Sent by Stuart with a message to the brave “General Fitz,” I reached him near Spottsylvania Court-House, at the moment when he had just ordered his cavalry to fall back slowly before the advancing enemy, and take a new position in rear.
Two guns which had been firing on the enemy were still in battery on a hill; upon these a heavy Federal skirmish line was steadily moving: and beside the guns, Breathed and Fitzhugh Lee sat their horses, looking coolly at the advancing line.
“Give them a round of canister, Breathed!” exclaimed General Fitz Lee.
Breathed obeyed, but the skirmish line continued bravely to advance. All at once, there appeared in the woods behind them, a regular line of battle advancing, with flags fluttering.
To remain longer on the hill was to lose the guns. The bullets were whizzing around us, and there was but one course left—to fall back.
“Take the guns off, Breathed!” exclaimed the general; “there is no time to lose! Join the command in the new position, farther down the road!”
Breathed looked decidedly unwilling.
“A few more rounds, general!”
And turning to the men, he shouted:—
“Give them canister!”