The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-13
THE PLANS OF ApPoMArTox.
Stirring Scenes ON the Day When the Enc
of the Rebellion Was Plainly Seen.

Stirring Scenes the Day When the End
of tIae Rebellion Was Plainly Seen.
Theodore w. Bean. in Philadelphia Times
The smoke of thousand coffee fires. made by
horse-bolders, train men and others to the rear,
united with the dust OF moving troops and
wheels, increased the density of slightly foggy
atmosphere through which the morning sun
shone like ball Of fire, red the crimson blood
beginning to flow on this new field OF conflict
and rare historic interest The confederateS
were commanded Major general Gordon, young
and brilliant officer, in whom Lee reposed great
confidence, and whose well directed lines pressed
with deadly effect on our carbineers from right
to left. Many gallant men and officers fell.
killed or grievously wounded, IN this lost and
exciting struggle
The situation was pregnant with interest to
the cavalry, who, from daylight to near o'clock
NJ, were contending with double their actual
numbers. The last formation of the enemy for
an apparent assault upon our lines was plainly
visible to the naked eye. The movement of
Gcrdon's troops to the point of attack appeared
as measured and regular as on review Tho
glittering steel of his bayonets shimmered in the
morning sun, and his battle flags Haunted in air
as dehantly as a score of battle fields before.
1t was at this critical moment that General
Sheridan reached the front.
Sheridan rode briskly, giving orders for the
line of carbineers to fall back to their horses and
mount He spoke rapidly as he rode along the
line in a slow trot, and directed line as we'll as
field and staff officers to hasten the execution of
the movement AS the excited men were double
quicked towards their horses they discovered,
within mile distant the massive lines of blue
emerging from the woodland, under cover of
which they had formed, and were now rapidly
advancing to the position we had doggedly held.
We think it could not have been more than
fifteen minutes from the time the command to
mount was given until the First and Third di-
visions were in the saddles, and to the keen blast
of scores OF bugeS were moving at trot to the
enemys left and rear The moment
tainly the most exciting ever experienced by the
cavalry arm of the service. The retirement of
the carblLeers from the enemyS front, the dis
covery of the approaching infantry by the con-
federate field officers, resulted in lull, with
only an occasional gun from the artillery From
the higher ground taken by the mounted troops
the whole field and situation was observable.
The enemy's forces under Gordon stood ready
for the assault In his rear now, in full view lay
the little hamlet of Appomattox. and long lines
of scattered trains and fragmentary troops has
tening to the point of battle. while on both
TANKS could be seen small bodies of mounted
men. The Union cavalry moving to the charge
on the left and rear Of this last confederate band
of hope numbered between FIVE and six thou
sand men, whose strong grip on trusted blades
and experienced horsemanship were the only
promising assurances of getting into through
and out of melee, now believed by all to be
inevitable. The execution of this last movement
of the cavalry was committed to General
Merritt by General Sheridan, who was stimuli
taneously giving due attention to and Fastening
the steps of the infantry. now we'll in hand re-
sulting from unprecedented marching, and who
were determined to be in and fully share the
glory of compelling the surrender of its old and
bitter antagonist.
Headquarter standards and CAPTURED battle
flags were unfurled on the right of every COM
mand; streaming guidons flashed their star.fre
in the sunlight of the day; weldressed lines
showed walls of cleaning steel; the very horses
seemed to catch the inspiration of the hour and
IL
gested one OF the most magnificent pageants of
the long and cruel war. If the Survival of the
fttest" be in the will and eternal economy of
God part of human destiny, then those of the
blue and gray who last met the plains of
Appomattox have high place in the worlds book
and battles of life.
Merritt, young, quick, self-possessed, gave
and executed the orders Of his chief with
promptress and with results expected, Custer,
ever on the alert, often anticipating the com
mand of superior officers the field of battle,
was among the first in discerning the object of
mounting the troops and had his division in the
advance. with Devon close upon his heels.
Brigade Commanders Pennington, Capehart,
Gibbs, Fitzhugh and Stage were active and zeal
Gus to move the whole body, without a break in
the formations hastily, but effectually made for
the wefk in hand. The earth seemed to tremble
under the hoofs OF five thousand horse
men as they Numbered by the flank of the
now thoroughly dismayed confederates under
Gordon
General Custer is now the most conspicuous
man on the field. He rides out fl ON the charg-
ing column, observed by ALL He meets con-
federate. A white flag is triumphantly waved
| in his right hand as he dashes back to his COM
mand; the halt is sounded, and wild shout of
joy went out from the threats of thousands of
brave men that filled the air for many minutes
Huzzah after huzzah, cheer after cheer rolled
back to and was quickly caught up by the thirty
thousand infantry-Fifth, Twenty fourth and
one division Of the Twenty-ffth army corps
who justly shared the honors Of the hour as
| they doubtless did the delight of all, which was
simply boundless and indescribable It was the
surrender of Lee and the end of the war
The elimination of hopes long deferred through
years Of defeats and drawn battles burst upon
rim-visaged veterans, whose hearts throbbed
with joy that honorable pride, the absence
of further peril, speedy return to homes,
waiting loved ones and the iumphant unity
of our country alone could give. The
crisis Of the stupendous reality reached and
passed, the reaction sudden and profoundly
emotional. The scenes and incidents resulting
from the suspension of hostlities between lines
of hostile troops, while waiting several hours for
the arrangement of terms and details between
Grant and Lee were of the most memorable
character. None seemed moro deeply affected
than the trained officers and old veterans of the
regular army. We recall with distinctness the
emotions and fearful Joy of General Alfred
Gibbs, then in command of the regular brigade
First, Second, Fifth and Sixth United States
Cavalry The noble man was wholly broken up,
choked with every word, and finally wept like
child. The conduct of this officer was by no
means exceptional; the eyes of the best and
bravest moistened and the strongest and stoniest
hearts were moved by generous impulses that
went out to and sought opportunities to frater-
nize with the rank and file of the equally brave
men, whose cause cause for which they had
made such frightful sacrifices, had gone out for
ever in smoke and flame now ended
The visible dividing line between ecstatic Joy
for the hours we waited in arms the announce
ment of the surrender and when this was ac.