The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-21
THE LAST GREAT BATTLE.
General Sheridan's Account of the
Last Blow at Lees Army.
The Fighting in the Vicinity of Appomattox
on the Days Preceding the Surrender
of the Confederate Army.

vance OF the infantry TO Amelia Court
house on the 9th, General Sheridan says:
We now come to the morning of the 7th. 1
thought that Lee would not abandon the di-
rect road to Danville through Prince E l.
wards Courthouse, and early on the morn
ing OF the 9TH directed General Crook to fol-
low up his rear, while with Merritt (Custer
and Devin's divsions) l swung off to the
LETT, and moved quickly to strike the Dan
vile road six or eight miles south of Prince
Edwards Courthouse, and thus again head
or cut off all or some of the retreating Con-
tederate army. On reaching that road it was
found that General Lees army had not
passed, and my command was instantly
turned north for Prince Edwards Court
house. detachment ordered to move with
the greatest celebrity via Prince Edward s
Courthouse, reported that Lee had crossed
the ADpomattox at and near Farmville, and
that Crook had followed him. On looking
at the map it would be seen that General Lee
would be obliged TO pass through Appomat-
tox Courthouse and Appomattox Station on
the railroad to reach Lynchburg by the road
he had taken north of the Appomattox
river. and that was the longest road to get
there. He had given the shortest one
the one south of the river-to the cavalry.
General Crook was at once sent for, and the
three divisions, numbering perhaps at that
time 1000 men, concentrated on the night
of the 9TH of April at and near Prospect Sta
ton on the Lynchburg and Richmond rail
road and AppomattoX Station became the
objective point of the cavalry for the opera
tions of the next day, the 8th
Meantime my scouts had not been idle,
but had followed down the railroad, looking
out for the trains with the 100000 rations
which they had telegraphed for on the night
of the 4th. Just before reaching Appomat-
tox Station, they found five trains OF cars
feeling their way along in the direction OF
Burkesville junction. not knowing exactly
where Lee was. They induced the person in
charge to come further on by their descrip-
ton of the pitiable condition of the Confed-
crate troops. Our start on the morning of
the 9Th was before the sun was up and hav-
ing proceeded but few miles, Major White,
OF the scouts, reached me with the news that
the trains were east of AppomattoX
Station, that he had succeeded in bringing
them on some distance, but was afraid that
they would again be run back to the station.
Intelligence of this fact was Immediately
communicated to Crook, Merritt and Custer,
and the latter, who had the advance, was
urged not ~to let the trains escape, and L
pushed on and Joined him. Before reaching
the station Custer detailed two regiments to
make detour, strike the railroad beyond
the station, tear up the track, and secure the
trains. This was accomplished, but on the
arrival of the main body OF our advance at
the station it was found that the advance
guard of Lees army was just coming on the
ground.
A sanguinary engagement at once ensued.
The enemy was driven off. forty pieces of ar
tlllery captured and 400 baggage wagons
burned. The railroad trains had been Sc
cured in the first onset, and were taken pos
session OF by locomotive engineers soldiers
in the command, whose delight at again get
ting at their former employment was so
great that they produced the widest con-
fusion by running the trains to and
fro on the track, and making
such an uDearthly screeching with
the whistles, that l was at one time on the
point of ordering the trains burnt; but we
finally got them off, and ran them to our
rear ten or fifteen miles, TO Ord and Gibbon,
who, with the infantry, were following the
cavalry. The cavalry continued the fighting
all that night, driving the enemy back to the
vicinity of Appomattox Courthouse, a dis
lance OF about four miles, thus giving him
no repose, and covering the weakness of the
attacking force.
1 remember we'll the little frame house just
south of the station where the headquarters
of the cavalry rested, or rather. remained, for
there was no rest the night of the 8th. Dis
patches were going back to our honored chief.
General Grant, and Ord was requested to push
on the wearied infantry. Tomorrow was TO
end our troubles in all reasonable probable
ity, but it was thought necessary that the in
fantry should arrive, in order to doubly in
sure the result Merritt, Crook and Custer
were at times there.
JOY OF THE TROOPS
Happiness was in every heart Our long
and weary labors were about to close; our
dangers soon to end. There was no sleep
there had been but little for the previous
eight or nine days. Before sunrise General
Ord came in, reporting the near approach of
his command. After a hasty consultation
about positions to be taken up by the incom-
ing troops, we were in the saddle and off for
the front, in the vicinity OF Appomattox
Courthouse. AS we were approaching the
village heavy line of Confederate infantry
was seen advancing, and rapid firing COM
menced. Riding to slight elevation, where
could get view of the advancing enemy,
Immediately sent directions to General
Merritt for Clusters and Devins's divisions to
slowly fall back, and, as they did so, to with
draw to our right flank thus unmasking
Ords and Gibbonss infantry Crook and
Mackenzie, on the extreme left were ordered
to hold fast. / then hastily galloped back
to give General Ord the benefit of my in
formation. No sooner had the enemy's line
of battle reached the elevation from
which my reconnaissance had been
made and from whence could
be distinctly seen Ord's troops in the dis
lance, than he called sudden halt, and
retrogade movement began to ridge about
one mile to mis- rear. Shortly afterward l re-
turned from General Ord to the front, making
for General Merritt's battle-fag on the right
flank of the line. On reaching it the order
to advance was given, and every guidon was
bent to the front, and as we swept by toward
the left of the enemy's line OF battle, he
opened heavy fire from artillery No heed
was paid to the deadly missiles. and, with the
widest yells. we soon reached a point some
distance to his right and nearly opposite APP
pomattox Courthouse. Beyond us, in low
valley, lay Lee and the remnant of his army.
There did not appear to be much organiza-
ton, except in the advanced troops under
General Gordon, whom we had been fight