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about a mile beyond the fork Hampton had taken up and strongly

intrenched a line across both roads; being reinforced by Fitzhugh

Lee; who; as before related; had joined him about noon by a

roundabout march。  Torbert soon hotly engaged this line; and by the

impetuosity of his first attack; gained some advantage; but the

appearance of Fitzhugh Lee's troops on the right; and Hampton's

strong resistance in front; rendered futile all efforts to carry the

position; and; although I brought up one of Gregg's brigades to

Torbert's assistance; yet the by…road I coveted was still held by the

enemy when night closed in。



This engagement; like that off the day before around Trevillian; was

mostly fought dismounted by both sides; as had also been the earlier

fights of the cavalry during the summer in the Wilderness; at Todd's

Tavern; Hawe's Shop; and Matadequin Creek。  Indeed; they could hardly

have been fought otherwise than on foot; as there was little chance

for mounted fighting in eastern Virginia; the dense woods; the

armament of both parties; and the practice of barricading making it

impracticable to use the sabre with anything like a large force; and

so with the exception of Yellow Tavern the dismounted method

prevailed in almost every engagement。



The losses at Mallory's Crossroads were very heavy on both sides。

The character of the fighting; together with the day's results;

demonstrated that it was impossible to make the passage of the North

Anna at Mallory's ford without venturing another battle the next day。

This would consume the little ammunition left; and though we might

gain the road; yet the possibility of having no ammunition whatever

to get back with was too great a hazard; so I gave orders to withdraw

during the night of the 12th。  We retired along the same road by

which we had come; taking with us the prisoners; and all of our

wounded who could be moved。  Those who could not be transported; some

ninety in number; and all the Confederate wounded in my hands; were

left at Trevillian in hospitals; under charge of one of our surgeons;

with plenty of medical and other stores。



We recrossed the North Anna at Carpenter's ford the following

morning; and halting there; unsaddled and turned the horses out to

graze; for they were nearly famished; having had neither food nor

water during the preceding forty…eight hours。  Late in the afternoon

we saddled up and proceeded to Twyman's Store; while General

Hampton's main body moved down the south bank of the North Anna; with

the purpose of intervening between me and the Army of the Potomac; in

the hope of preventing my return to it; but his movements took no

definite shape beyond watching me; however; till several days later;

near St。 Mary's Church; when I was crossing the peninsula to the

James River。



On the 14th the march was continued; and we reached the Catharpen

road; upon which it was originally intended to move if we had been

able to cross at Mallory's ford; and this conducted me to Shady Grove

Church。  The next day we passed over the battle…field of

Spottsylvania Court House。  The marks of the recent conflicts about

there were visible on every hand; and in the neighboring houses were

found many Union and Confederate wounded; who had been too severely

hurt to be removed from the field…hospitals at the time of the

battles。  Such of our wounded as were able to travel were brought

away。



On the 16th I marched from Edge Hill on the Ta River through Bowling

Green to Dr。 Butler's; on the north side of the Mattapony。  When I

arrived here I was unable to ascertain the position of the Army of

the Potomac; and was uncertain whether or not the base at the White

House had been discontinued。  I had heard nothing from the army for

nine days except rumors through Southern sources; and under these

circumstances did not like to venture between the Mattapony and

Pamunkey rivers; embarrassed as I was with some four hundred wounded;

five hundred prisoners; and about two thousand negroes that had

joined my column in the hope of obtaining their freedom。  I therefore

determined to push down the north bank of the Mattapony far enough to

enable me to send these impediments directly to West Point; where I

anticipated finding some of our gunboats and transports; that could

carry all to the North。  Following this plan; we proceeded through

Walkerton to King and Queen Court House; and bivouacked in its

vicinity the night of the 18th。  Next day I learned that the depot at

the White House had not yet been broken up entirely; and that

supplies were in store for me there; so after sending the wounded;

prisoners; and negroes to West Point under an escort of two

regiments; I turned back to Dunkirk; on the Mattapony; and crossed to

the south side at a place where the stream was narrow enough to

bridge with my pontoon…boats。



In returning from Trevillian; as the most of our wounded were hauled

in old buggies; carts; and such other vehicles as could be made

available in the absence of a sufficient number of ambulances; the

suffering was intense; the heat of the season and dusty roads adding

much to the discomfort。  Each day we halted many times to dress the

wounds of the injured and to refresh them as much as possible; but

our means for mitigating their distress were limited。  The fortitude

and cheerfulness of the poor fellows under such conditions were

remarkable; for no word of complaint was heard。  The Confederate

prisoners and colored people being on foot; our marches were

necessarily made short; and with frequent halts also; but they too

suffered considerably from the heat and dust; though at times the

prisoners were relieved by being mounted on the horses of some of our

regiments; the owners meantime marching on foot。  Where all the

colored people came from and what started them was inexplicable; but

they began joining us just before we reached Trevillianmen; women;

and children with bundles of all sorts containing their few worldly

goods; and the number increased from day to day until they arrived at

West Point。  Probably not one of the poor things had the remotest

idea; when he set out; as to where he would finally land; but to a

man they followed the Yankees in full faith that they would lead to

freedom; no matter what road they took。



On the morning of the 20th; at an early hour; we resumed our march;

and as the column proceeded sounds of artillery were heard in the

direction of the White House; which fact caused us to quicken the

pace。  We had not gone far when despatches from General Abercrombie;

commanding some fragmentary organizations at the White House;

notified me that the place was about to be attacked。  I had

previously sent an advance party with orders to move swiftly toward

the cannonading and report to me by couriers the actual condition of

affairs。  From this party I soon learned that there was no occasion

to push our jaded animals; since the crisis; if there had been one;

was over and the enemy repulsed; so the increased gait was reduced to

a leisurely march that took us late in the afternoon to the north

bank of the Pamunkey; opposite Abercrombie's camp。  When I got to the

river the enemy was holding the bluffs surrounding the White House

farm; having made no effort to penetrate General Abercrombie's line

or do him other hurt than to throw a few shells among the teamsters

there congregated。



Next day Gregg's division crossed the Pamunkey dismounted; and

Torbert's crossed mounted。 As soon as the troops were over; Gregg;

supported by Merritt's brigade; moved out on the road to Tunstall's

Station to attack Hampton; posted an the west side of Black Creek;

Custer's brigade meanwhile moving; mounted; on the road to

Cumberland; and Devin's in like manner on the one to Baltimore

crossroads。  This offer of battle was not accepted; however; and

Hampton withdrew from my front; retiring behind the Chickahominy;

where his co

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