The Cavalry Fight Near Spotsylvania CH
The fight near Spotsylvania CH on Saturday last, an account of which was given in the news paper of yesterday, is represented by officers who were engaged in it, to have been the most hotly contested cavalry fight of the war. At the first onset of the enemy, our forces, Wickham's and Lomax's brigades, gave way, but soon recovered and drove the enemy in turn with terrible slaughter. In addition to the casualties reported in the fight, Lieut. Edmonson, of the 1st Virginia Cavalry, was killed, and Major Bowie of Gen. Fitz Lee's staff was wounded by a piece of shell in the abdomen. The wound is not regarded as serious. Lieut. Johns and Lieut. Walker, both of the 1st Va. cavalry, are also wounded. The death of Col. Collins, of the 15th Va. cavalry, is confirmed. The loss during the fight in the two brigades engaged was 225 wounded. The number of killed has not been definitely ascertained, but cannot exceed 25 or 30. Most of the wounds are slight.
Daily Dispatch
May 10, 1864
p. 1 col. 3.
THE SECOND VIRGINIA CAVALRY IN THE LATE FIGHTS
Breaking up camp at Hamilton's Crossing on the 4th, our brigade (Wickham's) camped that night at Spotsylvania Court House. Early on the morning of the 5th we moved to Todd's tavern and found Lomax hotly engaged with the enemy; dismounted to support him, but did not become engaged. During the night we felled trees and constructed temporary breastworks. On the 6th began a series of fights, unparalleled in our history. Attacking the enemy about 8 a.m. we drove his advance more than a mile. Soon rallying, he attacked us in our barricades, and the engagement became very fierce. We succeeded in repulsing him with considerable loss. On the 7th the enemy again assaulted us, in our old position and right gallantly did they charge us. Rushing on in the face of our deadly fire, they came with numbers so vastly superior that for a time our position seemed a desperate one. To add to our embarrassment, the log barricade was discovered to be on fire, and at the same time that the enemy were flanking us on our right. The order was now given to fall back to a second line of entrenchments about a quarter mile from the first. The brigade was speedily formed behind this line, and there we awaited the impetuous onset of the enemy who, greatly elated, came rapidly upon us. They were received in splendid style. Our men were thoroughly roused, and fought, all of them, like heroes. Repulsing the enemy and in our turn charging him, we turned his left, and drove him a considerable distance.
The Sentinel
May 21, 1864
p. 1 col. 3
[ROSSER'S BRIGADE'S LOSSES ON MAY 5 AND 6, 1864]
Whilst the infantry was thus engaged [on May 5th], the cavalry were not idle. Rosser with his single brigade fought Wilson's, formerly Kilpatrick's, cavalry division all day Thursday, and finally succeeded in forcing it to give back. His loss was about two hundred as well as can be determined.
[May 6] During the day yesterday Rosser's cavalry brigade gain fought the enemy's cavalry supported by artillery in a severe engagement lasting all day, in which Rosser is said to have been a "little worsted."
Dispatch from X
dated May 7, 1864
Daily Dispatch
May 10, 1864
p. 1 cols. 1-2