The National tribune., 1886-09-09
THE Cd OHIO CAV,
Aud tho Desperate Charge II Made March 81, IsO

To THE EDITOR: In talking with CON-
rgacs the question was raised why IL was when
glorifcatiou of our regiment seemed the order
of the day no ID Ohio man ever spoke of the
charge made by il March 81, 1865. i appeal 20
Gen. Sheridan as TO the truth OF my story.
Five O'Clock p. IN. Of March 81, 1863, was TO
Sheridan most anxious moment. For more
than three hours the enemy in overwhelming
force had been driving his dismounted men
steadily, and were now within one ana a haii
miles OF Duwiddie Courthouse, where the en-
tire train lay perfectly helpless. The wagon had
been brought there during the day and previous
night after almost superhuman o1ertions OF en-
tire hrigades detailed for that work. The sandy
roads of Eastern Virginia If used by an army
tram during heavy rains get ia an awful con-
diti0n Every wagon cats and mixes about two
inches. and By the time the 2Oth wagon passes
the wagon is down TO the bed and the mules TO
their bellies in a bed OF mortar Nothing short
of cOrduI0ying every inch would enable the
train 20 move, and then it must be very slowly
and carefully, or legs Of mules will be broken.
Ii is true the roads soon dry. and "a hours make
n wonderful change. Such was the condition OF
affairs that evening. lt lacked an hour OF sun
down, and at the rate the enemy were moving
they would surely be at the Court house before
that il not stopped. For some time after has
men began TO fall back Sheridan felt 40 anxiety
whatever fully expecting the Fifth Corps,
under Warren, 10 strike the enemys left flank.
Then, if he turned on Warren, he could, with
has dismOuntcd men, strike his exposed right
Gank a heavy blow, aud he knew that the lar
Their he drew the enemy from his strong works
M Five Forks the better chance he would nave
20 gather up prisoners. As the minutes passed
after 3 p. IA. he grew more and more anxious
when no sound was heard Of Warren, aud
when while before 8 word came that warren
was miles away and could not possibly help
him, Sheridan could scarcely contain HIM
self For three hours his men had been ialllng
back, and no one know better than he that II
is very hard work 10 hold such men without
chance to bald breastworks and get them 10
turn on the enemy. care not how good they
are. let them give way for three or four hours
and then try 20 form them in line without pro-
lection and unaided 10 hold an enemy they
know outnumbers them five 10 one and see If IL
is not difficult. Something, however, must be
done, and that quickly, or the whole tram VIII
be lost. Sheridan thinks that IL by any means
the enemy could be stopped if only for few
minutes they would halt for the night, and his
quick eye sees away of on his right flank
knoll, aud knows ii is the only point that oilers
any hope. If he could by n sudden dash seize
that, the enemy may be halted. Ii is a forlom
hope az best; and where could he find force,
for every regiment was now engaged. There
were men in tho rear making corduroy for
belated wagons, but they were too dstant-the
blow must be struck at once. 1t was indeed
an anxious moment AT length Custer spoke
aud said he had one regiment that might
be spared They were at the Courthouse
watching the Confederate cavalry, known to
be in force south Of the Courthouse in the
heavy pine woods watching the chance TO
strike the helpless train. Custer added IL might
be a risk TO withdraw them, but Little Phil
ordered them brought up instantly, saving the
dismounted men streaming back would easily
handle the cavalry of the enemy. Few minutes
elapsed ere the ID Ohio Cav. were seen coming
on the gallon, and when opposite headquarters
were Joined by Custer and led into the field on
the right and formed in battalion front, dis
mounted shown the knoll we were expected to
take, and away we went-nO time given 10 tie
our horses or unlock sabcrs. such was the eX-
IRENE haste the Confederate skirmish-line al
ready being few yards OF the house that
stood on the knoll. Through the disorganiZed
mass of dismounted men we pushed our way,
calling on them 10 help Us in our effort; but
not only was our appeal dsregarded, but not
one word of encouragement was given US in
our desperate undertaking. A moment more
and we were beyond them and running as we
never ran before, cheering as we went down
the long slope across the hollow, in which ran
small stream soon 10 be Redeemed with the life
blood of more than one of our brave boys. Up
the hin we pressed. making the enemy's Skin
mishers hunt their holes yet not one was seen
| TO pass back 10 their support; they seemed 10
know exactly our aim, and hid themselves.
The knoll gained, the boys instantly sought
shelter and opened fire on the Confederate line
of battle For minute no notice seemed 10
be taken Of u.s. but soon the line on its ex-
IRENE right was seen 10 come 10 a halt, which
rapidly extended TO the left; then the manual
Of arms relating 10 firing was coolly gone
through with as though on dress parade.
i l.aA I he IL af
musket point straight at our house; then hid
behind the thickest part Of my oak, and wished
i WIS no larger than a hop-toad. Heavens
what racket there was at that first volley as
! the balls struck the weatherboards. Then
knew the enemy was loading and firing al
wilbur knoll the target. My position was
behind a large oak 20 yards down the knoll
from the house toward the enemy. Having
emptied my carbine i was busy dropping bull.
lets in the magazine, when / happened Il
glance around the right side of my oak to see
the extreme left Of the enemy's line pressing
up the hill, and only $50 yards distant. From
their open mouths could see the rebel yell wa,
echoing, but not a sound Of il was heard, owing
10 the racket made by the balls on the weather
boards. To 90 up and back over the top o
the knoll seemed snicide 10 stay sure capture
il not death. glance at the house decided
me- for / saw that few balls had struck the frs
four feet, although the upper part was perfectly
riddled. So bending MY back, and with swift
est steps j rushed back, not daring TO straghter
until the knoll covered me. Then / did m,
best and got off, which was more than many o
our boys did, as we lost heavily. The enem,
were halted and, as Sheridan hoped, they die
not come beyond the line of that knoll-fallinl
back 500 yards and going into camp, leavinl
next morning ut a. m. after learning of War
ren's adyanoe-R. HANEAFoRD, Co. M, q
Ohio, Cincinnati, q.
IA, Gro,fss Pfu.I Ronor, M, Ell. ro,da.. 90 On,