Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/18

Rh Spottsylvania, Corbin Crutchfield, captain; Company "F," of Essex, R. S. Cauthorn, captain; Company "G," of Lunenburg, William H. Hatchett, captain; Company "H," of King William, Beverly B. Douglas, captain; Company "I," of King George, John Tayloe, captain; and Company "K," of Richmond county, Joseph R. Jeffries, captain. The letters designating the several companies above continued to distinguish them until the close of the war. A part of the regiment, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Lee was stationed near Berea Meeting-House, above Falmouth, and the companies under Johnson, after a few days' stay, marched from the Courthouse to a place called Boscobel, near the old stage-road connecting Fredericksburg and Potomac creek. The weather was very inclement, rain and snow falling freely. For several days we remained without tent or shelter of any kind. This exposure told upon our ranks, and the hospitals in Fredericksburg were crowded. Company C contributed its share, and Privates Robert L. Tallent and Richard Beale, both good soldiers, returned to us no more. On the evening of the 16th of April, hastily striking our tents, we moved towards Fredericksburg. The baggage-wagons crossed Coalter's bridge, and the troops having prepared for action, moved up the river to Falmouth, and, descending the hill to the right, took position near the road leading to Potomac creek. Here, dismounting and sleeping upon the ground with our bridles held under our arms, we waited until roused to wakeful attention by a volley of musketry, followed by loud cheers. Lieutenant-Colonel Lee, driven out of his camp near nightfall at Berea, had fallen back to the heights above Falmouth, and had been reinforced by a portion of the Fortieth Virginia Infantry under Major Taliaferro. In that position they were charged by the enemy's cavalry. The infantry allowed them to come close up, then pouring upon them a deadly fire, repulsed them with