The National tribune., 1896-03-05
OVER THE WORKS WITH HIS MEN.

We each had pass, which would allow
ms 10 90 where we pleased, inside or outside
of the lines. Generally we went out two
toeether. as, in case anything important
should occur. one could return with the
information direct to Headquarters, and the
other remain and watch events We were
under fire occasionally, but fortunately
none of us were ever seriously hurt. we
wore citizens clothes. Some of the nom
commissioned officers Of the U. ,. Engineer
Battalion were also on the same duty, and,
in fact. it was as such that i served my
apnrenticeship as a topographer.
Dnrinr the battles leading up to Five
Forks. / and nv partner were generally
detailed to survey and map the route oil
march and positions of the Fifth Corps.
Farly ON the day of the battle we started
surveying near Gravelly Run Crossing, coD-
meeting with our previous work along the
front Of the Fifth Corps and in that vicinity.
We worked forward and reached Dim
widdie Courthouse, should state now, about
noon. Gen. Mckenzie, with some cavalry,
was moving out. and we continued our sur
vey and came upon the Fifth Corps at rest
&, the junction of the roads. Nearly all were
asleep; twas warm and pleasant among the
leaves.
We turned to the left and surveyed the
road until we came 10 where the woods were
afre. We had not come on any troops, hut
there was little diminishing going on just
in front While here, and as was reading
the angles at station, Gems. Sheridan ana
Warren came down the road from the Skin
mjsh-line Warren was talking very earnestly,
as If explaining some matter and as though
his feelings had been hurt in some way.
Sheridan was grave and silent. No one was
with them, and they rode by leisurely and
at a walk.
Gen. Warren knew ms very well. and our
being here was apparently well understood,
as they asked no questions OF MS, as might
have been expected.
Short y after we returned to the position
of the Firth Corps, and they were yet there.
We continued our survey TO the right, and
then across the & elds by the route Of the Fifth
Corps. probably. TO Gravelly Run, closing in
with our survey of the morning, when we
went 10 Headquarters and drew the map Of
our DAVIS work After dark we heard OF the
results of the battle. and also with indlgns-
ton that Gen. Warren had been relieved o
his command by Gen. Sheridan.
Gen. Warren years aftewMd obtained ;
court OF inquiry, and j gave 10 the Board
memorandum Of my recOllec.lons Of tina
battle. and more in detail than given here
/ also furnished some Of the plets OF on
nofes which for some reason had preserved
giving positions OF the Fifth Corps AT Boyd
ton road 1T is not amiss here 10 state tina
Lee few DAYS before by massiDg his forces
did force the Fifth Corps back TO the Boyd
ton road. but Warren during the day re
gained his former position without any al
from other troops.
One can better realize the importance {
this single service OF Warren in that it close
a temporary gap between himself and Sher
dan and continued the latter as the LEI
flank OF the army, and rendered Five Fork
battle a possibility.
The Board gave verdict simply thi
Sheridan had the right TO relieve Warre
as any commander IA the same crcun
stances had the right 10 do. IL was NJ
much Of verdict. Only % copies OF Il
report were ever printed. Warren died OF
broken heart aud his last bitter request ";
that he should not be buried as a soldier
In the uniform which he had made illu
trious.
There is no doubt in my mind that it W
the most cruel and undeserved punisbme
for an officer or a man that came TO pa
during the whole war.
Sui nv real object, besides writing som
thing which may interest some OF the col
rades. l. 10 correct one Of the most comm
errors in regard 10 this whole matter. 1t
an error which has been allowed 10 pa
and by no less distinguished men tn
Gems. Grant and Sheridan themselves.
The fact is this, that Gen. Grant bad pl
viously ordered Sheridan 20 relieve War;
at the first opportunity" Who knows
even while j saw Warren riding back ii
eventiui day by the side of the silent She
dan that the opportunity" was casting
black shadow over him? Gould man
put ia more trying position, with ord
10 aid in winning critical battle OF I
war. and yet 10 be relieved Of his comna
il has horse stumbled?
Let US hope in mercy that Warren
not even an inkling OF this III he did, Il
his conduct at the battle of Five Forks :
heroic His horse did not stumble with h
but was shot under him as he went over
works with his men. Sheridan, at lie
did not carry ont the orders OF his cl