National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-01-03
BATTLE OF SAILOR'SRTEK
THE CONTEST WHICH GAVE THE DEATH
BLOW TO THE REBELLION.


BLOW TO THE REBELLION.
Decentralization OF Lees Army at the Close OF
the struggle-Men Throw Away Their Rifles
and Accoutrements-All the Onlcors Knew
That the Zig was Up.
Tho battle of Sailors Creek may be
said to have virtually given the death
blow to the confederacy, for by its issue
tho power Of resistance, feeble though 1t
was before, of the army of northern Vir-
ginia was absolutely broken. The spas
modic attempt of Gen. johnston to make
some impression on Gen. Sherman's army
in North Carolina, although IL is truo II
occurred subsequently,, had no other effect
than to hasten the surrender of his own
army, so that, as stated above, the fight
at Sailors Creek anninilatod the resist
ing power of tho confederacy, and as
surod tho complete triumph of the north.
II might havo been possible to have
maintained q guerrilla warfare in the
mountain regions for some months longer,
and a few desperate men had determined
upon this course of action, but IL was
fortunate for tho people of the south that
they were not permitted to carry out
defeated armies, superior and subordinate,
addressed their troops in such terms as
to induce them In q body to quietly
SUBMIT TO THE INEVITABLE,
to go peaceably to their homes, and en-
deavor to build up tho ruined industries.
1t Is fearful to think what additional
miseries would have been inflicted upon
tho southern people by tho maintenance
of guerrilla warfare, even for short
period after tho main armies had sur
rendered.
In order to properly understand the
state of affairs at the beginning Of the
battle above referred to, 1t will be neces-
sary to go back little. When Lees
army started on the retreat from Peters
burg the troops had only ono, perhaps
some of them two, days scanty rations
in their haversacks and thcro were no
provisions at all in the wagons accom-
panying them. The supply of provender
mt Petersburg during the winter was from
day to day. There was no accumulation OF
provisions, although, as have stated in a
previous article, there was n large stock
in Richmond for the especial benefit Of
the civil oflice-holders IL was expected
that full supply would be obtained at
Amelia Court House, to which point pro-
vision trains had been ordered from Rich
mond before tho retreat began. When
the troops arrived at Amelia they were
hungry and tired, for we had made
forced march, aud two days rations In
those days was scant sustenance to q ro-
bust man for half the time. 1t is boot
less now to 20 into details. 1t is sulf-
oient TO say that no provisions were
there, because all the rolling stock of the
railroad had been seized upon for the
transportation Of tho frightened confed-
crate officials flying southwark with all
their goods and chattels, and 1t is morti-
flying for a confederate to state that
JEFF DAVIS WAS AT THE HEAD.
If Sailors creek was the finishing stroke
then the disappointment at the Court
House was the first knock down blow
However, the retreat was continued. 1t was
shortly after leaving Amelia that Sheri-
dan began his repeated sledge-hammer
strokes upon the retreating columns.
Thence forward, tho hungry and dis
pirited confederates were necessarily
compelled to mako forced marches-be.
ginning at dsybreak aud hating at mid
night BY day there was a constant
state of alarm from the rattle of mus
kerry and the barking of cannon; by
night for the few hours intended for re-
cuperation there was scarcely any sleeJ
or rest to be obtained on account o.
hunger and WEAKNESS. On tho 9th o.
April, as Gen. Grant telegraphed tt
Nssssit.AoStans ~ .ees army is breaking
up" the men began to throw away
their rifles and olterment5 in order
TO be able to hobble along in--the ranks
Others fell out and lying down by thu
road side, swore they would not marchi
step further. Rear guards were of NJ
use-the guards not being in muci
better condition than the men they
endeayored to keep up to the front
Soldiers actually picked up and ate tn,
corn dropped in the road by the artillery
and train horses. And yet amid all thi
Generalization the writer observed many
instances of strong will and unsel6shness
Frequently men could be seen carrying
two rifles with an arm around the wais
of an almost exhausted comrade. Irecol
lect and incident by which L derive,
benefit. A South Carolina captain VIII
had received flesh wound in tho le
was painfully hobbling along supporte
on either side by two of his men. As
passed him he called to me, and pullin
OFF o handsome belt with fine sword an
revolver attached handed them TO m,
saying, Take them as present"
THE YANKEES ARE BOUND TO CAPTUR
ME.
can go no further. The present wa
accountable, as had only cavalry sabe
and no revolver. He then begged hi
men to 20 ahead and leave him to hi
fate, but they swore they would stand b
him at ali hazards, and suppose the
did, as | left them there.
On the 9th the situation was worse, an
Shcridan's attacks more frequent and dc
termined; SO also was increased the nun
Der OF men VINO mad iallen sullenly b.
the wayside, resolved to submit to CAP
ture on the coming up OF tho enemy
Now the writer's battalion 1.-THE Irish bal
talion), together with the marines an
sailors from inc gunooats on the Jane.
and battalion oil boys from the school