Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/100

94 men also of the Thirteenth. Now volleys of canister swept down the smooth broad 'pike. As we neared the guns our pace was quickened. Lieutenant Beale and Sergeant Richard Washington were leading. As soon as the ascent of the hill began on which the guns were posted our column of fours divided, two files taking one side of the broad roadway and two the other side. Upon nearing the summit, and when not over twenty paces from the muzzle of the guns, the last charge of canister, before escaping from the net of wire which enclosed it, struck one of our men in front, who, reeling, fell heavily to the ground. Our column paused, though the guns were deserted by the enemy. The fence on either side of the 'pike was lined with riflemen. Riding from the centre of the regiment to the front, the writer called to the men: "Take those guns, boys," just as our General's voice was heard ordering the column into the field to the left, saying as we passed from the 'pike: "That place will be too hot for you." While this was passing the enemy limbered up, and the guns were gone; and the fire of the dismounted men ceased as soon as the guns were removed. We had now passed into a wheat-field, and were broken into small squads.

Under the impression that his son had been killed, and, unwilling to leave his body there in the road, the writer stopped and for some minutes was quietly discharging his pistol at the Federal line of mounted men in our front, extending across the 'pike and through the field to the right, and which must have been composed of two or three full regiments. In our rear along a wooded bottom was the command that had been brought up with General Stuart. He was now riding in front of their line waving his sword and commanding: "Stop your firing; you are shooting our men. Charge!" It seemed a critical moment. Had the enemy made a vigorous charge it would have been disastrous to us. Just at this moment Lieutenant James K. Ball, of Company D, rode up to the author, exclaiming loudly: "Rally, Ninth! Here's Colonel Beale; he will lead us!" The men fell rapidly into