Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 24.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

I send you herewith a role of the Goochland Light Dragoons, late Company F, 4th Virginia Cavalry, Wickham's Brigade, later Stuart's, Fitz. Lee's Division, Army of Northern Virginia. The troop left Goochland, Va., on May 9, 1861, and proceeded to Richmond, Va., and was quartered for the night in a new building on Franklin street, below the Exchange Hotel. I think the building was known later as Westcott's Hotel. The next day (the 10th) the troop marched to Ashland, and was quartered in the Methodist church. It was mustered into the service of Virginia by Colonel Richard Ewell. It remained at Ashland about ten days, and was then ordered to Manassas, and on its arrival there marched to Fairfax Station, on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad, and went into camp to await the coming of the Yankees, and to do picket duty on the outpost. The next morning early a courier came dashing into camp with orders for us to march post-haste to Fairfax Courthouse, as the Yankees were advancing. A squadron of them had dashed into the village, and killed Captain Marr, of the Warrenton Rifles, and wounded Colonel Ewell. The troop was soon in the saddle, and marched rapidly to the courthouse, and found everything in great excitement. We remained mounted the balance of the day, but no Yankees appearing for us to fight we returned to our camp. The above was our first experience on outpost duty in Fairfax county. It would be too long a story to relate every detail of our experience from the Battle of Manassas to the finale at Appomattox.

Very truly yours, etc.,