Soon after this occurrence, Mahone’s division came up at the quickstep, and in fine order and spirits, which cheered the hearts of the little cavalry band beyond expression. Day had dawned before the rear passed, and just at that time, in the grey light of morning, was seen a brilliant flash, and for a few moments the earth trembled under foot, and a tremendous explosion plainly told that the fortifications at Drury’s Bluff were no more. In ten minutes another flash, shock and explosion ensued, and the Confederate gunboats on the James had shared the fate of the batteries on shore. Other similar explosions followed as smaller magazines were destroyed, filling the whole atmosphere with sulphurous smoke, while the flames licked the sky from many a conflagration, and it was with sad hearts that the little battalion turned and followed in the footsteps of the infantry. Thus commenced the retreat that ended in the surrender of the army of Northern Virginia. The roads were muddy and wretchedly cut up by the passage of the artillery and heavy wagons, and the army, though in constant motion, made slow progress. By the next afternoon, Monday 3d of April, Amelia Court House was reached, where the enemy made a slight demonstration, but did not seriously attack. Early on the morning of the 4th Colonel Dorsey ascertaining the whereabouts of General Fitz. Lee, joined his division, in pursuance of his original order, and was assigned to Payne’s brigade. Before this the small supply of provisions and forage which were brought from Petersburg had been exhausted, and as none had been issued, men and horses were almost starving. The enemy’s cavalry now became exceedingly active, and Payne’s brigade was daily engaged from daylight to dark, and often the struggle lasted all night. Grant’s immense cavalry force enabled him to make simultaneous attacks at several points, and thus he succeeded in destroying a large portion of General Lee’s wagon train, as it was impossible for the small force of Confederate cavalry to guard all points. The only thing to be done was to attack the enemy wherever he struck the train, and most vigorously was this plan followed. In all these affairs, without exception, the Confederate cavalry was successful; and in one, when General Robert E. Lee was personally present and observing, repulsed a sudden and determined charge of Gregg’s division with great loss, and captured Gregg himself.