The Comanches: A History of White's Battalion, Virginia Cavalry

by Frank M. Myers

But it is time to go back into the forlorn death-march of Lee’s army.

Early in the morning of the 6th the enemy advanced on the pickets at Amelia Springs, who were from the second squadron of White’s Battalion, commanded by Captain French, who, after a firm resistance, was compelled to retire upon the infantry, who at the same time were being warmly pressed by the main body of Grant’s army in the rear, and the retreat was resumed and continued during the day with constant fighting.

On arriving near Rice’s Station a heavy force of the enemy’s cavalry made an attack upon Rosser’s division, but the General wheeled his regiments and threw them in fierce and desperate charges upon the foe, routing and driving him back upon his infantry.

The old brigade seemed inspired with the fiery valor which had in other days given it the proud title of the “Laurel,” and impelled its men to follow the battle-flag of Dixie through blood to victory, on many a well-fought field, and never in all the years of the war, had it acted more gallantly.

When this affair opened the “Laurel” brigade was near the High Bridge, and was forced to charge the enemy’s infantry, which in strong force was posted in the edge of a body of timber, and here the Yankee line was driven back, but pretty soon Gen. Dearing ordered his people to retire, and riding up to Col. White, the General informed him that the enemy had surrounded them, and asked his advice, saying, “We must cut through or surrender.” The Colonel only replied, by saying, “You know best what to do;” and Dearing then said, “We must whip that infantry,[infantry,] and if you and I lead the charge, it can be done,” which Col. White at once agreed to, and the regiment were again ordered forward, the battalion in front, with Col. White and Gen. Dearing leading it.

By this time the Yankees had returned and taken position some fifteen yards in front of the woods, from which they opened a terrible fire, but the “Comanches” swept onward, supported by the brigade, and the enemy was again driven in great confusion over the hill.

Here Gen. Dearing was mortally wounded, and carried from the field, and Federal Gen. Read, who commanded the Yankee forces, was also mortally wounded, and fell into the hands of the Confederates.

On reaching the top of the hill, and finding himself in command of the brigade, Col. White halted, to reform his scattered line, preparatory to charging again upon the Yankees, who were rallying at a corner of woods about a quarter of a mile away, but while thus engaged, a small party of the enemy’s cavalry, from towards Rice’s, appeared, and two of them attacked the gallant Maj. Breathed, of the Stuart Horse Artillery, who had ridden alone, some distance beyond the Confederate line, and a desperate conflict took place, in full view of both parties, wherein nothing but the sabre was used. In a short time the Major knocked one of his foes from his horse, and was almost instantly knocked down himself by the remaining one, but just as the Yankee had wheeled his horse, and was leaning over with his sabre in tierce to despatch the prostrate Major, one of White’s men approached, and with a pistol shot brought the Yankee to the ground, when Breathed sprang up with his sabre still in his hand, exclaiming, "Oh! damn you! I’ve got you now," and killed him.

This seemed to convince the Yankees that they could do nothing with such men, and they again retreated; but now a force of cavalry was discovered advancing rapidly upon the right of the brigade, and White turned to meet them, as they advanced bravely to the charge, led by as gallant an officer as ever graced a battle-field, but brave as was the commander, and promptly supported by his men as he was, the “Comanches” had their fighting blood on fire, with the excitement of victory, and in a few minutes broke the Yankee line and captured their Colonel, using their sabres with such desperate courage, that no troops could have stood long before this little band of men who had been starved and harassed into very devils of war and blood.

The battle-tide was again turned against the enemy’s legions, and the cavalry driven back upon their infantry, who, in heavy force had taken position on the crest of a steep, rocky hill, and here for a moment they checked the Confederate advance, but General Munford had now arrived with his division, and Gen. McCausland ordered Capt. Myers to go to a regiment of dismounted men and take them to the top of the hill. This regiment proved to be the 6th Virginia Cavalry, commanded by Major Grimsley, who moved his men forward at once, and Col. Boston, the commander of Paine’s Brigade, rode to the head of the regiment to lead it, but was shot through the brain.