Eppa Hunton to Eighth Virginia Regiment, October 29, 1861

Camp Burt, October 29, 1861.

GENERAL:

In obedience to your orders, on Monday, the 21st instant, leaving Captain Wampler’s company at the burnt bridge on the turnpike, I marched the rest of my command by the fort to a woods about

* Probably F. Bostick, killed on that date. 1 Embodied in return of casualties on p. 353.

Cm XIV] — BALL’S BLUFF AND EDWARDS FERRY, VA. 367

. At this period: our ammunition was nearly exhausted, a large portion of the men having none at all, although they were supplied with forty rounds in the beginning. The enemy had retired under cover of the woods, and the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Misssissippi Regiments had arrived on the ground. I gave the order to cease firing for a moment, distributed the few cartridges remaining so as to give all a round of ammunition, and ordered a charge upon the enemy. This charge was made in the most gallant and impetuous manner. Nothing could exceed or scarcely equal the intrepid daring and gallantry displayed by my officers and men in making this charge. Relying almost -Solely upon the bayonet, they rushed upon and drove back a heavy column of the enemy just landed and captured the two howitzers. In this charge I was assisted by Captain Upshaw, of the Seventeenth Mississippi, Captain Kearney and Captain Welborn, of the Eighteenth Mississippi Regiments, who displayed great gallantry in the charge.

After I had driven the enemy into the woods on my right, my men entirely exhausted by the fatigue of the fight, the Seventeenth Mississippi and I understand a portion of the Eighteenth, charged and

-~ gallantly pursued the enemy through the woods on my right until a little after dusk, when they sent in a flag of truce and surrendered. My command captured many prisoners during the fight.

Some time after nightfall I marched my command to the fort, leaving a picket of 12 men, under Lieut. Charles Berkeley, who volunteered for the service. I also requested Elijah White, of Colonel Ashby’s regiment, who was with me during the fight, to remain during the night with this picket. He did so, and by his intimate knowledge of the country and daring courage rendered great service. Lieutenant Berkeley and White reported during the night that there was still a large number of Yankees on the river, and a volunteer expedition was immediately started, under command of Capt. William N. Berkeley, consisting of about 40 men, many of them officers. “This small force,

-guided by Mr. White, marched to the river and captured 325 prisoners, mostly with arms in their hands. They also took a quantity of military equipments. I would like to mention the names of this heroic band, and will if their names can be procured. Officers volunteered and went into the ranks as privates.

I cannot speak too highly of the daring gallantry of the officers and soldiers under my command. With rare exceptions they fought like heroes, bore the great exertions of the day and night with cheerfulness, and responded to every order with alacrity. I would like to enumerate the various and numerous instances of individual heroism by officers and soldiers on that day, but in truth nearly every one who stood by me in the fight acted the hero. I was very efficiently aided during the battle by Lieut. Col. C. B. Tebbs and Maj. N. Berkeley, to each of whom I am much indebted for the successful fight of the Eighth VirPd

. 868 OPERATIONS IN MD.; N. VA., AND W. VA. — [Omar XIV. J b SS zi Y TEES 5 Per E NI ALS E ES Y eee

ginia Regiment on that day. Adjutant Bowie and Sergeant-Major _

Hutchison and my courier, George W. F. Hammer, also acted very -gallantly and rendered me valuable service. While rejoicing over our brilliant vietory, I stop to drop a tear to the memory of the gallant dead who gloriously fell on that day in defense of all that is dear to freemen.

Below is a list of the killed and wounded,* whieh is smaller than might have been expected, owing in part to the fact that I fought my command a portion of the time under the cover of the crest of a hill.

Respectfully submitted. ;

Colonel Eighth Virginia Regiment.
Brig. Gen. N. G. EVANS.
l No. 31.
Report of Col. W. H. Jenifer, O. S. Army, commanding cavalry.