Comte de Paris, History of the Civil War in America. Vol. 3.
Henry Coppee , LL.D., Ed.

Birney's division, under Ward, the former having command of the Federal Third corps, has arrived at a short distance from Kelly's Ford. The crest which commands the left bank allows him to make his dispositions for fighting without the enemy's knowledge. De Trobriand has charge of the attack with his brigade and a regiment of sharpshooters commanded by Colonel Trepp. The latter relieve the cavalry, which for several days has occupied the crest of the heights, and rapidly descend the bank of the river. Colonel Stallings, who commands the Second North Carolina, quickly appears with his command on the opposite bank, and a brisk fire is opened from the one bank to the other. But the Unionists, armed with telescopic rifles, have a marked advantage; the Confederate battery, which has advanced to defend the approaches of the ford, is exposed to the cross-fire of the Federal artillery, which compels it to make a prompt retreat. De Trobriand takes advantage of this to make a sudden attack. Protected by a part of his skirmishers, Trepp reaches the rapids, throws himself boldly into the water, and reaches the opposite bank. Ramseur, to defend the passage, has brought forward the Thirteenth North Carolina, but despite the efforts of its commander the regiment breaks and in disorder seeks refuge near a neighboring farm-house, while the Federals take in reverse the defenders of the main ford. De Trobriand in his turn springs forward at the head of his brigade, ascends the opposite bank, and captures all the men of the Second North Carolina who fail to find safety in a rapid flight. However, Rodes has arrived on the scene of combat with his division, but the fire of Birney's artillery, which sweeps all the uncovered ground of the right bank, does not permit him to come to the rescue of the Carolinians who have sheltered themselves in the farm-house. The latter suffer themselves to be surrounded, and surrender without resistance. Three hundred prisoners and about fifty wounded men remain in the hands of the Federals, to whom this brilliant affair costs but about a hundred men. The pontons having arrived, the whole Third corps is preparing to follow De Trobriand. Before this deployment of forces