Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/41

Rh the north side of the road, and, picketing all the approaches to a hollow or bottom, lay with our bridles on our arms to sleep. Having started out at midnight we reached Fairfax Courthouse at sunrise, and made some captures of ambulances and prisoners in full view of a line of infantry drawn up in battle array across the 'pike, about half a mile from us. A squadron, under the command of the lieutenant-colonel, was detached to engage their attention, and was so manoeuvred as to keep the enemy on guard against a charge until our pickets were in and our captures safely borne away.

Our march was then directed to Centreville, which was occupied by the cavalry forming the advanced guard of General Pope's army. The Ninth Regiment, led by Colonel W. H. F. Lee, charged them in the village, driving them at full speed back upon the infantry. Captain Haynes and a few privates pursued the flying horsemen through the woods, and received the volley of a regiment of infantry. Private William O. Guttridge, of Company C, never returned, and was doubtless killed. Wat. Bowie's horse was killed. Captain Haynes followed his man, captured him, and brought him out. Several of the enemy besides were captured and a few killed. Four or five of our men were wounded.

Our horses were now nearly exhausted. Several of them fell in the charge, and were abandoned. From Waterloo Bridge to Centreville, they had been without food, and had had only a few hours of rest. We halted at a late hour and bivouacked on the road leading up the north side of Bull Run towards Sudley Mills, where we procured hay for our horses. Our rations for two days consisted of a few crackers, handed around to the men whilst mounted at Manassas.

We passed Sudley Mills early the following day and camped at a point north and east of Manassas Junction. Forage and rations were supplied, and we remained nearly inactive, though in sight of the forces engaged while the second great battle was fought on that bloody field. The day after the battle we marched through woods and fields, avoiding the