Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-07-02
JEs sTUART's LAST BATTLE.
The Story Of a Brilliant Charge by
Custer.

The Story Of a Brilliant Charge by
| Custer.
1.-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. 1T was near
the beginning of what historians now
call the Wilderness campaign.
II was with Jeb Stuart, Gen. Fitz
Lees division, Wickham's brigade and
Phil Sheridan's troops were hanging
on us like a pack Of hungry wolves,
nipping us 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 1
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 1t was nip and tuck.
I'VE hadn't more than halted at the
Tavern when up comes Sheridan and
tries to drive us out. 1t was a pretty
tough struggle, a hand-to-hand fight,
and We fell back from the Tavern, but
held our position on the telegraph road
leading to Richmond. / was with the
battery on the extreme left wing, and
1t was about 2 o'clock in the afternoon
when orders came for the whole divis-
ion, excepting the First Virginians, to
dismount, but hold their positions.
| 1T did seem good, I can tell you,
after so many hours in the saddle, to
stretch out on the ground and take
smoke; that is, all who had anything
to smoke. There was just one pipeful
among that whole battery, and the boy
who owned it passed 1t down the line
and each man took his turn putting at
it.
| when 1t was gone we all began to
speculate on what deviltry Sheridan
would be up to next and how Jeb
Stuart would head him off. It wasn't
long before some fellow wished for
drink Of water.
You know how 1t is, when one man
wishes for water the whole company
begin to swear they are dying Of thirst.
Jack Saunders and I took bunch Of
canteens and started over the hill to
spring that he had seen that morning
during our scrimmage with the Yanks.
| II was on my hands and knees over
the spring when 1 heard Saunders's
grunt of surprise. He was staring
through the trees.
"Only a few hundred yards away
was a considerable body Of cavalry.
Making sure that 1t was our right
wing, I wondered to see them mount
ed and in ranks. Just then the voice
Of an officer rang out:
Cavalry! Attention! Draw sabre.
1.-The entire line moved forward at
quick walk, and as the officer wheeled
his horse I saw his face. Ny God, 1t
was Custer!
"The situation came to Saunders and
me like a fash. We threw down the
canteens and started back to the bat
ltery on dead run.
"'Trot! Clusters voice rang out
again. The next instant he shouted:
'Charge!'
with wild cheers his cavalry DASH
ed forward In a sweeping gallop, at
tacking our entire left wing at the
same 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 telegraph road above the
din of the battle heard Jeb Stuart's
voice.
There he was making a stand with
handful Of men around him. Thank
God, 1 had sense enough left to join
them.
1T seemed but moment before Gus
ter's troops were coming back as fast
as they had gone forward. They had
met the First Virginians. We greeted
them with the rebel yell and the last
charge in our weapons.
"Jeb Stuart cheered us on, ah, how
he cheered US! I gave them my last
shot and was following with my wea-
pom clubbed, when I saw a 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. 1t
was only for moment then his voice
rang out, cheering his struggling
troops.
"The enemy rallied just across the
road and fired a volley into the little
band gathered around Jeb Stuart. His
horse sprang forward with a scream OF
agony and sank down on its knees.
AS we lifted the general off, the young
officer who was helping me, exclaimed:
"My God, general, you are wound
ed! Your clothes are soaked with
blood! You must leave the field, sir!'
| mo Gen. Stuart answered; 1 VIII
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.
60 he commanded us. l am done
for. Fitz Lee needs every man. or
der you to 60.
1--WE cannot obey that order, gener-
all the young officer told him, and I'll
never forget the look that came over
his face when he faced the general.
We must carry you to place OF SAFE
ty, 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 l am
wounded
I'VE lifted him on his horse, ana
mounting our own, we held him In his
saddle. When the tide Of the battle
turned, supported between us, he made
last effort to rally his fleeing troops.
| AGO hack. meni' he cried. Go back,