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

Although the expedition was prosecuted further than was at first contemplated in your instructions, I feel assured that the considerations which actuated me will convince you that I did not depart from their spirit, and that the boldness developed in the subsequent direction of the march was the quintessence of prudence. The destination of the expedition was kept a profound secret, (so essential to success,) and was known to my command only as the actual march developed it.

The force was quietly concentrated beyond the Chickahominy, near Kilby's Station, on the Richmond, Fredericksburgh, and Potomac Railroad, and moved thence parallel to and to the left of that road. Scouts were kept far to the right to ascertain the enemy's whereabouts, and advancedguard flankers and rear-guard to secure our column against surprise. I purposely directed my first day's march toward Louisa, so as to favor the idea of reenforcing Jackson, and camped just opposite Hanover Court-House, near Southanna Bridge, (Richmond, Fredericksburgh, and Potomac Railroad,) twenty-two miles from Richmond. Our noiseless bivouac was broken early next morning, and without flag or bugle sound, we resumed our march, none but one knew whither. I, however, immediately took occasion to make known my instructions and plans confidently to the regimental commanders, so as to secure an intelligent action and cooperation in whatever might occur. Scouts had returned indicating no serious obstacles to my march from that to Old Church, directly in rear of, and on the overland avenue of communication to New-Bridge and vicinity.

I proceeded, therefore, via Hanover Court-House, upon the route to Old Church. Upon reaching the vicinity of Hanover Court-House, I found it in possession of the enemy; but very little could be ascertained about the strength and nature of his force. I therefore sent Col. Fitz Lee's regiment, First Virginia cavalry, to make a detour to the right, and reach the enemy's route behind him, to ascertain his force here, and crush it if possible; but the enemy, proving afterward to be one hundred and fifty cavalry, did not tarry long, but left — my column following slowly down, expecting every moment to hurl him upon Lee; but, owing to a bad marsh, Col. Lee did not reach the intersection of roads in time, and the cavalry (the regular Sixth) passed on in the direction of Mechanicsville. This course deviating too much from our direction, after the capture of a sergeant, they ere allowed to proceed on their way. Our march led thence by Taliaferro's mill and Edon Church to Haws' shop; here we encountered the first pickets, surprised and caught several videttes, and pushed boldly forward, keeping advanced-guard well to the front. The regiment in front was the Ninth Virginia cavalry, Col. W. H. F. Lee, whose advance-guard, intrusted to the command of Adjt.-Lieut. Rodins, did admirable service--Lieut. Rodins handling it in the most skilful manner, managing to clear the way for the march with little delay, and infusing, by a sudden dash at a picket, such a wholesome terror that it never paused to take a second look. Between Haws' shop and Old Church the advanced guard reported the enemy's cavalry in force in front. It proved to be the Fifth regular cavalry, (formerly the Second, commanded by yourself.) [193] The leading squadron was ordered forward at a brisk gait, the main body following closely, and gave chase to the enemy for a mile or two, but did not come up to him. We crossed the Tolopotomoy, a strong position of defence which the enemy failed to hold, confessing a weakness. In such places half a squadron was deployed afoot as skirmishers, till the point of danger was passed.

On, on dashed Rodins, here skirting a field, there leaping a fence or ditch, and cleaning the woods beyond, when, not far from Old Church, the enemy made a stand, having been reinforced. The only mode of attack being in column of fours along the road, I still preferred to oppose the enemy with one squadron at a time, remembering that he who brings on the field the last cavalry reserve wins the day. The next squadron, therefore, moved to the front, under the lamented Capt. Latane, making a most brilliant and successful charge, with drawn sabres, upon the picket-guard, and after a hotly contested hand-to-hand conflict put him to flight, but not till the gallant Captain had sealed his devotion to his native soil with his blood. The enemy's rout (two squadrons by one of ours) was complete; they dispersed in terror and confusion, leaving many dead on the field, and blood in quantities in their tracks. Their commander, Capt. Royall, was reported mortally wounded. Several officers and a number of privates were taken in this conflict, and a number of horses, arms, and equipments, together with five guidons. The woods and fields were full of the scattered and disorganized foe, straggling to and fro, and but for the delay and the great incumbrance which they would have been to our march, many more could and would have been captured.

