William Rowe Burch

Residence King & Queen County VA; 22 years old.

Enlisted on 7/18/1861 at Gloucester Point, VA as a Corporal.

On 7/18/1861 he mustered into "E" Co. VA 5th Cavalry
(date and method of discharge not given)

He was listed as:
* Ambush 3/3/1864 (place not stated) (Participated in ambush of Col. Dahlgren)
* POW 4/1/1865 Five Forks, VA
* Wounded 4/1/1865 Five Forks, VA (Wounded in the leg)
* Transferred 5/1/1865 Point Lookout, MD (Estimated day)
* Oath Allegiance 6/23/1865 Point Lookout, MD (Released)

He was described at enlistment as:
5' 9.0", light complexion, hazel eyes, brown hair

Other Information:
born 9/11/1838 in King & Queen County, VA
died 8/14/1913 in Dragonville, VA
Buried: Lower King & Queen Bapt. Ch. Cem., Dragonville, VA

Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:
- The Virginia Regimental Histories Series

...........

Reports of Capt. Edward C. Fox, Fifth Virginia Cavalry,
Lomax's brigade, Fitzhugh Lee's division.

RICHMOND, March 9, 1864.

GEN.: According to instructions I have the honor to report the
facts concerning the little fight we had with the raiding party of the
enemy around Richmond on the 5th day of March.

I was informed by Lieut. Pollard, of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry,
that the enemy were advancing through King William County. I
immediately ordered my men to report for duty, and succeeded in
assembling 28 at king and Queen Court-House. Lieut. Pollard came
up in their rear, and engaged their rear guard near Burlington Church,
skirmishing for several miles. They halted and fed near Mantapike.
The portions of the different commands were then collected together and
put in ambush to await the advance of the enemy. After an hour or
two's rest they moved on slowly. Our fire was reserved until the head
of their column rested within a few yards, when they opened fire, which
was instantly returned. Col. Dahlgren fell dead, pierced with five
balls.

We captured 92 prisoners, 38 negroes, a number of horses, arms, &c.

Our force numbered about 150 men-Lieut. Pollard, 20 men; Capt.
McGruder, of the Forty-second Virginia Battalion, 70; Capt. Bagby,
home guards, 25; Capt. Todd, home guards, 9; King and Queen
Cavalry, 28.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. C. FOX,
Capt. Company E, Fifth Virginia Cavalry.

Maj. Gen. FITZHUGH LEE.

[First indorsement.* ]

Gen. STUART:
Pollard has not yet answered your inquiry as to the exact time when
Capt. Fox arrived and assumed command. You have forwarded Fox's
letter in answer to the same question.

[Second indorsement.]

HDQRS. LEE'S CAVALRY DIVISION,
March 10, 1864.
Respectfully forwarded.

Lieut. Pollard's report of this matter has already been sent on, but
as it appears that Capt. Fox was in command of various detachments
of our forces [sic] resulting in the death of Dahlgren and capture of his
troops, I forward this report also.

FITZ. LEE,
Maj.-Gen., Cmdg.

__________
* In pencil and without signature.

[Third indorsement.]

HDQRS. CAV. CORPS, ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
April 13, 1864.
Respectfully forwarded.

From Lieut. Pollard's report it is apparent that the place of ambush
and the dispositions which resulted so successfully in the capture of
Dahlgren's party were made by him prior to Capt. Fox's arrival.

J. E. B. STUART,
Maj.-Gen.

-----

ASHLAND, April 1, 1864.
MAJ.: I have the honor to acknowledge the reception of your
communication on yesterday, dated March 19.

I received notice through one of the home guard, who had been notified
by one of Lieut. Pollard's company, of the advance of the enemy.
Immediately sent orders to my lieutenants to assemble my company at
King and Queen Court-House, with orders to come up to Dunkirk. I
started for Dunkirk immediately. When within one-half mile of the
place learned that the Yankees had swam the river at Aylett's, 4 miles
below, when I returned and went to the Court-House, having sent a
dispatch to Capt. Bagby, of the home guards, to keep me advised of
the movements of the enemy. On my arrival at the Court-House found
about 70 men present from different commands. I went into ambush
just below the Court-House, having received information of the advance.
Received information through two members of my company that the
enemy had gone into camp, when I moved up the road. On my arrival
at Mantapike hill found some 60 or 70 men in ambush. It was about 9
o'clock at night. Capt. McGruder, of the Forty-second Virginia
Battalion, was present, and Capt. Bagby, home guard. I immediately
took command of the entire force. I determined, after finding out my
strength, to charge the camp. Sent up to Stevensville after Lieut.
Pollard (some 2 or 3 miles above), but before his arrival received
information that the Yankees were again advancing. The whole force
was put in ambush. It was about 12 o'clock when the action took place.
The enemy then went into Mantapike field, which has a canal running
through it that cannot be crossed except at one place, and the river on
one side. Knowing that it was impossible for them too make their
escape, except by place spoken of in canal above, I took the command
below it, barricaded the road, and waited until day, when I send in a
flag of truce by Lieut. Nunn, demanding an unconditional
surrender. Before his return I saw from the confused condition they
were in that they had determined not to fight. When I moved in found
no commissioned officer present. They were afterward captured by
Capt. Bagby. I cannot say by whom the place of ambush was chosen.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

EDWD. C. FOX,
Capt. Company E, Fifth Virginia Cavalry.

Maj. H. B. McCLELLAN.

[Indorsement.]

HDQRS. CAV. CORPS, ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
April 4, 1864.
Respectfully forwarded.

This additional report was called for by me because Capt. Fox's
former report seemed to throw some doubt as to whom the credit of the
ambuscade was due. His concluding remarks, however, I think, show
that this credit was due, as at first supposed, to Lieut. Pollard, who,
according to this report, chose the ground, stationed the men, and then
sent to King and Queen Court-House for Capt. Fox.

J. E. B. STUART,
Maj.-Gen.

Source: Official Records
PAGE 205-60 OPERATIONS IN N. C., VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. [CHAP. XLV.
[Series I. Vol. 33. Serial No. 60.]