captured within a few miles two more light guns, and ordered the
Federal artillerymen to turn them upon their flying comrades.
Whether through pride in their well-known proficiency in this arm of the service, or because they were conscious of the exclusive, if not gratifying attention, of sundry lean-faced Confederates of determined aspect, I do not know, but certain is it that the cannoniers soon warmed to their work, and the gunners, stepping quickly aside to avoid the smoke, marked the successful shots, and discovered their satisfaction by cries of approbation to their men.
1
Thus
Wilson, who but eight days before had crossed this road in all the pomp of war, with gaily-flaunting pennons and burnished trappings flashing in the sun, while the earth trembled beneath the thunder of his trampling squadrons, now slunk across the
Nottoway
[
277]
( “horses and men in a pitiable condition,” says the
Union historian), having abandoned to the
Confederates his trains, a great quantity of valuable ordnance stores and small arms, the captured negroes, one thousand prisoners,
besides his killed and wounded, and thirteen pieces of artillery.
2
Yet
General Grant, to use his own phrase, felt “compensated,” and the
Confederates, forbearing to inquire too curiously into his reasons, were not dissatisfied, for the damage to the roads was soon repaired,
