“Head-Quarters, Cavalry Division,
“November 9th, 1862.}
“Major—I am directed by the Major-General commanding, to say that he has heard with much pleasure of the successful operations of your command in the actions with the enemy at Snicker’s Gap, and hopes that it may be a forerunner of still further deeds of daring, skill, and success by your command; and to assure you of his high appreciation of its conduct, and the gallantry and skill of its commander.
“I have the honor to be, Major, your obedient servant,
“Norman R. Fitzhugh,
“Major and A. A. Gen’l.
“To Major E. V. White,
“Commanding White’s Battalion Cavalry.”
For a few days after this affair the battalion lay quietly in camp about a mile from Castleman’s Ferry, with nothing to do but look at the Yankees on the mountain. But one evening it was noticed that a great fire was burning in Snicker’s Gap and spreading along the ridge on either side, which induced the Major to believe that the enemy was leaving; so hastily calling out his command, he crossed the river and advanced into the Gap, without meeting any of the blue-coated boys who had been there so recently.
From here he pushed forward to Snickersville and learned that the rear guard of Burnside’s army had passed there three hours before, and finding a number of sutler wagons following the Yankee line of march, White’s boys very quietly took possession of them, and now the battalion divided into several detachments and ranged the country nearly all night, arriving in camp shortly before daylight with about twenty wagons loaded with all manner of supplies, and upwards of two hundred prisoners.
The next day the raiding on the enemy’s rear was resumed, and several wagons and prisoners brought in; and about dark the Major learned that a Yankee train had deposited a quantity of tents and baggage in an old house at Neersville. So putting his people in line again, he started for them, and about midnight took quiet possession of exactly the supplies needed by the command for winter quarters, all of which were safely brought away. The same day was marked also by a gallant exploit of four members of Company A, which was highly complimented by the Major.