Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/709

Rh and acting assistant adjutant-general of the department of Utah. He was promoted captain March 3, 1861, but in August, having severed his connection with the United States service, he accepted a commission as colonel, Virginia volunteer cavalry. In the cavalry brigade organized by General Stuart in the latter part of 1861, he commanded the Fourth regiment, Virginia cavalry. After Yorktown had been abandoned, and the Federal lines were close to Richmond, he made a gallant fight at New Bridge, in an attempt to repossess Mechanicsville, exercising brigade command in the action. In June, Jackson having concluded his Valley campaign, Robertson was promoted brigadier-general and sent to Mount Jackson to take command of Ashby's cavalry, and protect that region. From Ashby's command was organized the Seventh cavalry regiment, Col. W. E. Jones; the Twelfth regiment, Col. A. W. Harman; and the Seventeenth battalion (later the Eleventh regiment), Maj. O. R. Funsten. These, with the Sixth regiment. Col. P. S. Flournoy, and the Second regiment, Col. T. T. Munford (which had accompanied Jackson), constituted Col. Robertson's brigade when he rejoined Stuart on the Rapidan river in August. Very soon afterward he participated in the victory at Brandy Station, and was congratulated by Stuart upon the superior discipline and stability of the command he had organized. During the battle of Groveton he was in command on the right holding back Porter, and on the 30th of August, made a handsome cavalry fight against Buford's brigade, on the Federal left flank, driving the enemy and capturing 300 prisoners. On September 5th, General Robertson was ordered to the department of North Carolina for the organization and instruction of cavalry troops. In this capacity he displayed excellent ability, also participating in the demonstration against New Bern in March, 1863. Of his brigade he led two regiments, the Fourth and Fifth North Carolina cavalry, to reinforce Stuart in May, 1863; took an important part in the fight at Upperville, and during the Gettysburg campaign, commanded the cavalry division left with the main army, with orders to watch the enemy, and follow in the rear of Lee, after Stuart started on his raid through Maryland. This division consisted of his North Carolina brigade and his former Virginia brigade, now commanded by W. E.