What was still more unfortunate to me, personally, was the fact that
having followed the old soldier, I was surrounded, and made a prisoner
in the same manner.
XXXV.
FACE TO FACE.
We had scarcely time to realize the truly disgusting fact, that we were
captured at the very instant that the enemy were being driven, when the
charge of the Federal cavalry was met by a hail-storm of bullets which
drove them back in disorder.
For some moments the woods presented a singular spectacle. Horsemen
flying in wild confusion; riderless animals darting madly toward the
rear; the groans of wounded men tottering in the saddle as they rushed
by--all this made up a wild scene of excitement, and confusion worse
confounded.
General Davenant, his son, and myself had been ordered to the rear,
under escort; and the old cavalier had turned his horse's head in that
direction, boiling with rage at his capture, when the repulse ensued,
and the Federal cavalry streamed by us toward the rear.
All at once a loud voice was heard shouting in the half darkness:--
"Halt! halt! you cursed cowards! Halt! and form column!"
The speaker rushed toward us as he spoke, mounted upon a huge black
horse, and I heard the noise made by his sabre, as with the flat of it,
he struck blows upon the brawny shoulders of the fugitives.
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