Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/130

124 dismounted cavalry on each side, the Yankee infantry finally coming to support their line. On their approach our men retreated leisurely. We were treated to a volley from the infantry at short range, but without receiving serious injury.

Returning, we bivouacked at Atlee's Station, and moved next day to Fair Oaks. Here we remained for two days watching a large force of Grant's infantry about Hanover Courthouse, who threatened to move up the road from Cash Corner towards our position. On the evening of the second day two of our squadrons were thrown forward on that road. A skirmish was had for some time with the rear guard of the enemy, and on reaching Cash Corner a dash was made at a small body of cavalry, who fled towards Hanover Courthouse. A larger body on that road was also put to flight. We were informed by some prisoners that General Warren's headquarters had been temporarily in the house at Cash Corner.

The barbarous outrages of the command whose tracks we had followed, though on a smaller scale, equalled the worst acts of Sheridan in the Valley. At several houses occupied by women and small, helpless children nothing in the way of food was left, save poultry not yet feathered. And in one of these humble homes our men extinguished the fire that had been kindled for its destruction, as if to conceal under its ashes the ruthless vandalism which had broken and torn up every article of household and kitchen furniture. It appeared that these outrages had not been committed by irresponsible stragglers and vagabond camp-followers, but under the eyes of commanding officers.

The children thus left to starve shared the scant supply in our haversacks, and next morning our rations of bacon were turned over to their destitute mothers.

Near the close of our pursuit a party of the enemy, approaching on a by-road, presently entered the main road, along which their corps was moving. They did so just as a few of our most adventurous boys, who were on foot, stealing shots at the rear of the enemy as opportunity offered,