Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 07.djvu/178

170 were seeking safety in flight in all directions. They scattered through the woods, and night coming on the pursuit had to cease. Knowing that a portion of the enemy were retreating towards the Nottoway river on the Stage road, I brought my command to Stony Creek depot, which was the most central point, to let the men who had been fighting all the night previous obtain some rest, and that I might be where I could best intercept the party which was retreating west and south of me. My command was ordered to be ready to move at daylight, and I anxiously waited for some information which would indicate the point at which the enemy would attempt to cross the Nottoway river. I had not heard one word of the result of the fight at Reams' station, nor did I know the position of Major-General Lee or of the enemy. At 9 o'clock on the morning of the 30th of June I received a note directed to the "Commanding officer Stony Creek depot," from General Fitz. Lee, saying that he was "still pursuing the enemy, capturing prisoners," &c., and that he was five miles from Nottoway river on the Hicksford road. The note went on say that General Lee thought "the enemy after crossing the river will try to cross the railroad at Jarratt's depot," and he wished "all the available force sent to that point to intercept their march until he gets up." I immediately moved my command in the direction of Jarratt's depot, but when I got within five miles of that place some of my scouts, who had been sent on, reported that the enemy had passed there at daylight. I then advanced to intercept them on the road leading to Peter's bridge, but though I made a rapid march, I found on striking the road that the rear of their column had passed two hours previously. Had there been proper concert of action between the forces at Reams' and my own, there would have been no difficulty in cutting off the party which escaped by Jarratt's. In the fight at Sappony church and during the following days, the enemy lost quite heavily in killed and wounded. We captured 806 prisoners, together with 127 negroes—slaves. My own loss was two killed, eighteen wounded and two missing. The reports from General Chambliss and Colonel Crawley have not been sent to me. I regret to announce that the latter was severely wounded, and I beg to express my sense of the valuable services rendered to me by this officer and his command. General Chambliss, by his gallantry, his zeal and his knowledge of the country, contributed largely to the success we gained. The officers and men of my own division behaved to my entire satisfaction, and the