined TO render his state,
in the dHri; period OF reconstruction.
such eminent service. Ia this Instance
OF pressing emery proved himScl Z
equal TO the oCCa ION.