Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/53

Rh halt about three miles from the starting point of our charge by a few volleys of rifles from well-dressed lines of mounted men not far from Aldie. Whilst the squadrons of the Ninth were being collected and reformed the Fourth Regiment forced these lines back upon Aldie, but were compelled in a few minutes to retreat before what seemed to be a very large force. Indeed, the heavy masses of troops seen about Aldie suggested very strongly that the scene through which we had just passed was about to be repeated with the parties in the chase exchanging places. We were placed in line of battle with our sabres drawn, covering the retreat of the dismounted men, and momentarily expecting to charge. Two of our guns opened fire from the hills behind us, sending their missiles in rapid succession over our heads into the opposing ranks, and this was continued until darkness came, when we quietly withdrew to bivouac near Union. The result of the day's work was decidedly encouraging. Captures on various private accounts were acceptable to the men, and the acquisition of pistols, sabres, saddles, bridles, and blankets gave to the Ninth a greatly improved military appearance. We had encountered nearly a full regiment (the First Rhode Island Cavalry) rifled their camp, killed some, and among them Lieutenant L. D. Gore, captured many, and, when pursued to their heavy supports, held the positions gained, and retreated at our leisure. We had a single man wounded, seemingly slightly, with a shot in the leg. He was a gallant youth—John Rust, of Company C—and died in hospital from this wound.

On the following day the enemy, in very strong force, advanced towards Union, and by noon we were hotly engaged with cavalry and artillery. Though the enemy greatly outnumbered us, General Stuart drove them, and we bivouacked at nightfall fully a mile in advance of our position in the morning.

The following day was Sunday, and was ushered in by a bright sun rising through a cloudless sky, and an atmosphere