Battle of Reams's Station-report of General W. C. Wickham.
Headquarters Wickham's brigade, July 2, 1864.
Major J. D. Ferguson, A. A. G., Fitz Lee's Cavalry Division:
Major,--I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my command in the engagement of June 29, 1864, near Reams's Station:
Upon reaching Carter's house I was ordered to dismount one of my regiments and send it in to the support of General Lomax, who had been ordered to make a flank attack whilst General Mahone attacked in front; to keep two regiments in hand ready for mounted action, and to put one in rear of our trains to guard them.
The Second Virginia cavalry was dismounted, and supported General Lomax in his attack.
This attack was followed by a rout.
So soon as the enemy began to fly my two mounted regiments (the Third and Fourth Virginia) were thrown forward in the pursuit, passing the park of the enemy's wagons and caissons that they had fired.
I made a detail that saved nineteen of the wagons and one caisson.
Crossing Rowanty creek, where the enemy had left their ambulances and wounded, these regiments (the Third in front) soon came upon the rear guard of the enemy, and scattered it in every direction, capturing and bringingoff three pieces of artillery, taking two mountain howitzers, and forcing the enemy to abandon all but one of his guns (which were afterwards taken possession of by General Mahone's men when they came up), capturing, so far as I can learn, all of the wagons and ambulances that they attempted to take with them, and capturing many prisoners, negroes and small arms; recapturing a considerable number
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of our own infantry who had been captured in the morning.
The pursuit was pressed on with but trivial opposition until we reached Stony creek, where the enemy (having torn up the bridge) made a stand, but were soon dislodged by General Lomax, with his men dismounted, when the pursuit was again resumed and pressed far into the night.
The next morning, on crossing Nottoway river, we found that the enemy had there abandoned their last gun, which I recovered from the river, into which they had thrown it, and it was brought back with us on our return.
The conduct of my men and officers was in the highest degree creditable to them.
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) Major J. D. Ferguson, A. A. G., Fitz Lee's Cavalry Division:
W. C. Wickham, Brigadier General.
