Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/42

Rh roads, and near night were formed in line of battle by General Stuart in a ravine near the 'pike leading from Fairfax Courthouse to Alexandria. Several pieces of artillery were posted on the hill in our rear. We could hear wagon-trains moving on the 'pike, and soon our artillery opened a rapid fire in that direction. The regiment bivouacked at dark, on the Chantilly road, down which the column moved at early morn. Just after sunrise the Fourth Regiment in front surprised a squadron of United States Dragoons at breakfast, and captured every man without firing a shot.

For one or two days we remained in this vicinity picketing. A squadron of the Ninth had here a smart skirmish with a body of Union home guards.

We witnessed the commencement of the battle fought near this road. A section of Pelham's Battery, under his immediate command, was moving down the Chantilly road about one hundred yards in front of our column. On these guns the enemy's sharpshooters opened fire from the cover of woods about one hundred and fifty yards to the right of the road. With perfect coolness and great rapidity the guns were unlimbered and a raking fire of grape poured upon the assailants. Our command remained as support to Pelham for a few minutes, when the infantry skirmish-line came up, and then we moved at a trot to the extreme left.

In posting videttesm Private Moncure Hull, of Company B, was shot by the enemy and killed instantly. The enemy retreated, and we remained on our post till morning. We here saw the body of the brave General Phil. Kearney in an ambulance, attended by an escort and borne into the Federal lines. Our march now was to Fairfax Courthouse, which we reached about night. Bivouacking near the Courthouse, we continued the pursuit next morning, and arrived at Fairfax Station by sunrise. The station had been fired, yet so hurriedly that ample supplies for our men and horses were rescued. After a few hours' halt, we resumed the saddle, and at night rejoiced to join once more our long-lost wagon-train