The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-11-13
A MISSING PAGE SUPPLIED.
THE LAST BATTLE OF THE LATE WAR.
An Unrecorded Victory of the Army of Gen.
Grant Mt MartinsviIIe, virginia-De-
tails of the Fight-The Killed
and Wounded.

would not otherwise entitle ii, attaches
itself to the battle of of Martinsville as be-
ing the last struggle between the army OF
Gen. Grant and that OF northern Virginia.
This engagement, OF which there exists
no record in history, occurred on the Sth
day OF April, 1865, between detachment
OF Gen. Stoneman's command, on the one
side, and a regiment of cavalry, portion
OF the army OF Gen. Beauregard, on the
other. Being informed that Stoneman,
with considerable force, was making
raid through southwest Virginia, Beaure-
gard, then stationed ut Hillsboro, \. c.,
sent out regiment Of cavalry, under the
command OF Col. Wheeler, to watch his
movements. This force-about four hun
dred strong-arrived in Martinsville on
the 9TH OF April, at 4 o'clock in the alter
noon, and encamped On Jones creek,
three-quarters OF a mile north OF the town.
The citizens of Martinsville then. as now
distinguished for their hospitality, were
not slow in making the acquaintance OF
the Contederates, and. on the morning
succeeding the night OF their arrival, most
of the officers and many OF the men were
domiciled with the inhabitants of the
little vi!lage-Col. Wheeler himself be-
ing at breakfast with Mr.. Marshall
Hairston, two miles distant from his COM
mand. In the camp, too, the same feeling
OF security prevailed. Some Of the boys"
with the gallantry which characterizes the
true Union soldier had serenaded the
La11ao 81 Nka ,,,o,kt hafnra nj
gay laughter and merry jests went round
as preparations for breakfast were being
made. Meanwhile, Stoneman had arrived
at Floyd Court House, forty-iive miles
north of Martinsville. Here, receiving in
formation OF Wheelers whereabouts and
intentions, a detachment commanded by
Gen. Palmer (since governor OF lllinoisl
was sent out 10 cut him off. The advance
of this force, FIVE hundred strong, with
Col. Trowbridge- in command, reached
Martinsville at o'clock on the morning OF
the Sth; and without pausing a moment
in the village, advanced upon the camp OF
Wheeler, and poured vollev OF musketry
into the unsuspecting Confederates as they
sat carelessy at breakfast Notwithstand-
ing the suddenness of this attack, the dis
charge was promptly returned, and the
firing continued for fifteen minutes, when
the Confederates gave way and helter-
SHELTER retreat across the fields and through
the woods ensued. Nor did Wheeler's
regiment--so complete was the rout-ever
again come together as an organized COM
| mand. For months afterward they were
seen wandering through the country in
parties OF two or three, and squads of men,
protesting to have taken part in the battle
of Martinsville, continued 10 come for q
Lone, urbf'a of ri IN tho liff 10
The Federal loss in this engagement was
| four killed and the same number wounded.
| The latter were carried, temporarily, into a
| carriage house near the scene OF the con-
| flict, where one OF them breathed his last.
| Seeing that he was rapidly approaching
| his end, some one who had the wounded
in charge endeavored to direct his atten-
| ton to spiritual things. but his thoughts
/ seemed to wander Presently a shout
rose on the air, "We've whipped %
"Who's whipped?" the wounded man
asked.
''The Yankees, was the reply.
"Bully for them!" he exclaimed, and
instantly expired.
The three wounded Federals who re-
| NAMED were carried to the residence of
Mrs. James Smith of Martinsvile, where
they were cared for until sufficiently re-
covered to travel. The dead were buried
in the Episcopal cemetery in the little viii
lage, and were afterward removed to the
National cemetery at Danville, Va.
The Confederate loss was one killed.
His comrades made rude grave for him
in lonely hollow in the woods, but his
remains were afterward disinterred, and
now rest in an unmarked grave in the
cemetery at Martinsville. OF their
wounded only one was left behind, a
Capt. Black, severely shot through the
body, who was taken to the residence OF
Mr.. George Waller, four miles distant
from Martinsvilie. Here he remained
until his wounds had healed, when be
returned to his home in Franklin, Tenn.
The excitement of the battle had by no
means subsidized when the news oil
Palmer's approach with the main body OF
his command-three thousand strong
spread fresh CONSERVATION through the
town. The flower OF the chvalry OF
Henry county had doubtless enlisted in
the army. for no record of the valor OF
those who remained behind has come to
US, unless. indeed, itwere of that character
OF which discretion is said to be the better
part. Yielding to the entreaties of their
women kind, the male portion OF the
community took TO the woods" where
they secreted themselves in caves, hol-
| lows-in short, in any secure hiding-place
which presented itself. Before taking
| fight, however, il was deemed advisable
that these knight Grants, in order to
prevent it's falling into the enemy's hands
should destroy all intoxicants stored away
at the tax-in-kind depot. While this
measure was being carried into effect one
| of the party with a prudent foresight
scarcely to be expected at such time
| proposed that a little of the cheering
beverage should be bottled for Their
private consumption during their period
of exile. The idea was no sooner suggested
than acted upon and the fugitives set out
with renewed spirit" While the heroes
were engaged at the tax-in-kind depot the
women at home were no less active in
providing for their comfort. Provision;
were being hastily gotten together and
put into receptacles easy of transportation
At the last moment one of these ladies
discovered that she was minus a bag
of any description. ''Here, Clary, .
she said, taking the fork from the coloreC
cook, who was frying "middling" at the
large open fire place, run up bag, quick
for me to put Mr. IS bread in" ''Los
miss Jane" exclaimed the prudent Clary
don't let's make no bag. While we'i
sewin' ii, de Yankees will come. Let's
take pillow-case." The pillow-case wat
brought and the bread put into il.
At this moment fresh alarm of "Yank
ees' reached the occupants of the kitchen
and seizing the kissing frying pan, Mrs
,,nuraI e. aonfanfo t,aolfoI ,,rooof