National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-07-05
THE FIFTH CoRpS At FIVE ToRKs.
How It Was saved by the Ninety first New
York Vols, Under General TarbelI.

York Vols, Under General Tarbell.
To The Editor Of TIE National Republican;
SIR In reading the testimony given before
the Warren court Of inquiry, as published in
the New York Times, / notice that confederate
General MCGOWAN, in his testimony before the
court with reference to the stampede of tho
Fifth corps on the 31st of March, said: "rhe
Fifth corps made several gallant stands while
they were being pressed back, but the weight
ana impctuOsity of his advaico was such that
these stands although very gallant, proved
nbortivc, aud the fedeNls were finally driven
beyond Gravolly rum
This testimony recalls to my mind the events
OF that occasion, having been participaut,
which are substantially Rs follows on the
aOih of March, 1865, The Fifth corps, uuder
General Warren, moved from the extreme left
OF General Grants line before Richmond mud
Lynchburg to the aid of Sheridan at Din.
widdie Courthouse, who WAS operating against
the celebrated give Forks" In his march to
the aid of Sheridan General Warren halted
bis corps about noon on the 3Ist, going into
line of battle by divisions General CrawlUrd's
division forming the second line. Taking ad.
vantage of this halt, the rebels, who it appears
knew the exact position of the corps. made
sudden attack when the whole corps, with
the exception Of one regiment of Crawiord's
division, became paniC.stricken, and went
suddenly and hastily TO the rear without firing
shot.
This regiment, after making openings by
companies for the first division to pass through,
closed up and prepared Ia resist the rebel ad.
vance. The opening aud closing was as cOolly
done as though the men were on dress parade.
and formed "a strange contrast with the rest of
the corps. Having favorable position with
400 men in line, il stood its ground and held
the rebels in check for ut least half All hour.
This was witnessed by Maior.Gencml Craw-
ford and his stan, aud the colonel of the rcgi.
mCnt was brovotted for his action on that
occasion. During this time, General Crawford
seeing The odds against which the regiment
had to contend, sent Il staff officer, directing
the colonel to retire, aud then gallopcd to the
rear after the fleeing troops. The staff officer
sent with the order to the colonel was shot
before lie reached the regiment, so that the
oidcr was never delivered.
After II most stubborn resistance made
against so superior a force, nnd not until the
rebels were passing Oh both flanks and the
colonel was iOrCibly taken from his horse by
his cEiccts to save him from being shot, ms the
rebel bullets flew thick and high, so that he
WAS Just in their range KS he sat ON his horse,
| then he with his gallant command fell back,
making two more stands, alone aud uuadcd
10y the corps, until he reached the main body.
| These successive stands delayed the advance
Of the enemy, aud gave the rctreating troops
time TO REFORM and thu, save the corps from Il
complete r0ut
The regiment that behaved so CALAMITY on
that memorable OCCASION was the Ninety irst
New York veteran volunteers, commanded by
Colonel j. Tarbell. Tho reports of the brigade
and division commanders now on file in the
war department, arc highly eulogistic of the
conduct OF the officers and men OF this rcgi.
ment. lis galantry WAS no less conspicuous
Oh the next and decisive day, April /, when
the rebels were driven ont and the Five Forks
won. COMPANY C.