Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1896-02-15

side for nearly four months. But
whether another bloody struggle to
capture the fort named would be made,
or whether another retreat would be
sounded was soon decided in favor of
the latter.
About sunset on the day of which we
are writing orders were issued to cook
three days rations and be in readiness
to march at midnight. Orders were also
given for the strictest silence, as a
whole corps lay in front of us only a
quarter of mile distant, and for it to
have been apprised of our departure
would have meant disaster to the small
force of only 5000 men in their front
Silently but quickly at the ap-
pointed hour the line was formed and
the march taken up in the direction of
Drewry's bluff, about two miles dis
tant. This point was soon reached,
and here a pontoon bridge was laid, and
the troops marched over by twos to the
south side.
Day was now at hand, and, of course,
sleep was out of the question. Also, it
had now became a question of speed
| between the two detachmentS of the
union apd confederate armies, respect
| lively, the former straining every nerve
to prevent the confederates from over
taking the main army under Lee, and
| the latter using their utmost endeavors
| to do so.
The race was kept up without inter
mission for three days and nights. Our
| cIa Mt
time during that period. Their rations
were exhausted and they devoured
everything eatable which came in their
way, without so much as subjecting it
to the suspicion of fire.
But in spite of every exertion the
boys in blue gained upon and at last
overlook us about IL o'clock a. m. on
April 6. 1t was not the infsntry, how
ever, but detachment of cavalry under
Gen. Custer.
Preparations were at once made to
receive the charge which we knew
would follow.
The battle began by vigorous she'll
ing of our wagon train, to which no re-
ply could be given, as we were without
artillery. The confederate infantry
was massed behind r hill which COM
pletely shut it out from the federal
commander. A heavy sIirmish line
was thrown out on the hill in order to
deceive him and allure him into the
trap.
AS everyone knows, Gen. Custer never
would take a dare" He at once
formed his lines for q charge and OF
they came. How gayly the trumpet
sung. How merrily the boys rode tc
their death as they came on at swift
trot, amid the booming of cannon, the
rattling of sabers, and the heavy thuo
of their Lorses' feet.
Arriving at the top of the hill they
were met by an appalling infantry fire
and many a gallant trooper "bit th'
> dust" Tie action was short, sharI
, and decisive, and Gen. Custer soon re
, called his troops. 1t was in vain t.
q throw a snail body of cavalry agains
t solid mass of veteran infantry.
!. But the end was near-only matte
: of few hours-for at five p. m. tn
a union infantry arrived, the battle o
I Sailors Creek followed, and Gen. Sheri
t dan took 5000 prisoners.
o So much as background to The pic
e ture; SO much as a setting for the Incl
v dent we now give, and which eve
g after endeared the memory of Ger
}. Custer to everyone who was witnes
> to it.
}. The morning after the battle, lib
!. prisoners were ordered to fall in line
6 Soon Gen. Custer and his staff appeare
Il on the scrne, and this was the signi
d for an ou7Lurst of uproarious applause
n The sky VAS fairly darkened with cap
e thrown in the air, the band playe
n yankee Doodle and altogether
wsis sight to sadden the captive col
federates more especially as they b'
Is held IS of their battle flags, which ha
r' been torn with shot and shel! on hui