Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-02
LIANT BATTLE OF FIVE FORKS.

his intrenChad POSITION at Five FORKS.
his earthworks running from a point
about three-anarters of a mile east OF
Five Forks to a point a mile west, win
an angle or crotChet about lo yards
long thrown back at right angles to ms
left to protect that flank. orders Were
at once given 70 the 9Th Corps TO form
in order OF battle. with Ayres on the
left, Crawford on his right and Griffin in
rear as a reserve. The corps was to
wheel TO the left, make its attack upon
the angle and then. moving westward.
sweep down in rear of the enemy : IN
trenched line The cavalry. principally
dismounted. TO deploy in front OF the
enemy's line and engage his attention,
and. as soon as II heard the firing of our
infantry. TO make vigorous assault upon
his works.
The 9Th Corps which had borne the
brunt of the fighting ever since the army
had moved out on the 10Th, seemed eager
once more to cross bayonets with their
old antagonists But the movement WAS
slow, and Sheridan. chatting with inn
patience and consumed with anxiety, be-
came as FESTIVE as a racer when he nears
the score and is struggling to make the
start He made every possible appeal
for promptness. he dismounted from his
horse paced up and down. struck the
clinched fist of one hand into the palm
of the other, and fretted like a Gagged
tiger.
Ar O'Clock the formation was com
pleted the order for the assault was
given, and the struggle for Picketts in
trenched line began. ! rode TO the front
in company with Sheridan and Warren,
with the head or AyreS DIVISION, when
was on the left.
When this division became engaged and
the skirmish line halted and seemed 10
waver, Sheridan began TO exhibit those
traits that always made him such
tower of strength in the presence OF an
enemy He put spurs TO his horse and
dashed along in front of the line OF bat
tie from left to right, shouting words OF
announcement and having something
CHEEKY to say to every regiment.
Come on, men," he cried go at en-
with a will. Move on at a clean jump or
you'll not catch one of them. They re all
getting ready to run now, and II YOU
don't get on to them in Ave minutes,
they'll every one get away from you.
Now go for them.
Just then man on the skirmish line
was struck in the neck: the blood spurted
as IL the jugular vein had been cut. I'm
killed. he cried, and dropped on the
ground You're not hurt bit" cried
Sheridan; pick up your gun, man, and
move right on to the front. Such was
the electric effect of his words that the
poor fellow snatched up his musket and
rushed forward a dozen PAGES before he
FELL never to rise again.
The line of battle Of weather-beaten
veterans was now moving right along
down the slope toward the woods with
a steady swing that BODIED no good for
Pickett's command, earthworks or no
earthworks. Sheridan was mounted on
his favorite black horse Rienz that
Cedar creek. Rienz as he plunged
and curveted, dashed the foam from his
mouth and the mud from his heels.
AS the troops entered the woods and
moved forward over the Doggy ground
and struggled through the dense under
growth they were staggered by a heavy
fire from the angle and fell back IN
some confusion. Sheridan rushed INTO
the midst of the broken lines and cried
out: Where is my battle flag?
AS the sergeant who carried IL rode up
Sheridan seized the crimson and white
standard, waved it above his head.
cheered on the men and made heroic ef-
forts to close UP the ranks. Bullets were
humrninp like a swarm of bees. One
pierced the battle flag. another killed the
sergeant who had carried it, others struck
two or three Of the staff officers horses.
All this time Sheridan was dashing from
one point OF the line to another. waving
his flag. shaking his fist, encouraging,
threatening. praying. swearing, the very
incarnation of battle. 1t would he "A
sorry soldier who could help following
such a leader.
Ayres and his officers were equally eX-
posing themselves at all points in rally
ing the men. and soon the line was
steaded. for such material could suffer
but a momentary check. Ayres, with
drawn saber, rushed forward once more
with his veterans, who now behaved as
if they had fallen back to get good
ready and with fixed bayonets and a
rousing cheer, dashed over the earth
works, sweeping everything before them,
and killing or capturing every man in
their Immediate front whose legs had not
saved him.
Sheridan spurred Rienzi up to the
angle, and with a bound the horse carried
his rider over the earthworks, and landed
in the midst of a line of prisoners who
had thrown down their arms and were
crouching close under their breastworks.
Some of them called out, 'Whar do you
want us all to go to- Then She. idans
rage turned to humor. and he had run
ming talk with the ''Johnnies'' as they
filed past.
Go right over there" he said to them.
pointing to the rear. Get right along
now. Drop your guns: you'll never need
them any more. You'll all be safe over