The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-18

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Captain Sturlivat1t. and were entirely
unsupported by hin. rs
on sturdvant's return from Cherry
Grove he suddenly, and to his amaze
ment. ran into the forces under Captain
Leo Mt Six Oaks, near SCOTS Factory,
about four miles from Smithiield.
slight engagement crs,ed. The re-
suit Of it was Lee fell back to Smithfleld.
and Sturdivant went on his way, west
wardly. to Ivor.
In going to Ivor he passed right by,
brothers farm Four s1unre-an estate
OF about three thousand acres, about four
miles from smithheld and about seven
miles from Six Oaks.
My brother on learning the strength
of Captain Lees forces. and that they
were BOTTLED UP" in Smithncld. without
| the protection of their gunboat, sent
note to Captain Sturdivant at Ivor. solicit
| ing his return, saying the capture OF
| Lees forces In Smith1eld was an easy
| thing to do.
stHrdivant returned promptly.
Nv brother Joined his command at
Jones' store. 1.-TWO miles from Smith
feld), and conducted them to Stevens
store dess than half a mile from the
town..
Smith1e1d-posted right on the top Of
.rodd's Hill. at the Junction OF Church
and Main Streets, could easily be seen
by Captain sturvidant. Captain Stnrvi-
lant sent n note to Captain Lee. demand-
ing instant surrender, and signed that
note as Brigadler- General.
Captain lee replied. asking an inter
view with the officer in command of
the Confederate forces?
Ny brother told sturdivant that Lee
was expecting his gun boat. and was
playing for time. He asked Captain Ches-
shire, a boatman who was present. what
tide was It? Cheshire replied that 1t
was flood tide.
My brother then informed Captain stur
Sdivant that this was the tide that would
bring the Smith Briggs up to take on
and rescue Captain Lees forces. Ho
urged Immediate action.
The demand for instant surrender was
renewed. 1t was refused.
The officer bearing the refusal fSer-
geant Hennis) returned with his horse.
in a run under all the animating in
fluences Of whip and spur, saying be-
fore he alighted. that the expected gun
eoat was in sight.
During these negotiations. Captain
stnrdivant. at the suggestion OF my
brother. moved up his forces, hun
dred and fifty or two hundred yards to
Spratley's Hill, on the same road, just
out of the corporate limits of the town.
When the demand for surrender was
refused-my brother who was perfectly
familiar with every foot of the ground
suggested to Captain Sturvidant. that
he divide his infantry forces into two
coumns-tl1e one in tho right to be lead
by him down and through ravlnes and
behind houses to the Presbyterian Church
on Church Street; the other on the left
to he lead by Jtlnius Wilson and Captain
cheshire, through other ravines and be-
hind other houses to and through the
lot Of William Henry Jordan. at the
top of Todd's Hill-thus assailing, unob-
served, Captain Lees forces on both
'lanks. Whilst the artillery was all the
while engaging them in front.
When the columns lead by my brother
emerged through the ravInes into Church,
Street, at the Presbyterian Church. less
than one hundred yards distant from,
Captain Lee, 1t was Immediately OBJ
served by him and his men: and they
broke land ran down Todd's Hill to tbs
county wharf, where they threw the
artillery overheard, and then ran down
and along the cree kto the lot of VIM.
{. Day and to Hodges's Shlpyard. adj.
Joining, seeking the shelter ana protec-
ton of the Smith Briggs.
sturdivant. Observing the panic IN
stantly pursued. quickly placed one OF
his guns on the county wharf and sent
the other to the hill at Hodgcs's slim
yard. and thus at'both places had the
gunboat In full sight and in easy range.
The gun on the county wharf sent a shot
through her tand right into her steam
chest. She instantly surrendered,
part Of Captain Lees force was cap.
tured In the garden of VIM. Henry Day. |
in a large vacant hnise in the shipyard.
and at other places on the creek front.
Captain Lee and some six or seven men
swan the creek to the mainland and tins
reached Old Town (now Battery Parls).
at the mouth OF Pagan Creek, where thew
slgnalled + passing ASST boats. and thus es-
Six Oaks IS four mile from sm,thfel1
to the southeast ..fs Ivor Is eighteen miles
from Smtthfleld to the west. -Four Square
IS four miles from ssnlthfield on the road
to Ivor. 81 ge sSS
The North Carolina Cavalry With
Sturdivant's Bat cry was under the COM
mand OF Captain Pipkin. do not know
the names OF tho captains Of tho two
smal! infantry companies.
"A Red-Hot Rebel.
In going to Ivor you stopped at ..Four
SQUARE for water. You may remember
the lady of the house as a red-hot rebel
Captain Pipkin had on his horse behind
him. 10y OF your command, some
twelve orsthlrteen years OF age who was
a little sassy. to her, S She recognized
him after the war. In the Green House
OF the soldiers Home. ut Hampton, Va
She was admiring his flowers when there
was n mutual recognition
After the surrender of the Smth-Briggs
she was seton fire, and when the flames
reached her magazine with two tons OF
powder, she was blown all to pieces. The
wreck remained until 1867 or 1865 when
1T was removed by the general govern
ment or some OF It's agents.
r own and have lived at the lot former
" known as the William Henry Jordnn
lot, right mt the top OF Todd's Hill, ever
since January /, 1865
! have a mcmento OF tho fight OF Feb
ruary ,s1s64, insmy yard, q cannon ball
right at the front door step.F II founa ii
here. and here 1t has been ever since.
There were some other cannon balls In
the trees and houses about town. hut they
have all Disappeared
smithficld has grown greatly, since those
days It is nov, a prosperous and flourish