Col. Fitz Lee, burning with impatience to cross sabres with his old regiment, galloped to the front at this point and begged to be allowed to participate with his regiment, the First Virginia cavalry, in the discomfiture of his old comrades — a request I readily granted — and his leading squadron pushed gallantly down the road to Old Church; but the fragments of Royall's command could not be rallied again, and Col. Lee's leading squadron charged, without resistance, into the enemy's camp, (five companies,) and took possession of a number of horses, a quantity of arms and stores of every kind, and several officers and privates. The stores, as well as the tents, in which everything had left, were speedily burned and the march resumed — whither?

Here was the turning-point of the expedition. Two routes were before me, the one to return by Hanover Court-House, the other to pass around through New-Kent, taking the chances of having to swim the Chickahominy, and make a bold effort to cut the enemy's lines of communication. The Chickahominy was believed by my guides to be fordable near Forge Bridge. I was fourteen miles from Hanover Court-House, which I would have to pass if I returned, the enemy had a much shorter distance to pass to intercept me there; besides, the South Anna River was impassable, which still further narrowed the chances of escape in that direction; the enemy, too, would naturally expect me to take that route. These circumstances led me to look with more favor to my favorite scheme, disclosed to you before starting, of passing around. It was only nine miles to Tunstall's station, on the York River Railroad, and that point once passed, I felt little apprehension; beyond, the route was one of all others which I felt sure the enemy would never expect me to take. On that side of the Chickahominy infantry could not reach me before crossing, and I felt able to whip any cavalry force that could be brought against me. Once on the Charles City side, I knew you would, when aware of my position, if necessary, order a diversion in my favor on the Charles City road, to prevent a move to intercept me from the direction of White Oak Swamp. Beside this, the hope of striking a serious blow at a boastful and insolent foe, which would make him tremble in his shoes, made more agreeable the alternative I chose.

In a brief and frank interview with some of my officers, I disclosed my views, but while none accorded a full assent, all assured me a hearty support in whatever I did. With an abiding trust in God, and with such guarantees of success as the two Lees and Martin and their devoted followers, this enterprise I regarded as most promising. Taking care, therefore, more particularly after this resolve, to inquire of the citizens the distance and the route to Hanover Court-House, I kept my horse's head steadily toward Tunstall's station. There was something sublime in the implicit confidence and unquestioning trust of the rank and file in a leader guiding them straight apparently into the very jaws of the enemy; every step appearing to them to diminish the faintest hope of extrication. Reports of the enemy's strength at Garlick's and Tunstall's were conflicting, but generally indicated a small number. Prisoners were captured at every step, and included officers, soldiers and negroes.

The rear now became of as much interest and importance as the front, but the duties of rearguard devolving upon the Jeff Davis Legion, with the howitzer attached, its conduct was intrusted to its commander, Lieut.-Col. Martin, in whose judgment and skill I had entire confidence. He was not attacked, but at one time the enemy appeared in his rear, bearing a flag of truce, and the party, twenty-five in number, bearing it, actually surrendered to his rear-guard, so great was the consternation produced by our march. An Assistant-Surgeon was also taken: he was en route, and not in charge of the sick. Upon arriving opposite Garlick's, I ordered a squadron from the Ninth Virginia cavalry to destroy whatever could be found at the landing on the Pamunkey. Two transports, loaded with stores, and a large number of wagons were here burnt, and the squadron rejoined the column with a number of prisoners, horses and mules. A squadron of the First Virginia cavalry (Hammond's) assisted in this destruction.

A few picked men, including my aids, Burke, [194] Farley and Mosley, were pushed forward rapidly to Tunstall's, to cut the wires, and secure the depot. Five companies of cavalry, escorting large wagon-trains, were in sight, and seemed at first disposed to dispute our progress, but the sight of our column, led by Lee, of the Ninth, boldly advancing to the combat, was enough. Content with a distant view, they fled, leaving their train in our hands. The party that reached the railroad at Tunstall's surprised the guard at the depot, fifteen or twenty infantry, captured them without their firing a gun, and set about obstructing the railroad, but before it could be thoroughly done, and just as the head of our column reached it, a train of cars came thundering down from the “grand army.” It had troops on board, and we prepared to attack it. The train swept off the obstructions without being thrown from the track, but our fire, delivered at only a few rods' distance, either killed or caused to feign death every one on board, the engineer being one of the first victims, from the unerring fire of Capt. Farley. It is fair to presume that a serious collision took place on its arrival at the White House, for it made extraordinary speed in that direction.

