The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-06-26
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great difficulty in the woods and underbrush In
swinging around as ordered, passed the enc
my's left, circling round to his rear striking his
right on the Ford road, aud, rs it happened, it
was just the right thing and at the right place.
Griffin was away to the right, and after cross
ing the White Oak road was marching away
from tho battle instead of into it, and this was
not Griilin's style Of actingi on the battlefield.
He soon discovered by the sound of the battle,
now in full operation, rapidly changed his
direction, and was soon in on Ayres's right,
where he did gallant and noble work.
In the formation Mt the start the Cannoneer's
diagram places Crawford q half mile to the
right OF Ayres and puts Griffin in between
them. Griffin says in his geport that his divis-
ion was on the right flank, formed in three
lines with one brigade on the right en- eche-
lon" Crawford, according to the Cannoneers
scale of measurement. would have marched
with his division during the engagement Mt
least five miles, whereas the fact is that he did
not march more than half that distance.
i have not known any battle of the war
where so much caro- was taken before the ad-
vance to fully acquaint officers and soldiers
with what was contemplated and what was cx-
pected Of them; and the wisdom of this was
well realized in the success attending the move
ment. Sheridan first impaired his plan to
Warren, and Warren to Griffin, Ayres and
Crawford, with sketch Of tho formation and
the position of the enemy, TO oach and they IN
turn to tho commanders of their brigades with
proper explanations. These brigade command
then interviewed the Coionels and com
manders of regiments, making them acquainted
with the plan of battle, the great Importance
Of the impending contest. and that nothing
short of victory was to be thought Of Great
importance was attached 20 the wheeling of
the line after passing the White Oak road. The
difficulty of executing tactical movement of
this kind upon the battlefield in the woods,
with n front of 900 yards, can only bo real
izod by troops that have attempted 10. In ad-
dition to these careful instructions the CON-
manders of regiments were requested to in
spire enthusiasm in their commands by ear
Mostly addressing them. This was effectively
done, and the result was that rarely did troops
advance to the battle front with greater vim
and determination.
THE ADVANCE AND THE BATTLE.
The troops had not long TO wait for the order
TO advance Sheridan says in his report that
g as soon as the corps was in position ordered
an advance in the following formation Ayres's
Division tho left in double lines; Craw-
ford's Division on the right, in double lines,
aud Griiiin's Division, in reserve behind Craw-
ford. and tho White Oak road was reached
without opposition. The Fifth Corps on reach
ing tho White Oek road made left-wheol and
burst on the enomy's left flank and rear like a
tornado, and pushed rapidly on, orders having
been given that if the enemy was routed there
should be no halt to reform broken lines As
stated before, the firing of the Fifth Corps was
tho signal TO Gen. Merritt TO assault, which
was promptly responded 10, and the works of
the enemy were soon carried at several points
by our brave cavalrymen. Tho enemy was
driven from their strong line of works and
completely routed, the Fifth Corps doubling up
their left flank in confusion. and the cavalry
of Gen Merritt dashing on to the White Oak
4t,nsr .fs,ur
upon them. and riding into their broken ranks.
So aemoralized them that they made no seri-
Gus stand after their line was carried. but took
to flight in disorder. Between 5000 and 5000
prisoners fell into our hands aud the fugitives
were driven westward. pursued by Merritts
and McKenzie's cavalry"
IL will add materially to tho interest OF the
inner movements OF this battle 10 give brief
extracts from tho official reports of the division
commanders:
Gcu. Ayrcs says, In describing his operations
after the movement began: AFTER moving
through a wood into an opening the skirmsh
crB engaged those of the enemy. pushing them
back. Soon after crossing the White Oak road,
| finding tho enemy's fire to como from the left,
] changed front 10 tho left by facing the Sec
ond Brigade 20 the left aud filing il to the left
Not 10 lose time, also threw the First Brigade,
my reserve into tho front line on tho left Of
the second. The Third Brigade soon after en-
gaging the enemy. fudiHg the right flank in
tho air. portions of IL waro very unsteady, but
s"i.asa"s y In"sad MP gnd bore their part OF
the action III handsome manner. After this
change Of front. the troops were pushed for
ward and soon came npon the loft Hank OF the
enemy, which was thrown back at right.angles
with his main lBe and covered by "A strong
/ brcastworlg, screened behind dense under
growth Of pines. and about 100 yards in length.
| This breastwork my troops charged. aud took
j z. a.
| 10, over ], 600 prisoners and several batteiags.
! Hating there short time, by Sheridan's or
! dor, till il was apparent the evenly was giving
away generally, pushed forward rapidly, hold
! ing my men in hand. and marching steadily
! ia llno-of- battle"
| This neccAsitated an unexpected change OF
! front by Ayres, broke the wheeling movement
| aud separated by n wide space his right from
| CrawlOrd's left, but giving him the opportunity
| OF striking the enemy in the rear his right
| al tho Ford road, movement not eoutem-
! plated in The original plan of tho battle, but
! which materially aided the complete defeat Of
| the enemy. In his report Crawford says:
| We crossed the White Oak road, aud changed
| direction to the left and advanced directly
west. We encountered tho encmys skirmish-
! ers shortly after moving. driving them steadily
/ back. Our way led through bogs, tangled
woods aud thickets OF pine, iuterspersod with
| open spaces here aud there. The connection
between the Second Division (Ayress) and my
! line could not be maintained. ] received an
| order from both Gen. Sheridan and Gen. War
rcn To press rapidly forward. ! urged on the
| entire command, Gen. Coulter's Brigade, from
being In support of my rear. was brought TO
! fll the gap between me aud tho Second Diys-
| ion. / pressed Immediately on and found my.
! self in the enemy s OH The Ford road, which
] crossed. just at this point the enemy opened
on my center and left flank very heavy fire.
! Maj. Gen. Warren arriving on tho field at that
| moment, directed me TO advance Immediately
down the Ford road and Con. Coulters Brigade
was selected for that purpose. Two regiments
commanded by Mai. Funk placed on what
WAS then the left of tho road, and the rest o
/ the brigade were on the right supported by
the other two brgades en echelon. / advanced
at once, and captured battery of four gunI
aud the battlctag of the 32l Va We then
changed direction and advanced again in
southw west direction, the enemy flying befor,
u.s. though keeping mp desuitory firing"
Gen. Griffin says in his report: "Immedi
ately after the order 10 advance against tn,
enemy was given, with instructions 10 tho di
vision that after it had crossed the road IL wa
10 change direction to the left so rs to strik,
the enemy in flank and rear. After advanc
ing about a mile, and finding nothing in front
save a few cavalry videts aud there beinj
heavy volleys of musketry TO the left and rear
tho division was halted" "This hating
says Warren, under tho circumstances, wa
q commendable exercise OF discretion, an,
Gen. Griffin, making proper dispositions, moves
against the enemy at doube-quick, takinj
| hrPaA wnrts and 800 nTisoners"