The Washington herald., 1914-06-20

4 nflttch tAphScSss
Fifty years ago today Gen. sheridaiL
cavalry column. numbering about .s'W
lsabers, returning to Grants army from
lTrey:lian station, where 1t had fough
a battle on June II, reached Fecsra
supply depot at White House, on tn'
Pamunkey River.
The column was now back within toucf
of the Federal lines after an extremeS
hard march, extending over period o.
two weeks. In the course of Its ao'
sence from the army history had beer
making fast in the campaign against
Gen. Lee.
Grants army had withdrawn from tht
trenches at Cold Harbor on June u, ano
On June u had crossed the james
below City Point. 1t had since ad-
vanced against Petersburg, which it had
failed to take by assault
In the farther field toward which
Sheridan had been sent for the purpose
| of breaking Gen. Lees rail connections
with Western Virginia no more positive
results had been attained for the Fed
eral arms.
Gen. Lees prompt dispatch of his
cavalry under Gen. Wade Hampton to in
terpose between Sheridan and his OBJ
jective, Charlottesville. which had re-
suited in the battle of Trevilian's Station.
been followed by the dispatch of two
infantry forces from Gen. Lees army TO
the same field of operations. The divi-
sion-of Gen. John C. Breckenridge had
started for Charlottesville June 5. and
had arrived there before Sheridan met
the Confederate cavalry, while the corps
of Gen Jubal A. Early had been started
on a forced march to Charlottesville
and Lynchburg on June II. the day Sher-
idan had turned back.
The purpose of sending Early was to
check a movement by a Federal column
from the Shenandoah Valley, under Gen.
David Hunter, who had been ordered by
Gen. Grant to form a junction with Gen
Sheridan at or near Charlottesville, or
proceed to Lynchburg. Hunter had done
the latter.
While sheridan was making his return
march Hunter had arrived before Lynch
burg, only to find Ewell there ahead OF
him, and Breckenridge with Ewell. At
tacking on June Is. he had been repulsed.
and had begun a rapid retreat through
the mountains to Charleston, w. va
Thus Grants plans for cutting Lee on
from connection with the rich country
of Western Virginia had failed through
the promptitude of Lee in protecting the
threatened points on his left Hank. This
failure had opened the Shenandoah VAL
ley to Gen. Early, who was now pre-
pairing to march through II upon mar
pers Ferry and washington-
As yet Gen. Sheridan knew little OF the
progress Of events in the field. beyond
what had occurred under his own OBJ
servation. He had heard from prisoners
that Gen. Hunter was moving on Lynch
burg. instead of Charlottesville. and hav-
ing expended much ammunition In his
lighting at and near Trevilian Station
Cen Sheridan had decided to return to
he army.
Not knowing to what point the progress
II the campaign in front of Richmond
had taken Grants army, Gen. Sherldan
decided to take a route homeward that
would take him near the water in order
hat he might in emergency draw sup
plies from the navy or communicate win
he authorities by the same means
His command was now encumbered
With about 500 prisoners. nearly as many
and a large train Of negro
-efugees- which was likely to increase
a pidly. Its supplies were reduced to
| minimum and facility of movement was
imperative.
There being about ninety severely |
wounded that could not be carried with
the column, a hospital was established
1t Treyilian Station, and left, with a sup |
yeon.
The command on the morning of June
a had then headed eastward. Recross-
ng the North Anna River by the same
lord, near Trevilian Station. at which /
ne had crossed before the battle, Gen.
sheridan took a road to Shady Grove
Church, and thence across the battle
ground of Spottsylvania Courthouse.
Here grim reminders of the slaughter
here in the fighting between May and
May q were seen on every hand. There
vas a sickening odor on every breeze
hat swpt over the field. Foul birds
,ircled high over the places of death,
md already the bones of many Fed
raj soldier were bleaching white on the
yround. II
A halt was made here to gather up
ome Of the wounded of the battles here,
Who had been too sorely hurt to be re-
moved and had found shelter in The
armhouses of the neighborhood.
This being done, the column moved
outward. 1t being Sheridan's purpose
o keep the North Anna River between
i'm and the enemy's cavalry.
strnEe, Touching, Cavalcade.
Each days march was slow, for the
ace of the troopers must be accommo-
ated to that of the prisoners and ref
gees. Hslts were frequent, for the
ardships of the march made necessary
epeated ministrations to- the wounded
These formed a strange and appealing
art of the cavalcade. But few ambu-
,nces having been taken with the COL
mn. 1t had been necessary to press into 1
ervice for the use of the wounded amy
ehicles that could be found. As a re-
ult carts. wagons, buggies, family car
ages ard even old-time coaches formed