We propose to give no account of these battles, only to pick out and present a few company incidents and some chance meetings of the day.
For hours that evening (21st) this little band of young and inexperienced horsemen had stood within range of the guns of the enemy—first at Mitchell's ford, where the main attack was anticipated—and then when the report of the movement on our left by McDowell (brought in and ascertained by Captain Wooldridge of the Goochland troop and Colonel G. W. Lay, of the staff), escorting Generals Johnston and Beauregard at full speed to the scene of action, whose own forces under under Cocke, Evans and others, were so gallantly sustaining themselves against great odds.
This squadron took position at the foot of the hill in rear of the Lewis house, where General Johnston stood in his full view, and almost within the sound of his voice.
Well does the writer remember his clear, clarion voice, when after giving him orders to rally broken troops, rising in his stirrups, he shouted, "Captain Lay, tell them Virginians are standing fast upon these hills." Under fire, with the wounded passing to the rear, the position seemed a demoralizing one to mere boys, inexperienced in warfare and unaccustomed to its horrors; but steadily they stood—promptly obeyed orders, and rendered efficient and marked service during the day in the pursuit, and for many days after the battle.
We remained in winter quarters, doing picket and courier duty, until the move to the Peninsula was decided upon by General Johnston. But a few days before, and for the first time, the Powhatan troop was ordered to report to the Fourth Virginia cavalry, General Beverly Robertson commanding. But before the move was completed, it was again detached. Captain Lay was sent for, and with confidential instructions, based upon the contemplated retreat, he was ordered to take his single company, and hold both Berry's and Castleman's fords, on the Shenandoah river, in order to protect the rear and flank of General D. H. Hill, then at Leesburg, and to do so "at all hazards, even of capture"; also, if possible, to communicate the proposed movement to General Stonewall Jackson, then at Winchester, and who, without notice, would have been left entirely exposed. [Note.—This was successfully accomplished on foot by Sergeant William A. Sublett, now of this city, a brave and skilful soldier]. Headquarters were at Aldie, and daily reports to General Johnston, Stuart and D. H. Hill.
