Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 7.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[504] shell. I saw two ladies on the porch of one house that had four or five shells through it. In one house off to the left both father and son were killed by a shell. Kilpatrick said our regiment never did so well before, which is saying a great deal. Colonel Karhouse, who commands the regiment, manoeuvred it ably. Colonel Davies handled his brigade splendidly, as all remarked, and as the result proved.

We encamped at night on Stony Mountain, in a drenching shower of rain, and slept soundly on the wet ground. Doctor Kingston, our surgeon, showed himself a brave and skilful man, and our wounded got the best of attention.

The following is an accurate statement of what transpired in Culpeper. About three o'clock on Sunday morning information was conveyed to the cavalry — that the enemy were preparing to cross at Stark's Ford, some eight miles above our forces, and at Kelly's some five miles below them; and that they would no doubt be cooperated with by the corps of the enemy, which for some time past has been encamped on this side of the Rappahannock River, at the railroad bridge. The wagons were at once packed and sent to the rear, and the horses were ordered to be saddled, and the men were bidden to prepare for any emergency. At daybreak, Brigadier-General Lomax, in command of Jones's old brigade, now his own, and W. H. F. Lee's, under Colonel Beale, of the Ninth Virginia cavalry, moved at once to the front and found all quiet. Some hours later, couriers brought information that the enemy were crossing at Stark's Ford, with six hundred cavalry and artillery, and were advancing on Culpeper Court-House, by the Ridgeville road, and were driving in the pickets there stationed. The Seventh and Twelfth regiments Virginia cavalry were immediately sent forward to strengthen the picket on this road. Major Flournoy at this time held the front with the Sixth regiment and a squadron of sharp-shooters from the Ninth Virginia cavalry. About ten o'clock, Major Flournoy fell back to Brandy Station, and shortly thereafter Captain Moorman's artillery opened fire on the enemy from this point. Just then General Lomax received information that the enemy had crossed at Kelly's a large force of cavalry, artillery, and infantry, and were advancing on the Stevensburgh and Brandy roads. A very short time after this a sharp carbine fire announced their arrival at Brandy. Major Flournoy fell back rapidly, contesting every hill, and only giving way when in danger of being outflanked. The Thirteenth Virginia cavalry, supported by squadrons of the Ninth, was now thrown forward to the left of the railroad in Botts's (formerly J. A. Beckham's) woods. The Fifteenth Virginia cavalry was thrown forward to the right of the railroad in same woods. Six regiments of the enemy were now deployed in a field near Brandy, with two batteries of artillery. The infantry of the enemy were massed behind the cavalry and the timber. Of course our men were compelled to again give back. Another stand was made by our forces on the ground where the infantry first became engaged during Hampton's fight on the first of August, and here a severe fight took place, in which artillery, musketry, and carbines were freely used. At this time it was discovered that a column of at least two brigades of cavalry were moving on our right flank by way of Stevensburgh toward Culpeper Court-House. While the artillery on the left showed that the enemy, who were moving on the Rixeyville road, were nearly at the Court-House, our forces, of course, were compelled again to give back, and this time the Court-House fell into the hands of the enemy. In the fight made at this point, Colonel Beale, Ninth Virginia, was wounded slightly in the leg. At this time a train of cars was at the Court-House bringing off the plunder of our people. This was fired upon some three or four times, and though the shells exploded just above the cars, scattering the fragments over them, yet no damage was done. One shell passed into the house of Mr. Thomas Hill and exploded, but did no damage. I am told that nearly every thing was removed from the depot at Culpeper Court-House, though I hear that we lost some four or five boxes of saddles, eight boxes of ammunition, and forty sacks of corn. The excitement and confusion at Culpeper Court-House is said to have been very great and very striking. Women were shrieking, soldiers were groaning with their wounds, and children were crying from fright, and the death-shots hissing from afar were howling and screeching over the town. At last accounts the enemy had not advanced more than two miles out from Culpeper Court-House. The roar of artillery continued, however, until four o'clock, when it ceased.

I can get nothing definite as to our losses, save that we lost three pieces of Stuart's horse artillery yesterday evening.

Later.--After the enemy obtained possession of Culpeper Court-House, on Sunday, our forces made a stand about one and a half miles this side. Whilst engaged at this point, the Ninth Virginia cavalry made a bold and dashing charge, going right up to the Court-House. In this charge they captured some twenty-one prisoners. The aim of the enemy was a surprise, and, by inclosing us, to capture our forces. In this they were most signally disappointed. The artillery (three pieces) which we lost were captured as we were retiring through the Court-House. The fifteenth Virginia made three gallant charges in the fight which occurred after leaving the Court-House, and which was decidedly the hottest of the day. In this fight, Colonel Beale having been wounded, Major Waller, of the Ninth, commanded W. H. F. Lee's brigade, and handled it with great ability. Our men were finally compelled to give back before superior numbers, and retired upon Cedar Run, fighting as they receded. The enemy advanced during the night as far as Rapidan bridge, on the railroad, and threw a column down as low as Raccoon Ford. Yesterday