Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-06-28
LIE HFNNFD IN.


continues:
LEE HEMMED IN.
Before sunrise, General Ord came in
report ting the near approach of his com
mand. After 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 Ap-
pomattox courthouse. As we were ap-
preaching the village, heavy line OF
Confederate infantry was seen advanc
ing, and rapid firing commenced. Riding
to slight elevation, where could get
a view of the advancing enemy, l imme-
diatsly sent directions to General Mer
ritt for Clusters and Devens' divisions
to fall slowly back, and as they did SO, to
withdraw to our right flank, thus IN
masking Ord's and Gibbons infantry
Crook and Mackenzie, on the extreme
left, were ordered to hold fast. Shortly
afterward l returned from General Ord
to the front, making for General Mer-
ritt's battle-fsg on the right flank of the
line. On reaching it. the order to ad.
vance 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 of artil-
lery. 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 Appomai-
tox courthouse. Beyond us in low
valley, lay Lee and the remnant of his
army. There did not appear to be much
organization, except in the advanced
troops under General Gordon, whom he
had been fighting, and a rear guard un
der General Longstreet, still further uI
the valley. Formations were. immsdi.
ately commenced to make bold and
sweeping charge down the grassy slope
when an aid-de camp from Custer, filled
with excitement, hat in hand, dashed W
to me with the message from his chief
Lee has surrsnderedl Do not charge
the white flag is upT' Orders we're given
t,complete the formation, but not tC
ehargs.
CONFEDERATE DESPAIR.
Looking to the left, to AppcmattuX
court house, large group WAS seen neal
by the lines of Confederate troops thai
had fallen back to that point. Genera
Custer had not come back; supposing
that he WAS with tile group at the court.
house. / moved on a gallop down the
narrow ridge, followed by my staff The
courthouse was, perhaps, tbree-fourths
of mile distant. We had not gone faI
before Eeavy fire was opened on us
from a skirt of timber to our right, and
distant not much over 800 yards. !
halted for moment, and taking off my
hat. called out that the flag was being
violated, but could not stop the firing,
which now caused US all to take shelter
in a ravine running parallel to the ridge
we were on. | remained stationary a
mnrneut after these events, then calling
a staff officer, directed him to 60 over to
the group of Confederate officers, and
dt mand what such conduct meant. Kind
apoliges were made, and we advanced.
The superior officers met were General
J. B. Gordon and General Cadmus NJ.
Wilcox, the latter an old army officer.
As soon as the first greeting was over a
furious firing commenced In front of
our cavalry, from whom we had only a
few minutes before separated. General
Gordon seemed to be somewhat discon-
certed by it. remarked to him, Gen
eral Gordou, your men fired on me MS
was coming over here, and, undoubted-
ly, they have done the same thing to
Merritts and Clusters commands. We
might inst as well let them fight it out"
To this proposition General Gordon did
not accede. l then asked, "Why not
send staff-oflicer and have your people
cease firing? They are violating the
fiagw He said, Il have no staff-officer
to send" replied, 81 will let you have
one of mine;" and calling for Lieuten-
ant Vanderbilt Allen, ne was directed
to repert to General Gordon and carry
his orders. The orders were to go to
General Geary, who was in command of