The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-06-04

Fitxhugh Lee as q Witness.
HOW wARREN'S ADVANCE PREVENTED A RE.
EEwAL OF THE ATTACK ON sBERIDAN's
CAVALRY.
NEW YORK, June 1.-The Warren Court
OF Inquiry met yesterday at Governors
Island and listened for several hours to the
| testimony OF General Fitzhugh Lee, who
commanded the cavalry corps OF the Con-
federate Army OF Northern Virginia at the
battle OF Five Forks, and OF Colonel W.
w. Wood, who was at that time in COM
msnd Of an Infantry regiment in the brig
ade OF General Stewart. General Lee was
first called TO the stand, and gave his testi.
mony without hesitation and rapidly. He
began by stating that on March 2Sth he was
ordered by General r. Z. Lee to move bis
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 he would be joined
by the remainder Of J. e. B. Stusrt's old
corps, under Generals Rosser and W. ii. f.
Lee, and by Pickett's division Of infantry.
General r. T.. Lee said to him that Sheri.
dams cavalrymen were understood 10 be
concentrating near the Five Forks, proba-
bly, for operations against the Southside
railroad. 1t was imperative that Sheridan
be attacked, and, il possible, dispersed, as
the best means OF destroying the Federal
plans.
On March 30th The witness with his own
division came upon the Federal cavalry
after passing Five Forks, and engaged
them with some success, driving them back
on the reserves. That night the promised
reiuforcements arrived. General Lee, who
commanded the now retlnited corps OF cav
airy, consulted with Pickett, and decided
TO attack Sheridan as early in the morning
as possible. Accordingly they moved out
on the road TO Dinwiddie Courthouse, and
found the FederslS in large force. Leaving
Munford in command OF 4 division to face
this force on the road leading to Five
Forks, the witness took Rosser and w. IL.
+. Lee, and, accompanied by Picketps
infantry, made q detour TO the right, and
crossing Chamberlain's Bed by two fords, at
tackled the Federal troops, driving them
back and getting possession Of the road.
Muniord made a simultaneous attack, and
assisted in securing the success. After this
engagement line OF battle was formed on
the road between Dinwiddie and Five Forks,
about ball a mile from Dinwiddie. Pickett
was formed across the road, with the cava-
ry on either flank. That night Pickett and
the witness were about sleeping together,
when, between 10 and II O'Clock, informa-
ton was brought them that the Fifth corps
was mar ching to the support OF 0fSheridan. As
this movement would have brought the
Federal infantry directly upon the left flank
OF the Confederate line, orders were at once
given for the removal OF the artillery and
bagsage-wagons toward Five Forks, and
the troops were subsequently ordered TO
march back to the original position at Five
Forks at 4 A. NJ. 1t was not until daylight
that the retreat began. But for the notice
OF the approach OF the Federal infantry n
combined attack would have been made on
Sheridan at daylight, the dispositions has-
ing already been made for that purpose.
On reaching Five Forks the line OF battle
was formed, with Pickett at the intersec-
tion of the Dnwddie road with the White
Oak road. Pickelt's command was ar
ranged from right TO left in the order OF the
brigades OF Corse, Terry, George ii. Stew
art, Ransom, and Wallace. On Picket's
right w. Ii. F. Lees cavalry was posted,
while brigade Of Munford's cavalry was
sent out TO the left. Rosser was sent north
OF Hatcher's run to guard the baggage and
ammunition. No infantry was sent north
OF the run.
The line Of battle was formed about or
O'Clock, and all remained quiet for some
hours. About noon the witness said he
rode down the road and crossed Hatcher's
run to see Pickett. After talking with
him. and while engaged in speaking TO Ros-
ser, still further down, information was
brought OF the attack on the left. Before
leaving the front he had received informa-
tion that there was some movement In front
OF the left, which was rot developed be-
cause Of the heavy woods, and hsd
ordered Munford to look out personally
for that body OF the Federal forces.
AS soon as the Information OF the
attack came be mounted and started
for the action, but before be could reach the
ford the Federal infantry had possessed the
road. He moved Rosser up and tried TO
force his division over, but was repulsed.
Pickett, who started In season. succeeded
Ia crossing the ford and in escaping the bre
OF the Federal infantry. Being satisfied
that the purpose OF General X. e. Lee in
ordering the advance TO Five Forks was
mainly to prevent any interference with the
Sonthside railroad, the witness said he was
perpleXed whether to try to force the ford
or to hold the road. The decision was
finally reached to eXpend every effort 10
CUtCh tue uutINlidttU "7~'"SN S'N
railroad.
On the cross.eXamination General Lee
was liberally piled with questions by Mr..
Gardner, many OF them relating to the
movements of March 3lst, as just described.
Colonel w. w. Wood followed General
Lee. and was at first questioned about the
operations OF March 3lst. He was in Stew
arts brigade of Pickett's iufantry, and his
account was In accord with that OF General
Lee. OF the attack by Ayres the witness
smoke substantially as Federal officers had
testified, except that he insisted the attack
resulted in victory for Ayres only after an
hour and baIfs stubborn lighting. when
the Confederates began to give way at the
return everything was lost. Demoraliza'
tion became complete.
Mr.. Gardner, with questions varied 10 ill'
duce the witness to admit at least doubt,
failed to lead Colonel Wood to modify bis
statement that no Federal cavalry made
demonstrations before the works on the lei'
during the day, and that infantry, not as
mounted cavalry, captured his command.
The court adjourned until Monday morn
ing next - Tribune.
At the meeting Of the American Medical
a..no;as;ou In NeU York Wednesday Dr.