Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/135

Rh guard at this point the night previous, and that this same lieutenant had sent in a similar report, and it had proved to be a false alarm. A party of mounted men were now sent to ascertain the truth, and soon returned reporting no enemy. Our force was then sent back to quarters. We had not fallen asleep, however, before an occasional rifle-shot was heard on the road from which our scouts had returned. The reports sounded nearer and nearer. We thought we could distinguish the sharp cracks of the enemy's carbines. Springing from our blankets we again took position in the breastworks. The men had orders to hold their lire until the enemy were within thirty paces. Two comrades of our Texan friends came within sight about dawn and close behind them a squadron of Yankee horse. We saw the two men in the road attempt to run, and the enemy dashing after them. One of the men stumbled and fell within a hundred yards of us, and the two within our line exclaimed: "Don't let them take him!" " Don't let them take him!" Our whole force rose and fired, and the squadron at once retreated, much to the intense relief of the man who had fallen. They came forward again, taking shelter behind the trees, and firing, but soon fell back. A courier had been dispatched to General Chambliss, and he came down with the brigade, General W. H. F. Lee accompanying him. Six of the enemy were left dead, or dying, in our front, two were buried a mile or two below, and citizens reported that they bore off some wounded in ambulances.

The next day we met the enemy near an old saw-mill in the vicinity of Nance's Shop, and had a spirited engagement, which was growing very interesting, when we were ordered back. One private was killed and several were wounded–E. F. Cox, of Company C, fatally so. Lieutenant Pollard was wounded in the ankle joint slightly, as was thought at the time, but the injury caused the loss of his leg. Major Waller had been assigned at Ashland to the temporary command of another regiment, and Captain Swann was now our acting major.