The National tribune., 1904-08-11

he drew back with but slight effort to re-
sist the couHtercharge of Warren, and
sought some other favorable opening for
blow. such an opening was presented by
now to be described, had gained q position
that was very menacing to Lees right
flank.
SENT A FORCE AGAINST SHERIDAN
From the position Of Sheridan at Din
widdie Courthouse the distance to the Five
Forks was about eight miles due north
and from Five Forks the distance TO Lees
mtrcnched line confronting Warren and
Humphreys was but four miles east
Holding Five Forks, one holds the stra-
tegIc Key that opens up the whole region
which Lee was now seeking to cover
Sheridan, appreciating the immense i'm
portance of this point, determined. not
withstanding the obstruction to the move
ments of cavalry caused by the storm that
had overtaken the army, and the conse-
qnent increase of operations, to secure its
possession. Nowise disconnected by the
failure of the attempt of the previous day
he. on the morning of the 31st. directed
DevlEs s Division again towards Five
Forks. Finding that this body encoun-
tered considerable opposition. he re-
enforced it with Davies's Brigade of
Crooks Division, while Crook, with his
other two brigades. under Smith and
countered hostile cavalry force at Cham
berlain's Creek. little west OF Dinwiddie.
With his two brigades Crook held this
body in check. and Devin and Davies
moved upon and seized Five Forks, which
at the moment was guarded by but
small force. the Confederate cavalry being
mainly on the west side OF Chamberlain's
Greek, and the infantry engaged with
But the tenure of Five Forks was not
to be long. Having been foiled i'm the as
sault on Warren, Lee detached portions of
the two divisions of infantry under Pickett
and Bnshrod Johnson. and moved them by
the White Oak road westward to Five
Forks. These falling upon the Union
cavalry there. drove it out and back in
confusion on Dinwiddie Courthouse. The
Confederates then pushed rapidly forward
on the west side of Chamberlain's Creek.
but when they attempted to cross this. in
| order to strike Dinwiddie Courthouse, they
were foiled by the stout resistance of
Smiths Brigade. They then effected a
crossing higher mp the creek, and falling
| upon Davies's Brigade forced it back
against the left flank of Devin's Division.
thus partially isolating all this force from
Sheridan's main line at Dinwiddie Court
house. In order to unite it on this line,
Sheridan directed it to make a detour by
the Boydton plankroad. The execution Of
this manuver appeared to the Confeder-
ates forced retreat on the part of Devin.
and. deceived by this. they made a left
wheel, and were proceeding to follow him
up.
| SHERIDAN WAS FOUND.
This tactical change caused the Confed-
| crates to present the flank and rear Of
their line of battle to Sheridan's force at
| Dinwiddie, whereupon, seizing the oppor-
| tunity. he directed charge to be made
with the brigades of Gregg and Gibbs.
This unlooked-for sally compelled the Con-
federates to face by the rear rank and give
up the movement against Devin, who was
thus enabled to rejon the main body.
| Against this the Confederates now ad-
vanced with all the force of cavalry and
infantry present In numbers the assal-
ants were not superior to the Union cav
| airy, but they had an advantage in the
range of the firearms of their infantry.
Thus placed. Sheridan displayed very
commendable pluck. Having dismounted
his troopers. he disposed them behind a
slight breastwork previously prepared.
and here, from their carbines. they poured
so biting a fire into the ranks of the as
sailants that they were repulsed in the
| attack. and darkness prevented its re-
newal. The conduct of the men was GER
| tainly excellent: but it was great relief
when night intervened to abridge the at
tack OF the COnfederateS. Tor the cavalry
had been sorely handled in the action.
MEASURES TO HELP SHERIDAN.
| The tidings of Sheridan's situation re-
ceived at headquarters led to the belief
that he could not maintain himself at Din
widdie unless REINFORCED, and such was
the alarm in regard to the safety of his
force, that all dispositions became subor-
dinated to the forwarding of troops to his
succor. For this purpose Warren was at
Q p. NJ. of the 31st. ordered to send a di-
vision to Dinwiddie Courthouse by way of
the Boydton plankroad: and two hours
later, the concern about Sheridan growing
meanwhile. he was directed TO move with
his two other divisions by road to the
west, with the idea that he would strike
the rear of the Confederate force con-
fronting Sheridan.O
| Warren promptly dispatched Ayres's
Division. as the one that could get under
way most cxpeditiously; and proceeded to
make arrangements to move with the
other two divisions as soon as practicable
Had the roads been unobstructed, the
march to Dinwiddie would not have Occu-
pied above four or FIVE hours. When.
however, the project was formed of send