Memphis appeal account.
we are indebted to a friend for the particulars of a skirmish at the town of
Haymarket, Va., in which our cavalry, the Second North-Carolina, two hundred strong, supported by two pieces of artillery, advanced within two miles of
Sigel's command, numbering----thousands--passed the enemy's outposts near
Manassas.
Junction, pushed to
Haymarket, captured thirty prisoners and twelve or fifteen thousand dollars' worth of property, and returned to
Warrenton in time to repulse the advance of one thousand five hundred cavalry and one battery of artillery, and that without the loss of a single man killed or wounded.
On Friday morning, seventeenth October,
Major C. M. Andrews, commanding seven companies of the Second North-Carolina cavalry, and two pieces of artillery, which have been recently attached to the regiment, left this place for the purpose of reconnoitring in the vicinity of
Manassas and
Centreville.
Having marched without opposition till late in the night, a halt was made when within three miles of
Centreville, and the whole command slept on their arms.
At three o'clock the next morning a countermarch was ordered, leading
via Manassas and on to
Gainesville.
At the latter place information was obtained that a Yankee train of wagons, with a cavalry escort, had passed there during the night, going in the direction of Thoroughfare Gap.
Our cavalry immediately started in pursuit, and
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had proceeded not more than a mile when the “blue coats” were discovered at a small village known as
Haymarket.
Not waiting to ascertain their strength or position, the commanding officer ordered companies D, G, and H to charge upon the town, while he held companies A, B, F, and I, with the artillery, in reserve.
Regardless of the numbers that might oppose them, our boys raised a yell and dashed off at full speed--
Capt. Randolph, of company H, leading the column in the most gallant style.
After a slight resistance, the enemy commenced a precipitate flight, when the remaining companies were ordered to charge.
The work was short and quick — the whole party being “bagged” in a few moments.
One lieutenant and twenty-six privates were made prisoners, and three killed; seven wagons, loaded with quartermaster and commissary stores, were taken; also, two contrabands, (runaways,) twenty splendid horses, twenty-four mules, twenty-five sabres, twenty-seven army repeaters, and the same number of breech-loading rifles.
Our loss was none killed or wounded.
Having learned that a large force was advancing on our rear from
Centreville, we then commenced a forced march for
Warrenton, in order to save the spoils, and had been in camp not more than an hour, when a courier arrived, stating that the enemy were advancing upon
Warrenton.
Posting the different squadrons in the most advantageous positions beyond the town, with two pieces, (twelve-pounders,) under command of
Lieut. Betts, drawn up on a hill, to the extreme left, a determined stand was resolved upon.
Scarcely had these dispositions been made when a small body of cavalry, supposed to be the advance-guard, was discovered advancing up to the turnpike, about three quarters of a mile distant.
Lieut. Betts was ordered to open on them; and, after several rounds were fired, they concluded to advance no further, but retreated.
The cavalry were then ordered to charge, but night coming on they were prevented from following up the retreat to a very great distance.
Their force is reported by citizens who saw them, at fifteen hundred cavalry and six pieces of artillery.
Their loss in the skirmish beyond the town was one killed and six wounded. Our loss none.
Captain Randolph of company H, also
Lieut. Tidwell, of company A,
Lieut. Baker, of company D, and
Lieut. Betts, of the artillery, conducted themselves most gallantly throughout the whole affair.