The railroad bridge over Black Creek was fired under the direction of Lieut. Burke, and it being now dark, the burning of the immense wagontrain, and the extricating of the teams, involved much labor and delay, and illuminated the country for miles. The roads at this point were far worse than ours, and the artillery had much difficulty in passing. Our march was finally continued by bright moonlight to Talleysville, where we halted three and a half hours for the column to close up. At this point we passed a large hospital, of one hundred and fifty patients. I deemed it proper not to molest the surgeons and attendants in charge.

At twelve o'clock at night the march was continued, without incident, under the most favorable auspices, to Forge Bridge (eight miles） over the Chickahominy, where we arrived just at daylight. Lee, of the Ninth, by personal experiment, having found the stream not fordable, axes were sent for, and every means taken to overcome the difficulties by improvised bridges and swimming. I immediately despatched to you information of my situation, and asked for the diversion already referred to. The progress in crossing was very slow at the point chosen, just above Forge Bridge, and learning that, at the bridge proper, enough of the debris of the old bridge remained to facilitate the construction of another — materials for which were afterward afforded by a large ware-house adjacent — I moved to that point at once.

Lieut. Redmond Burke, who in every sphere has rendered most valuable service, and deserves the highest consideration at the hands of the government, set to work with a party to construct a bridge. A foot-bridge was soon improvised, and the horses were crossed over as rapidly as possible by swimming. Burke's work proceeded like magic; in three hours it was ready to bear artillery and cavalry, and as half of the latter had not yet crossed, the bridge enabled the whole to reach the other bank by one o'clock P. M. Another branch of the Chickahominy, still further on, was with difficulty forded, and the march was continued without interruption towards Richmond.

Having passed the point of danger, I left the column with Col. Lee, of the First, and rode on to report to you, reaching your headquarters at daylight next morning. Returning to my command soon after, the prisoners, one hundred and sixty-five in number, were transferred to the proper authority; two hundred and sixty mules and horses captured, with more or less harness, were transferred to the quartermaster departments of the different regiments, and the commands were sent to their respective camps. The number of captured arms has not been, as yet, accurately ascertained. A pole was broken, which obliged us to abandon a limber this side of the Chickahominy.

The success attending this expedition will no doubt cause ten thousand or fifteen thousand men to be detached from the enemy's main body to guard his communications, besides accomplishing the destruction of millions of dollars' worth of property, and the interruption, for a time, of his railroad communications. The three commanders, the two Lees and Martin, exhibited the characteristics of skilful commanders, keeping their commands well in hand, and managing them with skill and good judgment, which proved them worthy of a higher trust. Their brave men behaved with coolness and intrepidity in danger, unswerving resolution before difficulties, and stood unappalled before the rushing torrents of the Chickahominy, with the probability of an enemy at their heels, armed with the fury of a tigress robbed of her whelps. The perfect order and systematic disposition for crossing, maintained throughout the passage, insured its success, and rendered it the crowning feature of a successful expedition.

I hope, General, that your sense of delicacy, so manifest on former occasions, will not prompt you to award to the two Lees, (your son and nephew,) less than their full measure of praise. Embalmed in the hearts and affections of their regiments, tried on many occasions requiring coolness, decision and bravery, everywhere present to animate, direct and control, they held their regiments in their grasp, and proved themselves brilliant cavalry leaders.

The discipline maintained by Lieut. Col. Martin in his command, and referred to in his report, is especially worthy of notice, as also his reference to the energy displayed by First Lieutenant James Breathed, of the Stuart horse artillery.

I am most of all indebted to First Lieut. D. A. Timberlake, Corporal Turner Doswell, and private J. A. Timberlake, Fourth Virginia cavalry, Second Lieut. James B. Christian, and private R. E. Fray, Third Virginia cavalry, who were ever in advance, and without whose thorough knowledge of the country and valuable assistance rendered, I could have effected nothing. Assistant [195] -Surgeon J. D. Fontaine, Fourth Virginia cavalry, (the enemy giving him little to do in his profession,) was bold and indefatigable in reconnoissance, and was particularly active in his efforts to complete the brigade. Captain Heros Von Borcke, a Prussian cavalry officer, who lately ran the blockade, assigned me by the Honorable Sceretary of War, joined in the charge of the first squadron in gallant style, and subsequently by his energy, skill, and activity, won the praise and admiration of all.

