Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1910-05-29
A war Renaissance.
How longstreet Bluffed Custer at Ap-
pomattox.


pomattox.
From the sound of firing in front it
was evident that Gordon and Fitz Lee
were attacking Sheridan's cavalry,
who outnumbered them four to one,
and had also the comforting assurance
that the Army of the James was not
far Off to support them if needed
When my march brought me to the
hill espied Generals Longstreet and
Alexander. chief of artillery, sitting on
a log. Alexander got up and came to-
ward me. said to him: General Lee
Instructed me to stop here for orders.
What do you want me to do" He re-
piled, Turn into that field on the right
and park your guns" Then he added
in low tone, 1--WE are going to surren-
der today" We had been thinking
that it might have to come to that
sooner or later, but when the shock
came it was awful. Alexander caution
ed me to keep the news quiet, and
moved into the field designated with
heavy heart and parked my batteries.
Colonel HaskelPs battalion was al
field. The firing continued in front for
some time. and Gordon drove the lin
vincible troopers more than mile
and sent back large number Of pris-
oners and two pieces of artillery which
he had captured. The latter were
placed in Haskell's park. Had it been
only Sheridan that barred the way the
surrender would not have occurred at
Appomattox, but Gordon drove back
the cavalry only to find himself con-
fronted by the Army of the James,
and it's bayonets could now be seen
advancing through the trees, and the
road was blocked with ten times his
numbers. 1t was then that flag of
truce was raised by agreement with
Sheridan and Gordon.
Presently Federal calvary officer
was observed coming down the road
toward our forces. He wore his hair
very long, and it was Of light or
reddish color. In his hand he carried
white handkerchief. which be con-
stantly waved up and down. He in
Quired for General Lee and was di-
rected to General Longstreet upon the
hill. Upon approaching the general
he dismounted and said: General
Longstreet. in the name Of General
Sheridan l demand the surrender of
this army. am General Custer"
General Longstreet replied: II am not
in command Of this army. General
Lee is. and he has gone back to meet
General Grant in regard to surrender"
"Well." said Custer, mo matter about
General Grant. We demand the sur
render be made to us. If you do not
do so we will renew hostilities, and
any bloodshed will be upon your
head" "Oh, WE'LL" said Longstreet,
IF you do that l will do my best to
meet you" Then. turning to his staff,
he said: Colonel Manning, please
order General Johnston to move his
division to the front and right of Cen
eral Gordon. General Latrobe, please
order General Pickett forward to Cen
eral Gordon's left. Do it ut once"
Custer listened with surprise depicted
upon his countenance. He had not
thought so many Of our troops were
at hand with Longstreet. He, cooling
off Immediately, said: General. prob
ably we had better wait until we hear
from Grant and Lee I will speak to
General Sheridan about it. Don't
move your troops yet" And he mount
ed and withdrew in a much more quiet
style than in his approach. AS he
passed out Of hearing Longstreet said
quietly, with that peculiar chuckle of
his, "Ha, ha. that young man has new
er learned to play the game Of 'brag.
The divisions of Johnston and Pickett
were only a myth and had no exist
ence whatever after the fight at Five
Forks.-From I'm Camp and Field"