Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/71

Rh squadron. These charged some distance without encountering any more of the enemy. Lieutenant Boulware, of Company B, who was riding a fresh and unmanageable horse, continued to charge, without sabre or hat, nearly down to Louisa Courthouse, and was made a prisoner. This was the only loss we sustained.

We remained in position until General Lee came up. No further charge was made, and the command moved back to Gordonsville to enjoy a supper, which ended a fast of thirty-six hours, and to get a much-needed night's rest.

In the early morning we were again in the saddle. The Union cavalry were reported to be moving on Columbia to destroy the canal at or near that place. Traversing the Green Spring country in Louisa, we reached Palmyra before night, fed our weary steeds and supped. The enemy had retreated, and about dark we moved in pursuit of him. We marched all night, and about daybreak halted on the Three-Chop road, in Goochland, for breakfast. The citizens reported the enemy as having passed three hours ahead of us.

One of our men got permission to go out to forage for a breakfast, and soon came back reporting a Yankee picket about a mile in advance of us. Captain Ryalls, of General Stuart's staff, who accompanied our command, asked for ten men to capture this picket, and they were furnished to him. A stronger force was soon sent for, and Major Waller, with Companies D and E, was sent. The whole command was now moved forward, so as to be in supporting distance.

Before we reached Waller he had encountered a squadron of United States Dragoons, belonging to the Fifth Regulars, and a spirited hand-to-hand sabre fight had taken place. Singular it was that squadrons of the same two opposing regiments should have twice met each other alone, using on each occasion the sabre and pistol, first on the Tolopottomoi, and now on the Three-Chop road. Company E, of the Ninth was engaged on both of these occasions.

The odds in numbers were in favor of the United States