To my staff present my thanks are especially due for the diligent performance of the duties assigned them. They were as follows:

First Lieut. John Esten Cook, Ordnance Officer, (my principal staff-officer for the occasion,) First Lieut. C. Dabney, A. D.C., Rev. Mr. Landstreet, Capts. Farley, Towles, Fitzhugh, and Mosby rendered conspicuous and gallant service during the whole expedition.

My escort, under Corporal Hagan, are entitled individually to my thanks for their zeal and devotion to duty, particularly privates Carson, of the Jeff Davis Legion, and Pierson, of the Fourth Virginia cavalry.

Herewith are submitted the reports of subordinate commanders, marked A, B, and C, and a map, D, showing my route, and papers, E, containing recommendations for promotion, and F, containing congratulatory orders published to the command upon its return.

I have the honor to be, General, your obedient servant,

The General Commanding announces with great satisfaction to the army the brilliant exploit of Brig.-Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, with part of the troops under his command. This gallant officer, with portions of the First, Fourth, and Ninth Virginia cavalry, a part of the Jeff Davis Legion, with whom were the Boykin Rangers and a section of the Stuart horse artillery, on the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth of June, made a reconnaissance between the Pamunkey and Chickahominy Rivers, and succeeded in passing around the rear of the whole of the Union army, routing the enemy in a series of skirmishes, taking a number of prisoners, and destroying and capturing stores to a large amount.

Having most successfully accomplished its object, the expedition re-crossed the Chickahominy almost in the presence of the enemy, with the same coolness and address that marked every step of its progress, and with the loss of but one man, the lamented Capt. Latane, of the Ninth Virginia cavalry, who fell bravely leading a successful charge against a superior force of the enemy. In announcing the signal success to the army, the General Commanding takes great pleasure in expressing his admiration of the courage and skill so conspicuously exhibited throughout by the General and the officers and the men under his command.

In addition to the officers honorably mentioned in the report of the expedition, the conduct of the following privates has received the special commendation of their respective commanders: Private Thomas D. Clapp, Co. D, First Virginia cavalry, and J. S. Mosby, serving in the same regiment; privates Ashton, Brent, R. Herring, F. Herring, and F. Coleman, Co. E, Ninth Virginia cavalry.

A part, some say a whole regiment, of the First Virginia cavalry, under the command of Gen. Stewart, crossed the Pamunkey from Prince William County, a few miles above this place, at a point known as Garlick's Landing. There they commenced a series of depredations, which had they been as successful throughout as they were at the beginning, would have resulted most disastrously to our cause in this quarter. With a fiendish ferocity, more akin to devils than men, the rebels began murdering all who came in their way. Men, women, and some say even children, black and white, were, without hesitation, shot or cut to pieces in an instant. Two schooners lying at the landing, after being plundered, were fired and completely destroyed. Their names are the Whitman Phillips and Island City, both of New-York.

After accomplishing their diabolical work here, and having wreaked their vengeance on every person or thing they thought to be in any manner belonging to, or connected with our Government, they seem to hare divided themselves into squads or small companies, and proceeded on their way to accomplish, if possible, what was, no doubt, the chief object of their mission.

The precise knowledge which the rebels possess of the character of the roads and situation of the country must have been of great service to them on this occasion, and so adroitly did they avail themselves of this knowledge, that before any one here was aware of the fact, they had proceeded as far up the railroad as Tunstall's station, some five miles from this place. The trains, which have been of so much service in carrying supplies from the landing here, to the advanced lines of our army, have no particular time of starting from this point or arriving at their destination, being entirely controlled by circumstances.

About the time the rebels arrived at Tunstall's station, orne of the trains happened, unfortunately, to be on its way down to White House, and having been in the vicinity, and doubtless apprised of its coming, they awaited on the brow of a hill, through which the road has been cut, the approach of the train. Innocent of all danger, and without the least suspicion of a surprise of the character awaiting it, the train advanced steadily and swiftly on, till it reached the position at which the murderers were stationed. As it approached, the rebels suddenly appeared, and hailed the engineer to stop the train. By a sort of intuition he suspected at once the character of the abrupt intruders, and refused to comply with their demand. In an instant a volley was poured into the train, and its passengers, consisting chiefly of laborers, civilians, and sick and wounded soldiers, made a general effort to jump off and, if possible, elude the deadly fire of the rebels on the hill. Some succeeded, others, especially the sick and wounded, were unable to get off, and took their chance on the train.

