The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-07
The SAILOR
CREEK FIGHT
Description Of Last Big Battle
in Virginia.
MARINES. SPLENDID WORK
Mississippans and Others in Desperate
Hand to Hand Conhict-Fought on
Empty stomachs = Instances
and "reminiscences Of War.
written for The Times Dispatch.)

written for The Times Dispatch.)
In Your Confederate columns of May
pil1 / note the reply to an inquiry about
the Sailors Creek engagement on April
S. 1865. That was not an affair of masni-
tude, as battles were then rated. but u
vas more sanguinary than is implied IN
the sketch given. The attacking force
included two divisions Of the sixth CORPS
with the two OF the second, 10 WnlIn'
alone. YOU refer. Clusters Cavalry D1vls-
Ion. besides, took part in the destruction
Of the Confederate rear guard, composed
of Kershaw's and Gusts Lees Divisions,
less then 5000 men in line. under hWeil.
Because il was overshadowed by the
quickly following. GROWING Tragedy at
Appomattox, Sailors Creek has had
smaller place in history than is due what
lis recorded as the last battle between
the two Virginia armies. II you WI!
grant me space I will give more detailed
account of It than have ever seen IN
print ! feel the more inclined to TINS
task because some Of our histories nave
sjnrred over Sailors Creek with scant re-
gard for truth and justice. In Longs
,.'Memoirs of Robert e. Lee it Is dis
missed with the statement that "Ewel' S
6troops were so worn out with hunger ana
fatigue as to be dilatory In complying
with orders" and ''as a consequence were
Su1IOhHueu hiihA aPSAi'-NA
oppesi ton 4nftcas
IWHAT LEE AND KERsHAW SAID.
1T is not easy to excuse such a perver-
sion of story. General Gusts Lee ana
Kershaw. who ordered and saw things
from the firing lire, give quite a different
version. Said the former In his report:
II cannot too highly praise the conduct
OF my command" Kershaw, certainly an
authority on good fighting, reported: on
no battlefield Of the war have felt q
iuster pride in the conduct of my COM
mand.
FIGHTING ON EMPTY sTOMACIiS.
OF the hunger and fatigue of the Confed-
crate retreat 1t is scarce necessary TO
speak. 1t Is one Its most widely known
and distressing Incidents that the order
for food supply. by woful mtschance.
miscarried. Speaking from memory that
Is yet vivid. Kershaw's men prepared
three days rations. light ones, April "a.
They evacuated the lines below Richmond
1t midnight. passing through Richmond
early the next morning, April Sd. Hum
phreys' Mississippi Brigade formed the
rear, and was the last of the Army Of
Northern Virginia Infantry to tread the
streets of the Confederate Capital. The
last scrap of rations WAS devoured before
nightfall Or the 5th. The march was kept
IN all ttqat hight. The trials and tho tolls
nf the Sixth, which were as severe as any
troops ever underwent. were borne with
put the sustenance Of a morsel OF food.
The morning Of that fearful day Gordon
was in Kershaw's rear though the Fed
lral cavalry demonstrated and boldly
flashed In all along the line. This neces-
Sitated continuous battle line formation,
which wore on the tired and unfed Con-
lederates and fatally delayed the retreat.
Early In the evening word was received
from General Gordon that the enemy was
pressing him heavily. TO cover the wag-
On train and prevent Gordon from being
nut off, line was formed and strong line
of skirmishers thrown out, which drove
back the enemy's skirmishers and held
hun In check until Gordon came up"
Nide, General Gusts Lees report, Part
J. volume AZ. War Records. page 1897,
This halt caused two or three hours
delay, which gave the Federal infantry
time TO get up, and Gordon, having moved