Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/76

70 fighting in the morning, but in several places we saw groups of cavalry horses piled upon each other, with here and there a man lying dead among them.

Our regiment suffered more heavily in this battle than on any previous occasion. The loss inflicted upon the enemy must have been many times greater than our own.

The command of the brigade now devolved upon Colonel John R. Chambliss, of the Thirteenth Regiment.

We returned to our camp after remaining at Brandy Station the night of the 9th of June. Our next march—a day or two later—was to White Plains, in Fauquier county. At the latter place we were ordered to proceed to Thoroughfare Gap, and ascertain if any enemy occupied it, but not to engage in any fighting. An officer from General Stuart's staff went forward with a detail of men to inspect the pass. This party returning, met us at a small house about a mile from the entrance to the Gap, and reported that they had gone to the summit, and, looking over the country beyond, had discovered no appearance of the enemy. On receiving this report, some of the officers were permitted to go to the house to get dinner, and the regiment, after being faced about, were directed to rest.

As a matter of precaution, a sergeant and several men were sent to the top of the hills on our right to act as videttes, with instructions to select points from which the Gap might be watched. Before the last man could be posted the sergeant and his men were seen riding back at full speed. The hill was soon crowned with a party of bluecoats. Our only outlet was along the sinuous road winding around the hills, and the enemy were nearer the point at which the road emerged from the ravine than we were. Their fire brought the officers in at once. Waller was promptly in the field on the right with a squadron deployed as skirmishers, and we commenced our retreat. The enemy kept up a brisk fire, but if they were familiar with the country and aware of their advantage, they failed to use it. They followed us at a safe distance until we