Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/138

132 fight his manly form might be seen, and his clear, ringing notes heard, now leading, now just in rear of his men, as they needed encouragement or restraint.

Some of the men having fainted from the excessive heat and exhaustion, after running a mile in pursuit, the regiment was halted, and the men, with the led-horses, ordered up. We had suffered severely. Comparatively few of the commissioned officers were present. Of these, Lieutenant Love was painfully wounded. Company C lost five valuable men, who had become veterans, having been among the earliest to volunteer. They were Sergeant S. C. Hardwick, Corporal George B. Carroll, and Privates Henry Porter, B. B. Brown, and William Reamy. Other companies suffered as heavily.

The loss of the enemy must have been heavy for the numbers engaged. Two colonels were captured and one killed. At one point, near the last barricade, fifteen of their men were seen dead or nearly so. In general orders full recognition and praise were given the brigade for their part of the day's work.

Our next move was to the south side of James river, and beyond the Appomattox, which we crossed at Petersburg. Our march was continued to Stony Creek Station, on the Weldon railroad. Here we learned that General Wilson, commanding a heavy cavalry force, was making a raid in the direction of the Danville railroad, and that our co-brigade, with General W. H. F. Lee, was pursuing them. Having halted near the depot to feed, we moved out on the road leading South. The Ninth was in rear, following the Tenth and Thirteenth regiments. On reaching Sappony Church, we could see one regiment on the right and the other on the left of the road half a mile in front, engaged, dismounted, with the enemy, and driving them back. We were directed by our General to push forward, mounted, and we moved down the road at a trot in column of fours. Companies D and E in front, supported by G and H, were thrown forward. Two companies—C and K—were sent to watch and hold a road one mile to our right.