The Second Manassas campaign.
The 2d Virginia cavalry was assigned to duty as the advance guard of
Jackson's corps.
McClellan, in his life of
Stuart, says: ‘
Colonel Munford had seen much service in the
Valley under
Jackson, and had performed the same duty for him during the battles around
Richmond.’
At Bristoe Station
Jackson sent
Colonel Munford to surprise and capture the place; this he succeeded in doing, dispersing a cavalry company, capturing forty-three of an infantry regiment, and killing and wounding a goodly number.
He participated in the movements that culminated in the capture of
Manassas Junction with a large quantity of stores, and when
Ewell had to withdraw from Bristoe Station, the 2d and 5th regiments, under
Munford and
Rosser, covered his rear.
On the 28th, 29th and 30th of July, 1862, the fights at Grovetown and
Manassas occurred.
There were numerous engagements of the cavalry, with only a few reports.
In one of these, near the
Lewis House,
Robertson's brigade, to which the 2d regiment had been attached, met
Buford's cavalry brigade in one of the most brilliant fights of the war. Every account I have met with, accords to
Munford and the 2d Virginia the honors
[
5]
of the fight.
Munford led the charge, and was dismounted by a sabre stroke, and his horse killed.
In a few moments, five of his men were killed outright, and over forty wounded. The 7th and 12th regiments—the latter commanded by
Colonel A. W. Harman—supported the charge.
In this fight more than 300 prisoners were captured.
