Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-05

river at different places--some at Chaf-
! fms Bluff and others az Richmond-and
marched on line with the Danville rail-
road, crossing the Appomstto1 on the
railroad bridge ct Mattoax, the wagons
and artillery being carried over by hand.
This bridge, together with the pontoon
bridge erected at the site Of Goodies
we're both burned immediately after the
crossing of the two latter columnl
Neither OF them had met with any moles-
tation since leaving their positions.
JEsTs OF THE soLDIERY.
From Amelia Courthouse different
columns, it seemed, took different roads,
some marching up the railroad, some by
the main roads leading to Burkeville
Junction Eve thoughtl. and others by
private and other roads leading across
the country. Our command took one
Of the latter. The men were in fine gpir-
its, and joked every passing horseman
asusual. The habit oflaughing at passers-
by is one which was unfortunately
too much in vogue in our army. Very
often some excellent hits were made at
| those who we'll deserved them, but IN
| the majority of cases q quiet, unoflend-
ing citizen, or a gallant soldier in the
faithful discharge of his duty, we're much
annoyed by the side iests OF the SOL
diery.
We saw this day-for the first time
/ since leaving Petersburg" Mas Bob,
/ as General Lee was almost universally
styled by his soldiers. Ii was really re-
freshinG to get sight OF our beloved
commander, and as he passed we could
not refrain from bowling our heads out
! OF reverence for that good man. There
were no outbursts of enthusiasm among
/ the men as he passed. but each one Of
his soldiers looked with mute admira-
ton and respect upon the embodiment
of so much that was noble and pure.
TROUBLES INCREASING.
We had not marched many miles from
! Amelia Courthouse before We found that
our troubles had not commenced and
that we had a great deal of danger to
pass through before We reached our
standing point. We heard the report
that long train of wagons had been
captured by the Federal cavalry, to-
gether with many reports from the rifles
/ Of "Pbil. Sheridan's boys and the
whistling Of their bullets through Onr
ranks We had met with the much
heard-of raiders at last. and having
something like an equal number TO con-
tend with very soon cleared orr way.
We pushed on until near night, when we
; made halt in line of battle. In this
position we remained, expecting that
from the heavy musketry firing to our
left we would soon be at it. However,
we were shortly filed into line and were
again on our weary way.
A STAMPEDE.
The firing proved to be the result of
stampede. caused 10y a party Of Sheri-
dams scouts firing into a column Of IN
fantry. This frightened tie horses Of
many Of our officers, who were fired INTO
bv their own men, and several OF them
killed, among the rest Major Smith, Of
| Norfolk, a gallant and efficient officer.
| During the night we were ordered to
keep strict silence in the ranks in c0nse-
quence OF the contiguity of the enemy.
Our march was slow and tedious. Ere
duent hating in line Of battle without
resting caused US more fatigue than con-
tinuous marching. We crossed towards
morning Flat creek (at least 1t was so
pointed out to us). Here a party OF
pioneers were hard at work constructing
suitable crossings for wagons, artillery,
and cavalry We moved on beyond this,
where we halted to allow the passing OF
wagons. About this time signs OF
activity were being manifested by both
parties, and we were soon thrown in line
of battle. The blue coats Of the Federal
/ cavalrylnen were plainly to be described
on our TANKS, and on various elevated
points parties could be seen reconnoi-
tring or throwing themselves outas skir-
mishers. Mounted officers and men
| from both sides were riding about in hot
| haste conveying orders ana dispatches.
| The wagon trains were hurried forward,
the wagons being arranged two abreast
in the road.
GALLANT GORDOS.
Among the mounted officers Of the
/ Confederate side there was one with
generals wreath on his collar, who could
| be distinguished at any distance by his
| cavalier-like form and the peculiar ac-
! tivity and skill he displayed in directing
/ the movements and disposal of troops in
/ line Of battle. Ask of any soldier Of
| General Lees army who that noble
| looking man is, whose quick and flash
! inc eve has but TO rest on a good posi-
/ ton hen he raises his hand and points
/ il out as a place for the nearest regiment
| or brigade. ASK him who 1t IS whose
/ tall and proud figure is most often seen
opposite those points where the greater
number of blue-costs are to be seen.
/ He rides defantly within range Of their
| sharpsh0oters, whose whistling bullets
affect him no more than the winds.
| Ask this question, and the answer will
almost invariably be, Chat can be no
one else than Gordon" This gallant
! officer but ten months ago commanded
a brigade, and here he is to-day filling
/ the place once occupied by our lamented
"Stonewal jackson. mt the head Of the
| Second corps The history of the Spot
sylvsnia campaign could not be told
! without the mention Of his NAME,
although his sphere of action was con-
/ fined Tor a portion Of the time to the
command OF a small infantry brigade.
rocUuNG INCIDENT.
It is relatedof Gordon's brigade in the
| fight al the Wilderness that General Lee
had ordered 1t to charge and open way
for hodes, who was cut of from the re-
mainder of the corps, which, as the old
General said, "uu8f be DONE" He
stood in front OF the brigade, and after
impressing upon his men the necessity
Of capturing the point In question SAID
70 them Now, boys, to the charge
III lead you myself" The men stood
Mortified at the idea. That gray,hairsd
hero, SO dear TO his countrymen, lead
ing charge and going almost to certain
death And imagine him killed Could
the country DO without him He WAS
already in too much danger. The men
shouted eco back, General Lee Cor
don will lead us" Several Of the men
stepped from the ranks and caught the
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