Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-01-30


South OF the enemy across Sailors Creek and
again attacked him on the right rear.
General r. S. Eweli was in immediate
of the Confederate forces engaged.
By about p m. the Confederate army was
forced across the valley Of Sailors Greek,
" here il took up an unusually strong posi-.
tiou on the heights Immediately on the west
bank OF the stream. These heights. ssve on
their face, were mainly covered with forests.
There was a level bottom, wholly on the east
bank OF the creek, over which the Union
forces would have TO pass before reaching the
stream, then swollen beyond its banks by re-
cent rains, and which washed the loot of the
heights on which General Ewell had rested
he divisions of his army, ready fer an attack
# made, and with the hope that under cover
Of night the whole Confederate army might
escape in safety to Danville.
THE PLAN OF BATTLE
The pursuing troops were halted on the
face OF the hills sk!rting the valley, within
range OF the enemys guns, and lines were
adjusted for an assault. Artillery was put in
position on these hills, and a heavy fire was
opened. An effort was made to
get up General g W. Getty's First DIVISION
of the Sixth Corps, and portion of the Sec
oud Brigade OF the Third Division. which
had been dispatched TO attack a battery on
the right, but the day was too far spent to
await their arrival After but few moments
delay, General Wright, as directed by Cen
ersl Sheridan, ordered an immediate assault
TO be made by the infantry, under cover OF
the artillery fire. Colonel Stages brigade
of cavalry was, at the same time, ordered
by General Sheridan TO attack and,
if possible, flank the extreme right of the
enemys position. General Merritt's cayalry
divisions First and Second) simultaneously
attacked the Confederate army on bis right
and rear. General Ewell covered his imme-
diate front with a strong aud well-connected
line of infantry, massing large reserve force
of infantry, in column, in rear OF his centre,
to be used as the exigencies of battle might
require. His cavalry operated on his right
flank and rear. He had present on the field
at least three full Infantry divisions, with
parts OF others under the command CT Gener-
ais Kershaw, Custis, Lee, Barton, De Barre,
Corse and others OF the most distinguished OF
that army. Commodore John Randolph
Tucker, commanding an independent Marine
Brigade held an important position in Gen.
eral Ewell's line.
Without waiting for reserves to arrive in
sight, the Two divisions of the Sixth Corps
descended into the valley and in single line
OF battle (Second division on the left and the
Third on the right moved steadily across the
plain in the face of the destructive fire of the
enemy, and. with shouldered guns, aud am
muuiriun boxes also, in most cases, over the
lad urb ha
stream. Though the water was from two TO
tour feet deep. the stream was crossed with
out halt or waver in the line. Many ;ell on
the plains and in the water, and those who
reached the west bank were in more or less
disorder. The order to storm the heights was
promptly given by the officers accompanying
the troops, and il was at once obcyed. The
of the Sixth Corps began firing for
the first time while ascending the heights and
when within only few yards Of the enemy.
His advance line gave way, and an easy VIC
tory seemed about to be achieved by the
Union forces. But before the crest of the
heights was reached General Elwell's massed
troops, in heavy column, made an impetuous
charge upon and through the center O. the
assaulting line. The Union center was COM
pletely broken aud a disastrous defeat for the
Uuion army was imminent. This large body
of the Confederate infantry became, by rea-
son of this success. exposed TO the now Ie-
newed fire from Genersl Wrights artillery
remaining in position on the hills East Of the
stream.
TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER.
The right and left wings OF the charging
Union line met with better success, and each
drove back all IN its front, and, wholly dis
regarding the defeat of the center. persisted
III advancing, each wheeling as upon pivot,
in the center of the hne-then held by the
Confederate masses. These masses were soon
subjected to t.rrible deaih-deaing infantry
fire upon both tanks as well as BY the artil-
ery in front. The swollen stream forbade a
advance to attack the ungusrded
artillery. General Merritt and Colonel Stagg' 8
in a simultaueous attack, overthrow
all before them on the right and rear. The
officers calamity struggled to
avert disaster, and bravely tried to torn
lines to the right and left to repel the CALLING
flank attacks. This latter proved i'm
possible. The troops on the fisnks were
pu,b. up TO within.a a few feet OF the massed
Coniederstes, which rendered any retOrma-
ton or change of direction by them out OF
the question, and speedily brought hopeless
disorder. A few were bayoneted on each
side. The enemy were falling rapidly and
doing little execution themselves. Flight
was impossible, and nothing remained TO put
An end 10 the bloody slaughter but Tor them
to throw down their aims and become cap
lives. As the gloom of Approaching night set
tied over the field, covered with dead and
dying, the fire OF artillery and musketry
ceased, and General Ewell, together with
eleven OF his general officers, and about all
his gallant army that survived, were pris-
oners. Commodore Tucker aud his Marine
Brigade, numbering about 2,C0O, surrendered
TO me a little later. They were under cover
Of dense forest, and had been passed by in
The first onset OF the assault.
OF the particular operations of the cavalry
The writer OF this, of his personal knowledge,
knows little; but 40 less praise is due it than
to the infantry. General Sheridan May l6,
1861, in an official report OF the battle,
speaking of the infantry attack, SAYS: alt was
splendid, but no more Than | had reason 10
expect from the gallant Sixth Corps." He
also speaks OF the lighting of the cavalry and
he captures thus: THE cavalry in rear OF
he enemy attacked simultaneously, and the
enemy, after a gallant resistance, were COM
,letely surrounded, and nearly all threw
iown Il cir arms and surrendered General
Ewell, commanding the enemy's forces, Il
number of other general officers aud about
en- thousand other prisoners, Were taken by
Is. Most OF them fell into the bands Of the
.avalry; but they are no more entil-d to
lain them than the Sixth Corps. 10 which
quail credit is due for the result OF this en-
,ag ment.'
The overthrow of General Eweil's wing OF
General Lees army forced him to move with
: hat remaiL ed OF it Northward, and to the
lorth bank of the Appomattnx. From this
position he was unable to extricate himself
md the surrender at Appomattox Courthous,
ollOwed. There was. after this battle some
lighting between the cavalry OF the two ar
nirs, and between the Union cavalry and
ONE OF The Confederate infantry, but heavy
iyhung between the Army of the Potomac
md the Army of Northern Virginia ended a.
Sailors Greek.
St. john denies anu oenres DuI ue Goes not
ay that Legste lies.-Belletontain Repub-
can.
= IL