The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1882-05-25

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CUSTER'S GRAND CHARGE.

CUSTER'S GRAND CHARGE.
Tho Tempestuous Charge Of Gen.
Custer at Yellow Tavern, Va,
Where Gen. Jeb. Stuart Fell. =:
From the Philadelphia Times. ...
The situation by $3.50 p. m. on the l1th
of May was one of anxiety to all, and all
believed that the crisis was near at hand.
Within an area of ten miles eighteen
thousand cavalrySweie now forming their
lines for deadly battle. The prize was IN
important one. Not only was the rep
utation of the leaders at issue but Rich.
mond was in actual danger, for at the
hour of noon on the l1th only the line of
Stuart lay between Sheridan and the
Confederate Capital. This was believed
at the time by the Union officers in COM
lnand, and has since been verified by the
interesting article written by Colonel
Cooke and published in the Times of
March IS, 1882. Nor was this all; if
Stuart could halt us III front, if Hampton
could force in our rear and thus hold us
until the morrow, troops could be has
tened forward from Petersburg and the
Union cavalry could be crushed on the
18th. This was the day dream of
Mr.. Davis and measures were
taken to effect this end. From
prisoners and other sources of infor-
nation the staff we're fully apprized of
the many distinguished officers in COM
mand of the Confederate line in front of
us, many of whom were personally
known to those in command of the
Union troops. Stuart, Fitz Lee and
LOmax were well known to Gregg, Mer-
ritt, Gibbs and Custer. Stuart was in the
zenith of his great reputation as dash
ing officer, preferring to fight mounted
rather than dismounted, while Sheridan,
conscious of the superior armament and
equal valor of his llorscmcn, had the
reputation of a man whose habit was to
win.
1t was at this critical hour, rs nearly as
can be remembered, 3:3O p. H., while in
company with General Merritt, near the
convcrgencc of roads directly in front Of
Brcathed's (rebep Battery, and in rear
of our dismountcd troops, that an cveut
took place in the life of General Custer
that immortalizes him in the history of
the day. Fully realizing that the mo-
ment for striking a decisive blow had
come, he rode up to Merritt and aid:
"AIerritt, am going to charge that bat
terry"
His manner was gallant and deter
mined, and the response of Merritt, "Go
in, general, will e i've you all the sup
port in my power" sent him away in the
gayest mood. Just ut this moment. Gen
elal Sheridan and two or three Of hi
staff reached our headquarters, having
arrived from Gregg and Wilson, and re-
ported the line on flank and rear secure
beyond all doubt. General Merritt i'm
mcdiatclv told Sheridan that Custer
Was about to charge the battery that had
given us So much trouble. Shcridans
reply WAS:
it,"
BY this time Custer was seen forming
his brigade in column of regi-
mcnts, placing his mounted band in
front. His headquarters flag, of the gay
est co]ors, was seen flying in advance of
the moving mass Of blue and glittering
blades. The shrill blast of hundred
buglcs, with the familiar air of Yankee
DOODLE by the band, rang out upon the
drcd brave men Of the Michigan Brigade
very jaws ofdeath.
There was Il depression in the plain
that lay between the point where Custer
formed and the emincnce on which the
battery was in position. The task Of
reaching the guns was further complica-
ted by a deep 'Virginia ditch running
parallel to the enemy's line over which
were three corduroy field bridges This
ditch was impossible at all points in Gus
tcr's front and the entire brigade had to
break from regimental front to column of
fours, cross the bridge and reform in the
face ola terrific fire from the battery, now
turned upon it. Fortunately, the ene-
n>y's guns could not be depressed suf-
ticiently to be effective upon the troops
while crossing the ditch and reforming
This obstacile Overcome (and it was done
ina very short time) the charge was made
up the rising ground within sight Of the
Union line. The wild huzzas of thous-
ands of men from right to left went up to
cheer the gal1anthorse men as they dashed
sunncrs. completely stampeding the
In less than twenty minutes from
the time the bugle sounded the
charge the enemy was completely routed,
with the loss Of many killed and cap
tured, with all his artillery, save one
piece, and that was flying from the field
in an casterly direction, while every
where in front of us could be seen the
broken fragments of Stuart's troops.
The fury Of this splendid charge was soon
exhausted and became Il fruitless pur-
suit, as the enemy once broken retired
so rapidly that capture was impossible
and the recall was sounded within mile
from the point where the battery was
captured.
General Sheridan remained, with Gen
cral Merritt, an eyewitness to the splcn-
did charge, lnanifesting great interest
when apprised that the obstacle of the
ditch had to be passed; but as he saw the
promptness with which it was overcome
and the rapid formations after it's pas
sage, his eye took in the situation at a
glance, and he expressed the belief that
Stuart's support to the battery would be
of the charge. AS Clusters men emerged
from the depression at u
trot, and when on the higher ground
the advance struck the sallop, un-
der the firing of the battery, which now
had perfect range of horse and man, the
scene was of the most exciting character.
When the guns were reached and passed,
and the brigade was lost to sight in the
smoke and dust that enveloped it, the
whole line from right to left was adj
vanced, the victory was assured to the
Union troops. At this moment General
Sherman turned to Merritt, his face ra-
diant with joy, and said:
General Merritt, send staff officer to
General Custer, and give him my COM
pliments. The conduct Of himself and
brigade deserve the most honorable
mention"
The writer had the pleasure of convey
ing the gratifying message to Custer, who
was found some halfmile or more beyond
the point where he had captured the
battery. The charge was over and the
recall was being sounded for the mount
ed men to reform. He received the COM
pliment paid him with evident pleasure
inodestly expressing his thanks, and
decming the Honorable mention" of his
| brigade, while under his personal com
| mand, one of the most pleasing and for
| t,nate episodes of his life.