Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/39

Rh to burn them, owing" to the torrents of rain, effected little damage. For an hour, perhaps, we rode about the camp, and then returned to the rendezvous, which was near the point from which the charge began. The roadway was crowded with prisoners and horses and troopers guarding them. While the officers were endeavoring to reduce the regiment to order a sharp volley of musketry from the enemy, directed upon the wagons still occupied by our men, drove the stragglers in, and caused, temporarily, much confusion. Troopers without guides and horses without riders rushed recklessly away. In the hurry to escape a private was caught under his fallen horse, and in sore distress exclaimed: "O! I'm gone," just as a comrade more fortunate dashed by replying: "No, you arn't, but I am gone."

Order was speedily restored, though in the darkness many prisoners and horses escaped. The regiment secured about one hundred prisoners, brought in a good many horses, and, on private account, a good deal of clothing, cutlery, coin, and greenbacks, and escaped any serious casualty. Indeed, we heard of but one man lost in our whole command—Private Hiram Blackwell, of Company D, was severely wounded and captured. Two military chests were secured, containing eight or nine thousand dollars in gold and currency, which were turned over to the quartermaster.

After halting for some hours, the march was resumed leisurely back through Warrenton to camp near the river, where we remained that night, and recrossed at Hart's Mill the next morning as the enemy came in view along the hills. Quite a spirited attack was made by them to get possession of Waterloo Bridge, resulting, however, in an artillery duel only, in which Captain Pelham, though contending with much heavier metal, won an easy victory. The march was resumed in the evening up the south bank of the river, which we crossed at a rocky ford, and moved through Fauquier towards Thoroughfare Gap. This we reached the following day, and late in the night arrived at Bristoe Station, finding the