New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-12
SHERIDAN AS A WITNESS.
CLOSE OF A LONG EXAMINATION.


EXPLAINING HIS STATEMENTS ABOUT THE CONDUCT
OF THE FIFTH CORPS AT THE BATTLE OF FIVE
FORKS
The cross-examination of Lieutenant-GeD-
eral Sheridan was resumed yesterday morning by bis
counsel Major Gardner the opening Of the Warren
Court Of Inquiry at Governors Island.
when you went into action with Ayres's division
understood you to say you left General Warren at the
rear" said Major Gardner.
yes"
"when you have spoken here Of the troops Of the
Fifth Corps having been little timld before they as
saulted the enemy's Entertainments, did you refer
solely Ayres's division, did you intend 70 include
the other divisions under Griffin and Crawford"
a. meant only Ayress division"
General Ayres himself, In his official report OF April
10 1885, has mentioned the fact that portions Of his
division were very unsteady has he mott"
He has done So"
"After they recovered themselves, how would you
characterize the assault division Of Ayres made
the enemy's wOrksf"
GAS very gallant"
do understand you to have said in your direct ex
animation that ia your opinion the cavalry who as
saulted the front Of the works at Five Forks and
Ayrcss DIVISION which assaulted the works on the enc
mys left flank, practically the battle OF Five Forks
when the works were capturedi"
" That is what meant"
"Was Ayress division Of the Fifth Corps o large d.
IL
and CrawiOrd2"
4" 1t was the smallest"
In your official report you said The Fifth Corps,
reaching the White Oak road, made q left wheel and
burst in the enemys flank like tornado, ana pushed
rapidly on Did you by this statement refer to the
movement Of Ayress division after you and Ayres and
his officers had restored confidence, the detached
movements Of the other divisions or both 2"
"To Ayres's division only"
Was the fire Ayress division from the angle Of the
works where it assaulted hot Onel
Tie fire was very severe"
How did you relieve General Warreni Was it by
written orderT
Major Gardner read order which. in substance,
duIy aud Vii report in person TO General Grant COM
mandng tine Armies OF the United States ;" and General
" Did the Fifth Corps continue under your command
TO the close OF the campaign by the surrender Of General
Lee on April o. 1852
How long, theni"
Until crossed the river at Gettysville and until the
arrival OF the balance OF the army OF the Potomac"
What s YOUR opinion Of the conduct of the Corps"
formed quickly at Getysvle faced the enemy 6faVey
and bore themselves steadily They fully met my ex-
pcctatOns for Galautry, steadness and rapidly OF
Recxamned by Mr.. stlckney. General Sheridan said
that though he could not now positively declare, 1t
his recollection that he did not put Griffin command
Of tho Fifth Corps Ivy an ura order before he hau
lieved Warren BY tue written order.
g You say the Firth CORPS behaved admirably after
Five Forks g. asked Mr. stlckney.
"Yts."
Well you had seen good troops break before had you
not ~
"Oh yesw
"YOI consider that this can be done without any
lault Of the comm indiDg officer, do you notp
Yes, that may happen"
General Huncock-I have question or two to ask
General Sheridan from the Court From where Warren's
corps located on March 81. according to his own
statement, near the Junction OF the Clay
bourne and White Oak roads, considering the
night and other obstacles known to you
after the receipt Of General Meades orders how much
time wOuld 1t have taken Warrrn's command 10 march
u Dinwiddc Court House, had he not met enemy
been 500 p:d By superior nstructionsl
" On what lOadp
" On either"
Taking all the divisionsa
I" Taking the two columns as originally ordered"
al think he should have reached me- coming on tho
ydtOwn Old, that night In ABOUT two oOnsu
erInE the pressure Of the order"
"TueTo Is smother question. Do you think you would
have relieved General Warren, as you did, had not the
authority unsolicited by you, been received q"
would have had right. Il required authority"
Mr.. StcknCy-In your estimate or tho time Just made,
do YOU mean marching time ODIyi
General HancOck-The question was meant to cover
tho entire time from the writing Of General Meade's
order.
General Shcrilnn-I meant that it would have taken
two hours tor marching tune L cannot tell about the
time required FOR tue transmission OF dispatches Re-
member, however, that said to DinWlddie Court
Hue though the estimate VI time for march to tna
point ~ foreign 10 the actual condition of affairs.
(iBhcr H.nrCck-l Is foreign TO tue condition OF af
fairs the morning. but not TO what might have been
ut uignt had Warren not been stopped by an enemy
received further orders.
TINS concluded the testimony OF General Sheridan.
Colonel Newhall, OF General ShrIdans staff IN 1862
will 80 upon the stand this morning.