The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-04-04

WAR Renaissance.
A Personal Adventure at the Battle of
Five Forks.

The first OF April, 1865, was an of day
for the First \. {. Cavalry. In considera-
ton of the heavy fight and severe loss
we had at Chamberlain's Run the day
before, it was our time, according to a
custom in the Brigade, to have the
easy place in this days fight. So we
were put off on the extreme right OF our
line Of battle, quite mile east OF the
White Oak road. We were placed there
more for the purpose OF observing the
movements of the enemy than with the
expectation OF taking any part in the en-
gagement.
Just before sunset and after our line,
extending across the White Oak road,
had been broken, we were ordered to
come in and to take road on the west
of the White Oak road leading to Potts
station on the Southside railroad. In a
few minutes another courier, very much
excited, dashed up with instructions to
bring the regiment in at a gallOp or We
would be cut off,
We took up the Fast trOt'' and as we
were nearing the fork to Potts we saw
column OF Yankee Cavalry coming up the
road from Five Forks and | saw that
they would reach the road to Potts be-
fore we would. The only chance to
transfer my regiment into this road was
to stop this advancing column of FEEDER
al Cavalry. | took the first squadron
and met them at a full charge.
For q few minutes we had tilt with
cross sabres, but we routed and drove
them back. After having accomplished
our purpose with this squadron, it was
slowly withdrawn, holding the enemy
in check by vOlleys from our carbines.
In the meantime Adjutant Twitty had
transferred the balance OF the regiment
to the Potts road.
A short distance up the road we found
a guide posted by Gen. Barringer to
turn all of my men into a second fork or
path.
The Adjutant sent the Regiment on
while he and few officers and an order
ly waited short distance up this path
for me. | remained in the middle of the
main road to watch the movement OF
the enemy and to gather in any of the
men that might have gotten scattered
in the fight.
While sitting there on my horse two
horsemen, from the direction Of the
enemy, came up the road at a full gallop.
They rode right up to me and halted, one
on either side. 1t was now quite dark,
yet saw that they were Yankees and |
further saw that they had their carbnes
unslung and in position of "advance
carbine.' They covered me with their
guns, the muzzles not more than a foot
from my breast thought my time had
come, yet put on a bold front, expecting
every moment that the Adjutant and
those who were with him, and who were
not more than twenty PAGES Off, would
come to my relief. In the meantime |
thought my only chance was to deceive
and fool them. SO, says |, to the one on
my right, "What command do you
belong toe" He replied, "The First
Vermont" | turned to the other with
the same question and received a like
answer. | said: 81 too belong to that
Regiment. Hold on here awhile, there
are some Rebels just down the road there
a little, and soon we will have sOmefun.'
TO allay their suspicious | continued
to talk, and during all the time was
often happens on critical occasions some
thing gets wrong, so at this time my
pistol got hung in the holster. Expect
ing every moment for bullet to go
crashing through my body, had to
continue talking to alIay their suspi-
cions. This talking not only deceived
them, but SO misled the Adjutant and
my friends nearby, that they did not
come to my relief.
At last | got my pistol drawn and at
the click of the lock, instead of firing,
they both turned to run. l fired on
them and emptied one saddle, the shot
at the other one missed. This was the
first signal that | was able to give my
friends of my danger, and they responded
promptly with a voley at the fleeing
Yankee, bat he kept on.
After it was all over and was scolding
my Adjutant for allowing two Yankees
to hold me in their power for so long
time, when they were so nearby and
could so easily have relieved me, they
excused themselves by saying that it
was so dark that they could not see
their uniforms and hearing me talking
all the time they concluded, of course,
that | was talking to some of our own
soldiers.
We followed after the Regiment and
soon found it encamped for the night. On
the Bird we had severe fight at Namo-
zine Church and on the 9TH | was cap
tured by Sheridan's scouts, who were
clad in our uniform.
On both of these occasions | had an
exciting personal adventure, which, if it
would prove in interesting to the readers of
the GOLD LEAF, would be pleased to
give them. W. H. CHEEK.