"….. They kept down the river [following Trevellian's Station] until they reached the White House; here they received heavy reinforcements, new supplies, rested two or more days, then resumed their march across the Peninsula to join Gen. Grant, by passing up James River, through Charles City C. H., and through Westover. We took position at night to cover the roads from Long Bridge, on the Chickahominy, and the latte place [Westover]. The next morning, the 24th of June, he drove in our picket at Samaria church, and advanced beyond Nance's Shop. Gen. Gary was ordered to move around to Smyth's store, and to attack on the flank, as soon as the attack in front commenced. The necessary arrangements having been made, we advanced from Smyth's store and took position near Nance's Shop. The enemy in the meantime had thrown up strong breastworks along his whole line, and his position was a strong one. Soon Gen. Gary gave us orders to advance; this the men did to perfection. (We were dismounted; indeed, we were nothing more or less than mounted infantry, our sabers being securely fastened to our saddles.) At this time Gen. Chambless' brigade was thrown forward and the two brigades, by a movement handsomely executed, were thrown on the flank of the enemy. At the same moment the whole line under the command of Gen. Fitz Lee, charged the works of the enemy, who, after fighting stubbornly for a short time, gave way, leaving his dead and wounded on the field. This advance was made in the face of a very heavy fire of artillery and musketry, and it was most handsomely accomplished.
As soon as the enemy gave way, Gen. Hampton brought up the Phillips and Jeff Davis Legions (mounted) and ordered them to charge; this they did most gallantly, driving the enemy for 3 miles in confusion. They were completely routed and were pursued to within 2 ½ miles of Charles City C. H., the pursuit lasting till 10 o'clock at night. The enemy left their wounded, amounting to quite a number, scattered over the ground upon which we had fought. Sheridan retreated to Wynoke Neck in order to cross the James River under protection of the gunboats. During the engagement it was currently reported that we were on the eve of overtaking and capturing the commissary train. This stimulated and encouraged us no little, for we were exceedingly hungry, having eat[en] nothing since the night before. We did not overtake it, consequently went hungry. In their retreat they hurriedly cast off all surplus articles, consisting of household goods, chickens, etc., scattered along the entire route. These they had stolen from the citizens in their raid. …..
That night six privates and two non-commissioned officers of my company were left as pickets upon the battlefield. … Sergeant W. K. Thomas suggested that we gather up the Federal wounded, place them in the church and administer to their wants as best we could; this we did willingly, placed them in as comfortable positions as possible and gave them water. This was all we could do, and for this they expressed great thanks and seemed to greatly appreciate it.
On the next morning there came a demented white lady with an axe and made strenuous efforts to kill the prisoners. She was carried off to a neighboring house, and thereby prevented from her earnest desires. She claimed that they had burned her house and stole everything she possessed save her wearing apparel and the old axe.
During this battle there came up a thunder shower and rained sufficient to run in the artillery ruts. The men eagerly abstracted it … I mention this that the present generation may know what we suffered in defence of our country. Gen. Hampton complimented us highly for our part in this engagement."
Source: E. E. Fant, "Gary's Brigade in Opposition to Sheridan's Raid, Union Times, 15 Feb 01, p. 1, c. 3-4. For some reason, this did not find its way into Found Among the Privates.