The National tribune., 1906-02-01

liged to, Withdraw and look for more
vulnerable POINT. The Second Corps
came up with the rear Of the enemy at
Flat Creek, and. after some delay In
crossing that stream, pushed forward,
skirmishing with his rear guard, to-
marched in pursuit on the right Of the
Second, and the Sixth on the left, the
divisions Of Devin and Custer following
Crook.
AS we approached Sailors Creek. be-
yond Deatonsville. the Confederate col
umns, with wagons and artillery, could
be seen across the intervening valley
and through openings in the timber,
marching on higher ground on the OPP
posite side Of the stream Crook was
making unsuccessful attempts to get at
the trains, and orders were given for
the two divisions In rear to pass on be-
yond Crook, along the enemy's line of
march, and seek point Of attack
which might promise a chance OF sue
cess. The First Division proceeded to
follow these Instructions; but what was
our disgust on seeing Clusters Division
trot along the flank Of our column, turn
off to the right Of Crook. and, dashing
across the creek, without looking for
a ford, charge into the midst of the
enemy's trains and marching columns,
almost before a formation could be
was completed when we were dismount-
ed and marched in double time to q
position on the right Of Crook to cover
the withdrawal Of the Third Division
with It's captured flags and prisoners.
However, we settled ourselves behind
contented ourselves with the soldierly
reflection that we had, at all events,
obeyed orders.
Meanwhile the noise Of battle away
off to our right and front has been
steadily increasing. and we are inform
ed that we have only to hold our posi-
ton to insure the capture of a large
portion Of the Confederate army. This.
indeed. appears to be a reasonable ex-
pectation, and there Is no want Of con-
fidence that we shall be able to with
stand any attempt to dislodge US.
Custer Does More Yelling and CHARGING.
That troublesome Custer, however,
cannot be persuaded to keep quiet and
wait to be attacked, but must needs go
to yelling and charging again. Some
Of Crooks men also get their horses,
and general advance being ordered.
the whole corps goes forward, carrying
everything in its front and completing
the destruction Of such portion Of An
derson's Corps as had escaped 1t at Five
Forks. The cavalry now Joins hands
with the Sixth Corps which has re-
ceived the surrender of Gen. Ewell with
the larger part Of his corps, after q
contest which for severity and fierce
ness Of fighting at close quarters has
seldom been surpassed. The combined
captures Of the Sixth Corps and the
cavalry in this battle amounted to some
5000 or 5000 prisoners (including six
general officers), II pieces Of artillery,
and q large number Of wagons. Dur
ing the day the Second Corps had at
tackled and driven before it Gordon's
Corps. on q road farther to the right,
capturing 1000 prisoners and four guns.
Night had fallen, but the cavalry had
not quite completed its days work. The
First DivlsiQn. the Reserve Brigade
leading. and the LIST u. 8. Cav. In front.
was ordered to advance on the road,
just to stir. things up q little and give
goodnight parting shot. As we
reached the crossing Of q small creek
about two miles out, our advance guard
received q vOlley from the brush on the
opposite bank. and an investigation by
that strong force was in position on
some high ground just beyond the
creek. The regiment Immediately took
possession OF hill which commanded
the creek crossing and went busily to
work piling up rails for hasty barri-
eade, when battery opened from the
enemy's position q few hundred yards
distant. SO accurately had the hostile
guns been pointed toward the face of
this hill that the nrst shell fred struck
and exploded In pile OF rails around
which tho men were at work, while
several others fell close by. IT was de-
cided that this was not q good place to
taxa position. and the men were with
drawn across q deem Teyine to our