The Washington herald., 1914-05-28
THE WAR DAY BY DAY
Fifty Years Ago.
2 S6-One the Most Severely Contested Cavalry Engagements
Fought Haws Shop Fourteen Miles From Richmond for
Road Leading from the Position Of Grants Army Ts-
ward Confederate Capital
tCopyTigbt, lsll.)

VINO naQ 0lscnarge0 MS gun, founQ MINI
self confronted by a Federal. who COW
cred him with q carbine and ordered him
to surrender.
der" the Southerner replied defantiy. In
another instant he fell dead. shot through
the heart by the man he had defied.
Clusters Dramatic Entry.
The battle ragged with little abatement
throughout the afternoon. Gen Gregg.
who was one of the frmest defensive
fighters in the Federal service, had first
thrown in Gen. H. E. Davies brigade,
which consisted of the First Massachu-
setts. First New Jersey, First Pennsyl-
vania, Tenth New York, and Sixth Ohio
Regiment. This had been followed by the
brigade of Gen. ]. Irving Gregg. consist
ing of the First Maine and the Fourth
Eighth, Thirteenth, and Sixteenth Penn
sylvania Regiments
The Federals had no reserves and
Sheridan could send them no REINFORCE
menus until late in the afternoon. Then
Gen. G. A Clusters brigade. the First,
Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Michigan Regi-
ments, from Gen A. T. A Torbert's d.
vision, was sent to their aid. Gregg was
then making a desperate stand at the
edge Of some woods
The arrival of Custer was one of the
most dramatic incidents of the day. 1t
is well described in the Personal Rec
elections" Of Col. J, H. Kidd of the Sixth
Michigan. whoswrote:
"Gregg's men had been gradually
forced back to the very edge of the woods
and were hanging on to this last chance
for cover with bulldog tenacity. The en-
emy were pressing them hard and appar-
entity conscious that re-enforcements were
coming eaaYnad n radnnhIa thafr
was fearful and awe-inspiring spectacle.
Custer lost no time. Massing the bri-
gade close behind Gregg's line of battle,
he dismounted it to fight on foot Every
fourth man remained with the horses,
which were sent back out of danger.
The line formed in two ranks like infan-
try.
Custer, accompanied by a single aid,
rode along the line, encouraging the men.
Passing the road, he dashed out in front
of the Sixth, and taking his hat in his
hand waved it around his head and called
for three cheers. The cheers were given
and then the line rushed forward.
Confederates Defeated.
In a moment the Wolverine and the
Palmetto men were face to face and the
lines very close. The din of battle was
jeafening. The South Carolinians filled
the air WIN lead as faSt as they could
oad and fire. The sound of their bullets
sweeping the underground was like that
of hot flames cracking through dry tim
ber.'
Strengthened by Custer. Gen. Gregg or
iered forward his whole line and charged.
In less than ten minutes the enemy began
% give way. In a few minutes more they
we're in full retreat 1t was now nearly |
lark and too late for the Federals to |
ollow up their ictory: nor had they much |
reserve strength, for their losses had |
'een heavy.
An accurate list of the casualties is
lot obtainable. The Federal returns /
how "A killed and 306 wounded. Davis
livision lost q officers and a total Of a5S |
'ficers and men. The Confederate loss
must have been greater than the Federal,
wing to the difference in the arms used.
While this battle was in progress Gen
ZEE was intrenching on a ridge a few
niles nearer Richmond while Gen. Grants
rmy was intrenching near the Pamun-
.ey. No general battle was destined to
AXE place here, for Grant, on learning of
.ee's position on May 2s, began a series
4 maneuvers that would bring on a battle
everal miles nearer Richmond, at Cold
Iarbor.
, Tomorrow. sherman Moves For.