The National tribune., 1890-06-26
FIVE FORKS.
from ed page.)

what has already been given of Wa ren's report
to give further brief account by him which has
never received newspaper publicity, and has
only been read by comparatively few. This
will show, too, how much of this battle tho
Cannoneer has left out of his interesting recol-
lections, in emitting tho part taken in fighting
by Crawfords Division, whose loss in killed
and wounded was nearly as great as both tho
other divsi ons combined.
came up" says Gen. Warren, with Craw-
ford's Division near b. Roisseau's after he had
crossed the Ford road. He had been driving
back the onemy's skirmish-ine all the way,
and continually turning the left of any force
opposing Gems Ayres aud Griffin. / ut once
directed his line to swing round to face south
ward, as we had now closed up the outlet for
tho enemy's escape northward, and to move
down upon the position of the enemy ut the
forks OF the road a point woll indicated to us by
the firing of some pieces of artillery there by
the enemy. Gen. Crawlord's troops soon encoun-
tered stiff line of tho enemy formed to meet
him, and from the fro of which Gen. Coulter's
Brigade suffered severely. The contest, how
ever, was short, for the enemy, now pressed
front, flank and rear, mostly threw down their
arms. Three guns of tho captured battery
were found on the road, where they had been
stopped in their attempt TO escape northward
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FORKS WERE
GAINED
directed Gen Crawford to change front again
to the right and march toward tho sound of tho
firing, so as again to take tho enemy in flank
and rear, and this he Mt once did / also di-
rected cavalry brigade which had been kept
mounted, and which now came rapidly along
tho Ford rond. not TO move along it further,
but to file to their left and proceed in the d.
reCtion Gen. Crawford had taken. / then
passed down the Ford road aud, on reaching
the Forks turned to the right along tho White
Oak road. Tho troops were joyous and filed
with enthusiasm Mt their success, but some.
what disorganihed thereby, and by their march
ing and fighting so long in the woods. On my
arriving ut point further on | found that our
advance was stayed by the enemy, who had
formed q new line for their left flank, while
yet maintaining their front against our cav
airy on the south. Though tho orders had
been not to halt and many officers were then
urging their men forward and not feeling the
influence of their commanders, continued to
fire without advancing. Accompanied by Capt.
Bcnyaurd and the portion of my staff present,
! rode out to the front and called those near
me to follow. This was Immediately responded
to- Everywhere along the front the color
bearers and officers sprang out, and without
moro firing our mon advanced, capturing all
the enemy remaining.
During this last charge my horse was fatally
shot within few PAGES of the line where the
enemy made his last stand, and an Orderly by
my side was killed, aud Col. Richardson, of the
9TH Wis, who sprang between me aud the
enemy. was severely wounded.
:" sent Gen. Bankhead, after the last of the
enemy had been captured, to Gen. Sheridan to
report the result and receive his instructions.
He returned with the reply that my instruc-
tions had been sent me. At p N. they
reached me, and were as follows:
Mai.-Gcn. Warren, commanding Fifth
Corps, is relieved from duty, and will report at
once for orders to Liout.Gcn Grant com.
manding Armies y. S.
believe there never was previous period
of my military life when the operations have
described would not have gained the praise Of
my superior"
The Fifth Corps In this battle captured Of
the enemy :, ga men, with their arms, II feg-
mental eoiors, and one four-gun battery with
its caissons. 10 lost in killed aud wounded,
63i men, OF whom 800 belonged 10 Gen. Craw-
ford's Division, 205 in Sen. Ayre's Division,
and lbs in Gen. GrItIin's Division. Among
these were several distinguished officers of
high promise.
IL Ia not the purpose Of the writer to indulge
in or invite any controversy with reference to
the extraordinary aud unfortunate difficulty
that'spraag up in an evil moment. aud which
deprived tho Fifth Corps of It's beloved aud
great commander. Tho future historian will
do justice in the premises. Gen. q. X. War
rou's vndication lies IN the true history of the
battle of Five Forks. The action of Sheridan
did not disgrace nor lower him ia the least in
tho exalted estimation Of hrs troops but rather
Increased their confidence and developed their