50 THE ARMY OP THE POTOMAC. of (lie isthmus, that is to say in the direction of the approach from Yorktown, the country is densely wooded. To the north, on the contrary, that, is to say towards Williamsburg, it is open and exhibits large fields of grain behind which the spires and towers of the city are visible. Upon this open space, the enemy had erected first, a considerable bastioned work, Fort Ylagrnder. placed upon the roadway opposite the isthmus, and then a series of redoubts and rifle-pits fronting every part of the marsh over which it would have been possible for infantry to advance, lie had then constructed vast abattis in such wise as to expose to his artillery and musketry the approaches of the marsh and of the fork of the roads. It was in the midst of these abattis that the federal cavalry debouched upon the trot; and here it was, that they were sainted with a shower of shells from Fort Magruder. In the space between this fort and the redoubts, the confederate foot and horse were drawn np in order of battle. Stoneman, seeing that the enemy covered the fork of the roads, and perceiving that it would be impossible for him to maintain his ground before them, undertook to dislodge them by a vigorous blow. lie threw forward all his horse artillery, which took up its positions brilliantly in front of the abattis, and replied to the fire of the redoubts; and he then ordered his cavalry to charge. The sixth federal cavalry dashed forward gallantly to meet the cavalry of the confederates, passed d i rect ly under the cross-fire of the redoubts, and rode into one of those fights with the cold steel which have become so rare in these days. Nevertheless, this was all so much valor thrown away. The enemy did not disturb himself; he had the ad vantages of number and position. To carry these work with cavalry was impossible. Men and particularly horses, began to fall. “ 1 have lost thirty -one men,” said Majoi Williams, who had led the charge of the sixth, gracefully saluting General Stoneman with his sabre, with that air of determination which says, “we will go a it again, butit’s of no use.”
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