The Washington herald., 1914-06-11

written expressly iof
Fifty years ago today an important
cavalry battle was fought at Trevihan
Station, on the Virginia Central hah-
road, forty-five miles northwest OF hlcn,
mond. by the commands OF Gen fnii
Sheridan and Gen. Wade Hampton
While the actual results OF the DAY
fighting favored the Federals. the honors
of the field were divided. The Confed-
crates vithstood repeated attacks by su-
+perior numbers long enough to withdraw
to a position in which they would be en-
abled the next day to check further
proeress by Sheridan. in raid that
otherwise might have proven disastrous
to them.
The battle illustrated afresh the skill
of the Confederates in warding on disas-
ter at a threatened point in the nick OF
time. The art of being in the right place
at the right time had saved them from
many a heavy loss, and this art-often
strikingly exempiifed in the final cam
paign of the war, in which their resources
were constantly dwindling-saveo tnen
at Trevilian Station from an impending
reverse that might have hastened the
fall of Lees army and of Richmond.
Sheridan had been sent out by Gen
Grant from the Federal position at Cold
Harbor, in front of Richmond, for
threefold purpose.
Grant had matured plans for movins
his army across the James. and ne
wished Sheridan to draw off the Con
federate cavalry and keep it away while
the army was making this movement
A second object was the destruction oi
the Virginia Central Railroad from
Charlottesville to Hanover Junction. neal
Richmond Another and important par
Gharfdan ff
attempt q junction with the force ad
yancins I'D the Shenandoah Valley under
Gen David Hunter.
Had this program been carried ou
Richmond would have been cut on from
IGordonsville, Charlottesville. and Lynch
burg, the two latter important mercan
tile centers of the rich counties o
Western Virginia, from which Gen. Lee
was drawing a large part OF his supplies
The destruction of the Virginia Centra
Road would also have cut the Shenandoah
Valley off from all connection with thu
rest Of the Confederacy.
Hampton Orders Attack.
Gen. Sheridan, with two divisions o.
his corps-those of Gen. A. T. A. Tor
bert and Gen. David Mem. Gregg-num
bering about 5000 electives, took up th'
march from Newcastle Ferry, on tn
Pamunkey River in the rear OF tn
Federal army's position, on June Z.
Two days later Gen. Lee. having hearc
of the march Of the Federal cavalry
dispatched his own cavalry-which sine
Stuart's death MAY IL had been com
manded by Gen. Wade Hampton-in tn
direction of Gordonsville with orders 4
check Sheridan's advance before n
reached that point.
Thus the first object Of Grants plal
in sending Sheridan out-the remova
of the Confederate cavalry from hi!
4hanks-was attained.
Between the routes followed by th'
hostile columns of marching cavalr,
flowed an important river. from mill
tary point of view, the North Anna
Gen. Sheridan must cross this river 4
reach the railroad Gen Hampton wa
content to wait until he had done so be
fore offering battle.
Sheridan's column, which was accom-
panied by Us wagons carrying ration
and ammunition. crossed the North Ami
at Carpenters Ford on June 10. Tha
night 1t camped three miles from Ire
william Station.
The head of the Confederate cavalr-
column. Gen. Hampton's own division
had already passed the point and wa
in camp about three miles west of tn
station. Learning in the night from hi
| scouts where Sheridan was encamped
Hampton issued orders for his com
mand to countermarch at daylight
strike out on the road toward the Mort
Anna and attack the Federals.
| Hanpton's command numbered abou
5000 electives, out one of his two divi
sions. that of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, ha
not yet come up, being at Louisa Court
house, nine miles from Hampton
I 4rlz 90 saLA
road from that point which would orin
| him upon the enemy.
An element of danger to the Confcd
crates was presented by this situation
which events of the early morning wer
swiftly to demonstrate.
Battle of Sudden Changes.
Sheridan's troopers were early astil
and on their pickets clashing with tn
advanced skirmishers of Gen. Hampton
the whole column was put in motion 70
| Trevilian Station, though not in on
body.
| While the main force advanced on tn
direct road the Reserve Brigade of Ger
Wesley Merritt being in the van. led b
the Second United States Cavalry. tn
brigade of Gen. George A. Custer. whic
was often selected for hazardous o
rapid movements, was sent by wood
road to cross the railroad below tn
station. swing around to 1t by the Louis
Courthouse road and get in Hampton
rear.
Sheridan's tactics and the division @
the enemy's forces led to battle c
sudden and dramatic changes. in whic
commands on both sides were attacke
in front and rear at once; prisoner
were swiftly taken, only to make pris
oners of their captors; wagons an
caissons were captured and recaptured
friends were often indistinguishabl
from foes. and each side fought chief