The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-03-26

20 the change of the design of the soldiers
monument and the placing about the
grounds statues which have no legitimate
place there. but / have come to the con-
clusion that he was right"
The conversation drifted to the last cam
paign of the " ar, which eliminated in the
eransn questioned another. "how mauy
would remember the dates of those twelve
most important days in the life of the Ma
tion. There should be more attention given
to these matters"
The recollection of this conversation.
which was an extended one, leads one to
recall the fact that during the present
week will begin the twenty-eighth anniver-
sary Of that notable twelve days campaign
which practically ended the war. Will some
reader name the day of the month on which
that campaign began in 1896 and the date
of Its conclusion at Appomattox Court
housef This Is no place for full history
of that series of achievements which for
ever put an end to the idea of two govern
ments on the territory occupied by the
United States. 1t was thoroughly
planned campaign, and Lincoln and Grant.
at least. knew what the end would be,
barring catastrophe. 1t is now known that
Grant was contident OF the result. He
knew. Lees condition and hls own re-
sources.
Wednesday, March 90, 1856. Grants army
moved so suddenly that Lees army was
driven inside his works IN the jungles
southeast of Hatcher's run and practically
while Sheridan's cavalry was at liberty to
60 after the key to the Southslde railroad,
or the road itself. Lees only source of sup
ply. Indeed, for once General Grant got
twelve hours start of the usual rainstorm
attending movement of the Army of the
Potomac. Thursday it ralned. and little was
Gone. Friday the whole country was afioat
but Lee made his last attack with q part
Of his infantry, and failed. Saturday,
April, was fought the battle of Five Forks
which resulted in crushing Lees left flank
leaving his one railroad ct the mercy Of
Sheridan. Sunday q general assault was
which were carried. That night jeff DAVIS
escaped from Richmond and Lee started on
his retreat. which ended in surrender ono
week later-that is. Sunday. April 9. All
days of exertion and hardship as no one
can comprehend who has not been in O
sharp army campaign.
Talking of these twelve great days with
"A Eastern officer of high command in the
Army of the James, years ago. he said that
one Of yhe most active and effective officers
In the two corps of that army. then under
General Ord. was Western man. namely.
Brevet Major general X. s. Foster. OF In.
diana. orfr General SANDY" Foster. of In.
dianapolis. then commanding the First
Division Of the Twenty fourth Corps. COM
msnded BY Major general Gibbon. of the
regular army. Those who have been read
ing the latest volumes of the official REQ
ords OF the rebellion. published by the gov
eminent. will find that Brigadier-gen
Foster held responsible position in But
ler's army. and will learn from his brief
and incIsive communications to his supe-
Yior officers that he was an energetic and
capable officer.
OF the story of the incident which fol-
lows not q word could be got from Gener al
Foster himself, though the writer spent
several hours In interviewing him. He
was prolific in general information and
full OF incident relative to famous officers.
k<x..& h Il
could be drawn out of HIM. On one occa-
sion and another. however, and from staff
officers and officers In the Army of the
James. the facts contained in what follows
were obtained. and are here given without
establishment
Friday. April z. Lee stopped to get breath
and destroy unnecessary ''Impedimenta"
at Farmville. lie wss strong position, and
he so formed his line that no one could
reach q flank. So Grants army tried to
surround. but failed. At midnight, how
ever, the enemy stole away. and his rear
was scarcely in view when the Potomac
army was in pursuit. Grant had already
suggested to Lee that the game was mp aud
that he should gracefully end it by one of
those famous unconditional surrenders."
Lee. while asking for terms. was really
getting into condition to escape TO The
mountains about Lynchbur& Va. That dis.
tance from base n small army at home could
make matters very unpleasant for the
Union forces. Lee knew that Sheridan's
caNalfy was In way 10 mead Dim OF, but
he cared very little for few thousand
cavalry. he had no idea that the infantry
he had left at Farmville could be marched
TO stand across his path at Appomattox.
The Army of the James w as on the left of
Lees retreating army at FarmvilIe. Sat.
nrday morning when Lee got away from
that town. the Army of the James was
ordered 10 march on parallel roads to the
left and hasten on to join Sheridan. To
strike the parallel roads a detour was
necessary, so that General Ord'a army
must march miles more than Lee VINO
was taking the most direct road TO Lynch
burg. followed b the Army of the Poto-
mao in rear and on the right flank. Leo
made good time on Saturday. He had