The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-08-04

pulsed by Anderson $ troops, and wbeh
joined by Merritt a second attempt was
made, Ewclrs troops were nov com
ing up. and Anderson, aided by Ewelrs
advance. repulSed Crook ANA Mefcitt,
Anderson came 10 u stand NJ Sailors
creek, 4 tributary of Appomattox river
in front of the Federal cayary, Hiy
line had a general direction east anG
west US the armies We're marching
Crook ana Merritt failed in Seyera, ut
Temps 20 penetrate the Couicoierat,
line. ON the east EScil WAS an t.
Anderson and was followed closely by
the SIXTH corps. Ewell formed on the
lett of Anderson, GoruOn, VINO was
closely pursued by Humphreys Seeuno
corps, turned of to tue right or north
before crossing the creek, This left
Anderson and Ewell 10 withstand the
cavalry and Wright's Sixth corps, Tie
Sixth corps opened the battle, which
cost Lee 1000 men and many good
officers whom he could i'll afford 10
lose at that stage. Among the Con
federates captured were Ewell, ker.
shou and G. w. c. Lee. son Of General
r. E. 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
q meek and neck" race. Encounters
had been frequent, but so orderly was
the Confederate retreat that a 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 Confederates were rationed with
provisions that had been sent up by
rail.
After passing the Appomattox. which
was accomplished during the night of
the 9th at the two crossings, High
Bridge and Farmville. Lee placed
guards at the bridges and set cut to-
ward Appomattox Court House up the
river. On the Federal side the Fifth
corps moved up the Appomattox 10
Prince Edward Court House Merritt's
cavalry also went up the river on the
south bank. 0rd's army and Wrights
Sixth corps moved TO Farmville and
found that Lee had destroyed the
bridges. Crooks cavalry division NOV
ed in advance Of Ord and Wright and,
fording the river, moved rapidly in
pursuit.
Colonel Gregg. whose brigade was
leading Crooks column, soon met the
enemy and became heavily engaged.
Heth's Confederate infantry formed on
his front, and Fitz Lee, with Rosser and
Munford, attacked him front and flank,
driving back the brigade. Gregg and
number OF his men were captured.
Crook was now ordered out westward
along the Lynchburg railroad toward
Appomattox. Sherldan's men had not
yet crossed the river. Humphreys
corps started forward In pursuit Of
Gordon at daylight on the 7th and
reached High Bridge just as the enc
my was giving the last stroke TO the
work Of destruction. The railroad
bridge, crossing a wide marsh on piers
sixty feet high, was on fire, and re-
doubt that served as bridge head for
the wagon bridge was being destroy
ed by explosives. The division of Gen
eral Barlow led the Second corps, and
Its energetic commander sent a 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. Livermore
of his staff led a party Of men to the
burning railroad bridge to save 1t from
destruction. As soon as Barlow's men
attacked the COnfederates at the wag-
on bridge the latter were re-enfOrced,
and on being driven off at this point
they rallied at the railroad bridge and
attempted to defeat Colonel Liver
mores men. A sharp skirmish ensued,
the Confederates being underneath on
the ground, while the Federals were
above, putting out the fires. The struc-
ture was saved with the 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
FarmyilIe. General Humphreys, with
the divisions Of Nelson A. Miles and
De TrObriand, moved along the roads
toward Appomattox Court House.
Lees retreat was delayed the whole
Of the 7th Of April by the activity Of
Humphreys, who barassed the Confed-
crates along the Appomattox route
westward. Under cover of night Lee
set out on his last march, reaching Ap-
pOmattox Court House about s o'clock
on the evening OF the 9Th Of April.
Suddenly a dash Of Federal cavalry
from the south gave warning that the
foe was across his front. The new
force was Merrltt's cavalry, which the
detention Of Lee at the Appomattox
crossings on the 7th had enabled to ex-
aapIy r,ovnb Cu.nI,ta IN,1.,aI