The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-09-13
EDUCATION THE REMEDY
LAST CHARGE OF THE WAR
Made at AppomattOx on South Carolina Bril-
gAdp.
Fronl postHunous article Of Gen. Sheridan in the
September North american ReUiew

Fronl postHurnous article Of Gen. Sheridan in the
September North american ReUieW
Beyond us, in a low valley (near Appomat-
fox 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 Gen. Gordon, whom
we had been fighting, and a rear-guard under
Gen. Longstreet still further up the valley.
Formations were Immediately begun to make
a bold and sweeping charge down the grassy
slope, when an Abide Camp from Custer, filled
with excitement, hat in hand dashed up to
me with the message from his chief: 8" Lee has
surrendered! Do not charge; the white flag
is up!" Orders were given to complete the
formation, but not to charge.
Looking to the left, to Appomattox Court
house, a large group was seen near by the lines
of Confederate troops that had fallen back to
that point. Gen. Custer had not come back,
and, supposing that he was with the group at
the courthouse, ] moved on gallop down the
narrow ridge, followed by my staff. The court
house was, perhaps, three-fourths of a mile dis
tant. We had not gone far before heavy fire
was opened on US from skirt Of timber to our
right, and distant not much over 300 yards. l
halted for moment and, taking off my hat,
called out that the flag was being violated, but
could not stop the firing, which now caused us
all TO take shelter in a rayine running parallel
TO the bridge we were on, and down which we
then travelled. AS we approached the court
house q gentle ascent had to be made. | was in
advance, followed by Sergeant carrying my
battlefiag Within 100 to $50 yards from the
courthouse and Confederate lines some of the
men in their ranks brought down their guns
to aim on US, and great effort was made by
their officers to keep them from firing / halt
ed, and, hearing some noise behind, turned in
the saddle and saw a Confederate soldier at
tempting to take my battlefag from the Color
bearer. This the Sergeant had no idea of sub
mitting to, and had drawn his saber to cut the
man down. A word from me caused him to
return his saber and take the flag back to the
staff officers who were some little distance be-
hind. / remained stationary after these events,
then calling staff officer directed him to go
over 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 M. Wilcox, the latter an old
Army officer. As soon as the first greeting was
over a furious firing began in front of our own
cavalry, from whom we had only few min
utes before separated. Gen. Gordon seemed to
be somewhat disconnected by it. I remarked
to him, " Gen. Gordon, your men fired on me
as ] was coming over here and undoubtedly
| they have done the same to Merritt's and Gus
ter's commands. We might just as well let
them fight it out" To this proposition Gen.
/ Gordon did not accede. / then asked " Why
cease firing? They are violating the flag" "
| He said, Il have no staff officer to send"
replied, " / viii let you have one of mine" and
/ calling for Lieut.. Vanderbilt Allen he was di-
rected to report to Gen. Gordon and carry his
/ orders. The orders were to 60 to Gen. Geary,
who was in command of a small brigade of
South Carolina cavalry, and ask him to discon-
/ tinue the firing. Lieut.. Allen dashed off with
! the message, but on delivering it to Gen. Geary
was taken prisoner, with the remark from that
officer that he did not care for white flags
! that South Carolinians never surrendered
It was about this time that Merritt getting
/ impatient at the supposed treacherous firing,
ordered a charge of portion Of his command
While Gems. Gordon and Wilcox We're engaged
| in conversation with me, a cloud of dust, wild
/ hurrah, a flashing of sabers indicated a charge
and the CALCULATIONS of nay staff officers were
heard: Look Merritt has ordered a charged
| The fight of Geary's brigade followed Lieut.
Allen was thus released The last gun had
been fired and the last charge made in The
| VIRGINIA namnaiou