The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-05-04

joined by Merritt 4 second attempt was
made. Ewelrs troops were now com
ing up. and Anderson, aided by EweIFs
advance. repulsed Crook and Merritt.
Anderson came 10 stand III Sailors
creek. 4 tributary of APPROXIMATION river,
il front of the Federal cavalry His
line had general direction east and
west as the armies were marching
Crook and Merritt failed in several at
tempts 10 penetrate the Confederate
line. On the east EWell was up to
Anderson and was followed closely by
the Sixth corps. Ewcll formed on the
left of Anderson. Gordon. vino waS
closely pursued by Humphreys Second
corps, turned off to the right or north
before crossing the creek This left
Anderson and EWell TO withstand the
cavalry and Wrights Sixth corps. The
Sixth corps opened the battle. which
cost Lee 1000 men and many good
officers whom he could i'll afford TO
lose at that stage. Among the Con
federatcs captured were Ewcll. ker-
shou and G. w {. Lee, Sun Of General
L. L. Lee
The Confederate corps under Cor
don and Humphreys Second Federal
corps had gone too far to the right.
down Sailors creek, TO take part in
the battle between Anderson and the
Federal cavalry and between Ewell
and the Sixth corps. Humphreys men
had moved all day within sight Of Cor
don. maintaining the most of the way
a meek and neck race. Encounters
had been frequent. but 50 orderly was
the Confederate retreat that good
battle front was kept up. and the Fed
eral attacks made very little impress
sion
GordOn'S march was kept up all
night. and the troops reached Gaines
vile, placing the AppomattoX between
them and their pursuers. At Farmville
the COufederatcS were ratiOncd with
provisions that had been sent I'D by
rail.
After passing the AppomattoX, which
was accomplished during the night of
the 9th at the two crossings. High
Bridg" and Farmville Lee placed
guards ut the bridges and set out to-
ward AppomattoX Court House up the
river. On the Federal side the Fifth
corps moved up the AppomattoN to
Prince Edward Court House. Merritts
cavalry also went up the river on the
south bank. Ord's army and Wrights
Sixth corps moved to Farmyille and
found that Lee had destroyed the
bridges. Crooks cavalry division NOV
ed in advance Of Ord and Wright and.
fordin@ the river. moved rapidly in
pursuit
Colonel Gregg, whose brigade was
leading Crooks column. soon met the
enemy and became heavily engaged.
Hcth'S Confederate infantry formed on
his front, and FitZ Lee. with Rosscr and
Munford. attacked him front and flank.
driving back the brigade Gregg ana Il
number Of his men were captured.
Crook was now ordered out westward
along the LEnchburg railroad toward
AppomattoX. Sheridan'S men had not
vet crossed the river. Humphreys
corps started forward in pursuit Of
Gordon at daylight on the 9TH and
reached High Bridge just as the enc
my WAS giving the last stroke to the
work of destruction. The railroad
bridge. crossing wide marsh on piers
sixty feet high. was on fire, and re
doubt that served as II bridge head for
the wagon bridge was being destroy
ed by explosives. The division of Gen
eral Barlow led the Second CORPS. and
It's energetic commander sent Il force
at double quick and drove off the Con
federateS at the wagon bridge.
General Humphreys, who was on the
ground. and Colonel T. l.. Iivcrmore
of his staff led Il party of men to the
burning railroad bridge to save it from
destruction. AS soon as BarlowS men
attacked the ConfedcrateS at the wag-
OH bridge the latter were Reinforced.
and on being driven off at this point
they rallied at the railroad bridge and
attempted TO defeat Colonel Liver
moreS men. \ sharp skirmiSh enSued.
the ConfederateS being underneath ON
the ground, while the FederalS were
above, putting out the fires The Struc-
IuhN was Sd\tu VIII llle exception OF
four spans on the northern or Confed-
crate side. BarlOw'S men now dashed
across the wagon bridge and drove off
all opposition and FASTENED toward
Farmville General Humphreys. with
the divisions of Nelson \. Miles and
De Trobriand, moved along the roads
toward AppomattoX Court House.
Lees retreat was delayed the whole
of t17 9TH of April by the activity of
Humphreys, who harassed the Confed-
crates along the Appomattox route
westward. Under cover of night Leo
set out on his last march, reaching AD-
pomattOX Court House about o'clock
on the evening of the Sth of April
Suddenly Il dash of Federal cavalry
from the south gave warning that the
foe was across his front. The new
force was Merritt's cavalry. which the
detention of Lee at the Appomattox
crossings on the 18th had enabled to eX-
ecute Il flank march. Crooks Federal
cavalry was in the vicinity, and before
the morning of the 9th Ords column
and the Fifth Federal corps arrived.
Humphreys was close upon the Con-
fn1p1.Dtn ,tI