Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/713

Rh the only cavalry with Jackson; and confronted and held in check the forces of Fitz John Porter on August 29th. At South Mountain he commanded the only cavalry at Crampton's gap, and with Pelham's artillery took a prominent part in the gallant fight. He participated in the battle of Sharpsburg, and subsequently for a time led Fitzhugh Lee's brigade during the fighting against Pleasanton. At the opening of the battle at Kelly's ford, he was upon court-martial duty, with Stuart and Pelham, but rode immediately to the front with those officers, and finding his regiment in the rear, charged with it upon the enemy who was crowding back the Confederate front, and drove him back some distance. The Federals, reaching a wood, dismounted and opened a heavy fire, in which Rosser fell severely wounded, and Pelham was killed while leading his regiment in another charge. Rosser was disabled until the Pennsylvania campaign, when he rode with Stuart around Hooker and Meade, and participated in the three days' fight at Gettysburg. After this battle he was promoted to brigadier-general, and assigned to the old brigade of Turner Ashby, "the Laurel brigade." With this gallant command he was conspicuous in the campaigns of 1864. On May 5th, the opening day in the Wilderness, "a large force of cavalry and artillery on our right flank was driven back by Rosser's brigade," and on June 2d he "fell upon the rear of the enemy's cavalry" near Hanover Court House, and "charged down the road toward Ashland, bearing everything before him," quoting the telegraphic reports of Gen. R. E. Lee. At Trevilian's station he drove Custer back against Fitz Lee and captured many prisoners, but was painfully wounded while leading a charge at the head of his brigade. He also took part in the famous "cattle raid," while Grant was about Petersburg. He won all the distinction possible in the desperate struggle against Sheridan's overwhelming forces in the Shenandoah valley, and in command of Fitzhugh Lee's division saved Early's army at the battle of Cedar Creek, holding the line and checking the enemy's pursuit until 9:30 p. m., then taking position in the works at Fisher's hill, and safely conducting Early's retreat to New Market next day. He was promoted major-general in November, 1864. He conducted the successful expedition against New Creek, W. Va., taking many prisoners and great