Approaching Hanover we suddenly waked up the hornets. Chambliss,
leading Stuart's advance, pushed ahead and drove in a picket. Then that
brave soldier rushed on, and seemed intent on taking the place, when I
was sent by Stuart to order him "not to go too far."
I came up with Chambliss as he was charging, but had scarcely given him
the order, when he was charged in turn by a heavy force and driven
back.
The enemy rushed on, firing volleys, and the road was full of tramping
horsemen. To avoid being carried away with them, I diverged into a
field, when all at once Stuart appeared, retreating at full gallop
before a party who were chasing him.
It was a serious matter then, but I laugh now, remembering that "good
run."
Stuart and myself retreated at a gallop, boot to boot; leaped ditches
and fences; and got off in safety.
A few moments afterward his artillery opened its thunders. From the
lofty hill, that hardy captain of the horse artillery, Breathed, roared
obstinately, driving them back. Hampton's guns on the right had opened
too--and until night, we held the heights, repulsing every advance of
the enemy.
It was truly a fine spectacle, that handsome town of Hanover as I
looked at it, on the afternoon of the fair June day. In front extended
green fields; then the church spires rose above the roofs of the town;
behind, a range of mountains formed a picturesque background.
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