Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/101

Rh order without regard to companies, and, led by that gallant lieutenant, they were hurled against the centre of the enemy's line in front. Ringing shouts from the forces behind told that they had caught the enthusiasm, and ere they had crossed to the right of the 'pike the whole body of the enemy were wheeling and running. The country was open towards Williamsport, and as far as could be seen no rallying in front of our troops was allowed. When we followed their track, a half hour later, the work of their sabres and pistols told a sorrowful tale for our foes.

Returning to the scene of our charge upon the cannon, the writer found that not his son, but Sergeant Richard Washington lay dead in the arms of his weeping brother. Lieutenant Beale was ordered to see that the remains of his brave, high-toned, noble, fallen comrade were safely conveyed across the Potomac.

The Colonel, attended by the bugler and color-bearer, now rode forward to collect the scattered companies. Passing over the field of the fight and seeing the dead, we knew the enemy's loss had been severe. We paroled next morning over eighty officers and men. It was considerably after nightfall when the bulk of the regiment was found on the hills above Williamsport. We bivouacked in a field, and our flag-bearer, going to a neighboring house for fire and water, brought back a message from the lady occupant, asking that we would please encamp in her yard, as the house was full of Yankees. We found two Federal and one Confederate officer very seriously wounded in the house and about six Union soldiers nursing them. A search of the stable was made, and three more were found. We left three to nurse the wounded officers, and sent the others to the provost-guard.

The gallantry of Lieutenant Ball was specially mentioned in the Colonel's report, but received no higher official notice. We now retraced our steps to Hagerstown, and, passing through Funkstown, encountered the enemy on the