Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/57

Rh rode down to water his horse, also, which pressed up the stream until he brought his rider in close contact with him. He was holding his pistol cocked in his hand, and, bringing it to bear upon the heart of the Yankee, he whispered to him to ride out with him without a word or sign, or die. He accepted the first alternative presented, and, on turning the corner, quietly surrendered his arms, and was brought in. The prisoner confirmed this statement, and uttered curses on his comrades for suffering one man to take him right under their eyes.

It was now dark, and, reversing our course, the regiment moved back along the road we had come for a mile or two, then moving to the left, travelled over a hilly country, along by-roads, on which it was very difficult to drag the artillery. After halting a few hours to feed the horses and allow the men to eat what might be gotten, we reached the railroad at Markham Station about daylight. Leaving Companies G and H, under Captain Haynes, we resumed the saddle before noon, and, being in advance, marched quietly to Barbee's Cross-Roads. The Fourth Regiment and our squadron under Haynes had to hold the enemy in check, and were engaged in skirmishes for some hours. Haynes lost two or three men, and the officer in charge of the artillery complimented him very highly, saying that his gallantry and courage had saved his guns.

In the afternoon the brigade passed us, moving towards Orleans. We were left on picket at the Cross-Roads, and two pieces of artillery remained with us. Leaving Captain Hungerford with Companies C and K, the other four squadrons were withdrawn with the two guns, some three miles on the road leading to Orleans, and we bivouacked. About midnight an order came from General Stuart directing that we should reoccupy Barbee's Cross-Roads before light on the morrow. This was done, and shortly afterwards it was learned that General Hampton's brigade was in position on our left front. Our brigade, owing to the loss of the horses