September 23 — The raiders advanced to within six miles of us last night, then fell back toward the Robinson River.
We started in pursuit of the Yanks early this morning, but were unable to overtake their fast-retreating column, until late this evening, when our advance guard encountered their rear about five miles from the Robinson River. Our side gave chase and drove the whole concern across the Robinson, without much fighting or resistance. Our route to-day led us through a very rolling and hilly section of country, and we passed through nearly the whole length of Madison County.
Sometimes we passed over hills and through farms, and kept as near the trail of the retiring raiders as possible, which sometimes led us along little winding dells, and then plunged us in deep ravines thickly covered with dense undergrowth and copse-wood. At various places along the track of the retiring raiders I saw dug-up sweet potato patches, robbed gardens, and raided cornfields, which are all telling and striking evidences of the moral stamina, religious principles, and ethical sentiments that pervade the locality whence the raiders hail.
We crossed the Rapidan early in the day, some fifteen miles above Barnett’s Ford. After the Yanks retired behind the Robinson we struck out for Orange Court House, crossed the Rapidan at Barnett’s Ford, and arrived at Orange Court House at ten o’clock to-night. Camped two miles west of Orange Court House. We marched about fifty miles since we left camp this morning.
