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The realistic touches of a personal narrative give a life and spirit to his picture, which any effort of a non-participant would necessarily lack.
He belonged to Ashby's Cavalry and volunteered for the fight as aide to Colonel Hunton, who tells in his official report of ‘the great service’ White rendered ‘by his intimate knowledge of the country and his daring courage.’
Lieutenant-Colonel Jenifer, who was in command of the field until Hunton arrived, says he ‘never witnessed more coolness and courage than this young gentleman displayed, being exposed to the heaviest fire of the enemy.’
His subsequent career as a soldier was in accord with its early promise.
He won promotion along with the praise of his generals, and as commander of White's (35th Va.) battalion, takes a place in our history among the boldest sabreurs who followed the plumes of Stuart, Hampton and the Lees.
It is because he has supplemented his active participation with a careful study of the official reports (which many writers fail to do) that I regard Colonel White as the best living authority as to the details of this battle, and will, therefore, quote from him freely.
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