Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/129

Rh We crossed the North Anna in the afternoon and bivouacked for the night beside the track of the Central railroad. On the next day we made a short march back over the North Anna, and recrossed it again in the afternoon to take part in a fight with some infantry near Noell's Turnout. The battle was over when we arrived, though we were under the artillery fire for a while.

We moved next morning over New Found creek and camped near by it. We remained here two days picketing on the North Anna, and were subjected to a severe cannonade on the last night.

It was while we were making our brief stay in this camp that the author met with a striking illustration of the fidelity of a colored servant, who came with a two-horse wagon from Westmoreland county, beyond the Rappahannock. He was the family carriage-driver, and had been sent by Mrs. Beale with a birthday present of pastries, cakes, bacon, eggs, etc., to her husband and sons. She expected them to be found in Spottsylvania, and that the wagon would reach them by the 22d instant. When the faithful servant, Edward Lee, had crossed the river at Layton's with his wagon he found the whole Union army between him and the objects of his journey. Nothing daunted, however, he moved on and succeeded in eluding every picket, and out-generalling every scouting party, and brought his horses, wagon, and supplies safely through, though often in extreme danger. On his return he flanked the Federal army, going almost to Fredericksburg, and reached home without an accident.

We marched next through Ashland and to a wooded road leading to Old Church, on which we camped. Large bodies of our infantry were passing through the night and until a late hour next morning. After a march again of some miles the heavy rattle of small arms reached our ears from the direction of Hawes' Shop, and to that point our course was directed. On reaching there we were posted to protect the flank of the men engaged. It was a severe battle between