612 Nortu Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

At 8 a. m. of the 22d the expedition consisting of about
5,500 cavalry and twelve guns, began the march by way of
Reams Station, p. 621. ‘The expedition,” by commands and
columns, consisted of the Third Division, Wilson’s own com-
mand, and General “Kautz’s Division” of cavalry. W. H. F.
Lee made instant pursuit, taking with him Dearing’s Brigade
and the Ninth, Nineteenth and Sixty-third Regiments of the
North Carolina Brigade, and McGregor’s Battery. They
tore up and destroyed the railroad awfully, there is no doubt
about that. We struck their rear guard at Reams Station,
drove them off and pressed them rapidly until long after
night. 645, 650. On page, 645, their Colonel Chapman
says: “From this point, W. H. F. Lee’s Division of cavalry
followed the rear of the column closely, keeping up a eon-
tinual skirmish until a couple of hours after night-fall.”

The next day, 23 June, we had gotten ahead of them and
also between their two columns. General Lee was now on
the north side of the railroad at a point where the railroad
and public road cross each other, almost at right angles and
in a cut about four feet deep and eight hundred feet long.
On page 645, Federal Colonel Chapman says: “On the
morning of the 23d I moved my command about an hour be-
fore daylight and proceeding by the Cox road, we reached
Blacks and Whites, and upon reaching a point near Nottoway
Court House where the road crosses the railroad the head of
the column came upon the enemy. Soon ascertaining that it
was the same force that had followed the rear the day previous
I made dispositions to meet the enemy, who advanced to the
attack, checked his advance, and subsequently drove him back
a considerable distance. The enemy bringing up strong rein-
forcements my line retired to its original position along the
railroad, from which repeated attempts of the enemy failed to
dislodge them. This engagement lasted from 1 p. m. until
dark and at times was quite severe. My command remained
in line of battle until near daylight, when, in accordance with
instructions, I quietly withdrew.”

To the same effect is General Wilson’s report on page 621,
and, on page 626, General Wilson says: “The enemy’s cav-
alry had succeeded in interposing themselves between the two

Srxty-Tuirp REGIMENT. 613

divisions of my command and that in the fight Chapman got
‘possession’ of our battery.” And further: “This was one of
the most determined cavalry engagements in which this divis-
ion has participated,” where he says: “I determined not to
renew the engagement until I could hear from General
Kautz.”

Now for our view of the fight. General Dearing was in
front, and with the Nineteenth North Carolina Regiment and
McGregor’s Battery made the first attack on Chapman. This
battery was in position on the left of the public road, as Gen-
eral Lee approached the railroad. The fighting was furious.
The Ninth and Sixty-third were back some distance in the
road by which Lee moved, the former in front of our short
train of wagons and the latter just behind the wagons. Dear-
ing’s Brigade began to break and finally fled. General Lee
seeing the day going against him, rushed one of his couriers
to the Ninth and Sixty-third with an order “to come to the
front fast.” The Ninth got its order and, as always, moved
off as ordered ; the same courier dashed by our short wagon
train and gave the same order to the Sixty-third, marching
by twos. The order for the Sixty-third rang out—“Open
ranks; forward, gallop, march.” And past those wagons the
Sixty-third went in a rushing race right after the Ninth.
We dashed up to the fight and as the Ninth gloriously rushed
in on the extreme left of our line, the Sixty-third was dis-
mounted, under the fastest orders ever given, and rushed
in on the right of the Ninth. Dearing’s men were fleeing
in dismay before Chapman’s victorious lines. McGregor’s
guns were just about to be captured. Captain S. A. Grier,
commanding the fifth squadron, on the left of the Sixty-
third’s line and closest to the Ninth, says “the guns were
abandoned.” .Near the extreme right of what had been our
first line there was somebody firing into the foe and falling
slowly back, and who had not fled with Dearing. As the
Ninth and Sixty-third, wildly yelling, and firing furiously,
went by our guns and beat back Chapman, it was seen that the
somebody on the Sixty-third’s right was Major W. P. Rob-
erts, commanding the Nineteenth Regiment. Roberts’ cour-
age never failed. He saw everything in battle just as light-