The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-04-22
BATTLE OF FIVE EoRKs.

SCC.
BATTLE OF FIVE FORKS.
: On the morning of the 30th Gen.
: Merritt was directed to obtain pos
session OF the junction OF roads at
Five Forks. A reconnaissance In
force WAS skilfully made by the
First Division, disclosing the fact
that the point was fortified by q
large body OF troops; the rain con-
tinued; the roads were in an almost
impossible condition, the artillery
icould scarcely be dragged into po-
siion, cutting hub deep in the fields
adjacent, the men were soaked TO
the skin, the most skillful officers
were everywhere met with equal
numbers, and our losses of men in
the encounters of the day were con-
. siderable. Night settled down upon
the command without the accom-
plishment of practical results,
amidst discomforts inbescribable
The morning of the 31st showed a
clear sky at dawn OF day, with q
brisk northwest wind.
cHAMBERLAINs CREEK.
The advance was again directed
upon Five Forks By Gen. Merritt,
supported by Gen. Davies Brigade
/ of the Second Division, with Gen.
Crook on our left with two brigades.
After a severe struggle the junction
of roads at Five Forks was reached
bv the advance, when it was con-
|. fronted by both cavalry and infant
~, and BIZ 2 P. NJ. the whole line
was hotly engaged along Chamber
lains creek or run. The enemy
moved without wheels in well
dressed lines of infantry, driving
our earbineers back at all points
Our led horses were moved back
through miry fields and muddy
roads with great difficulty, while
our artillery was Of no practical use
whatever in resisting the enemy's
determined advance. The situation
was painful in the afternoon. Gus
ter was hurried forward with MS
two brigades, leaving one for the
protection OF the delayed trains
about Dinwiddie; but by about sun
set the main command was drawn
back to near Dinwiddie Courthouse,
with the brigades OF Generals Dew
en- AID Davies completely isolated
on our right, and who were forced
to retire to the Beydton plank road.
finding their way TO Sheridan byI
that road at a late hour in the
night.
ALMOST FORGOTTEN.
It was while the command was
rapidly falling back, though in adj
mirable order, closely followed by the
enemy at point perhaps two miles
east of Five Forks, and where a mar
row and but little used public road
intersected the main highway, down
which. through dense piece of
woodland, squadron of General
Davies mea were holding the road
barrieaded. Davies had been driv-
en- back go hastily that be could not
recall them. General Merritt was
apprised of the fact and concluded
they must have chance for their
lives, though at best it was doubtful.
Turning TO the writer he gave the
order, and reached his hand, saying:
"Good-by, Captain, it may be some
time before | see you again; bring
the squadron out if You can" The
boys were promptly found, double
lquicked 10 the point where We left the
command. now occupied by the
lenemy thick as bees. A detour
through the woods, however, was
successfully made toward the Boyd-
ton road with other demoralized
troops. and reached the Generals
headquarters about midnight, re-
porting the squadron safe and in
time to take coffee with the mess
land receive the hearty congratula-
tions Of the party, who had given
Us up as lost or captured. General
Sheridan summaries this discourag-
ling days work in his official re-
port as follows:
In this well contested battle the
most obstinate gallantry was dis
played by my entire command. The
brigades of General Gibbs and COL
onels Stagg and Fitzhugh in the
First Division; Generals Davies,
|. Gregg and Smith of the Second
/ Division; Colonels Pennington and
Copehart of the Third Division We'd
with each other in their determines
efforts to hold in check the superior
efforts Of the enemy, and their skill
ful management Of their troops in
this peculiarly difficult country en-
titles them to the highest commen-
dation.
/ Generals Crook, Merritt. Custer,
and Deven, By their courage and
ability, sustained their commands
and executed the rapid movements
Of the day with promptness and
without confusion. This repulse
OF the cavalry corps was keenly
felt, and the only compensatory fact
associated with il was the complete
development of the enemy and the
dangerous assurance it gave to Lee
and Anderson that they were mas
ters OF the situation in front of Din
widdie.
THE HAND OF GRANT
The support of infantry was now
rendered to Sheridan, with the COM
mand of the left wing of Grants ar
my. The movement of Warren's
Fifth Corps, during the early morn
ing of April 1, induced Anderson to
fall back rapidly to his works at
Five Forks. This movement was
promptly followed up by the cavalry
and by 2 P. NJ the carbiners were
holding the Confederates close to
their intrenchments on the White
Oak road, with General Custer dem
onstrating on their extreme right
flank with mounted troops. While
the woods and fields were in much .
better condition for the operation OF
troops than on the 30th and 31st of
March. II was still with the utmost