The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-05-09

THE WILD DASH OF THE BASS DUMMER.
flank, he started out to walk to where
they stood. Some Of our men who
noticed him after he had gone part Of
the way, knowing that he was walking
STRAIGHT toward the enemy, assumed that
be was deserting, and wanted to fire
upon him. They decided to wait a
little, however, to see Just what his pur-
pose was He kept going until he had
approached within a few yards of the
rebel line, when he suddenly halted,
seeming to have by this time discovered
his mistake.
The moment be halted be turned his
back to the rebels, and started at a very
lively pace to retrace his steps. A num-
Der Of shots were discharged at him,
when he was seen TO fall, and we all
supposed he was done for. In another
moment he was up and coming on again,
faster than ever. Several rebels started
after him, but quickly gave up the
chase, and he soon reached our lines
unharmed, but looking very white and
very much exhausted.
In this engagement, Maj. NAYS, of
the 4th Pa. Cav, was among the killed.
He was one Of four brothers originally
belonging to that regiment, and, as two
Of item had been killed in a previous
battle, the death of the Major left only
one Of the four alive.
Gen. Gregg, our brigade commander,
who was captured here, was released
with the surrender at Appomattox, be
having been a prisoner only two days.
The next day, April s, we made
rapid march. AS we started off in the
morning we were afforded a spectacle
which We viii probably never forget
during life. Clusters Division moved
out Of camp to take the advance in the
regular order Of march for the day.
Custer whom Gen. Gordon describes rs
q most superb horSeman, rode at the
head OF the column, closely followed by
his stat. His appearance was, as usual,
quite striking. He wore bis broad felt
hat, his blue shirt, and large red neck
tie, with his long yellow curls sweeping
over his shoulders
The members Of bis staff closely imi-
tated him in the matter Of dress. To-
gether they were jaunty, gallant,
handsome group Of fighters, worthy Of
their splendid reputation A character
istic notion Of Clusters was shown in bis
having right up with the head Of bis
column the rebel flags that had been
captured by bis men in the fighting of
the previous few days. There we're 80
Of these captured emblems displayed
this morning, and these trophies helped
to swell the enthusiasm of the men in
the division, besides calling forth hearty
cheers from the other divisions who
watched them march by.
Clusters command reached Apo
mattoX first-that same evening. BY
his spromptness and gallantry he cap
tured several trains Of cars and loco
motives and nearly half hundred can
non. lie had
SOME SHARP FIGHTING,
however, in doing this, and lost quite
number Of men. The rest Of the cav
airy reached there by dark, the infantry
arriving during the night. The evi-
dences Of Custer'S encounter were to be
seen on every hand. Strewn around
promiscuously were dead men, dead
horses, overturned cannon and wagons.
while the bushes were cut down as fat
as though done by brush scythe.
We were astir early the next NOM
ing, the historic 9th Of April. Sheridan
and Lis troopers moved across the rail
road and advanced along the country
road toward the head Of the retreating
army Of Lee. We soon came in con-
tact with them, when, in accordance
with our previous orders, we fell back
gradually while the infantry were being
thrown into position. When the proper
time came we moved by the flank, the
infantry looned into view, and the fate
Of the Confederate army was settled.
We instinctiyely felt that something i'm
po'tant was gong to take place. This