Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/61

Rh stations, and the paths by which they might be approached and surprised. The Eighth Regiment of Pennsylvania Cavalry were camped, it was ascertained, at Greenlaw's, in King George, with a squadron at Leedstown, in Westmoreland county. Boats were provided, and plans arranged to cross with three hundred men—two hundred to be led by the present writer to attack the camp at Greenlaw's, and one hundred under Major Waller to secure the squadron at Leedstown. Application had been duly forwarded to our commanding General for leave to execute this purpose, and a favorable answer was eagerly awaited. The answer came, but allowed only a part of the force to be sent, and forbidding that any officer should go above the rank of Major. Major Waller was, therefore, directed to carry out the plan against Leedstown, and one hundred men were selected from those who eagerly volunteered to go. These moved up the river some six miles after dark. The two brass guns and a supporting force were moved to a point previously chosen nearly opposite to Leedstown to guard, as well as we might, against any untimely appearance of a gunboat in the river.

The night proved icy cold, and an unfavorable tide rendered the crossing in the boats very difficult. Many of the men and officers, however, had been reared near rivers, and understood well how to navigate them, and, burning to strike the foe who was plundering their homes, braved the difficulties and rowed across. About sixty went over. The trusty guides led the separate parties quietly through the fields and along ravines until close upon the pickets, who were surprised and taken. Major Waller, now uniting his force, moved down to Leedstown, surrounded the house in which the picket-reserve was quartered and noiselessly disarmed them. He then marched his men towards the Taylor residence, a quarter of a mile distant, where the main body of the enemy was camped. After approaching near the house silently, the men, after firing a volley from their carbines, rushed with a yell upon it. The surprise was complete. A few pistol-shots