The engineer, surprised and frightened, and ignorant as to the number of rebels he might encounter on the road, resolving to run the train in, crowded on the highest pressure of steam, and the train almost flew over the remainder of the road to White House. Here the news of what had occurred spread like lightning, and the utmost fear, panic, and consternation spread throughout the departments stationed here. This was entirely owing to the fact that everybody was ignorant of the numbers and force of the rebels, and their fears at once magnified a few hundred cavalry into the entire rebel army, which they alleged, had left Richmond and come around to cut off McClellan in the rear. Another unfortunate circumstance here was the very small number of effective troops at this place, and, under an impression of immediate attack, Colonel Ingalls, in command here, mustered whatever there was to muster, and, in addition, armed all the laborers and civilians to be found. In connection with a few cavalry, these were formed in line of battle, to receive the rebels. In the mean time, the various steamboats, schooners, etc., at this point, prepared to drop down the Pamunkey. The mail-boat from Fort Monroe had just arrived; the mails which she had brought, together with those remaining in the post-office, and other Government documents and property, were hurried on board, and the boat prepared to start. There was, of course, an immense panic among sutlers and others engaged in the mercantile profession, every one awaiting with dread suspense the expected attack.

But the rebels, whether unaware of the advantage they would have obtained, or more probably through fear of meeting our army in force at this point, failed to make their appearance, but, in the mean time, had proceeded to the accomplishment of business, which was, doubtless, more immediately connected with their mission. The country over which the railroad runs is interspersed with various creeks, small runs, and swamps, each of which is spanned with bridges of various sizes and styles of engineering skill. These, with their several locations, were all well known to the rebels, whose familiarity with this country is amply attested by the desolation they have everywhere left behind them.

One of these bridges, a little this side Tunstall's station, which spans a small stream some twenty feet above its level, was especially selected by the rebels for destruction, with a view to the demolition of any trains that might be coming or going, and for the purpose of cutting off communication for a time, at least, between our army before Richmond and their supplies at White House. They also tore up one or two rails from the track, but before they had succeeded either with their bridge-burning or tearing up the track they were compelled to leave, by what means I have not been able to learn, but I presume by the approach of a regiment of the Pennsylvania reserves, (the Bucktails,) which, upon information received, had been ordered to proceed down the road to White House. The Bucktails arrived [201] just in time to put out the flames and save the bridge--one half-hour, or even less, of a delay would have enabled the rebels to accomplish their purpose on the bridge and track.

From the bridge the rebels proceeded through the woods to the road which leads to Richmond, and which lies to the left of the railroad. Here they continued their infernal business, killing, plundering, and destroying every person and thing that came in their way. Two trains of some thirty wagons each, on their way from White House to the army, laden with grain, were overtaken, captured, and destroyed by fire. The teamsters, escaping safely, came running into camp greatly frightened, having lost every thing in their flight. As the rebels crossed the Pamunkey, at Garlick's Landing, a train of wagons, in addition to other Government property, was captured and immediately destroyed. Several sutlers, on the same road as the Government teams, lost their wagons and stores. I neglected to mention, in its proper place, that the rebels also fired a railroad-car, containing grain, at Tunstall's station, which was completely destroyed.

Your correspondent was coming down the railroad in the train immediately following the one on which the attack was made, and had a very narrow escape, our train being saved by the appearance of some of the fugitives, who had escaped the rebel bullets and the mishaps in jumping from the running cars. Breathless from running and fright, they called to the engineer, who stopped the train, and remained on the road the remainder of the night. It was now about twelve o'clock midnight, and we were in a very uncertain, and, for aught we knew, a critical position. The rebels were known to be scattered over the country in different directions, but in what numbers, we nor any other person seemed to know any thing about. It was uncertain what minute they might appear on the brow of the hill near which we stopped, and fire upon our train as they did on the one preceding us. Accordingly, a few persons started to bring down the Fifty-second Pennsylvania, Col. Dodge, which was known to be in the vicinity, to serve as a guard of protection to the train. The men had generally retired to rest for the night, but were soon aroused, put under arms, and marched down the road to where the train had stopped. I have often heard orators eulogize and applaud the brave men who guard our persons, our liberties, and our homes — I have read, and heard others read, the glowing apostrophe of the poet to “Our defenders” --but on neither occasion did I half realize their importance as I did on this clear moonlight night, in a hostile country, with the enemy hovering around me, when the Fifty-second Pennsylvania stood there to defend me and others, unarmed and helpless like myself, from danger and death.

