Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1885-04-16
FIVE FORKS

Was the beginning of the end 1t was
fought April 1, 1866, and was one of the
most brilliant and bloody engagements of
the war In this fight Sheridan displayed
his characteristic qualities. He was as mad
with battle-rage as the god of war himself
In the midst of the fight one of his divisions
wavered and broke momentarily Their
colo bearer was shot and killed. and their
flag lad fallen. Sheridan snatched it up in
his own hands, and plunged into the fight
at the head Of the faltering men. After that
he flew about like incarnate thunder and
lightning. He ragged and shook his fist and his
sword by turns at them; he drove men who
had been wounded back into the front rank,
He capped the climax Of his rage by then
and there relieving Gen Warren of his COM
mand upon the field of battle But he re-
stored order, and gained the day.
back at Dabney's saw-nill, Grant, wrapped
in his blue overcoat, waited for news of the
fight. Day wore on into darkness, and the
hours advanced towards midnight Sudden
ly the general heard the cheers of the camp
through the darkness. He and the two or
three staff officers with him knew what the
cheers meant. An aide-de-c camp rode up and
began to tell of the victory. Another fol-
lowed nim, Colonel Horace Porter, riding
haf3, with foaming horse. He was wild. with
excitement. Carried away completely, ne
even clapped the commander-in-chief upon
the back as he told the good news
Torter, you've been dr1nnng,' saIu Il
iellow-officer sternly.
But Col Porter was a teetotaller. His ex-
hilaration was due to Joy and not to brandy
The rest of the staff were well nigh as crazy
with gladness as himself
But the immovable commander-in-chief
made no demonstrations. He listened 10
every word, till the whole story was told
Then he arose and went into his tent. He
wrote something by the light of Pickering
candle within. He came out to the fire
again, and gave the paper to an orderly.
Then he turned to the group of officers and
said, calm as asMsy morning:
Il have ordered an immediate assault along
the lines
The next move was to send the favorable
word to President Lincoln. He had come
down to City Point, and, with his soul full of
anxiety, was waiting for news of the day,
good or bad
Only one hope now remained to Lee That
was to escape by rapid retreat and join Gen.
Johnston. The two armies together might
still offer formidable front to the Federal
forces This movement Grant had prepared
forward to Sheridan, with directions to hold
ices army at all hazards till the rest should
come up. To the fiery little cavalry com
mander himself he sent word: can attack is
oruered at IN une morning al
three points on the Petersh Ug front" To
prevent Lee from breaking through Sheri-
aan's Lines and escaping souih, however, a
furious bombardment was begun before mid
night and continued.
THE SOUTHSlDE RAILROAD AT LAST
The Immediate assault along the lines' was or
sered for 4 O'Clock Sunday, April 2. Between and
that morning the General telcgraphed the wait
Dg president:
Wright has gone through the enemy's line and
low has regiment tearing up the track on the
southside railroad"
Grant had got the Southside railroad at last
The hour had come, and he knew It. He tele-
rrapbed the Officer at City Point: