Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/151

Rh had been carried in this attack. The field beyond the railroad was well dotted with groups of artillery horses that had fallen, four in a place, where they had stood harnessed. This morning encounter, doubtless, materially influenced the success of the handful of cavalry in the evening. The behavior of the regiment to-day elicited high praise from General Wade Hampton in orders.

We remained on picket for a few days at Reams' Station, and some of us witnessed the burial of the enemy's dead under flag of truce. It was done hurriedly, and a few remained for us to bury. The enemy's loss in killed must have been at least five hundred. We learned afterwards that Colonel Baker's District of Columbia Regiment, which we met first in the morning, and which made so feeble a resistance at Malone's was sent well to the rear of Grant's army on James river to recruit and act as a guard to beef cattle.

Our next camp was at Malone's, from which, after a few days we moved to Cat Tail Creek. Whilst here, about the 15th of September, the regiment was ordered out under command of Major Waller, to take part in an expedition in quest of several thousand beeves, which were reported to be penned down near Cabin Point, on James river. The brigades of Rosser, Barringer, and Chambliss were put in motion for this enterprise. The left of Grant's army was passed and our march continued nearly all day along the rear of his lines. In the evening the command was halted, and the men were allowed to unsaddle their horses and take several hours of quiet rest. At a late hour in the night we mounted and the march was resumed towards the cattle pound. Our division was ordered to occupy and hold the roads between the Federal army and the beeves, while Rosser captured and drove them off. Our march was cautious and silent. Just before light the sharp reports of Rosser's guns were heard. They were a signal for us to charge. A squadron or two of the enemy were guarding the road on which we charged. Most of them were cozily sleeping in their tents, and quite