ry to overtake them with our
jaded horses. They kept generally about three hundred yards ahead of us,
and as we had orders to fire on no one unless positively necessary, they
proceeded unmolested, in the direction of Richmond.

Having arrived within five miles of the city, we advanced more
cautiously. There was good reason for this, for our condition was
critical. There we were, only a remnant of a regiment, many miles away
from any support, with no way to retreat, as we had burned all the
bridges and ferries in our rear, nearer to the Confederate capital than
ever any Union troops were before, and ignorant of the forces that
garrisoned it. Still on we moved, looking only to our leader, who
seemed especially inspired for the work assigned him.

We soon arrived in sight of the outer line of fortifications, and moved
steadily upon them. To our surprise, we found them unmanned, and we
safely passed in towards the second line of defence. We had scarcely
entered these consecrated grounds, when General Winder's assistant
adjutant-general pompously rode up to the head of our column, and
inquired, "What regiment?" Astonishment and blight accompanied the
answer of Kilpatrick, who said, "The Second New York Cavalry," adding,
"and you, sir, are my prisoner." Ceremonies were short, and Kilpatrick
very quickly appropriated Winder's favorite charger, upon which the
captured adjutant was mounted when he made his fatal challenge.

We continued still to advance, until the smoke from workshops, and the
church steeples were plainly visible, and we began to think that we were
about to enter Richmond without opposition. We were now within _two
miles_ of the city, and yet we halted not until we had reached the top
of a hillock just before us. Here was an interesting scene. There stood
a handful of cavalrymen, far within the fortifications of a hostile
city, almost knocking at the door of her rebellious heart. On every hand
were frowning earthworks, and just ahead of us the coveted prize.

But just at the foot of the hill on which we stood, we discovered a
battery of artillery, drawn up in the road, supported by infantry, ready
to receive us. It became evident that we had advanced as far as
prudence would permit us. We had also reached and secured the road to
the Meadow Bridge across the Chickahominy, over which we were expected
to escape, and which it was very desirable to destroy. These facts or
circumstances decided the direction of our