Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/148

142 Our next camp was south of the Rowanty at Tabernacle meeting-house. From this point we moved on the 24th of August and again crossed at Malone's Bridge. We were ordered to engage the enemy at Malone's Crossing, on the Petersburg and Weldon railroad. We were dismounted, and, advancing, reached a small stream and swamp, where two Union cavalrymen belonging to a picket post were found busily engaged in skinning a cow. They were denied opportunity to complete the operation. The picket was driven in. We advanced against the enemy, occupying a cut of the railroad on the right, and an old brick kiln on the left. The enemy's line extended beyond ours on the right, and our men were ordered to lie down, and a message was sent for the Tenth Regiment to come forward so as to extend our line.

On the left, however, our line extended beyond the brickkiln, and our men in that quarter got well past the enemy's flank. When Major Clemens came up with the Tenth he was directed to move along the base of the hill and form on our right. Our men in the field, catching a glimpse of this reinforcement, raised a yell and began charging, and carried the enemy's line before the Tenth could get into the line. Flying in dismay and receiving an enfilading fire on the left as they ran, the enemy in considerable numbers threw down their fine rifles and ammunition in the road. They proved to be a regiment from Washington—the First District of Columbia Cavalry—who had been armed by our Yankee sisters. They acted ignobly in running, suffering an inferior force in numbers to drive them from a position which a few brave men could have held for hours.

Our loss in this engagement was about fifteen. Following up the road towards Reams' Station, a large body of cavalry and led-horses was seen occupying a field half a mile in front. The opportunity for a charge was the rarest we had seen, and Ball's squadron, which was kept always mounted, and which carried only pistols and sabres, was up and ready for the fray. We waited under Hampton's order for one of