Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 4.djvu/279

Rh Baker, of the Third regiment, rushed upon the Federals and captured many prisoners. The Federals, however, rallied, and in turn captured Colonel Baker.

The famous Kautz-Wilson raid for the destruction of the southward railroads was the occasion of severe cavalry activity and battles. At "Blacks and Whites," Gen. W. H. F. Lee managed to get between the two Federal columns on the 23d of June. General Bearing was in the lead. His brigade, a small one, included the Fourth and Sixth North Carolina cavalry. This brigade was about to be overpowered when Barringer's brigade galloped to its relief. Major Cowles dismounted the First regiment and sent that to the guns. Maj. W. P. Roberts, of the Second regiment, reached the Federal rear, and the battle was sharp for some hours. At nightfall the Federals retired. Col. C. M. Andrews, one of North Carolina's best cavalry officers, was killed.

At Staunton river bridge, guarded by Junior and Senior reserves and disabled soldiers, Kautz's attack was repulsed, Lee's cavalry attacking his rear. Col. H. E. Coleman, of the Twelfth North Carolina regiment, rendered gallant service in assisting the raw troops in the repulse of the cavalry division at this bridge. He was at home wounded and volunteered his services. So freely did he expose himself, that he was again wounded, but did not then leave the field. This raiding party before it reached Meade lost all its artillery, wagon trains, and hundreds of prisoners.