Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/74

68 severe losses to the enemy. By three o'clock the centre of our line was forced back to Miller's Hill, and over half a mile in our rear. Our brigade was now ordered to fall back to Barbour's Hill. This change of position was critical, for, besides the enemy's force in our front, heavy masses of them were seen below Miller's Hill, and the line of our march crossed the road only about half a mile from them. The order from General Lee now was that the mounted squadrons of our regiment should occupy that road in advance of the point at which the brigade would cross it. Leaving our dead and wounded behind us, we reached the road and made ready to meet an attack. We held the position until all safely reached the hill, and then moved back to our position on the left. Just before reaching it a charge by the enemy was handsomely repulsed.

After reaching Barbour's Hill a body of the enemy's cavalry, which seemed not less than three regiments, were seen moving towards our left flank, and apparently seeking the ravines and woods to conceal their line of march. We did not penetrate the design of this movement at the time, but soon the few men forming the extreme left of our videttes were seen running from their posts, and Yankee troopers leaping the fence in pursuit. It was then perceived that the high land to our left commanded the whole field, and was a strategic point of great importance. The regiment, which was resting in column of fours, was ordered to charge up the hill to save the dismounted men. They came up in column, forming rapidly into line as they approached near to that of the enemy. The last squadrons did not halt on the alignment, but dashed upon the foe with the sabre, who broke, and were driven off in confusion. General W. H. F. Lee coming up at this moment, and seeing the enemy in retreat, commanded "Forward," and was at the same instant wounded. Fresh troops of the enemy were now seen emerging from the bottom, which ran parallel with the hill up which we had charged, and were forming a line across our rear. The rally