Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/127

Rh Several companies of Union Zouaves in red breeches had now formed on the right or lower side of the road; a battalion of infantry were on the opposite side, and a body of cavalry occupied the road in the centre. They seemed reluctant to advance. Finally, a line of dismounted cavalry, deployed as skirmishers, advanced. Our squadrons were now well-nigh mounted, and the peril of capture to our dismounted men under Waller had passed. We fell back slowly, keeping up a desultory fire as the enemy advanced. This fire was kept up by the pickets through the night.

At sunrise on the 22d we joined the brigade on the Telegraph road, our skirmishers three hundred yards in our rear, still exchanging shots with the enemy. Numerous small parties of infantry were moving down this road, following after their several commands. As many as we could direct were advised to bear to the right.

Here Robinson's squadron that had been skirmishing heavily all the previous day, and was cut off by the enemy's advance on this side of the river, after a circuitous and difficult march all night, joined us in safety.

Generals W. H. F. Lee and Chambliss were now both with us in person, and the brigade, with two pieces of artillery, under Captain Breatherd, moved upon country roads for some miles to the right, and, then changing direction, bore towards the Telegraph road. We were moving in this direction about noon through woods, when rapid firing as of muskets in front, told of the presence of the enemy. Our artillery, ambulances, and regiments were crowded in a small open piece of ground hedged in on every side by woods. The space was too limited for evolutions. The Tenth Regiment in front dismounted and charged into the woods, which skirted the Telegraph road. As the squadrons of the Ninth were formed in close order, the men of the Tenth were pressed back, fighting. Two of our squadrons were hastily dismounted and thrown forward to the right. The rest, with drawn sabres, were held ready to charge. Our guns now