The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-09
LAST SHOT AT APPOMATTOx.
A Little Fight that Took Place After the
White Flag Was Hoisted.

A Little Fight that Took Place After the
White Flag Was Hoissed.
From Posthumous Article of General Sheridan, In
the September North American Review.
Beyond u.s. in low valley tnear Appomattox
Courthouse, after my flank movement) lay Lee
and the remnant of his army. There did not
appear to be much organization, except in the
advanced troops under General Gordon, whom
we had been fighting, and q rear-guard under
General Lonestreet, still further up the valley.
Formations were Immediately begun, to make
bold and sweeping charge down the grassy
slope, when an aid -de-camp from Custer, filled
with excitement, hat in hand, dashed up to me
with the message from his chief Lee has sur
rendered! Do not charge; the white flag IS up"
Orders were gived to complete the formation,
but not to charge.
Looking to the left. to Appomattox Court
house. q large group was seen near by the lines
of confederate troops that had fallen back to
that point. General Custer had not come back,
and, supposing that he was with the group at
the courthouse. moved on q gallop down the
narrow ridge, followed by my staff. The court
house was, perhaps, three-fourths OF . mile
distant We had not gone far before q heavy
fire was opened on US from a skirt Of timber to
our right and distant not much over 300 yards.
halted for moment, and taking off nv hat,
called out that the flag was being violated, but
could not stop the firing. which now caused Us
all to take shelter in ravine running parallel
to the ridge We were on, and down which We
then travelled. As we approached the court
q l.
was in advance, followed by q sergeant
carrying my battiefaR. Within hundred
to one hundred and city yards from the court
house and confederate lines. some OF the men in
their ranks brought down their guns to an aim
on Us, and great efforts was made By their Off
GERS to keep them from firing. / halted, and
hearing some noise behind, turned in the raddle,
and saw q confederate soldier attempting to take
my battle-fag from the color bearer. This the
sergeant had no idea Of submitting to, and had
drawn his aAber tn the m down word
from me caused him to return his saber. and
take the flag back to the staff officers, who were
some little distance behind. / remained sta
tionary moment after these events, then cali
ing to a staff officer. directed him to 60 to
the group of confederate officers, and demand
what such conduct meant Kind apologies were
made, and we advanced The superior officers
met were Gen. j. B. Gordon and Gen Cadmus
NJ. Wilcox, the latter an old army officer. As
soon the first greeting Vas over. furious
firing began in front OF our own cavalry from
whom We had only few minutes before sepa-
rated. General Gordon seemed to be some what
disconnected by it / remarked to him, "Gen.
Gordon, your men fred on me AZ was coming
over here. and undoubtedly they have done the
same to MerrItts and Casters commands. We
might just as we'll let them fight it ont To
this proposition General Gordon did not accede.
then asked. why not send staff officer and
have your people cease firingl They are violat-
ing the fag!r He said, 81 have no staff officer to
send.n I replied, ~ will let you have
one Of mine" and calling for Lieu
tenant Vanderbilt Allen. he was directed TO
report to General Gordon and carry his
orders The orders were TO 60 to General Geary,
who was in command of email brigade of South
Carolina cavalry, and ask him to discontinue
the firing. Lieutenant Allen dashed off with
the message. but on delivering it to General
Geary was taken prisoner. with the remark
from that officer that he did not care fos white
flags. that South Carolinians neveo surren-
dered
It was about this time that Merritt, getting
impatient at the supposed treacherous firing.
ordered charge of o portion Of his command.
While Generals Gordon aud Wilcox were en-
gagged 10 conversation with me, cloud of dust,
. wild hurrah, q flashing Of sabers. indicated 4
charge, and the calculations of my stan officers
were heard "Looh Merritt has ordered {