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advanced by the road, and the remainder in line through the fields to the right of
the road, and drove back the skirmishers.

As soon as the design of the enemy was perceived, Colonel Dorsey mounted
his men and moved in column to the road, which was separated from him by a
fence, in which gaps had been made. Through one of these gaps the First Mary-
land was passing as rapidly as was consistent with good order, but the first section
had hardly cleared the fence when the enemy, now in full charge, was seen coming
at them, not over one hundred yards distant.

Captain Rasin, who rode with Colonel Dorsey at the head of the column, at
this moment remarked : " Colonel Dorsey, we must charge those people ! it is
our only chance ! " and scarcely had the words left his lips when Dorsey, who had
already seen the necessity, gave the command : " Draw sabre ! Gallop ! Charge ! "
and the little band of Marylanders hurled themselves against the heavy columns of
the enemy, and drove him back. Again he advanced, and again the First Maryland
charged and forced him back.

In this last charge — the last blow struck by the Army of Northern Virginia —
while still pushing the enemy vigorously, the battalion was met by an officer
carrying a flag of truce, who suddenly made his appearance from the right of the
road. The fight instantly ceased, and the officer was asked his business. He
replied that General Lee was about to surrender; that articles of capitulation were
being prepared; that hostilities had ceased, and ended by demanding that the
cavalry in front should come in and lay down their arms, as being part of General
Lee's army, and included in the terms.

General Munford called a council of war of all his officers, and after
discussing matters and taking a vote, it was determined not to surrender, being
clearly not subject to the treaty between Generals Lee and Grant, as the division
had broken through the enemy's lines before a surrender had been discussed by
the leaders of the two armies, and more especially because the enemy had attacked
the division during the truce, and had only spoken of it after having: been
thrice repulsed.

In the last charge of the First Maryland Cavalry, immediately before the
appearance of the white flag, William C. Price, of Company E, Captain Rasin, was
killed, thus yielding up his young life in the very last blow struck by the Army
of Northern Virginia.

In accordance with the unanimous opinion of the council of war, General
Mumford threw out a heavy skirmish line, and retired toward Lynchburg unmo-
lested by the enemy, who contented himself with looking on.

Arriving at Lynchburg at night. General Munford's first care was to
obtain food and forage for his command, which was done without much difficulty,
as large supplies had been gathered at this point with a view of meeting the neces-