Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-12

Before day Gordon moved his coips'
with Grimes's Division, in front tnroush,
and halted 1t on an elevation beyoho .ne
village While resting on our arms sonne
OF my men-notably Privates Z. eoai-
borough and w. II. Pace-wHe
parching corn In little improvlseo
fires. when skIrmishng In our iron.
began. Here I received orders IRON
Gordon 70 throw forward the Oh
,,,eIon which was done in schelon
by brigade at intervals of 100 PAGES. WI"
a splrit which knew no abatement the
troops sprang forward with glorious
elon. Soon we were engaged WIN cav
airy. mounted and dismounted' suppoi'eu
by artillery, which, after hot ehcouii ,,
we swept from before US, after the losS
OF some Of my men-chiehy from artiieiy.
The only support on my left was WIS.,
Brigade, then reduced to mere skeie. s,,
line Very soon we engaged lhlan,,'
troops. and after some captures L cue
raj officer was brought to me, from "lo ~
I learned that Ord's whole corps was IL,
my front In the mean time Gordon hau
sought General Lee and acquainted hliIi
with the overwhelming force in MS 'front.'
vhereupon / halted the division, Whei
CAPTAIN London, of Grimess stan, roue
I'd and said: General Grimes directs
Won TO retire" AS / sought to retlre
discovered there was great danger Oh my
command being surrounded ana captureu.
/, therefore, directed my aide, Lieutenant
James s. Battle, TO summon the resi-
mental commanders of my prlsaue anu
meet me. while still Withdrawing, at their
centre unfolded to them my pur-
nose. which was, while still retiring
TO face the brigade about, charge Win
the rebel YELL" to the top or an eloVa-
ton beyond which the enemy were au-
vancing. there halt fire by brigade, lace
about. and double quick TO the rear. ms
nrecaution was given because amidst
the confusion of battle troops 90 not
always catch the orders, and to make this
movement a success 1t had TO be executed
| with CELEBRITY and intelligence. Inc oiuer
was given. and as the enemy saw uS
approach. apprehending a hand-to-hahd
! conflict. they commenced TO depioy with
great alacrity and precision, when the
| brigade promptly halted and as promptly
fired into the deploying line. when ieh
| TO the ground as we fired. Without losing
seconds my brigade faced about, double
| quicked rallied on the division before
| the enemy recovered from the shock. But
other troops too numerous TO encounter,
were rapidly enveloping this gallant Dr.
gade Thereupon l deployed the second
and parts OF the First and Third regiments
I
/ these troops fired the last round in that
grand old army. whose fortunes we had
/ for four long and weary years shared
Before this action, without our knoWi-
edge. the flag Of truce was already ac-
cepted. As we marched toward the nam
/ body Of the corps Gordon met us and eX-
/ claimed. "Grandly and gloriously done.
In his autobiography Sheridan says ne
/ was so enraged by this fire, kept up AFTER
/ the flag Of truce was accepted ne was
/ tempted 10 renew the battle. While my
losses were severe, under the circum-
/ stances. our escape was most fortunate.
This account is intended TO briefly out
/ line one part Of the last days at Apo
mattox. In common with the survivors
Of those days Of hallowed memory, we
avoid when practicable controversy as 10
past events and hail with pleasure the
! present glory OF our common country,
| and trust that by wisdom, intelligence,
and patriotism each tomorrow may md
her greater and greater