The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-11-05

told Of this purpose, pointed General w. al.
f. Lee to the shattered condition OF the troops
left me. and to the hazard of the attempt In my
front and respectfully asked reconsideration
of that part of the order. General Lee concur
red with me- But the order was promptly re-
peated The attack there was decreed essential
to the success of the day; and | prepared to
make it-General Lee leaving the details entirely
to myself Z e - !, + { r.
| saw but one hope of success. That was to
su,prise the enemy. To that end resolved to
feien an attack IN line, and then suddenly assault
in column. I, accordingly, deployed the 1st regi-
ment in an open line, some $50 yards above the
ford, with instructions, at the proper time, to
march across, dischargng their carbines-thus
engaging the enemy, and drawing their fire. l
next formed the I'd regiment-MajorL ockhart
commanding-in close column, by sections of 8,
and concealed it near the ford with instructions
to charge across and assault the Federal works
Just opposite, SO soon the Yankee fire well
directed on the ranks of the LIST. The 9Th was
formed in column, to follow the I'd, and, after
crossing to charge to it's right-a mounted squad
ron Capt. Grier) covering its flank. These two
regiments were ordered not to yell, or fire gun,
until they made the opposite bank General
Beale occupied the lines left vacant by me, and
took position to give vigorous support.
At the word of command the veteran LIST rose
to their feet, dressed their line, and stepped de-
family forward. Instantaneously the whole Fed
eral line opened On the advancing ranks of this
devoted regiment But, with a heroism almost
sublime, officers and men struggled onward
through the flooded stream, firing as they could,
until they reached the middle of the Run, when
the I'd and 5th were ordered to charge. These
regiments entered the water at double-quick,
and rushed headlong across. Prompt as thought,
the enemy the and made a signal to
change their fire from the LIST to the I'd and 9Th.
But Lockhart and Erwin deploying as they
charged, struck the astonished foe with the fury
of lightning shock. A YELL a rush, voley
and cheer, told of victory won.
By this time, the 1st emerging from the
water above and, responding to the shouts of
triumph from the I'd and 9th, hitched on to the
last two misunderstanding new line, and
pressing forward in hot pursuit. The enemy
still fought with logged obstinacy. But nothing
could resist the impetuous valor of the gallant
Tar Heels" The Federals would rally and re-
form, only to be broken and dispersed. Thus
they were driven over mile, when my weary
fellows were kindly relieved by General Lee, who
threw forward his Virginia brigade and sent the
Yankees bowling back to Dinwiddie Court House.
The General now found himself entirely I'M
and far in advance of the Confederate lines
Prudence required that he should withdraw to
more tenable position, and he fell back half way
between the Run and the Court House. and there
fortified. Towards night the troops on our left,
under Pickett and Fitz Lee, came up bringing
the welcome news that they, too, had routed the
enemy and that Sheridans whole army was in
full retreat Cheer after cheer rent the air. and
none now doubted, that in the mighty struggle
then at hand, Robert E. Lee would certainly
master Ulysses S. Grant.
General Beale reports his loss as sheavy' in
the last attack, but gives neither numbers or
names, except the brave Colonel Savage who
lost leg. My own casualties were, 10 officers
and Is enlisted men, My total loss this day, and
at this place, was 80 officers and nearly 200 men
killed, wounded and missing-several of the
last supposed to be drowned Among the slain
besides the noble, lamented Mcneil, and the
patriotic, courageous Shaw, recall with peculiar
grief the sad loss of Captains Coleman and Dewey
and Lieuts. Armfeld, Blair and Powell, of the
LIST; Lieut.. Hathaway of the I'd, and Lieut.
Lindsay of the 9Th. Among the wounded, in
addition to those already named, | remember es-
pecially the dashing, chivalrous Lieut.. Colonel
Cowles of the list; Captains Anthony, Iredell
Johnston and Smith. and Lieuts Mast and Steele
OF same reg iment; Lieuts. Jourdon and Turner
of the I'd; and Lieuts. Mott, Sockwell and
Wharton of the 9th, all severely had only
two field officers left in the three regiments
Colonel Cheek and Major Lockhart The former
had his hat struck and his horse killed The
gallant Major escaped unhurt to get ball next
day, which he still bears in his body.
The loss of the enemy [ could never learn
General Sheridan frankly admits defeat at
this point In dispatch that night to General
Grant he says: The enemy, then again. attacked
at Chamberlain Greek, and forced Smiths posi-
ton. And in his Report he expresses himself
thus: THE brunt of their cavalry attack was
borne by General Smiths brigade, which had so
CALAMITY held the crossing of Chamberlain Creek
In the morning. His command again held the
enemy in check with determined bravery, but
the heavy force brought against his right flank
finally compelled him to abandon his position on
the Creek, and fall back to the main line imme-
dately in front of Dinwiddie Court House.
The 'heavy force referred to could have been
none but the extended line of the first regiment
probably 300 men. My whole command, &C
tualiy engaged in the last attack, did not exceed
wounded remove the dead &c.
So far as L know, this was the last decided
Confederate victory. AS such it sheds halo of
glory around our last cause, and reflects imper
ishabe honor on the troops that won it, especially
the cavalry. An impression prevailed in the
army of Northern Virginia, that the safety of
our cause depended, in great measure on the
defeat of Sheridan, and his naughty troopers.
My own bri gade was inspired with a lofty en-
thusiasm to achieve this result. Gloom, despon-
dency and despair had seized the heart of the
Confederacy. But the true and brave men of
this brigade clung to their colors, and rallied to