New-York tribune., 1907-06-30
"JEB" STUARTS LAST BATTLE.
a Brilliant Charge by Custer as Seen on the
Confederate Side.


"The most brilliant charge I ever witnessed
was made by Custer at the battle OF Yellow
Tavern" said an old Confederate cavalryman
at the recent reunion IN Richmond. who IS
quoted in "The Washington Post" 'Tt was
the beginning OF what historians now call
the Wilderness campaign.
IT was with Jeb Stuart. General F1tz Lees
division. Wickham's brigade and Phil Sher-
idan's troops were hanging on like pack of
hungry wolves. nipping at every turn. We
had been marching and fighting pretty steadily
for more than two weeks. with mighty little
time for rest.
I'VE left Hanover Junction about l o'clock
one night, and reached Yellow Tavern before 10
o'clock the next morning. You know Sheridan
was not one to let grass grow under his feet
when there was any fighting to be done. and
when he was matched against Jeb Stuart it was
nip and tuck
We hadn't more than halted at the Tavern
when up comes Sheridan and tries to drive US
out 1t was pretty tough struggle. a hand to
hand fight. and we fell back from the Tavern
but held our position on the telegraph road lead
ing TO Richmond. I was with the battery on
the extreme left wing. and 1t was about >
O'Clock in the afternoon when orders came for
the whole division. excepting the 1st Virginians
to dlsInount, but hold their position.
IL did seem good. 1 tell you. after so
many hours in the saddle, TO stretch out on the
q Is,
anything to smoke There was just pipefuI
among that whole battery and the boy who
owned 1t passed II down the line. and each man
took his turn putting at it.
When IL was gone all began to speculate
on what deviltry Sheridan would De IN To next
and how Jeb Stuart would head him off. II
wasn't long before some fellow wished for Il
drink of water.
You know how it is. when one man wishes fo-
water the whole company begins to swear they
r. To Co, 7
bunch OF canteens and started over the hill to a
spring that he had seen that morning during our
scrimmage with the Yanks.
II was on my hands and knees over the spring
when heard Saunderss grunt OF surprise He
was staring through the trees
There only q few hundred yards away was =
considerable body OF cavalry. Making sure that
it was our right wing, I wondered 70 see them
mounted and IN ranks. Just then the voice OF
an officer rang out.
Cavalry! Attention. Draw saberp"
The entire line moved forward at a quick
walk. and as the officer wheeled his horse I
his face My Cod! il was Custer,
The situation came to Saunders and me like
flash We threw down the canteens and started
back 10 the battery on dead
'Irot" Clusters voice rang out again. The
next instant he shouted: Charge"
With wild cheers his cavalry dashed forward
in n sweeping gallop. attacking entire left
wing at the time. We saw our battery
taken, our line broken and our men running like
sheep.
saunders and had but one thought-to Join
our fleeing company. As we reached the tee-
graph road above the din Of the battle I heard
Jeb Stuart's voice.
There no was. making a stand with handful
Of men around him. Thank God 1 had sense
enough left to join them.
1T seemed but q moment before Clusters
troops were coming back fast as they had
gone forward. They had met the 1st VIrgtnfas
We greeted them with the rebel yell and the last
charge in weapons.
"Jeb Stuart cheered us on ah how he cheered
US! 1 gave them my last shot and was follow
Ing with my weapon dubbed when saw man. |
who had been dismounted and was running out |
turn as he passed our rally and fire his pistol
"Jeb Stuart swayed in his saddle. It was onlv
for moment. then his voice rang out, cheering !
his struggling troops.
THE enemy rallied just across the road and |
fired volley into the little band gathered
around Jeb Stuart. His horse sprang forward |
with scream of agony and sank down on tts /!
knees. As we lifted the general Off the vounr |
officer who was helping me exclaimed:
My God general you woundedl Your |
clothes are soaked with bloodI You must leave !
tho field. sir!'
mo General Stuart answered. 7 will NOT |
leave until victory is assured. Get me another
horse
when returned with the horse he was seated |
with his back against tree, and when he tried |
to get up. weakened by loss of blood. he sank |
back again
Coz he commanded US. am done for |
t1t2 Lee needs every man. order you TO GO
1--WE cannot obey that order, general the |
young officer told him, and Pll never forget the /
look that came over his face when he faced the |
general We must carry you TO a place of
safety, however the battle goes
" 1T must not go against u.s. Stuart replied /
and the thought seemed to put fresh vigor In his |
body You must put me on my horse and keep |
me there. My men must not know that am /
I'VE lifted him on his horse and mounting |
our own. we held him in his saddle. When the 4
tide of the battle turned. supported between US /
he made a last effort to rally his fleeing troops
Z" Go back, men! he cried. Go back menl |
Go back and do your duty!'
I'VE felt him sway in his saddle. The young /
officer turned our horses heads 10 the rear and |
we carried fainting general from the field |
still holding him upright IN the saddle That |
was Jeb Stuart's last battle and Clusters most |
brilliant charge"
AS JAPANESE SEE 1T.
"a said Tana0ese think our er0u-, r,or,a.