The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-04-29

south of Lees most advanced troop.
had heard that trains and supple.
were at Appomottax Station anC
was hopeful of reaching that poin
before dark. He wore on that day
as usual with him, a gay uniform
and two Colts revolvers, army siz'
in holsters attached to his sabre bel
This was, as he frequently said, hi
custom for the protection Of his body
having a horror of being shot in th'
stomach or bowels.
IysPIRITISG SOUNDS.
About5 o'clock, or perhaps a lit
tie later, while riding with Genera.
Merit, we heard cannonading IL
front, the first, since Sailors creek
Custer had found the enemy. AL
knew it must be the advance of Lee
moving south. The First Division
was moved on at still more rapid
pace. The artillery gave the road tc
the mounted troops, as also the am
munition train, ambulances and al
other wheels and pack animals. An
eminence reached and a comparative
ly clear country showed Us the
smoke of Clusters guns and carbinet-
at work, with lines evidently facing
north. This was an inspirating mo-
ment. Blood now tod in man and
horse. A half hour more and the
leading bridgade, Fitzhugh's, OF the
First Division, had reached Clusters
right and move lnta position mount
ed. the pioneers leaving fences where
required a half hour more and the
First Division was sharing with the
Third the spoils of war and joining
in the wholesale destruction OF trains
found in the road south of Apo.
mattox Court House
WHAT THE PRISONERS THOUGHT.
Prisoners taken were astounded
upon learning that the advance Of
the Army of the Potomac were upon
them. They thought us a full days
march in their rear. Intelligent off,
GERS with whom we conversed
thought when first attacked by Gus
ter that it was a raiding party be-
longing 70 General Stoneman's col
umn marching from Tennessee.
Till others conjectured it to be de-
tachment sent through from Gener-
al Sherman's army in North Caro-
lima. Their surprise and dismay
were complete when assured that
we were in reality Sheridan's Caval-
~ and that our infantry would be
up by morning.
cUsTEas TROPHIES.
Clusters arrival and attack was
timely. Although the enemy's artil-
lery and trains were in park and the
troops accompanying them in dis
orded condition resulting from a
long march, yet more were near at
hand, and if the attack had been lat
er or less sudden resistance would
have been more effectual. with re-
suits less encouraging to the Union
army. Twenty-Five pieces of artil-
lery, ambulances, ammunition and
general wagon trains, covering sever
al miles of the main road leading TO
Appomattox, were captured and
burnt battle flags and prisoners
were the only articles deemed OF
value. A close hunt for rebel flags
was made and number found. The
old cavalry soldiers will remember
that these rebel flags were permit
ted to be carried at all cavalry head
quarters in the last days of the war
and the rivalry was sharp between
the old divisions of the cavalry corps.
SPECIAL PRIZES.
1t was deemed s. special honor to
be the standard bearer of Confed-
crate battle-fag and only those who
captured them were permitted to
carry them. In special cases of gal-
lantry these flags guaranteed fur
Tough and immunity from routine
camp duty. They were ex-officio OF
the non-commissioned staff at head
quarters, and well deserved to be.
Clusters display of stars and bars
was extraordinarily fine at Apo
mattox' while that of Deyen and
Crook was attractive.
AT APPoMATTox COURT HOUSE.
The line of operations was push
ed well up towards the Court House,
where it was halted between nine
and ten o'clock at night, the enemy
having barricaded the road, and
shown well-directed resistance at
points, making it impracticable for
mounted troops to advance further.
The large captures made, including
several trains of cars, some of them
loaded with supplies-these later
were sent down the railroad until
they met the infantry column-the
destruction of wagon trains, had its
demoralizing effects upon the troops
and required the best efforts of Off
GERS in collecting the command to-
gether and placing them in position
for the night and in having them
well supplied with ammunition for
the morning. for We well knew that
there would be an attack upon rs at
early dawn and unless the infantry
would come to our support We could
hold the advance of Lee, under Gen.
eral Gordon, from breaking through