Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-05

10 march Ut mluufk1t- Ofucfs "ctc 49,
given for the strictest silence. as whole
corps lay In front Of us only quarter
OF a nile distant, and for IL TO nave
been appraised of our departure would
have meant disaster to the small force OK
only 5000 men IN their front.
silently, but quickly, at the appointed
hour the line was formed. and the nareh
taken up in the direction OF Drewry
Bluff, about two miles distant. THIS
point was soon reached, and here pom
toon bridge was laid, and the troops
marched over by twos 10 the south SIDE.
1t was now nearly -daybreak, and
after marching short distance, the
line was halted N the woods and the
troops stacked arms and prepared 10
take a short rest.
Scarcely. however. had they lain down
before there was an explosion that
seemed to shake the solid earth itself.
IL Is needless to say that ere its SOUNDS
had died away every Confederate was
on his feet, and with his nusket III MS
hand. for every one supposed that the
enemy was upon us. Not SO. however
1t was merely the blowing up OF tne
Confederate ironclad at Drewry's Blur,
10 prevent its falling into the hands OF
the Federal navy, advancing UP the
river.
Day was now Ut manu. anu VI ,NNA'~
sleep was out or the question. Also, II
was now become question OF speed
between the two attachments or the
Union and Confederate armies, respec-
tiyely. the former strainirg every nerve
10 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
troops never slept over two hours at a
time during that period. Their rations
were exhausted. and they devoured every
thing eatable which came In their way.
without so much as subiecting it to
the suspicion OF fire. Fresh pork. with
the blood streaming from It, and chick
ems with the feathers and entrails
alone subtracted. were eaten with as
much gustO as the small boy munches
a ginger snap.
But. In spite Of every exerlion, the boys
In blue gained upon and at last overlook
IA about II o'clock A. NJ. on April the
9th. 1t was not the infantry, however.
but detachment Of cavalry under Gene
raj Custer.
Preparations were at once made TO re-
ceive the charge which We knew would
follow.
The battle began by vigorous shelling
Of our wagon train. 20 which 10 reply
could be given, as we were without ar
tillery. The Confederate infantry was
massed behind hill. which completely
shut It out from the Federal commander.
heavy skirmish line was thrown out
on the hin in order TO deceive him, ana
allure him into the trap.
As every one knows, General custer
never would take a dare" He at once
formed his lines for a charge, ana on
they came How gayly the. trumpet sung.
How merrily the boys rode to their death,
as on they came at a swift trot amid
the booming of cannon. the rafting or
sabres, and the heavy thud Of their
horses feet
Arriving at the top OF the hill they
were met by an appalling infantry fire,
and many a gallant trooper "blt the dust.
The action was short, sharp, and decisive
and General Custer soon recalled ms
troops. 1t was In vain 10 throw small
body Of cavalry against solid mass or
veteran infantry
But the end was near-only matter
OF a few hours-eOr at ; y. NJ. the Union
infantry arrived, the battle OF Sailors
creek followed, and General sheridan TOOK
5000 prisoners.
So much as a background 10 the pic
ture: so much as the setting for the mel
dent we now give, and which ever after
after eudeared the memory Of General
Custer to every one who was a witness
to Il.
The morning after the battle the
prisoners were ordered to fall I'm line
Soon General Custer ard his stan ap-
peared on the scene and this was the
SIGNAL for an outburst Of uproariouS APP
plause. The sky was fairly darkened
with caps thrown in the air, the band
played yankee Doodle" and altogether
il was a sight to sacden the captive Com
federates, more especially as they beheld
eighteen Of their batue-hags whlcn had
been torn with shot and shell on an hun
dred batile-nelds. now adjoining the train
of the conquerOr.
General Custer seemed TO realize this,
and. with a delicacy OF feeling and mag
nanimity OF spirit which only true CHI
valry can appreciate, as soon as the
applause had subsidized and the band
ceased. he turned to its leader and said.
"Give the boys (meanins the prisoner9
Dixie"
AS the sweet strains OF the Confederate
war-song rolled IA waves OF liquid melody
through the air General Custer took
off his hat and waved it as a signal, and
the applause was deafening. The Union
h,lzza and the rebel yell. blended into
one. and shook notes. as well as hearts
and hands, across the bloody chasm.
Years afterward, when the chivalrous
Custer rode calamity to his death in his
last charge. it sent n thrill OF pain
throughout the length and breadth Of
our land, for in his death one Of the
most daring and unselfish men had per-
ished; nor can II be doubted had he
been spared, he would have been one
OF the most potential factors in bringing
about that golden era:
When heroes OF the Blue and Gray
Shall each 70 each due homage pay;
And scorn with all their martial souls
The towards base and venal ghouls
Who Stunned the conflict they had bred.
And lived but to malign the dead.