Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-06-11


slowly. He reached White House Landing,
on tho Pamunkey river, on the 2lst. On the
| I'D he broke camp and moved across the pc
ninsula to James river, which he reached on
tho 25th.
| Gen. Hampton followed SherLian's course,
moving down on the south side OF the river,
because he had no pontoon boats for bridges
Tho wagon train with Sheridan now num-
bored nine hundred, and line strung out 50
| fur tempted tho Confederates to attack. This
| Hampton did on tho eth at road crossing
near st. Mnry's church. The crossing was
guarded by Gen Gregg's division, which was
! intrcnched and under orders to hold the
ground until the trains had passed safely bo-
yond that point Hampton was able 10
throw his whole force upon Gregg and did
30, assailing bis front and both Hanks vigor-
ously. Two Of Gregg's batteries were posted
where they could do full execution. and by
stubborn lighting Gregg held on until dark,
when, the wagons having moved ON, he with
drew and Joined the nain body that night
near James river.
An idea OF what Gen. Sheridan considered
the truo business of cavalry may be gained
from Sheridans comments upon Greggs bat
Ito at st. Marys church. In his official re-
port he says:
This very croditable engagement saved
tho train, which should never have been left
for the cavalry to escort"
When Sheridan had reached White House
Landing on tho 2ist, It was still occupied by
a small body of men from tho main army
that had been left there to attend to loading
up supplies to DO moved by water to Grants
new base at City Point on James river, just
below Petersburg. When Sheridan set out
for James river all Of the boats had been dis
patched and nl the animals and wagons were
left on land to cross tho peninsula under
Sheridans escort. The duty of train guard
was not to his liking
This raid closed for time Sheridans ca
roer as n cavalry commander. His divisions
wero used separately on special service on
the now field of operations around Peters
burg until July, when the whole corps was
transferred to Washington. and under an
other commander served with Sheridan In
tho Army of tho Shenandoah, organized In
August, 1864.
Tho withdrawal OF tho Army Of tho Poto-
mac from the Cold Harbor field was covered
by Gen. James II. Wilson's cavalry division,
which did not accompany Sheridan in his
raid toward Charlottesville, and by skillful
corps The Chiekahoniny river, it will DO
seen by reference to tho niaps accompanying
these articles, continues In u southeasterly
course below Richmond, parallel with the
James 1t was to guard the upper crossings
OF this stream that Lee disposed his infantry
lines at Cold Harbor. Tho lower had been
guarded by his cavalry until Shcridans
column set out northward on tho 18th,
when all the borsemon started after
him Tho lower crossings Of the Chicka- |
holniny connect with Richmond by numer-
Gus good roads, With ground favorable for |
vancouver 1t was across this region, between
the Chiclfahominy and the James, that Nc |
Clelan had moved so successfully In the faco |
of Lee, in 1867 On the 10th OF June Warren |
withdrew his corps from the right at Gold |
IIarbor, and moving way around the Union |
lines, about twelve miles down tho Chicka- |
bominy, crossed that stream at Long Bridge |
and advanced out toward Richmond Far |
thor down the Chickahominy were crossings |
available 10 the other corps, when tho roads |
from Richmond md Lees lines should 10 OBJ |
stfucted against On attempt to follow up the |
Dseving column The bold movement Of |
Warren acrots tho river and we'll out toward |
Richmond bad this result and Hancock, |
Wright nnd Burnside withdrew from their |
positions ut Cold Harbor without onixs.tian