Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-10

after the rstseating cavalry continued
nearly to Alsxandria.
In the great campain Of 1864 Gene
raj Fitz Lee redoubled his energies.
Whether he did or did not see that
the battle of Gettysburg had really
terminated the war, and that thence
forth further fighting would be hope
less, ii is certain that, personally, he
never lost his. "heart Of hope" To
the end he was the same gallant SOL
der, full of fire and force, with his
ready laugh, his joyous bearing, his
jests, and cordial good fellowship.
When General Grant came over with
his hammer to batter the tough earthen
anvil in May, 1864, it was Major Gen
eral Fitz Lee, as much or more than
anybody else, who prevented a disas-
trous result after the battles OF the
Wilderness. Stuart assigned to his d.
vision the duty of obstructing the Fed
eral advance to Spotsylvania Court
house, and during all the long hours
of the night the young officer
obstinately resisted the Federal
progress with barbados and the
crack Of sharpshooters, falling back
only to make another stand, until time
was given General Lees infantry to &C.
cupy the line Of the Pc. Had it not
had time to do so, General Grant would
have interposed between Lee and Rich
mond, the Confederate capital must
have fallen, since there was no force to
protect it, and that this result did not
follow the rapid movement Of General
Grant southwark was due to the sol-
diership Of General Fitz Lee and his
cavalry.
FROM THE WILDERNESS TO SPOT
SYLvANIA.
1t is impossible in brief article to
give an adequate idea Of this obstinate
lighting of Lees division between the
Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court
house. The calvary and horse artillery
seemed to die rather than yield foot,
and when under orders they sullenly
fell back, it seems, under bitter pro-
test. A single incident will give some
idea of the animus of General Fitz
Lees men, which he related to me:
The cavalry had fought step by step,
and had been ordered to fall back on
Spotsylvania Courthouse. Two pieces
Of the horse artillery were posted to
cover the retreat, and near them were
seated on their horses General Fitz Lee
and Major Breathed, one Of the bravest
Of all Stuart's brave artillerists. A
line Of Federal sharpshooters was ad-
vanciDg on the guns, and General Lee
said
"Give them a round of canister,
Breathed."
The guns Numbered, sweeping the
slope, but the skirmishers bravely con-
tinued to advance and what was worse,
line of infantry advanced to support
them. To remain longer was to lose
the guns and General Fitz Lee ex-
claimed :
ORDERING OFF TIE GUNS.
"Take off the guns, Breathed H."
A few more rounds, General"
Breathed pleaded, and turning to the
gunners, Give them canister !" he
shouted.
"LoOk out for your guns, Breathed .
Bring them off :" General Lee ordered,
turning his horse.
Timber to the rear" was the order,
and one of the guns went off at gall
lop. The Federal infantry were now
only a few yards off, and the second
gun seemed lost. Surrender the
gun :" they shouted ; to W hich Breathed
replied with a last round Of canister,
and, limbering up, attempted to take
the gun off. As he did SO the drivers
were shot, one after another. and fell
from their horses, some Of which
were also shot and fell in their
traces. Breathed cut the animals
from the traces, mounted one Of
the wheel-horses, and, striking them
with his sabre, brought off the
gun in the midst Of a shower Of bullets,
from which, as General Lee said, she
miraculously escaped unframed" 1t
was by means Of this reckless fighting
that General Grants column was de-
layed in its advance and General Lee
was enabled to reach the Courthouse
and occupy the line Of the Pc before
the arrival Of his adversary. Only
few days after these scenes Stuart was
dead. He fell at Yellow Tavern on the
18th of May, and his last order on the
field was given to General Fitz Lee.
General Sheridan. with a force OF
about 1900 cavalry, cut loose from
General Grants army and advanced
rapidly by what is called the Mountain
road, debouching into the Brook road,
with the design of capturing Richmond,
which was nearly undcfendcd. AS
soon as Stuart discovered the direction
taken by Sheridan he OWNED his object,
and, taking Fitz Lees division Of ., 400
men, pushed rapidly after the Federal
cavalry to interpose between them and
Richmond. He and Fitz Lee rode boot
to boot, and Stuart was grave and
silent. He seemed to have a Fremont
ton of his coming fate, and was heard
humming in a low tone the words
Soon with angels I'll be marching.
The battle which ensued has been
described in the Times. Stuart drew
up his 2,4O0 cavalry-Fitz Lees divi-
sion, at Yellow Tavern, a few miles
from Richmond-and no sooner had he
done so than General Sheridan's column
debouched from the Mountain road,
when one of the fiercest struggles OF the
war Immediately followed. Fitz Lee
commanded on the right and received
the first attack Of the enemy, who were
repulsed by the dismounted men Of
General Wickham. But his success
was shortened. The force was too
heavy. The right and left wings were
both driven, and, worst of all, Stuart
was shot and fell from the saddle into
the arms Of one Of his officers.
At this moment General Fitz Lee,
who was falling back, galloped up, ex.
claiming, " You are wounded :"
"Yes," was Stuart's faint reply
"but 60 ahead, Fitz, old fellow, | |
know you will do what is right '"
The Confederate cavalry now fell
L. H. Al ~