Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-04-29

pulsed by AnderSOn'S troops, and when
joined by Merritt second attempt was
made. Ewells troops were now com
ing up, and Anderson, aided by Ewell's
advance, repulsed Crook and Merritt.
Anderson came to stand at Sailors
creek, tributary of Appomattox river,
in 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 to penetrate the Confederate
line. On the east Ewell was up to
Anderson and was followed closely by
the Sixth corps. Ewell formed on the
left of Anderson. Gordon, who 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 Wright's 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
federates captured were Ewell, Ker-
shou and G. w. G. 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
meek and neck" race. Encounters
had been frequent, but so 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 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 out to-
ward Appomattox Court House up the
river. On the Federal side the Fifth
corps moved up the Appomattox to
Prince Edward Court House. Merritt's
cavalry also went up the river on the
south bank. Ord'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
|spursuit.
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 a
number of his men were captured.
Crook was now ordered out westward
along the Lynchburg railroad toward
Appomattox. Sheridan'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 a re-
doubt that served as bridge head for
the wagon bridge was being destroy
ed by explosives. The division Of Cen
eral Barlow led the Second corps, and
it's energetic commander sent 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 party of men to the
burning railroad bridge to save it from
destruction. AS soon as Barlow's men
attacked the Confederates 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
more's men. A sharp skirmish ensued,
luS OOuICOcIdCcS U0lllS uuU0FuGdCQ 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
Farmville. 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 harassed 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 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 Merritt's cavalry, which the
detention of Loo at tho ApDo,not%ov