Ray:

Its clear that Gary, although still a colonel, was in command of elements of the 7th S.C. CAV (it appears that two companies were not yet up from S.C., by referring to the published casualty list), and I understand that elements of what came to be the 24 VA CAV were also present, but clearly no Hampton legion elements were there. I cannot find anything in the Official Records or in any sources whatsoever to indicate they were present, but plenty elsewhere to indicate they were not. By reference to diaries, letters, etc., and postwar reminiscences, all that anyone says is that when the advance elements arrived they went into camp and awaited the arrival of their horses. Those dates appears to be 11 and 12 Jun, and they went into action at Riddle's Shop on the 13th. one of the privates who enlisted that spring said that his first duty (after he arrived in camp) was to guard a strawberry patch. It appears to be literal; that soldier was not given to figurative writing. Gary's horse was shot at Mattedequin Creek, and when he obtained the required affidavit that the horse was lost, in order to get compensation, the affidavit was signed not by a member of his staff, but by a private in the 7th S.C. CAV. That affidavit is in Gary's file in CSR.

Apparently his brigade staff was not yet even formed, or at least was not up. His long time friend and college class mate (at least until Gary got expelled for his participation in the "Biscuit Rebellion"), Beaufort W. Ball, was not present; on the day previous to Mattedequin Creek, his Special Orders # 7 was signed, not by Ball, but by a W. N. Davis, Acting A. A. G. -- I have not been able to identify him. Logan, who was in line for promotion to colonel, was already in command of the Legion, so that Gary's presence says nothing as to the presence of the Legion in the very hot action on May 30. The elements of the 7th S.C.C. sustained heavy losses; LCOL Haskell and his second in command, Major Edwin M. Boykin were both wounded. But there are no reported casualties for the Legion at this time, nor are there any hospital admissions which coincide with that period.

It is celar that Gary, in his capacity as brigade commander, was present, but no elements of the Hampton Legion, were present, at Mattedequin Creek/Old Church.