The National tribune., 1907-08-29

E. Burlington. Co. C, 9th Nd. (Second
Rrigade), is believed to have been the
first enlisted man of the Third Division
who mounted the parapet of the enc
my's lines at Petersburg. April 2, 1865
''T. Seymour, Brigadier-General."
Serg't Burlington received the money
and also a Medal of Honor.
The New York Herald's account OF
the same battle says:
Mai. c. X Prentiss, 9Th Nd, was
the first commissioned officer to enter
the rebel works. Serg't Robert Spence.
Co. 3, 9Th Md. (color-bearer). was the
first individual who reached the works,
and gallantly planted our starry banner
| on them"
The Battle of Sailors Creek.
The fall of Petersburg and Richmond
followed the assault of April 2. and at
8 a. m on the Sd the Sixth Corps COM
menced the pursuit of the enemy. Early
on the morning of the 9th the corps
advanced toward Amelia Court House,
in the vicinity of which it was known
that Gen. Lee had concentrated his
army. Later, however, it was learned
that Lee had Withdrawn his forces, and
was then moving around the left flank
of our army and in the direction OF
Burkesville Junction. The Sixth Corps
was marched back by way of letters
vile, and moved upon road which
enabled the corps to strike the enemy s
flank. About p. IN. the corps came
lup with Gen. Sheridan's cavalry. The
Second Brigade was in the advance of
the corps The brigade under Gen.
Keifer struck the main road upon
which the enemy was moving. The
9th Nd was formed in line across the
main road upon which the enemy had
been moving and at once commenced
1,a,ta off
from retreat by cavalry under Gen.
Custer, was forced to give battle. and
for that purpose formed his line be-
hind Sailors Creek The divisions of
Gems. Pickett. Custis Lee and the Ma
rine Brigade, commanded by Com
mander Tucker. the whole under the
command of Gen. Ewell, are known to
have participated in the battle. A Sc
we're conflict ensued. a number of men
We're bayoneted on both sides. The
enemy was soon routed at all points.
and many general officers and many
thousand prisoners threw down their
arms and surrendered, among them
Gems. EweIl, KeTshaw, Custis Lee,
Pickett and others Thus ended the
last battle Of the war.
Showing the result of the general
mix up" at Sailors Creek. Col Joseph
G. Hill, commanding the 9th Md, was
rather impetuous, and, riding too far
in front, was captured ana taken by
the ConfedcrateS into the woods near
by. Soon the firing in that direction
by Sheridan's cavalry caused the Con-
federates to be uneasy. A Confederate
Colonel said to Hill, Colonel, what cav
airy is that coming in Cu- rear?" Hill
replied, You'll id soon find out" and
the result was that the Confederate Col
onel and his regiment (of North Caro-
lina) surrendered to Col. Hill, who,
u I,
prisoners into our lines. having been
absent less than an hour. This incident
is not cqualad by similar one during
the whole war.
From Sailors Creek the regiment,
with the Sixth Corps, moved after dark
in pursuit of the remnant of Lees army
the Appomattox River was crossed at
Farmville, and continued the pursuit on
April s and 9. when a halt was made
six miles from Appomattox Court
House. and were soon informed that
Gen. r. E. Lee had surrendered the
Army OF Northern Virginia.
on for North Carolina.
On April IL the corps took up the
march for Rurkesville, under orders to
push as rapidly as possible for the pur-
pose of assisting in the capture of Gen
Joseph e. Johnston's army. then being
pursued by Gen. Sherman with his
Western army. The corps arrived at
Danville. Va, on the 27th and halted,
Johnston having surrendered at
Greensboro, y. c. The corps remain
ed at Danville until May 26. when the
troops We're moved by rail to Rich
mond, thence by foot to Washington
where it was reviewed. June 8, by the
President, Gen. Grant and others in
high authority.
From Washington the 9th Md. was
moved to Baltimore by rail- and mus
tered out of the service June 20, 1855,
by reason of the close of the war.
The 9th Md. is classified in "Fox's
Losses in the Civil War" as one of the
300 fighting regiments.
The casualties of the regiment were:
Eight officers and 12O enlisted men
Killed. one officer and 107 enlisted men
died of disease and wounds, 233 enlist
ed men wounded in battle; total cas-
ualties. 469.
In addition to the numerous skir-
mishes and minor engagements the
regiment is accredited by the War De-
partment for its good conduct in the
Following list of battles: Winchester.
Wrapping Hights. Wilderness, Spotsyl-
vania, Cold Harbor, Opequan, Fishers
Hill. Cedar Creek. Petersburg. Sailors
Creek to Appomattox.-John r. King,
Historian, 9th Md. v. I.