The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-11-25


ed ample provisions TO b. brought over
the Danville railroad TO supply his small
force with weeks rations. but on ar
rival found absolutely nothing. An at
tempt was made TO collect supplies from
the surrounding country, and the delay
so occasioned allowed Grant the oppor-
tunity. which was promptly seized, 10
throw forces across the path TO DanVille,
thus forcing Lee TO change direction ana
attempt the more circuitous route VIA
Farmile and Campbell Courthouse.
Up TO this time there had been no I'M I'M
portant collision between the fleeing ana
pursuing armies. On the night OF tne
9th Lee left his intrenched camp at
Amelia and proceeded westward mus
prepared TO deliver on the following
morning with the combined forces or
the Fifth Second and Sixth corps OF IN
fantry and Sheridans magnificent BODY
OF horse. LongstTeet took the advance
with the divisians Of Field and Malone.
and his progress was unObStructed by
any serious force OF the enemy, while
Rossers cavalry saved the high bridge
over the Appomattox river by a gallant
brush with two regiments of infantry
detached by General ord TO burn 1t. But
the main body OF the army, consisting of
Ewell $, Andersons, and Gordon'S com
mands, accompanied by Rooney Lees
division of cavalry. were annoyed from
the carly morning by flank attacks from
Sheridan. In the early afternoon these
attacks became so serious that Anderson
was compelled 20 halt ard so into line
OF battle, and this enabled Meade's Sixth
corps 10 close up on Ewells corps at
Sallor creek, and the Confederates were
thus brought to bay by assaults on three
sides. Ewell was crushed, Destroyer
Andersons turn came next and ms tnln
lines were mashed up ike an eggsheIl
walls. The Federais took nearly GvW
prisoners, including Ewell and most OF
his general officers. Gordon pushed on,
Humphreys contestng every men OF ms
progress, and finally shook or MS pur-
and nearly 200 prisoners The AFFAIR al
Sailors creek was really a finish TO any
further effective work by the Confederate
army. Two CORPS were put hOrs du com
bat and the third was so badly crippled
as scarcely to equal strong brigade OF
the opposing army. Many interesting in
cidents marked this night. In certain
| parts of the field the combat was hand-
! tO-haud melee. An eye witness tells mat
after EWelIs guard had been broken
down the Fcderals surrounded small
| body OF troops in an open plain near the
! creek. Here they encountered the marine
corps from Drury's Bluff and the sailors
| from the Confederate fleet, under com
| mand Of Admiral John r. Tucker. The
| gallant old sea dog gave the command TO
prepare to Tcpel bOarders.' and my in
| formant says II was a sight 10 see him
self and men going through the motions
Of "cut right and "cut left' with their
cutasses, while cannon and musketry
stood ready and able TO sweep them out
Of existence. A major general told me
that he saw Confederate soldier com
mt deliberate suicide after the one-sIdcd
battle was over.
ABOUT clock Longstreet sent Ma
| homes division back to the scene Of dis
aS.er. At dismantled gateway on the
eminence overhanging the southern bank
| OF the creek Gen. Lee was encountered.
| He briefly directed that line be formed
on the brink Of this ridge, and said to
the division commander, These people
must be held here until mid night"
tie then relapsed INTO silence Whine we
posted guns and formed the men in order
Of bdttIv. From the copse when frlng ii
the creek streams Of fugitives were now
pouring, intent only on gaining a place OF
safety. Officers of the highest rank were
borne along by the tide Of disaster, and
many Of the enlisted men had thrown
away their guns. Presently there rode
up the hill general Of exalted grade,
followed by about 400 panic-strcken men.
zen. Lee was sweeping the held with
his glasses. the reinS lying loosely on
Travellers neck, his attitude full Of alert
| ness and puEnacity. Gen. -- approach
ed ana was not noticed. A staff officer
said: Gen. Lee, here Is Gen. --." The
commander never moved a muscle Of
his face. kept his glasses up. moved his
right hand to the rear and said deliher-
atcly; General, take those stragglers to
the rear out of the way OF Aiahone's
troops. / wish TO fight here"
But the Federals appeared 10 be salts
fed with the great advantages already
gained and made no further advance that
10 the rear without interruption and
few hours later reached the high bridge,
where Gordon was already crossing, and
here in the early morning he, for the
third time passed over the AppomattoX,
going now again to the north side. The
enemy, Miles GlVisiOn of Humphreys
corps, pressed close upon our heels. The
cavalry became engaged by the time we
cleared the raVine. through which the
river flows under the mammoth bridge.
Reaching Cumberland Church about 9
O'Clock Miles pressed us so hardly tnat
TO cover the road from FarmVille, which
intcrsects the LyuchburE highway at
that point and by which the main col
unn of the army wac moving. IL became
necessary for Malone 10 go into position.
IN the meantime the cavalry Of F1tZ. Lee
had a very successful engagement with
Crooks division of horse in the horse
shoe of the river above FarmVlile, cap
turing General Gregg and number OF
his men ana driving the remainder across
the stream again. Malone posted I'VE
small briEadcS, about $500 men, IN
Humphrey path, his line strengthened
10y SIX pieces of artillery, and awaited
the onset. lie had not long 10 walt.
TWO divisions Of the enemy moved up,
Niles in front, and felt our line from
right TO LETT in search of a weak place.
several assaults in front were repulsed
with ease, the troops lighting with ali
ticlr old SteadjueSS. a succession 81
attacks on our right followed, in which
gan supported Dy the FLORIDA br!-ddc
was several times taken and rctaHen
The situation grew so critical that Ma
none borrowed the fine brigade of North
Caroiuians of General Cox and personal
ly led the gallant fellows in a final charge
/ which terminated the activity of the Fed
erals on this hank.
on the left our line, Taylor's Alabam-
t4H .p steep drcINItt, inc ..t4.a
resting on the apex of the hill. The Fed
erals felt their way around the base of
this cmlnence ana worked two brigades
into the raVine in its rear Malone drew
brigade from his center, abOut-faced
the rear rank Of Taylor's command, ana
! front and rear simultaneously. putting
them TO rout. and capturing their general
ana inilictng loss of 900 men. This
practically ended the last battle OF Lees
/ army. for the Federals made no further
attempt 10 carry our lines, only main
tanning brisk cannonade and skirmish
ne uHul uCutfait. Al uusn an Ot!ttT
appeared opposite a sally-post in our
slight Entertainments displaying a nag of
Patterson Of Mahone's staff and was
seeking 10 transmit Grants first letter
TO Lee proposing q cessation Of HOSTILE
ties.
All the succeeding night we trudged
ttalLy ,444 oAen t44D ... 4...... .t-....
lcumbered with wagons and artillery
fhe men were now nearly craZed with
munger and loss Of sleep. At every hall
hey would drop where they stood ana
simultaneously be wrapped in ISotound
81 slLmbCT Their faces we've draw
ma haGgard. their eyes dislended and
pathetic, their movements heavy as
though stricken with the infrm!ties OF
age But their spirit was stlll high and
they fought with a dogge incss which wa