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286 Southern Historical Society Papers.
June at Trevillian's Depot, in Louisa county, by a Confederate force of cavalry, under General Wade Hampton, and was repulsed with such disorder that he hurried back to the cover of Grant's lines in disorganized confusion, leaving the road open for the reinforce- ments which Lee was hurrying to the defence of Lynchburg.
Some description of Hampton's great cavalry battle at Trevillian's Depot would strictly be a. part of any history of the siege and battle of Lynchburg, for had he failed, Lynchburg would necessarily have fallen into the hands of the enemy; but time will not permit so pleasant a digression. It is enough to say that it was one of the most brilliant and successful engagements in which our troops were involved during the war, and one which shed well-deserved renown not only on General Wade Hampton, who commanded, but on every officer and man under him. Conspicuous for their gallantry and valuable service in that battle was the Second Virginia Cavalry, under our distinguished fellow-citizen, General T. T. Munford. This great regiment was made up of companies from Lynchburg and the surrounding counties, and was, therefore, one of whose record we all have a right to be proud. On the day of that fight it was especially distinguished for its daring courage and for its achieve- ments. It was in the front of the charging column which broke Custer's line and captured/~^r out of the five caissons lost by Sher- idan on that day. It captured Custer's headquarters, his sash and private wagon and papers. The wagon was used by General Mun- ford until it was recaptured, a few days before Appomattox.
On the 1 2th of June General Lee, who had anxiously been watch- ing the movements of the enemy in the Valley, and who was per- fectly informed of his designs, gave verbal orders to General Jubal A. Early to hold his corps (the Second, or Ewell's), with Nelson's and Braxton's artillery, in readiness to march to the Shenandoah Valley. After dark upon that day these orders were repeated in writing, and he was directed to move to the Valley that night at three o'clock via Louisa Courthouse, Charlottesville and Brown's Gup. He was further ordered to communicate with General Breck- inridge at Lynchburg, with a view of a combined attack on Hunter. Breckinridge was to attack in front and Early in the rear.
The Secord Corps was then at Games' Mill, near Richmond, numbering about eight thousand muskets. {Memoirs of J. A. Early, page 40.) It had been for the last forty days constantly fighting, and had taken a prominent part in the battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Courthouse, Games' Mill and Cold Harbor, and had
