812 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. [Caen. XLVIII.
engaged, soon very heavily with the enemy's dismounted cavalry
and infantry. It pushed steadily, though, slowly, forward, driving
the enemy from temporary breast-works to within about 3 miles of
the Court-House, when it was re-enforced and finally relieved by a
division (Robinson's) of the Fifth Corps. The loss of the brigade in
this battle was heavy for the number engaged. Among the valua-
ble officers and men who fell I regret to mention Captain Ash, of the
Fifth U. S. Cavalry. On the arrival of the infantry, a part of a reg-
iment of Robinson's division, through apprehension or excitement,
fired into the'woods to the great danger of the line of battle of the
cavalry engaged some distance in front. Captain Ash, together with
some of my staff, stopped the firing, and in leading the infantry into
pogition on our skirmish line, was mortally wounded. He died nobly
in the discharge of a most important duty ; a heroic, patriotic, in-
trepid cavalry officer, a noble martyr in his country's service. In
the battle of the 7th the Reserve Brigade lost—Sixth Pennsylvania
Cavalry, Major Starr, commanding, wounded ; Lieutenant and Ad-
jutant Kirk (since dead), and Lieutenant Coxe, wounded. The First
Cavalry lost Captain Sumner, Lieutenants Hall, Pennock, Bernard,
Ward, and Carr, all wounded. Both these regiments did noble serv-
ice, and I mourn to report the temporary loss to the cavalry serv-
ice of so many accomplished gentlemen and gallant soldiers. The
enemy's bullets, alas for our command, too often "love shining
marks."
On the evening of the 8th the division was camped on Silver's
plantation, from which we marched on the morning of the 9th at
4.30 on an expedition to interrupt the enemy's communications with
Richmond. The march was continued to Beaver Dam Station, on
the Virginia Central Railroad, through Tabernacle Church, Stan-
ard's Mill, Thornburg, and Chilesburg. After passing this latter
point, the First Brigade, then in advance of the division, crossed the
North Anna by order, and, moving on Beaver Dam Station, captured
two engines and a number of cars, besides a large quantity of army
supplies, which were destroyed. Something less than 300 of our
own men (infantry), prisoners to the enemy, were retaken, among
whom were 2 or 3 field officers. A misconception of orders given or
some other cause marred the success that might have attended this
day's work, as by lighting fires after the capture of the station thi1/2
enemy were informed of our position and many stores were de-
stroyed, which would, as our after experience developed, have been
very useful in rationing the men in the command. The success was
complete, however, and as it cost nothing in lives or trouble no one
felt like taking serious notice of the gaucherie which lost us some of
the fruits of a hard day's march. During the night the railroad in
the neighborhood of the station for several miles in each direction
was thoroughly destroyed.
On the morning of the 10th the enemy's cavalry shelled our camp
on the south bank of the North Anna, while some little skirmishing
occurred between him and that part of the command on the north
bank. The march, however, was resumed without trouble, the First
Division being in rear. The day was very hot, and the march, a
long one, was made with but little water or rest for our animals.
Early on the morning of this day the Fifth Cavalry was sent to
occupy Davenport Bridge, on the North Anna, until the rear of the
command (the Reserve Brigade) had passed, in order to protect the
flank of the column from attack. In withdrawing, this gallant regi-