The Virginia in the Civil War Message Board

May 6-7, 1864 2nd Virginia cavalry

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

Messages In This Thread

May 6-7, 1864 2nd Virginia cavalry
Re: May 6-7, 1864 2nd Virginia cavalry
Re: May 6-7, 1864 2nd Virginia cavalry