The National tribune., 1906-02-01

attacked almost simultaneously with it
The effect of this combined attack was
to cause the enemy to abandon the
pursuit of Devin and Davies, that he
might devote his attention to his new
assailant and the force still between
him and the coveted position at Dim
widdie Court House.
Fortunately his first fierce assault
upon the annoying foe in his rear was
not followed up with vigor, he deem
ing 1t expedient to turn his attention
to the force still threatening his flank
over on Chamberlain Creek; and the
heavy firing in that direction told us
that there was yet plenty of fight left
in Crooks Division. His Third Brigade.
Col. Smith commanding, still kept Its
position on Chamberlain Creek, and its
determined fighting at this juncture
was of the greatest value in affording
some respite to our hardly-pressed
lines, and delaying the final assault of
the enemy.
Advantage was taken of the compare
tive quiet in our front to get the ranks
into some sort of order. A movement
in advance developed heavy force OF
the enemy still in our 'front.' and as the
long afternoon approached it's close we
were ordered to fall back in the direc-
ton of Dinwiddie. AS the tired and
mud d-bedraggled troopers emerged from
the woods and trudged slowly across
the open fields in front of the village,
their hearts were gladdened by the
sight of our artillery in position and
long line of blue uniforms behind a
substantial barricade of rails. 1t was
Clusters Division. which had been or
dered hastily forward from the rear,
where it had been engaged for the past
two days in helping the wagons and
artillery out Of the mud. Looking
back, the solid gray lines Of the enc
| xyysc for r,fv hn od n %
into the open ground, presenting such
a tempting target that our eager artil-
lerymen could not wait for their front
to be cleared, but began pitching their
shells over the heads of the retreating
troopers
On the enemy came, with lines we'll
extended to the right and left, two di-
visions of infantry, the equals in etfi-
cheney of any to be found in the Con-
federate armies. AS they came within
closer range their opening fire was an
swered by a tempest of lead from the
repeating carbines of Clusters Division.
which, with the quick discharges Of
the artillery, made in the evening twi-
light yeritable line of fire. The fire
Of the enemy soon died away into scat
tering shots, then spluttered and went
out like an expiring candle. The at.
tack had failed. and night. the well
come friend of weary and hard-pressed
posoSSS'ioA'
and dropped her sable mantle over the
field.
The. contest of the day had been
severe one, and the cavalry had cause
to be thankful that they had succeed
ed in retaining possession of the Court
House, which, as the converging point
of several roads. had much strategic
value. The movements Of the enemy
during the whole day seemed to have
been badly directed and wanting in
purpose. If his object was the posses
sion of Dinwiddie Court House, it may
be believed that his best chance of sue
cess lay in determined and persistent
advance upon that point. He attempt
ed, instead, a flank movement, the alb
surdity of which against a force pos
sessing the activity of Sheridan's cav
airy should have been apparent, and
wasted his strength in a succession of
ponderous attacks against fragments OF
the opposing force until the day was
consumed. and his opportunity lost.
The proximity. OF the hostile lines was
not conducive to slumber and day
break found everything ready for re-
newal Of the contest. A movement in
advance. however, resulted in the hasty,
withdrawal OF that portion of the ene-
my's line which had retained its posi-
ton, and the cavalry was soon In the