Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1909-08-27
THE LAST BATTLE.
Concluded from 1st PAGE.


Maj. Scott afterwards commanding
the 4th Mass. cav reports that ''ofth
eleven cavalry officers engaged only
three were uninjured, 3 officers being
killed on the spot and 5 severely wound
ed-all of the wounds were sabre cuts,
or shots received at close quarters.
Capt. Goddard and Capt. Hodges or
possibly Lit. Davis were the names,
presume, of the officers killed in the en-
counter of which / am more particular
ly to tell. Maj. Scott says in his report
that those three officers "were killed
while displaying especial gallantry"
and this was assuredly true of two of
them as will appear presently.
When the Federal cavalry arrived at
the scene of action, as 1t. Lathrop,
Adj't of the 18th Mass. tells us they
found the two infantry regiments de-
ployed behind high fence just inside
a piece of woods, while few rods be-
yond were some Confederate dismount-
ed cavalry; the engagement was pro-
ceding at pretty close range without
any advantage on either side. After
consultation with Gen. Read, Col.
Washburn proceeded at trot in col
umn of tours until they got beyond the
right flank of their infantry and then
wheeled and charged US. Just about
that time, bearing and McCausland
made counter charge in splendid
style, attacking the infantry on its
right flank, while Munford's dismount-
ed men who had been in the pines, fir
ing across the narrow open field charg-
ad across the field against the enemy's
front, and in an unexpectedly short
time victory remained with the Con-
federates. Officers and men on both
sides exhibited heroic bravery-Just be-
fore Col. Washburn received his death
wound, he had sabred over the head a
private belonging to the 18th regiment
striking him twice the last stroke put
ting him hors de combat, and then as
he Col. Washburn was advancing ca
gerly upon another Confederate, Par
sons by name, of the 18th regiment he
| (Parsons) at very close quarters shot
him with the last load in his pistol.
Gen bearing it was said fell while in
the act of firing his pistol at Gen. Read
who was MORALLY wounded by the
shot. bearing himself was under the
impression that he (himself had been
accidentally shot by one of his own
men, but the prevailing opinion among
our soldiers was that this was not cor
rect.
Col. Boston, who was leading his
men with great gallantry was shot in
the mouth as he was shouting encou
ragemeat to his men and leaping his
horse over the fence, or breastworl
made of the fence, and was killed in
stantly, the bullet, however, notdis
figuring him at all, as it made its ext
at the crown of his head. Maj. Knot
of the 18th Va an excellent officer wa
among the first of our men 20 be killed
The reports from the Federal infantry
officers to their respective commanding
officers made about two weeks after thu
surrender at Appomattox c. HI. art
somewhat mixed and amusing. They
said Ito quote their official reports,
"that they had been attacked in thu
rear, but they put up Notwithstanding
this sharp fight, every man doing
splendidly, driving the enemy back
nearly mile" and 'only after every
round of ammunition had been expend
ed, was there any thought Of surren
der, and they were compelled to yielG
and all were made prisoners-the las1
ten words were true in every respect
i. e. they were compelled to yield, ano
all were made prisoners, or to be exact
$50 of them.
1t was after this battle had beer
fought that the encounter took place
about which 1 will now undertake JC
speak. 1t was an individual combat
between Maj. Breathed of the horse
artillery and courier named Scruggs
on the part of the Confederates, anG
two Captains or officers commanding
what remained of the three companies
of the 4th Mass. cavalry who were try
ing to make their way back to Grants
army after the defeat of the two infan.
try regiments and the small force Of
cavalry While it must be said in all
fairness and justice, that the two Fed.
eral cavalry officers manifested most
exemplary and unfinching bravery,
still on the part of the two Confederates,
it was, under the circumstances an ex-
hibition of heroic bravery which sur
passed, believe, anything it was my
privilege to witness during the four
years of the war.
Let me tell how happened to see it.
AS was on my way, looking after
some duty in connection with my office
as inspector OF the brigade (Payne's
LomaX' old Brigade-General Payne
had been wounded at Five Forks and
taken from the field,) l was attracted
by group of five or six Confederates
sitting on their horses by the roa 1side
near where Gen. Read was lying bleed
ing to death from wound though the
femoral artery las l was told.) l had
dismounted, and to soma remark made
by me, Gen. Read opened his eyes
they were large blue or grey eyes, and
said "You can't do anything for me. "
1t is pleasant to recall in this connec-
ton that James Keith (Adj't Of the 4th