Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/45

At four o'clock the bugles sounded to horse, and after a march of four hours we halted with our wagon-train, which we found camped near Boonsboro'. We had heard heavy cannonading in this direction during the day, and now the sound of artillery and wagons passing rapidly down the 'pike leading through the village could be distinctly heard. About eleven o'clock we parted from our wagons, and, taking the 'pike running through the South Pass, ascended the mountain for over a mile and halted in column of fours on the road. The infantry in detached parties of from ten to two hundred marched by us, moving down the 'pike. After sunrise on the morning of September 15th we followed them, moving slowly and often facing about. The Fourth Regiment was in front in the retrograde march, and the Ninth in the rear. As we got well out from the mountain the dark-blue columns of the enemy, with their bright muskets gleaming in the morning sunshine, were seen filing down the 'pike, and on both the right and left of that road. We reached Boonsboro', and found a large building on the Main street converted into a hospital, and filled with Confederates wounded in the previous day's fight, made by General Longstreet at South Pass. The order "Forward" was given, but, from some cause, was not executed by Colonel Wickham in time. Before the Ninth Regiment cleared the town our rear guard, under General Fitz. Lee in person, I think, were driven at full gallop upon our rear. A fire was at the same time opened upon us from the upper windows of some of the houses. The order to wheel about, given by Colonel Lee, was heard only by the officers commanding the rear squadron, and before it could be executed the enemy's cavalry was upon us. Clouds of dust enveloped everything. The column became a confused mass, hurrying without order down the 'pike, and many escaping through the fields. Colonel Lee was dismounted early in the action, and the enemy pressed up closely, using their carbines. Rallying a few men, the Lieutenant-Colonel led a charge with the sabre, when his horse, too, was killed