The following are the casualties, so far as I have been able to learn, resulting from this wonderful raid of guerrillas:

killed.--Three laborers, whose names I could not learn, supposed to be from Philadelphia, killed on the railroad train; D. Potter, a Quartermaster Sergeant, shot through the head at Garlick's Landing.

wounded.--A private of the Nineteenth Massachusetts, name unknown; Anton Haneman, laborer; Lieut. John Brelsford, company I, Eighty-first Pennsylvania; William Bradley, company E, One Hundredth New-York; Robert Gilmore, drummer, Eighty-seventh New-York; a lieutenant, whose name I could not learn; Albert Barker, Twelfth New-York; Jesse P. Woodbury, belonging to one of the gunboats. Several others are reported, but these are all I have been able to ascertain from reliable sources. There were several prisoners taken, some of whom escaped, and others who will no doubt turn up, as the rebels were not in condition to carry them very far.

Early next morning after the occurrence, regiments of infantry were thrown along both sides of the railroad to act as a guard, while several companies of cavalry were despatched on scouting expeditions through the woods and surrounding country. Every effort was made by our men, who were enraged beyond measure, to capture the daring and desperate rebels. They have succeeded in capturing six of the rebels, among whom are Capt. Garlick, whose father lives at the landing where the rebels crossed the river; Dr. Harrison, a rampant secesh, who lives near this place, and whose property has been constantly guarded by Union soldiers since this place fell into our hands. It is said that he has been in constant communication with the rebels since their departure from Yorktown, and it is positively asserted that Gen. Stuart, who is supposed to have led this marauding band, and the rebel Lee, who formerly lived here, have, on more than one occasion, been guests at his house. There is no disguising the fact that this whole section of country is more or less infested with men, and women too, who under the garb of Union men, for the purpose of having a guard of our soldiers detached to watch their property, are doing our cause an immense injury and the rebels a great service. It is certain that the rebels are generally well acquainted with all the movements of our army — their strong and their weak points; and while loyal newspaper correspondents have been made the scapegoats on which the wrath of our generals has been poured, for supposed intelligence conveyed to the enemy, so that even petty lieutenants have learned to snub them — these hypocritical Union men have been secured in their persons and property, while they corresponded with the rebels in Richmond and else-where.

I have thus given you as correct an account of this unexpected occurrence as I have been able to collect from what I saw, and from the thousands of rumors in circulation, as well as from information obtained from reliable sources. It came very near being a serious disaster to our army here. The thousands of dollars' worth of property belonging to the Government at this place; the lives of many who are here as laborers and in other capacities, who are, of course, unarmed, and perhaps the greatest of all, the communication [202] between our army and its supplies, were all in imminent danger. I only express the universal opinion of every person here when I say that it was a great mistake to leave so important a point almost unprotected, especially in an enemy's country, and that enemy so subtle, unscrupulous, desperate, and cruel. The railroad, which the enemy sought to destroy, has hitherto been left unprotected, and the trains constantly running from this place to the advance of the army, have been left almost entirely to the mercy of the secessionists here, as well as to surprises such as occurred on Friday. When it is known that the road runs over a distance of same eighteen miles through a country eminently suited to the operations of guerrilla bands, and that the enemy are known to avail themselves of this dishonorable mode of warfare, it will be conceded that a strong guard should continually occupy the entire road. 1 understand means will be taken immediately to guard against any future occurrences of this kind.

I have given you a general account of the conduct of the rebels on this occasion, but I have not attempted to describe it in detail. One example will, perhaps, serve as an index to their more than fiendish ferocity: One of the laborers, whom I have stated to be killed on the cars, was only wounded at first, and having made his escape, sought shelter and protection in the woods. The rebels, while in pursuit of a colonel who had fled, again came across this man, already wounded and bleeding from their cowardly fire, and despatched him by firing five bullets into his head. Such is the boasted chivalry of the Old Dominion, and it is but a fitting index to the character of the rebellion and its leaders.