The National tribune., 1906-02-01

right. and a line was established across
the road. Meanwhile the Confederate
artfllerymen, having cleared the face of
the hill, began to distribute their fayors
very promiscuously amongst the troops
of the division which were formed
along the road and in the timber farther
TO the rear. They quoted down, how
ever. after while, but another attempt
| to advance was sufficient to start them
into renewed activity, and it became
evident that it was advisable to accept
the situation and wait for daylight. 1t
transpired that the force in our front
was Mahone's Division Of Longstreet's
Corps. which. not having been engaged
during the day, was in good trim for
fight, and did not propose to be driv-
en- out of its camp, after hard days
tramp. without remonstrance.
These night attacks were generally
unsatisfactory in their results, the men
not having much heart for fighting an
enemy concealed by the darkness Of
night, in an unknown country, espe-
cially when, tired out with the hard
work of the day, they felt that they
were entitled to their coffee and a
nights rest.
Forward to Prince Edwards Court
House.
On the morning Of the 7th the cav
airy found itself foot-loose, striking out
for Prince Edwards Court House, on
a shorter line to Appomattox Station
than that Of necessity followed by Lees
retreating army. Crooks Division was
again detached on a reconnaissance to
Farmville Station.
At Prince Edwards Court House.
where we arrived about 8 p. m, we
found Mackenzie's Division, which had
been sent forward to this place on a
reconnaissance, the general line Of
q r01 nj ho nf ha To hoir mo-
to the left Of that Of our other forces.
After a short rest, the command pushed
forward again on the road to Pros
pect Station, on the Lynchburg Rail-
road, few miles west Of Farmville, to
which point Mackenzies Division pre-
coded US. 1t was after night when we
unsaddled, presumably not far from
the Station, although it was not visible.
Our days march Of at least 80 miles
had been through q country not pre-
viously reached by the Union arms, and
was as peaceful and undisturbed as
though no hostile force existed.
We were again in the saddle at day.
light, Custer moving out in advance fol-
lowed by Devin; Crook, who had Joined
during the night, bringing up the rear.
Mackenzie had returned to his own
army. Appomattox Court House is
some four or five miles north and east
| OF Appomattox Station, on the Cum
thoroughfare to Richmond, and on
which it was known that Lees army
was marching. Gen. Sheridan had In
formed Gen. Grant by letter on the
morning of the 8th that he would
march with his command to Appomat-
tox Court House. but learning through
his scouts that four trains Of cars load
ed with supplies for Lees army were
at Appomattox Station awaiting its ar
rival, he first directed his march on
that point, which was about rs miles
distant from our camp Of the previous
night.
The weather was fine, the roads pref
ty good, as Virginia roads go. and we
logged along very comfortably through
q pleasant country which seemed to
have felt none of the burdens Of war
The freshly-plowed fields. surrounded
by fences sound and whole, were in
pleasing contrast to those desolate and
war-worn portions of Virginia over
which we had been accustomed to cam
paign.
AppOmatt0x Station.
Along in the afternoon Custer went
ahead at q trOt, and as We neared the
Station, towards evening, the sound Of
artillery intimated to US that he might
be glad Of some assistance. So urging
our tired horses forward, we were soon
crossing the railroad q few hundred
yards east Of the Station, and as we
came out into some open fields beyond,
were hastily dismounted and sent for
ward into the timber, to take in flank
and rear the force which-had assailed
Clusters troopers with so much noise
and assurance While we were grOD-