New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-16
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
THE FIFTH CORPS AT FIVE FORKS.
CONTINUATION OF THE WARREN iNQUIRf-I"o Or
~ :. ru,pnnN,a nrNRRAIS ON TIE STAND

Y 6 THE FIkTH COkPS Al FIVE rNI@nS'
CONTINUATION OF THE WARREN INoUIRY-TWo OF
1t+-s, wARREN's GENERALS On THE STAND
Four witnesses were examined before the
Warren Court of Inquiry. at Governors Island yes
tertlay. Lieutenant Colonel George A. Forsythe OF
the S G fss S %f Sst cod to the
He It was who carried to General Warren the aus
patch written by General Sheridan ut : a. m. Oh
April1 He crossed the Gravelly Run at the broken
bridge of the Boydton road at n. M hut dld NOT
see the bridge which Major Benyaurd built nor did
he see any Of Ayres brigade The water was as, no OF
higher than to his stirrnps: Coming to the time Of
the engagement OF April !, Colonel toTsytEe salI
that when Ayres became engaged, and Cfawi nmd
bring Crawford into the proper position: He finally
found an officer who angrily asked INN WhaG ne
was giving orders to that brigade iV Tror1 General
Sheridan. After an interchange OF rev VIZ" 70
the witness left the stubborn officer, who clamet 10
have explicit Ions rom GENERAL s warren also
took him to task for his action IN giving ''0
TentenantCo lonel Michael v. sheridan military
secretary to his brother, General sheridan to" ow
he carried orders between General Grant ana yen
efai Sheridan March 81. and also sad that on
1nril /. when Avres' men became confused, he Bas
sent TO General Merritt to tell him not to advance
Ayres had taken the angle of the enemys work,
which GenefM Sheridan called the key oil tue
General John A. Kellogg. who commanded 9
brigade in Crawford's division, followed Colonel
Sheridan. His testimony covered much OF the
~
have followed the course of this inquiry lie copr4-
borated the testimony of Colonel Forsyt3S respect.
ing the conversation with t one officer H TSe Wit
ness said that he had finally conciuueo 10 ooIy
sral Sheridan's order and had done so; He Thought
he was ordered to occupy before the formation had
been properly made, had great deal TO 20 Ml1m
the plan tn f That Of others to the eSc
that there was no unnecessary delay Ill the move
ments of the Fifth Corps and that General warm
took nm active part in directing his troops nhally
leading charge in person in the advance OF a por-
ton of his (KellOggs command . ;
General ]. L.. Chamberlain VINO came SO p r4iIl
nenty before the country during the late troubles lies
. In Maine was next called to the stand. In the
Spring Of 1865 he was Breyet Major General com
F$rifn's of the Fifth Corps He first described the
movements of the Fifth Corps on March ~ the am
of which was to establish line on the W naG V Ss
own brigade was formed on the Boydton plank
road, facing the Gravcy Rum. The divisions OF
Ayres and Crawford crossed the pranGn Oh oI I
vance, but after midday were driven PACK N1' IN
his lines in confusion. General Warren ordered me
witness to advance i'll the same direction ana TINS
was done the men fOrding the stream alluded to,
which was leg high for most of them, and waist
high for some. After moving toward the Wmte
Oak road for more than mile, brigade OF the
enemy was encountered behind earthwOrks. Gen.
eral Warren ordered the witness TO assault anu
carry those works, which he dd. inns was anout
5or6p. III. The troops then occupied a position
about 300 yards from the main works of the enemy
at Petersburg. The entire Corps was within half
mile of those wOrks-maSSed on the White YAK
road The ground over which the enemy was
pushed was rough, soaked with ram, maISly, ana
much cut up with water courses. witness Vas
with General Griffin during the night as watchfu-
ness was required since it was felt that the enemy
might attack. The night was dark, with variable
sky. ,....... :, 49,
eral Warren at 9:;35 p. H., which he said was in
consequence of orders from General Meade, and
General Chamberlain said he remembered that Cen
era Griffin received it The order after insrucing
Ayres and Crawford with reference to their move
nents directed Griffin to call in General Bartletts
brigade which was in his advance, and to proceed
with his division down the BOydtOn plank road TO
Dinwiddie and report to General Sheridan. IRE,
yOus to this after the firing of the Flfth Corps nau
ceased about D. H., heavy firing had been heard i'll
the direction Of Dinwiddie. This firing began ap-
Rs n to s s d r G nus Shere % s
be heavily engaged, and resolved to send troops
down to his assistance. He asked the witness if nc
affirmative RecOnsdering, General Warren said
he would sent Bartlett, his men had not been en-
order put in evidence Before Bartlett could come
up, however, and while Griffin was awaiting HIM
before starting, order came from General Meade,
directing that Ayres brigade be sent down the
Boydton road, and Griflin's and Crawford's diyi-
sions be massed where they then might he. The
witness then described the march of April |, mp to
. point near J. Bcisscau's house. where he met
How did he receive yon ?" asked Mr. stclIney.
AS came very near tirng INTO his ADVANCE
"What did lie sayf'
I" He asked me where General Warren was, and /
said understood that he was in the rear of our COL
unu; He made reply which Indicated
"What did he sayY" .
" He said That's where should expect him to be-"
"What further did he say p
" He said something in regard to Our delay in COM
ing up. told him that we had had a heavy en-. |
gageinent the afternoon previous, that we had |
passed the night in front of the encmys works, and |
that We had TO move Oft with caution, with the rear
guard in line Of battle He appeared to accept the
explanation, and his manner became more pleasant"
General Chamberlain then spoke of the movement |
up to the Gravelly Run church, where the line Of
brskly. The whole spirit of the movement from
beginning to end was that of activity, as all under
stood that they must hasten up and light before |
dark. There no lack of zeal, at least in spirit;
but tue roads were bad, aud the men were tired,
wet through AMI soaked and had met with heavy |
Much has been said here of apathy. in General
Warrens manner Did you observe itP
"Wlat was his manner'"
al will say frankly that those who do not know
General Warren's temperament might think hlm
stead of showing excitement, his manner is that of
intense concentrations is not singular to me that
give You direct answer, did not think him apa-
thetic."
"Did You see any indication of Indifference by him
to the success Of the dayp
"1he very furthest possible from it,"
The examination of General Chamberlain will be
resumed Oh Monday.
THE POLICE COMSlISSIONER$IIIP.
HUGH GAEDNEgs CONFIRMATION THOUGHT PROB
ABLE
The indications are now that the majority Of the |
Board Of Aldermen will confirm Hugh Gardner for
Police Commissioner on Tuesday next. Alderman
Stack, of the Irving Hall members, is absent in
81. Louis attending convention OF German Gath
Dlic Societies He is expected back in time, how
ever, for the meeting on Tuesday. Mr. Gardner
may not receive AL of the Republican votes, six 10
number but he will need only four of these, for it
Is understood that Alderman Goodwin, one of the
members VIII vote to confirm Mr Card
significant in this Alderman Goodwin If he votes