A Murderous Fire

Late in the morning of the battle, six Confederate cannon at the Huntsberry Farm sent deadly shells across Red Bud Run from a key position that helped the Confederates hold off the larger Federal army for much of the day. When Union Gen. Philip H. Sheridan launched his main attack at 11:40 a.m., Confederate Gen. Fitzhugh Lee had two cavalry brigades under Col. Thomas Munford and Col. William Payne and a six-gun horse artillery battalion under Maj. James Breathed there. After the Federal attack drove Gen. John B. Gordon's division back from the south side of Red Bud Run, Breathed's gunners battered the Union attackers as they crossed the Middle Field, at times aiming by sound because woods at the field's edge blocked their view. The fire inflicted severe losses, and Breathed and Payne continued supporting Confederate infantry to the south as it counterattacked and pushed the Federals back. Early in the afternoon, Lee sent Munford's brigade and two artillery pieces to the southern end of the line to face Union cavalry threatening the Confederate route of retreat, while Breathed and Payne stayed at Huntsberry Farm harassing Union forces on the south bank of Red Bud Run until Union Gen. George Crook advanced across the ground later that afternoon.

Virginia · United States