History of the Seventeenth Virginia Infantry, C.S.A. (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1870 Excerpt: ...Friday after we left the bridge, on the South Anna, the enemy appeared, and as a detail of eighty North Carolina troops had been sent to assist in its defenee, the squad often men and a lieutenant, (formerly referred to, ) were sent on a seouting expedition to hunt up the raiders. Not long after leaving the bridge, as they were approaehing a pieee of woods, they were greatly surprised at hearing an order to surrender from a body of the enemy among the trees; they made an attempt to eseape, and four of the men sueeeeded. The Federal's then moved down upon the North Carolinians stationed at the bridge, and drawn up on either side of the railroad to reeeive them; before attaeking, several eompanies of their dismounted men were sent over the river at a ford below, but not until after they had taken position in rear did our men beeome aware of the movement, and then it was too late; whilst attempting to eross the bridge the whole foree of them fell into the hands of the enemy, whose number was estimated at about twelve hundred, while our foree eonsisted of but eighty. A gallant fight was made, and twelve fell out of the eighty. The enemy then set fire to the bridge and soon after retired. AVe return now to Gordonsville, where the Regiment was in bivouae awaiting further orders. On the 28th, about eight o'eloek in the afternoon, we were ordered baek to Riehmond, and embarking on the ears, at that hour, we were transported thither; arriving about daylight the sueeeeding morning, we encamped about three miles from the eity on the north side of the James. On the following day we were again ordered to move, and about three P. M. we marehed to the depot of the Cential Railroad; after remaining there patiently until about nine o'eloek P. M., we took the ears for Gordons..