The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-01-23
THE BATTLE OF TREVILLIAN'S.
A Terrific Fight, in Which Gen. Hampton
Was Victorious.

1AiSSi t"S ~S~SA "a ocu. u. II. ID.
Stuart, at Yellow Tavern, Gen. Wade
Hampton was placed in command of
the Confederate cavalry in Virginia
and he was worthy successor Of that
most illustrious cavalry leader. lii
deed, there are many Confederate cav
airy officers still living who believe
Hampton possessed many qualilica-
tlons as leader that Stuart lacked :,
and lacked few that he possessed.
During his career at the head Of this
i. arm of the service he was cmincntly
successful, especially when pitted
against Sheridan, who was regarded in
the North as without peer in e;.hc:
army.
After Gen. Grant had established
himself .curcly on the York and
James rivers, finding the country un-
suited for the operations Of cavalry, on
June z, 1864, he dispatched Sheridan
in one direction of Gordonsville with
two divisions of cavalry, along
with artillery, to cooperate with
Hunter, who was moving on Lynch
burg.
Hampton was Immediately informed
by his scouts Of Sheridan 8 departure,
and he at once started with his own
division and that Of Fitz Lee to inter
cept him. On the evening of the 10th
he found himself several miles ahead
of Sheridan, who had gone into camp
east of Trevillian Station, on the old
Virginia Central Railroad.
Finding he had outstripped Sheri-
dan in his march to cooperate with
Hunter, Hampton rested and deter
mined to await his further advance.
Hampton's division was composed
of the brlgades of Butler, Rosscr and
Young, while Fitz Lees division was
made up of the brigades of Wickham
and Lomax, making in all five brigades
or thirteen regiments and six battles.
Sheridan had under his command Tor
belts and Gregg 8 divisions, compos-
ed of six brigadcs or twenty four regi-
ments, which it is plain to see greatly
outnumbered that under Gen. Hamp-
ton.
Early on the morning Of the 1lth
Hampton took the brigadcs of Young
and Butler and moved to the attack.
At the same time Fitz Lee as order
ed to move in the direction of Clay
ton Store to join in the engagement,
while, to prevent Sheridan from turn
ing off in the direction Of Gordons-
Vile before reaching Trevillian 8,
Rosser was sent around to guard that
flank.
The country being very heavily
wooded the two attacking brigades
wero dismounted, under command of
Gen. Butler, and the horses sent back
to Trevillian's for safety. Sheridan
turned Gregg off to meet Fitz Lee,
kept Custer in the saddle for cmergen-
cies, and dismounted Merritt and Dew
in to oppose Butler.
A terrific battle ensued, which more
nearly resembled an infantry engage
ment than one between cavalry, for
the men on both sides fought on foot
Merritt and Devin were at length
driven back by Butler, and Fitz Lee
was compelled 70 retire to Louisa g.
81. before Gregg.
Custer now saw his opportunity and /,
slipping in between Hampton and
Fitz Lee, but for an accident would
have inflicted upon Hampton crush
ing defeat. AS soon as Custer reach
ed the riderless horses of Butler 8
command he set to work TO secure
them, together with all the ambulances
and wagons; but wounded Georgia
cavalryman succeeded in reaching
Rosser and made him acquainted with
the state of affairs. Rosser at once
put his troops in rapid motion and,
coming upon Custer unexpectedly,
charged him with the fury of whirl-
wind, routed him with heavy loss, re-
captured all that had been taken, and
pursued him to his wagon train, which
he captured along with Clusters head
quarters wagon containing his private
papers, and effectually broke up his
brigade, aud thus gave Hampton an
opportunity to withdraw Butler from
his exposed position, although this
movement was attended by hard fight
ing.
Late in the afternoon Hampton or
dered an advance on Shcridan's lines
near Trevillian's, but in the mean
time that general had gained posses
a;o., &c Il a;i-l