New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-06-02
GOOD WORK or THE FIFTH CORPS.
FITzHuGH LEE AS A WITNESS.

HOW w.PpEN,s ADVANCE PREVENTED 4 RENEWAL
or THE ATTACK on SIITRIDAN's CAVALRY
The Warren Court of Inquiry met yesterday
at Governors Island and listened for several hours 70
the testimony OF General Fltzhugh Lee who com
mandcd the cavalry corps of tho Confederate Army OF
Northern Virginia ut the battle Of FIVE Forks ana OF
Colonel W. W. Wood, who was ut that time In command
Of nm infantry regiment In the brigade OF General
Stewart. General Lee was first called to the stand
and gave his testimony without hesitation and rapidly
He began by stating that on March % he was
ordered by General r. L. Lee to his division Of
cavalry from position at the east Of the Petersburg
works. Through the city and out in the direction Of FIVE
Forks where it was understood that he wOud be joined
by the remainder Of j. l.. B. Stuarts Old corps under
Generals ROsser ana W. H. F. Lee and by Pickctts al
vision OF Infantry. General r. T. LIE said 10 him tha
Shcr dams caYalrymcn understood to he cOnceh-
trIing near the Five Forks. probably for operations
agan, the Southslde Railroad. II was imperative That
Sheridan be attacked, and, possible dispersed as the
best means Of destroying the Federal plans.
On March 80 the witness with his own division came
upon the Federal cavalry. after passing FIVE Forks
and engaged them with some success CRYING them
back on the reserves. That night the promised rem
forcemcnts arrived General Lee. who commanded The
now reunited corps OF cavalry, consulted with Pickett
and decided to attack Sheridan early in the morning
as possible. Accordingly they moved out on the road
to Dnwid Tic Court House, and found the FcdefalS III
large force. leaving Muhforl IN command OF q dlvl-
sion to face this force the road leading TO Five Forks
the witness took Rosscr and W. H. T. Lee, and, accom-
panied by PlckctCs infantry, made u dctour to the
right, and crossing Canbcrlan's Bed by two iods at
tackled the Federal trOOp4 driving them back ana get
ting possession Of the road. Munforl made stimuli
tanpous attack and assisted in securing the success
After thu. engagement limo of battle was formed on
the road between DnwIddlo and Five Forks,
about half mile from Dlnwidlic. Pick
cit was formed across tho road, with The
cavalry either Hank That ui:h Pickett and the wit
ness about sleeping together, when, between 10
and IL oclock. information brought them that the
Filth Corps mar hing to The surp ri 0f Shrrldin AZ
this movement wculd have brought The Federal infantry
directly upon the lc flank Of Tie Confederate line, or
dcrs given for the removal OF the artillery
and baggage wagons toward Five Forks, and the troops
were subsequently ordered to march back To the oHna
position n Five Forks at II WAS not uEt d1v-
light that tie retreat begun But for the notice of The
approach Of the Federal infantry, combined attack
would have made sheridan at daylight the dis
positions having already been made for that purpose
On reaching Five Forks the line OF battle formed,
with Pickett at the Intersection OF The On" hide road
with the White OAK road rickctts command waH ar
ranged from right lett IN the order of the hlg"N OF
Corsc Terry George II. stewart, Ransom and Wallace
On Pickct's right ". H. +. Lees cavary posted
wine a brigade Of Mdntord'5 cavalry wa sent out to
the left Itosscr was north Of Tlchcr'S Run 10
guard the baggage aud ammunition. No infantry WAS
sent north Of the run.
The line Of battle was formed about or O'Clock,
and ALI rcnlncd quiet for hours. About noon r
witness said he rode down the TOnd and crossed
IIatcher's Run to PIchctt. After TAX ~
with him. ard will. engaged IN ,pikng TO Ku>scr s'ill
further down. Information brought ~ The attack
on the left Before tyn: The front he had received
information that there was SOME movement n 'r'ut Of
the left which was not Developed cause of thu heavy
woods and had ordered Muni1rl To ,o3 ont personally
for that body Of the Federal fo,ccs. A. the m
NJ fNp nj ari cam Ie
for the action but before he could rcch the ford the
Federal infantry had possessed tho road. lie moved
Rn-scr up aud tried TO forco hls division
over bni was rcpuscd Pickett, who started IN season.
succeeded IN crossing the ford and in escaping the fire
Of the Federal infantry. Being satisfied that TIE pur
p0r ~ General K, T.. Ice IN ordering the advance to
me S"nthSlir k!IirId ~" orc Tho ford or 20 hD The
rnad Ihr decision in lily reached io cXrrnd every
a"rt to check the anticipated advance against the r"l
road. .,
On the cross eyaIninailon General Ice vas literally
plid with Questions Mr.. Gardner, many or them re-
iatl. 10 t. movements ~ March 81 ~ i,s' dc crDr
Colonel ". W. WOOD followed Gcn"iHi Ice and VA u
first questioned about the Op ittnnS "I IHfcl 81 ne
WA, III stewards brigade at PlchrttF infantry ana IL
account VIA IN accord with That OF GrrGHl Ire. OF
Federal officers had testified, except tu1i he Insisted t!c
attack rest in victory Tor Ayes only Htir an h"ur
and halls stubborn hsnnR When thr t'hird"i%tr~
irgan to at the return everything Wa l"~t
Decentralization became complete.
Mr. Gardner WIKI questions varied in Induce TIC VII
ness 10 admit AT least doubt, iuli 10 lead Colonel
wood To InHdifY his -l1trmrh' hdl H. ftdlu cavalry
made demon, t!diIuus hr'ur abe works on NE LEFT dur
Ing Tie div aud that Infantry not dismOtlHtci cavalry,
captured his command.
Inc Court adjourned until Monday mornngncNt