Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 18.djvu/282

 282 Southern Historical Society Papers.

the command of Captain James Thompson, of Summit Point, and at the very last under Captain T. Carter, might be interesting reading to a number of our people, as the circumstance has brought scenes correctly to the mind, with the aid of notes and dates taken at the time.

November I4th, 1864. Camped near Mt. Jackson after an all-day's march. I5th. Near Strasburg, all the company but our detachment ordered back to Mt. Solon ; out with Rosser's brigade on a scout. They capture fifty prisoners. Tuesday, iQth. Gordon's magnifi- cent victory ; Kendall, Stewart, and myself on leave ; went in with the infantry, captured two fine black mules, gloves, hats, clothes, gum blankets, plenty to eat, and a case of whiskey with a medical wagon. This battle ended in Early's rout, caused by allowing the men to straggle and plunder the immense captures of wagons, camps, etc. November 28th. Back with battery. Captain W. R. Lyman brought ten dismounted cavalry for batallion duty. Tuesday, December 8th. Marching, gth. Still marching. loth. Moving three bat- teries, Shoemaker's, Johnston's and ours, with the cavalry, nth. Within two miles of Newtown. i2th. Battle opened on Cedar Creek line ; some hard fighting ; enemy in very heavy force ; Generals Custer and Merrit in our immediate front, backed by infantry. Colo- nel Thomas Marshall, of the Seventh Virginia cavalry, from Fauquier county, killed to-day. He was a sincere Christian, a very brave and fearless man, and a much respected officer. Captain Emmett, of Gen- eral Rosser's staff, wounded. General Rosser had to fall back, owing to the heavy columns of infantry in front. We gave them a sight of our teeth from hilltop to hilltop almost hourly. i3th, i4th, I5th, and i6th. Falling back, continually in the saddle, night and day; reached Furrer's furnace cold and raining. 24th. Was sent to the front with the twelve-pound brass howitzer of Timberville. 28th. Back to the battery. December ist. Received a twelve-pound brass rifle gun for our detachment, captured by Lieutenant McNeal, near Moorfield. Brigade on the move under strict orders ; cavalry and artillery moving quietly but rapidly. Rosser has made a splendid raid, completely surprising the enemy at New Creek, eighty miles west of our starting point, destroying a large amount of army stores, burning depot and capturing five heavy canons, six hundred prisoners, two hundred horses, some wagons ; lost but very few men some report only two killed. Boys are loaded with blankets and general supplies needed. December 4th. Received two more brass rifle canons. On Thursday, 9th. Moving. loth. Snowing heavily, six inches deep ; camped on