The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1910-05-25
A WAR Renaissance.
How Longstreet Bluffed Custer at Ap.

How Longstreet Bluffed Custer at Ap-
pomattox.
From the sound of firing IN front It
WAS evident that Gordon and Fitz Lee
were attacking Sheridan's cavalry.
who outnumbcred them four to one,
and had also the comforting assurance
that the Army of the james WAS not
far off 10 support them IL needed
When my march brought me to the
hill espied Generals i.ongstreet and
Alexander chief of artillery, sitting OH
log Alexander got ap and came to
ward me. ! said to him: General Lee
instructed me to stop here for orders
What do You want me to do lie re
piled. "Turn into that field on the right
and park your guns" Then he added
In low tone. I'VE are going To surren-
der today" We had been think ing
sooner or later. but when the shock
came IL WIS awful. Alexander caution
ed me to keep the news quiet. and |
moved into the field designated with II
heavy heart and parked my batteries
Colonel IIaSkclls battalion was al
ready in park near me In the same
field The firing continued in front for
some time aud Gordon drove the in
vincible troopers" more than II mile
and sent back large number of pris-
oners and two pieces of artillery which
he had captured The latter were
placed In IIaskclI's park. Had II been
only Sheridan thai barred the way the
surrender would not have occurred at
AppomattoN. but Gordon drove baek
the cavalry only to find himself con
fronted by the Army of the james,
and Its bayonets could now be seen
advancing through the trees. and the
road was blocked with ten times his
numbers. II WAS then that "A nag of
truce was raised by agreement with
Sheridan and Gordon.
Presently Federal calvary officer
was observed coming down the road
toward our forces. He We're his hair
very long. and II was Of light or
reddish color. In his hand he carried
white handkerchief. which he con
stantly waved up and down He In
CURED for General Lee and WIS di
rected to General Eongstreet upon the
hill Upon approaching the general
he dismounted and said: General
Iongstreet. In the name Of General
Sheridan ! demand the surrender OF
this army. | am General Custer"
General Longstreet replied: Il am not
In command Of this army. General
Lee is, and he has gone back 10 meet
General Grant in regard to surrender"
We'll" said Custer. no matter about
General Grant. We demand the sur
render be made To MS lf yen do not
do SO we will renew hostilities. and
any boodshed will lac upon your
head" "Oh, we'll" snid I.ongstreet.
IF you do tbat | viii do my best To
meet you" Then. turning 10 his star.
he said: Colonel Manning. please
order General Johnston to move his
division to the front aud right Of Gen
eral Gordon. General I.atrobe. plcnse
order General Pickett forward to Gen
eral Gordons left DO 1t M once"
Custer listened with surprise depicted
upon his countenance He had not
thought 50 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. will speak to
General Sheridan about II. Don't
move your troops yet" And he mount.
ed and withdrew In II 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 myth and had no exist. |
ence whatever after the fight at Five
FoYks.-Erom "In Camp and Field.