Toward the end of June 1864, a Union Cavalry force of about 2000 men marched through northern Mecklenburg County, Virginia. Benjamin Ogburn had a personal encounter with the Yankee raiders that he was to share with his children and grandchildren until his dying day.
A Negro slave came dashing up on a mule to "Cottage Hill" shouting, "Master Ogburn, Yankee raiders are on their way here. They are up the road at North View." So Benjamin quickly got his hog meat out of the smokehouse and hid it in the attic of the house. Then he started running to the Meherrin River when the Yankees spotted him running across his fields and gave chase.
Ben managed to jump into the river and hid under a large overhanging rock. The Union raiders stood on the very rock Ben was hiding under and cursed the escape of their foe. They went back to the house, "requisitioned" a few chickens and left.
That night, after dark, Ben left the safety of his watery retreat and returned home.
