The National tribune., 1892-01-21


After the enemy lost tho Jerusalem Plank
and Halifax Roads, it was the highway south
ward Cor wagon transportation, and when the
Weldon Railroad changed hands its Importance
as an artery for communication with the
country farther south was greatly emphasized.
Along this road passed the forces OF A. Z.
Hill Aug. 81, %, 1864 ere they were launched
against Hancock's unfortunate position AT
Ream's Station, on the Weldon Road, on the
afternoon Of the 25th; and on the 26th up THIS
road passed LOO tired and detected Union
prisoners Of war, including 10 of my own COM
pany; and, as / remember, the Assistant AdJu-
iant-General Of Hancock, better known to-day
as Gen. Francis A. Walker, was OF the party
In the following October Hills rebel foot
cavalry again hurried down this road, preceded
by Wade Hampton's troopers, intent on meeting
Hancock at Burgess Mill. IL was down TINS
road that Wilcox, Pickett, BushrOd Johnson
and the remnant Of Ewell's Corps pursued their
course 10 run sadly amuck at Five Forks on the
last campaign.
Aud when the lines were broken on that
glorious Sunday morning, April 9, the old
Second Corps now led by the brave and able
Humphreys with Motifs Division on the right,
moved over this badly y-rutted and mirey course
on the heels Of the Tctreating JObnnies. lt IS
indeed an historic thorOughfare, peoPled with
thousands Of valiant men whom fancy calls
into being as journey along.
But Hatcher's Run is reached at last, and
hero Is the bridge over which the l6ith N. Y.
charged at the opening OF the first Hatcher's
Run fight, Oct. q, 1864 when they captured a
! l0-pound PARROT gun. But the landscape has
materially changed. The mil-pond at the left
OF the road whose waters turned Burgess saw
aud grist mill wheel, ran dry years ag6.
The mill, too, disappeared in war time so did
the old house OF BuTgess's, which stood at the
corner Of the White Oak Road. A fine resi-
In "a
taken its place. 10 is owned and occupied by
Clark Burgess, an old gentleman rising 20 years,
who gives mo hospitable greeting as i enter
the house. lie was in New York State in war
time, and his father. whom the army found
here in 90, died three or four years ago.
lie has preserved many Of the incidents re-
lated to him by his father on his return home
at the end Of thewar. Among others, he re-
lates that the members of Gen. Egan's Division,
which lay across the road at this point, lost so
many dippers, canteens pots and kettles IN his
well during their stay there that afternoon rs
TO entirely choke it up aud compel the old
gentleman to 20 TO the Run for water.
The old house, also was used as a hospital,
and when the Surgeons amputated a leg or an
arm thoy threw it out Of the window, where it
was seized upon aud carried of by the hogs
which were roaming about the place-not a
pleasant "reminiscences
| lie took me out bacI, Of the house aud showed
me the outlines Of the old rebel fort which he
had shoveled away and leveled to make way
for his kitchen garden. lie commented Hpon
/ the accuracy OF our artillery practice, stating
that in removing the fort he came upon three
solid shot lying less than a foot apart
| A fine new and cOmmOdiOus barn stands close
10 the spot occupied by the little old rickety
affair in aud behind which wounded and tired
men lay after the fret attack. Looking up the
| White Oak Road he pointed out to me a very
/ = 4 IL
| tablished his headquarters, and whore Hamp-
toms son was killed during the fight.
A companion fort still stands east OF tho
/ Plank Road in the back edge Of the field over
which Egan's men were advancing in battle
| lire when the flank and rear attack set in. 1t
was in this great field that self-same season
4 that Wade Hampton corralled the 5000 head
/ Of cattle which he so eleyery stole away from
| our herdsmen near City Point. Clark Burgess
not only took myself but my driver and horse
into camp and fed US, refusing any reeomPense
| therefor.
! After using my kodak TO carry away a few
| views Of the spot where CannOneer Atkinson,
Of my own gun, was killed. aud Lieuts Granger
aud Smith, our only officers present. mortalIy
wounded enter the buggy and drive still
| farther on % the point where the Second COrps
came on to the field. But the Dabney's Mill
| Road is now closed, because Dabney's saw mill
| long since ceased 10 exist, and the large tree
! winch stood near il, and under which Grant,
| Meade and Hancock held council that afternoon,
! is now no more.
Driving a little farther on como upon the
Union line Of breastworks which were built in
the last campaign. The old Rainy House, bat
| tered aud weatherwOTn, still stands at tho fork
| Of the Quaker and BOydtOn Plank Roads In
front Of this place short distance the Ist NJ
| III. and 10th Mass. batteries stood aud engaged
the enemy in the forts at Burgess. the 10th
opening at a. IN, April 2, the fire being kept
| up at irregular intervals until a. m, when it
| was found that the rebels were evacuating-
not entirely be IL understood, because Of what
these two batteries did, but owing TO the "logic
Of events" Turning the horses head up the
road once more / retraced my course across the
! Run. and after reaching the top Of the further
slope turn into an obscure and meandering
woods road. by which ! finally came out on
| Armstrong; farm. What l saw and did there
l have already related.-B, Boston.