Connecticut western news., 1912-02-08
NEARING THE END
t''ontinued from page II

and on halt ratlons, Lee army was be fore us trying to get away. We halted for the night. Early in the morning of April 6, we started ont recounoitering went down the railroad about three miles. then back to camp. It rained. Halted a couple of hours. then started again. crossed the Dauville Railroad, then down by the same for three or four miles. We heard firing off to the north west of us; awfully slippery marching. We met General Mackenzie and his cavalry. Johnnie Wheeler was with them, wounded. We kept up our march ing towards the oannonading. Heard reports of capture of fifteen hundred rebels. The firing grew nearer and heavier. We passed over the grounds where the cavalry had fight in the morning, aud many bodies lay on the ground and several bodies were stripped of every rag of clothing. We moved out through a strip of standing timber into an open lot at the top of hill, where our batteries were unlimbered and vigorously shelling the Johnnies just across a narrow valley on another hill, covered with pine timber, where Rebel General Ewell with his corps was "hold- Ing the fort" At the foot of the hill be- tween us was a small sluggish stream of water called Sailors Creek" This was 8 tributary to the Appomattox.
 We moved forward into line in front of our batteries, permitting them to keep brisk artillery fire all the time over our heads. We had orders to move forward in line of battle, down the hill, and you remember that the five o'clock sun shone on as perfect line of battle as ever ad- vanced on foe. It seemed more like @ dress parade, the line was so perfect {; and just across on the other hill the rebels from the pines were pouring the shot into our ranks, but as the boys fell the line was closed up without break The line was little crescent so that you could readily see what 8 perfect line was kept You had a chance to see that vet erans can be so accustomed to fighting that shot or shell does not retard their progress, especially when you are flushed with victory in view.
 The brigade of which we were part } were lined with us in plain view. To the Sixth Corps may be given the credit for the victory of Sailors Creek" We reached the foot of the hill and jumped into the creek, which apparently was only little brook but we went into the water
 
 waist deep we clambered out in some. thing of disorganized condition but we were close to 8 bluff rising to an angle ? of about forty-five degrees, which was a protection to us while we were getting our disorganized lines into position to advance. We climbed up the steep bl nff and as soon as our heads appeared in . sight the Johnnies opened a galing fire upon us, t.E<. .a ,,. a 4. '.
 After we reached the top of the bluff the land before us rosa gradually up ! through scattering pine timber, in which the Johnnies were intrenched behind a low breastwork built of rails and pine boughs. The first ten rods of our ad- vance was contested vigorously with se- we're losses on both sides. Of my own company several were hit. saw Seth Haskins throw down his musket and turn back. I said What's the matter, SethY" He replied: II am hit," and we had to leave him. 80 also James Hyde and Charlie Griswold. The latter we never saw afterwards, but Hyde and Haskins lived to return home. The lat ter returned and is now ticket agent at Peoria, III.
 We continued on up through the pines. The losses in our division were heavy. Before we reached the rebel breastworks we heard heavy firing in the rear of the Johnnies. Sheriden was on their flank and we in front. This closed any possible show for the rebel General Ewell, who was In command. and after every effort possible to break through our lines he had to surrender or get cut to pieces. We advanced to within few onets were used, Flight was impossible and nothing renamed to put an end to the bloody slaughter but for them to throw down their arms and became captives. =,
 As the gloom of approaching night settled over the field covered with. the dead and dying. the firing of the artillery and musketry ceased and General Ewell q surrendered. together with eleven gen, eral officers. including Kershsw, c, ". and several thousand troops. It is said that more troops were captured in this battle than in any other battle of k the war.
 You will remember that after the tEre6els surrendered, theimqskets. were so thick on the gropnd that several were fired off by trampling of horses upon them. And yoa will remember how khose rebel officers and troops. dressed iu