The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-06-14
CUsrER.s GRAND CHARGE.
The Temptsfu0Hs charge Of Gen. Custer
at Yellow Tavern, Wa. Where
Gen. JeD. Stuart FeIls

The Temptstuous charge of Gen. Custer
IL Yellow Tavern, Wa. Where
Gen. Jeb. Stuart FeIls
The situation by $3.50 b. m. IN the 18th Of
May was one of anxiety to all, and all be
lleved that the crises was near at hand.
Within an area of ten miles Ell hteen thou
sand cavalry were now forming their lines
for deadly battle. The prize was an import
ant one. Not only was the reputation of the
leaders ut issue but Richmond Was in actual
danger, for at the hour OF noon on the 11th
only the line of Stuart lay between Sheridan
and the Confederate Capital. This was be-
lieved at the time by the Union officers in
command, 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
rear and thus hold US until the morrow,
TROOPS could be fastened forward from Pc
tersburg and the Union cavalry could be
crushed on the 12'h. This was the day
dream of Mr.. Davis and measures were taken
to effect this end. From prisoners and other
sources of information the staff were fully
apprized of the many distinguished officers
in command of the Confederate line in front
of us, many Of whom We're personally known
to those in command of the Union troops.
Stuart, FiszL Lee and Lomax were we'll known
to Gregg, Merritt, Gibbs and Custer. Stuart
was in the zenith Of his great reputation as u
dashing officer, preferriDg to fight mounted
rather than ~dismounted, while Sheridan, con
scious of the superior armament and equal
valor of his horsemen, had the reputation OF
a man whose habit was to win.
Il was at this critical hour, as nearly as
cab be remembered, $3.50 p. M, while IN
vergence of roads directly in front OF
Breathed'ss (rebeI) Battery, and in rear of our
dismounted troops, that an event took place
in the life of General Custer hat immortal
lies him in the history OF the day. Fully
realizing that the moment for striking a d.
cislve blow had come, be rode up to Merritt
and said:
"Merritt I an going to charge that bat
terry"
His manner was gallant and determined,
and the response of Merritt, 100 in General,
l will give you all the support in my power"
sent him away in the gnyest mood. Ju-t at
this moment General Sheridan and two II
three OF his staff reached our headquarters, !,
having arrived from Gregg and Wilson, ana
reported til. line on flank and rear secure be-
yond all doubt. General Merritt Immediate
ly told Sheridan that Custer was about to
charge the battery that had given US SO much
trouble. Sheridan's reply was:
"Bully for Custer. Ill wait and see it."
By this time Custer was seen forming his
Brigade in column of regiments, placing his
mounted band in front. His headquarters
flag, of the gayest c%olors, was seen flying in
advance of the moving mass of blue aud
glittering blades. The shrill blast of q hum
dred bugles, with the familiar air of .'Yankee
Doodle" by the band, rang out upon the bat
tle-feld, while fully eighteen hundred brave
men of the Michigan brigade rode boot to
boot into what seemed the very jaws of
death.
There was q depression in the plain that
lay between the point where Custer formed
and the eminence on which the battery Was
in position. The task of reaching the guns
was further complicated by q 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
Clusters frent and the entire brigade had to
break from regimental front to column OF
tours, cross the bridge and reform il the
face of q terrific fire from the battery, now
tlrned upon it. Fortunately, the enemy
guns could not be depressed sufficiently to be
effective upon the troops while crossing the
ditch aud reforming. This obstacle overcome
(and it was done in q very short time) the
charge was made up the rising ground with.
in sight of the Union line. The wild huzzas
O: thousands of men frem right to left wen
up to cheer the gallant horsemen as they
dashed upon and passed the guns and plucky
gunners, completely ~stampedinx the troops
in support Of the artillery. In less thar