The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-06-14

~ routed, with the loss Of many killed and
captured. with all his artillery, save the piece
and that was flying from the field in an east
erly direction, while everywhere 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 a
frultless pursuit, rs the enemy once broken
retired 80 rapidly that capture Was impossible
and the recall was sounded within a mile
from the point where the battery was cap
tured.
General Sheridan remained, with General
Merritt, an eyewitness to the splendid charge
mantle sting great interest when .apprlsed
that the obstacle of the ditch bad to be
passed; but as he saw the promptness with
which it was overcome and The rapid forma-
tinns after its passage, his eye took in the
situation at a glance, and he expressed the
belief that Stuart's support to the battery
would be unable to check the force
and impetuosity of the charge. AS Clusters
men emerged from the depression at q trot,
and when on the higher ground the advance
struck the gallop, under the firing of the bat
terry, 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 advanced,
the victory WAS assured to the Union troops.
AT this moment General Sherman turned to
Merritt, his face radiant with joy, and said:
General Merritt send q staff officer to
General Custer, and give him my compli-
ments. The conduct of himself and brigade
deserves the most honorable mention"
The writer had the pleasure of conveying
the gratifying message to Custer, who was
found some half mile or more beyond the
point where he had captured the battery.
the charge was over and the recall was be-
ing sounded for the mounted men to reform.
He received the compliment paid him with
evident pleasure, modestly expressing his
thanks, and deeming the honorable men,
ZION" of his brigade, while under his person
al command, one of the most pleasing and
fortunate episodes of his life.
A sense Of relief was experienced by the
whole command, and the situation, for hours
previous so critical, was now one of un-
doubted success. The news that Gen. Stuart
was mortally wounded soon reached US
through prisoners that fell into our hands,
and it was also soon learned that the confed-
crate cavalry were unsupported by any
t O ps from Richmond. The latter was de-
sirable news, as it made it advisable to move
on the capital, some eight miles from the
battlefield, or at least to threaten the town.
THE G NFEDERATE VERSION.
The following extract from (the rebel
Colonel Cookies paper describing this partic-
ular event on May II, in connection with the
tail of Stewart and his subsequent death.
will be read with interest by those who were
present on the main line:
1t Was now the afternoon and the Federal
column had not made a decisive advance to
attack Stuart, who was waiting in line of
battle to receive them. About four o'clock
the expected assault was suddenly made.
Stuart was beside Breathed's guns, near his
centre, when the edge of the woods on the
mountain road swarmed with blue horsemen,
every sabre drawn, and the line rushed upon
the guns. The attack was so sudden and
overpowering that nothing could stand be,
fore it. The weight of it fell on the left
under General Lomax. and this gave way
under the pressure. The line fell into. dis
order and was apparently about to break
when Stuart. made his appearance in the
midst of the hottest of the fight. calling to
the men to rally. He was everywhere, with
drawn sabre and flushed face, encouraging
his tro ,ps, and under the effect of his pres
ence the men reformed and met the enemy
sabre to sabre. Stuart personally led the
charge, for by this time the hot blood of the
soldier was completely aroused in him. and
for a time the result seemed doubtful. /
was soon. however, decided. The Federal
force was too heavy and the right, under the
personal command of General Fiiz Lee, be-
gan to be shaken also. The battle had evil
IDENTITY reached the turning point and Stuart
saw the desperate character of his situation.
1t was difficult to use his artillery in such a
melee of friend and foe, and his left wing
was soon in utter disorder. The Federal at
tack had at last succeeded in breaking it to
pieces; the men were scattering in every di-
rection and seeing Major Breathed near him
Stuart shouted: "Breathed, take command
of all the mounted men in the road and hold