Gregg’s losses were heavy, and he was forced to abandon his dead and most seriously wounded, but the creditable stand made ensured the safety of the train, the last wagon of which was now parked at Wilcox’s Landing.  His steady, unflinching determination to gain time for the wagons to get beyond the point of danger was characteristic of the man, and this was the third occasion on which he had exhibited a high order of capacity and sound judgment since coming under my command.  The firmness and coolness with which he always met the responsibilities of a dangerous place were particularly strong points in Gregg’s make-up, and he possessed so much professional though unpretentious ability, that it is to be regretted he felt obliged a few months later to quit the service before the close of the war.

Gregg’s fight fully satisfied me that we could not get the trains up to the pontoon-bridge, for of course Hampton would now throw all his cavalry in my front, on the river road, where it could be backed up by Lee’s infantry.  Meanwhile, General Meade had become assured of the same thing, and as he was now growing anxious about the fate of Wilson’s division—­which, during my absence, had been sent out to break the enemy’s communications south of Petersburg, by destroying the Southside and Danville railroads—­he sent ferryboats to cross me over the James.  During the night of the 24th, and next morning, the immense train—­which ought never to have been left for the cavalry to escort, after a fatiguing expedition of three weeks—­was moved back through Charles City Court House to Douthard’s landing, and there ferried over the river, followed by my troops in like manner.  When General Hampton discovered this, he moved to Drury’s Bluff, and there, on the morning of the 27th, crossed the James by the Confederate pontoon-bridge.

CHAPTER XXII.

General Wilson’s raid—­destroying railroads—­his discomfiture
—­results of his raid—­REMOUNTS—­movement to the north side of the
James—­deceiving lee—­my isolated position—­estimate of Hancock
—­success of the cavalry—­their constant duties.

While I was absent on the expedition to Trevillian, the movement of the Army of the Potomac across the James River was effected, and Wilson, whom I had left behind for the purpose, was engaged in the duty of covering its front and rear.  Late on the night of June 12 he, with Chapman’s brigade, crossed the Chickahominy at Long Bridge, in advance of the Fifth Corps, and by 7 o’clock next morning had driven the enemy’s pickets up to White Oak bridge, where he waited for our infantry.  When that came up, he pushed on as far as Riddle’s Shop, but late that evening the Confederate infantry forced