Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/23

Rh action. The order to prepare rations was received with joy, and executed promptly. In the evening we moved to the junction of the Telegraph road with the Central railroad, and slept on the ground. The next morning seven companies of the Ninth (Companies A, H, and I being on detached service) were formed into three squadrons, the supernumeraries being assigned to an officer commanding a provost-guard, and, with two squadrons from the Fourth Virginia Cavalry to complete a full regiment, placed under command of Colonel W. H. F. Lee. To this force were added detachments under Colonel Fitz. Lee and the Jeff. Davis Legion under Colonel Martin, forming the largest body of cavalry we had seen, and consisting of about twelve hundred troopers, and a section of light artillery. It was quite imposing in appearance, and conmmanded by Brigadier-General J. E. B. Stuart.

About light on the morning of the 13th a rocket ascended high in the air, and the order to march was immediately given. We moved rapidly along a road leading to Hanover Courthouse. Before reaching that point we were halted, and troops from the column in rear of us made a detour to the right in pursuit of a small party of the enemy. They accomplished nothing. Passing the Courthouse and nearing Hawe's Shop, the advance guard under Lieutenant W. T. Robins, our adjutant, encountered a picket and captured a private. Companies B and C, under Captain Swann charged. The enemy fell back to the Totopotomoi river, and formed in line of battle on the left of the road, with a marshy strip of land in their rear. Our squadron had been moving at full speed for several miles, and as soon as seen, after a momentary halt to pull down the fence, the enemy was charged. In vain the officers tried to lead the enemy out to meet our charge. They broke and retreated at full speed across the bridge, a few hundred yards in their rear. Upon reaching the marshy land some of our horses mired, a number of the troopers were dismounted, and several of the horses without riders followed the flying steeds of the Federals. Companies B and C were