Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-01-07

There is crisis in every conflict
which quick sagacity detects, and
then IL is courage which grasps IL and
acts regardless OF all consideration OF
personal safety, and strikes tho fatal
blow
In the Army OF Northern Virginia.
there was 10 command more distin-
gulshed FOR genuine pluck than the Stu
art Horse Artillery, and Que OF the
Oravest officers OF that command was
Major Jim" Breathed. Breathed was
a young man, and was one OF tho gal
liant Pelham's most trusted captains.
On the retreat Of Gen. Robert T.. Leo
from Petersburg 10 Appomattox. /
reached Rice's Station on the morning
OF the 9th OF April, about o'clock, nv
division OF calvary being the vanguard
OF our army.
Gen. Theodore Read. OF Gen. Ord's
stan, with two regiments OF infantry ana
one OF calvary. had just passed this
place en- route for the high bridge over
the Appomattox river for the purpose OF
destroying 1t.
Although an attack was momentarily
expected from Gen. Grant, Gen. Long.
street, who was in command. directed
me to pursue Read and save the bridge
over which our army was compelled TO
cross.
Taking two small brigades, Iovertook
Read near the bridge, but being ap-
prised Of pursuit, he had taken n strong
position for defense, along the edge OF a
piece or dense woods on a high ridge,
and was awaiting my attack. A hasty
reconnaissance satisfied me that could
not dislodge bin except by assault, and
i therefore dismounted one brigade
under Col II. Il. Munford, and moving
IL TO the charge on foot, charged with
Gen. Bearings brigade, mounted.
Col. Washburn, who commanded
Reads cavalry, had sccreted his force
behind clump OF old field pines, and
had not been seen by me, and as bearing
moved up against Reads flank Washburn
charged him in flank In the most
gallant and determined manner. The
suddenness, boldness. effectiveness and
surprise OF this charge, although with
inferior members, threw ny mounted
brigade into disorder, and a hand TO
hand fight resulted which temporarily
suspended the blow aimed al Reeds
hanE. 10 had been raining little, il
vas foggy aud through the fog and
smoke Of battle 10 was difficult 10 see
how 20 direct the attack, and leaving
bearing 70 dispose OF Washburn. ! was
~
and direct the dismounted men, when
suddenly came upon three mounted
men, desperately fighting. There was no
one near them, with pistol in hand. /
rode directly towards them, but before
getting near enough 20 recognize them.
one fell, or rather, seemed pushed from
bis horse, but as soon as he touched the
ground two quick shots from his pistol
brought bOy OF his assailants down
iifeiess, by tho side Of him, one indeed
falling across him, and 90 my surprise
! recognized Major Breathed as no
arose with face and body dripping with
blood received from the thrusts and
cuts Of the saOres o. his victims.
Breathed had been detained In the
rear and had not Overtaken me when
the fight begun. and hearing the firing.
attempted 90 join me when no en-
cOunterod two captains aud SER
geant OF the enemy who ordered him 10
surrender Breathed killed The ser
geant, and the two captains closed on
him with their sabres and crowded
him go closely that he could not use his
pistol except 90 parry their quick blows
until thrown 90 the ground
~ some means one o. Breathed's
boots had been pulled on in the tusaIe.
and drawing that on again. and without
even hopping the blood from his face.
and without apparent concern, be re.
mounted bis horse and dashed into the
the thickest Of the 6ght
Read and Washburn we're both killed.
and their gallant little command MADE
prisoners. IHos. J.. RossER.