Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/86

80 and over the fences, and running for shelter to the woods. Left to themselves, the frightened mules ran wildly, dashing wagon against wagon, upsetting some, and throwing several down embankments, catching and holding the teams beneath them. As fast as they were overtaken the wagons were turned about and sent back under guard. Curtis and his party, not far from the District of Columbia line, and almost within sight of the dome of the Capitol, overhauled the quartermaster in charge of the train. They received the fire of his pistol as they reached his ambulance, but before they could return it his hands were raised. His surrender was accepted.

Some three or four of the enemy were killed or wounded in refusing to halt or surrender when ordered. The regiment, now reduced to a score or two of men, by reason of details to guard wagons, mules, and prisoners, returned to Rockville. The wagons that were upset and broken were burned. The others were loaded principally with oats and corn. Bakers' bread, crackers, whiskey in bottles of great variety, sugar, hams, with some tin and woodenware, knives and forks, were also found. The bacon and crackers, as well as the whiskey, proved to our jaded and hungry troopers most acceptable. The train consisted of three new ambulances, two of which were captured by Hampton, and one hundred and seventy-five wagons, drawn by nine hundred mules. The wagons were brand new, the mules fat and sleek, and the harness in use for the first time. Such a train we had never seen before and did not see again.

We had scarcely set out from Rockville before many of us began to regret our capture, foreseeing that the train would impede our movements, and be very difficult to guard in passing through the enemy's country. And while we rested on the edge of that village the men might be seen collecting in squads, narrating the exploits in which each had shared, discussing the good qualities of the whiskey, hams, bread, and cheese, and commending the excellent taste of the