Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 5.
Frank Moore, Ed.

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[196] Court-House, the enemy seemed to have been reenforced, and made a stand on the road, and in fields to the right and left of it. Thinking to flank them, and capture the whole force, Colonel Lee, of the First, proceeded round their position to cut off retreat, but the movement occupying longer time than desired, the second squadron of the Ninth prepared to charge. And as they trotted toward the enemy, the Federal leader could be plainly seen and heard haranguing his troops, urging and begging them to act like men, and stand. His eloquence was of no avail, and as the second squadron of the Ninth increased their pace, and came near to them with flashing sabres, the Federal officer gallopped toward them, thinking his men would follow. Not so, however, and as he wheeled his horse back again, our men were upon him; he fell shot in the head; his men gave a feeble volley with pistols, and scampered off the field in ludicrous style, leaving killed and wounded behind, and many prisoners. Capturing outposts and pickets in great number, and overtaking wearied horsemen, it was ascertained that the force engaged were squadrons of the Fifth United States regulars, who had seen hard service in Texas and the Indian countries, and had never refused a charge before. Their camps were reported to be adjacent, and proceeding thither every thing was destroyed and put to the torch.

From several captured in and about these camps it was ascertained that several regiments were waiting for our advance up the road, and as their pickets were stronger and more numerous than usual, it was deemed advisable to halt. The second squadron of the Ninth were dismounted and thrown to the front, (on the skirts of the wood, to the right and left of the road,) to act as skirmishers and defend the artillery, which was moved up and took position commanding a bridge in the hollow — the enemy's force and ours being screened from view by rising ground at either end of the road — our force being farther from the front than theirs. Appearing in considerable force, the enemy advanced in admirable order; but, suddenly facing to the right about, were quickly retreating, when the dismounted men poured a galling volley into them, emptying many saddles, and causing much confusion. Reforming, they were a second time reinforced, and came on to the charge up the rise in gallant style. Burning to distinguish themselves, the third squadron of the Ninth, (composed of the Essex light dragoons, Capt. Latane, and Mercer County cavalry, Lieut. Walker commanding, under command of Capt. Latane,) had received orders to charge the advancing enemy, and putting spurs to their steeds, dashed gallantly along the road, the brave Latane fifteen paces in front. “Cut and thrust,” shouted the Federal commander. “On to them, boys,” yelled Latane, and the meeting squadrons dashed in full shock together. The front of either column were unhorsed, and the fight became instantly hot and bloody. Capt. Latane singled out the Federal commander, and cut off the officer's hat close to his head, but the Federal dodging the cut, rode past, and as he did so, discharged two revolver loads at Latane, killing him instantly. The enemy rapidly giving way, our men shouted in triumph, and cut right and left, pistolling the foe with frightful accuracy and havoc; and seeing the Federal commander in pursuit of Adjutant Rodins, (who was himself in pursuit of an enemy,) a private dashed after him and clove his skull in twain. The battle between these rival squadrons, though of short duration, was fierce and sanguinary in the extreme. Scattered in all directions, and apparently paralyzed by the relentless fury of this corps, the enemy fled in every direction, leaving killed, wounded, horses, accoutrements, etc., in profusion upon the dusty roads. Successful pursuit being impossible, their camps were visited and destroyed; wagons on the road were overtaken and burned, and the entire route from Ashland, by Hanover Court-House and Old Church, to Station No. 22, (Tunstall's, we believe,) on the York River Railroad, was naught else but a continuous scene of triumph and destruction. Commissary and quartermaster's stores were seized and burned at every turn; prisoners and horses were taken and sent to the rear, and by the time of their arrival at the railway station, more than one million dollars' worth of Federal property must have been captured and destroyed, besides scores of prisoners riding in the rear.

Upon approaching the railroad, cars were heard advancing, and the whistle sounded. By orders every man was instantly dismounted and ranged beside the track. Again the whistle blew, and thinking the force to be a friendly one perhaps, the steam was stopped, when the Caroline troop, opening fire, disclosed the ruse, and, putting on steam again, on sped the train towards the Chickahominy, and despite logs placed on the track, made good its escape, but the carriages being but uncovered freight-trucks, and having soldiers on them, the slaughter that ensued was frightful. Many of the enemy jumped from the train, and were afterwards captured or killed to the number of twenty or more. The engineer was shot dead by Lieut. Robinson.

Still adding to their conquests at every step, a detachment was immediately sent to the White House, on the Pamunkey, and discovering four large transports moored there, and some hundred wagons or more, with teams, etc., in a wagonyard, all these were instantly seized, to the great fright and astonishment of the Federals, and the torch immediately applied to all things combustible. One of the transports escaped and floated down the river. The contents of the other three were chiefly valuable commissary and quartermaster's stores, vast quantities of army clothing, grain, fruits, and sutlers' stores. Tempting as they were, all things were laid in ashes, the horses led off and the prisoners secured. Thinking that the enemy would send out an overwhelming force in pursuit, an unlikely route was selected, and the whole command proceeded in triumph to New-Kent Court-House. New-Kent Court-House being the rendezvous, the fourth