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entire force. Nearly all the field officers on both sides were killed or badly
wounded.

It will be remembered, in this connection, that although the Confederates had
two brigades engaged here against the one of the enemy's infantry and the force
of two hundred cavalry, yet he had greatly the advantage in numbers as well as of
a deliberately selected position. Confederate brigades at this period of the war
frequently did not number five hundred men, and on this occasion General Mun-
ford took into action (including Deering's men) a considerably smaller force
than was captured.

For a short time Munford rested his command, when, after turning over his
prisoners, he again sought the enemy toward the rear of General Lee's army. lie
here found Fitz Lee closely pressed, and joined his forces to impede as much as
possible their advance.

A narrow and deep stream crossed the road over which the retreat was being
conducted, and at the crossing place the mud was much worked up by the passage
of the army. As this stream was neared, the enemy, from the crest of the range
of hills about a mile distant, had a close view of the retreating forces. He hurried
up his batteries and opened furiously, while his cavalry pressed hard upon the
rear. Crossing the stream, a portion of the division, including Munford's Brigade,
was deployed along its banks to dispute the passage. A slight and hastily
constructed breastwork of fence-rails, thrown up under the fire of the opposing
artillery, was all that Munford had to aid him against the immense force advancing.

The whole face of the country beyond the stream now seemed a mass of
troops. Artillery crowned every available point, while cavalry and infantry in
column advanced rapidly upon the handful of men that stood in their path.

It was necessary that a stand should be made to give time for the wagon and
ordnance trains to pass a small bridge near Farmville. The enemy's skirmishers
soon lined the banks of the little stream and poured in a rapid fire upon Munford,
which was vigorously returned. In a few minutes a heavy column of cavalry
charged at the ford, when they were received with a murderous fire at a range of
not over forty yards. The ford was narrow, deep and marshy; the dead and
dying men and horses encumbered their advance, and the enemy were forced to
fall back defeated, after many of them had actually crossed the stream.

Several batteries were then opened upon Munford, but the firing was too
wild, and everything having been accomplished that was desired, and the train
safely over the bridge, the Confederate cavalry retired rapidly, but in excellent
order, toward Farmville. moving in several different columns in order to present
smaller marks to the artillery, which was firing with much increased accuracy,
owing to the clear view which the open fields afforded.

The enemy then crossed the stream where he had been repulsed, and also at