This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Risher, Stokes, Spell Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/ncB.2ACE/1454.3.1 Message Board Post: My 3rd great grandfather, Wm. Benjamin Risher fought with Richard "Junius" Risher in the 4th SC Cavalry under Gen. William Stokes. Richard Junius Risher was wounded in Battle of Peebles' Farm on October 1st 1864. His leg was shot and had to be amputated. Wm. Benjamin Risher went to take him home to Colleton. Wm. returned on October 11th and stated that the Seargent on the Weldon R.R. would not let him take Sargeant Risher on, but sent him to Wilson Hospital somewhere on the line of the Railroad. Excerpt from "Saddle Soldiers. The Civil War Correspondence of Gneral William Stokes of the 4th SC Cavalry" by Lloyd Halliburton Burgess' Mill Oct 2nd, 1864 The enemy were reported as advancing the day I left for picket (sep 29th) and I re-established our post after a sharp fight. I remained on picket that night, but did not get my line re-established until about ten o'clock p.m. The next day they advanced on me about ten a.m. and I fought them with a handful of men for three hours when I was forced to retire before an overwhelming force, falling back on some breast works where Genl D. (Dunovant) was. Our little force could not hold their own against two yankee Corps and Genl D. withdrew to prevent a flank movement. We were marching and counter-marching nearly all that night and yesterday a general attack was made on the enemy which was commenced at daylight and lasted all day through a drenching rain. The fight was very stubborn all day and particularly so in the evening when we charged them and took all of their works except one strong fort which was near our line. At dark we withdrew our line. Our Brigade made two! charges against it and in the first attack was unsucessful. I regret to say our gallant and worthy Genl Dunovant was shot through the brain near me and Genl Butler who was near by ordered me to take command of the Brigade which I did, and bring them forward until the whole line was forced to give back a little under the most obstinate fire I have ever been in, but I soon rallied them and held the place under a terrific fire half an hour until ordered to retire. The bullets were about equal to the Hawes' Shop fight with an addition of grape and shell. Serg.Risher was shot in the left leg, and it had to be amputated. William Risher went to take him home. No other in Capt. A's company was shot. The loss in the Brigade was only thirty-eight killed, wounded and missing. We lost only one killed and four wounded in our Regiment on Saturday. The death of General Dunovant was a great loss to the Brigade and is deeply regretted by both Officers and men. I regret Serg. Risher's losing his leg. His loss is irreparable to his company. I forgot to tell you that a ball passed through my new overcoat which I had on. <several entries here not related to the event at hand> Camp 4th SC Cavalry near Armstrong Mill October 11th, 1864 I heard heavy firing last night and early this morning in the direction of the north side. Expect they have had another fight over there. We have been disappointed in not having a fight here before this, though we do not regret it. They have withdrawn their lines a little in our front. Wm. Risher has returned. The Serg. on the Weldon R.R. would not let him take Sergt. R. on, but sent him to Wilson Hospital somewhere on the line of R.R. <unrelated entries> Camp Butler, A.N.V, October 30th, 1864 I promised to give you a detailed account of the fight. From two of their surgeons who were left in charge of about sixty of their wounded that they were not able to take off in their hasty retreat we have learned that it is one of their greatest defeats of the war. They came out with three corps of Infantry and a Brigade of Cavalry and Artillery in proportion. About two thirds of the Infantry with a greater portion of the Artillery and all of the Cavalry broke through our lines on the south side of Hatcher's Run and we (the Cavalry) gave them a running fight until we got back to the Plan Road and stopped their advance and commenced very soon to beat them back with the assistance of some of the darkness of the night, leaving all of their dead and a great many wounded and other things. The other one third of the yankee force attacked our dismounted men on the other side of Hatcher's Run behind breast works on the right of our Infantry and were repulsed there. At that pla! ce our regiment lost one killed and one owunded. Paul Spell was the one that was killed. The total loss in the Regiment was two killed and twelve wounded and three captured. We fought the enemy all through our present campand one lieutenant and two men of the 6th Regiment and a man of Young's Brigade were killed near our Head Quarters. The fighting of the Brigade was good and the loss very lamentable. Capt A. has returned from the Danville Hospital Yesterday. I have heard of the death of Sergt. Risher.