History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, by Samuel P. Bates.

1864 PETERSBURG CAMPAIGN. 573
in considerable force was met at the Blackwater, but was routed and nine of
his men taken prisoners. On the evening of the 7th, Kautz struck the railroad
at Stony Creek Station, where he captured fifty-five prisoners, including one
Major, one captain, and two Lieutenants. The station and warehouses were
quickly burned. On the following morning he resumed the march and proceeded to Jarrett's Station, where the enemy was in readiness for attack. The
Eleventh was ordered forward to charge upon him, but failed to dislodge
him. The Fifth was then brought up and by the most gallant conduct carried
the position, driving him and capturing forty-three prisoners. The command
immediately commenced tearing up the track and completely destroyed several
miles, committing the station and buildings containing valuable supplies to
the flames. The destruction was as effectually, as speedily accomplished. In
returning, the command was ordered to proceed to the Nottoway Bridge and
capture and destroy it if possible. The enemy was found entrenched on the
opposite side of the river. The Fifth attempted to force a passage but was
driven back. The Eleventh was ordered forward, and aided by a combined
attack, the enemy yielded. The bridge was destroyed and a number of prisoners taken.
On the 11th the Division was sent to Bermuda Hundred, whence, on the
following day, it started on a raid upon the Richmond and Danville railroad,
with instructions to effect as great a destruction of the road as possible. It
was first struck at Coalfield Station. The track for two miles, with buildings
containing immense quantities of supplies, was given to destruction, and the
coal-pits fired. While the work was in progress a skirmish occurred which resulted in the loss of five wounded. From Coalfield the command marched to
Powhattan Station where the buildings were fired and a portion of the track
contiguous destroyed. On the morning of the 14th the enemy was attacked
at a point south of Powhattan and driven. Without much annoyance it proceeded to the South Side Railroad, where the work of destruction was re-commenced, and several miles of track were rendered useless. The command now
began to be much troubled by the rebel cavalry hovering upon its flanks, rendering it necessary to keep a large body of skirmishers out at a considerable
distance. Near Bellfield a large force of the enemy had concentrated in expectation that Kautz would fall into its embrace. Advised of his situation,
and realizing his peril, he at once ordered two companies of the Fifth to make
a feint in that direction, while he led the main portion of his column away to
Jarrett's Station, where the two companies subsequently re-joined him, beguiling the enemy and saving his force.
After arriving at City Point, the command crossed the Appomattox and
joined General Butler's forces. The regiment was dismounted and put into
the trenches with the rest of the cavalry. On the 22d, Colonel R. M. West was
transferred from the First Pennsylvania Artillery to the command of the Fifth
Cavalry, relieving Lieutenant Colonel Kleinz. Remaining on duty in the
works, until the morning of the 9th of June, the cavalry division was ordered
to move upon, and capture a portion of the enemy's defences in front of Petersburg, to be supported by a division of infantry under General Gilmore. Reaching the works at noon, the regiment under command of Lieutenant Colonel
Kleinz was ordered to charge. Dismounting and forming, at the word of command the line dashed forward with wild shouts, scaled the works, and drove
out the enemy. Without pausing, the men followed up the fleeing foe, cap