Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/43

Rh at Drainsville. A day's rest was granted, and we learned definitely that on the morrow the army would cross the Potomac and test the sympathy of Northwestern Maryland with the Confederate cause. A good many furloughs were granted, and some servants returned to their homes. These facts brought paper, pens and pencils into demand, and many letters were prepared for the loved ones at home.

By three o'clock in the morning (September 5th) the bugles sounded to horse. Near Leesburg we breakfasted on roasted corn and apples, and when in sight of that town, filing to the right, we soon reached the river and forded it at Edward's Ferry. The Ninth Regiment was in the rear of the brigade, and the Fifth in front. A dashing charge, we heard, was made upon some troops at Poolesville by a portion of the latter regiment, under the lead of Major Douglas. All was quiet when we reached the village about dark. The merchants here accepted our Confederate Treasury notes, and many bare feet were clad in boots and shoes. Our march was continued to Barnesville, where we camped for the night. Leaving a squadron at this point under command of Captain Waller, the command moved next to New Market, near which we remained quietly for two days, and then marched rapidly back towards Barnesville. Waller's squadron had been attacked by a force greatly superior in numbers. His outpost picket of ten men was captured. Moving his camp after dark delayed the attack upon his main body until light. He fell back on the road to New Market, contesting every foot of ground on the way. Lieutenant Williams, of Company A, was killed, and Lieutenant King, of Company I, and four or five privates were wounded. The object of the enemy's advance was the possession of Sugar-Loaf Mountain, on which a signal station had been established commanding very extended views of the surrounding country, and from which the movements of General Lee's army could be observed. We met Waller near the eastern base of this mountain, and checked at once the charging squadrons of the