The Washington herald., 1914-06-11

he washington Herald.)
dismounted and in Indian fashion. each
man for himself.
In the confusion of the battle the spec
tacular part fell to Custer and his
Michigan brigade: but there was much
gallant work done by other commands.
In a fight that kept every man spared
on both sides on the alert from dawn
till dark.
Gen. Sheridan's main force encoun-
tered Hampton's men on the direct road
to the station. and advancing over
country clothed in woods and thick tan
giles of underbrush. compelling both
sides to fight dismounted. drove them
in disorder back upon the railroad.
Here Custer appeared. in the rear OF
the Confederates, stampeding Gen. Hamp-
toms wagons and led horses.
The Fifth Michigan Regiment, Col.
Russell A. Alger tafterwsrd Secretary Of
War;. pursued the fleeing wagons IN a
spirited charge. which carried his COM
mand a mile beyond the station on the
Gordonsville road. In a few minutes
the wagons. 1,50o of the horses belonging
to the dismounted troopers fighting on
Hampton's front and about 500 pris-
oners were in. Federal hands. This tri-
umph was of short life.
Observing the tumult in his rear, Gen.
Hampton sent a strong force to cut on
the Federals. Col. Algers regiment was
obliged to give UP its booty. Finding
itself surrounded, the regiment charged
through the enemy's line and escaped,
though not without the loss of some
prisoners About twenty of its men es-
capped into the woods in the enemy's rear.
and eventually reached the Federal lines
near Washington.
Cusfer In, Circle NJ Fire
The battle had now developed into q
tense situation on both sides. Hampton
with his lines in the form of q letter "
was hard pressed. On his left, or front,
were posted about 1900 dismounted men
OF Gen. N. c. Buffers South Carolina
command. who were armed with long
range Enfield rifles. They were faced by
the Federal brigades OF Gems. Thomas
c. Devin, Wesley Merritt. and J. l
Gregg. On his right, or rear, the brigade
of Gen. Thomas L. Rosser became hotly
engaged with Custer. Between the Con.
federate lines were the railroad station
and yards.
Custer was also beset on two sides. oi
rather. on all sides. for his lines were
like a circle. While one part Of his line
was fighting Rosser-who was soor
wounded, this being a severe loss to the
Conference.-The others were holding
| of repeated attacks from Gen. Fitzhugt
Lee.
In the circle of fire about Custer wal
q prophecy of his fate: but he was moi
surrounded by savages here. and thert
was a fighting chance of success. Gus
ter took It, and through a long. hard
battle. fought like lion at bay. Trees
bushes, stumps, and barricades Of rail-
afforded his men some shelter. but
within the ring of fire there was no spo,
that could be called sheltered.
While Clusters men were thus hard
pressed an officer in charge of the bri
gades wagons and caissons started The
train for what he thought was the real
in the direction OF Louisa Courthouse
1t was soon inside Fitzhugh Lees lines
where it was promptly seized. The los.
included Clusters headquarters wagon.
and personal effects and a number o
| prisoners. Among the latter was Gen
| Clusters negro cook, Aunt Eliza, famil
4 iarly known to the soldiers as "Th,
| Queen OF Sheba.' ELIZA later escaped
coming triumphantly into camp tha
night carrying Gen. Clusters valise. Tn,
officer who lost the wagons was dis
missed from the service as q coward.
Sheridan Turns Rack.
All day Clusters men fought stubborn
ly. hoping for relief. Custer was ridinI
| constantly about his circular line en-
| couraging the men. When one of hi
guns was captured he led a charge tina
resulted in its recapture. Always in tn
thick of the fight. he was not hit.
| It was p. m. before Custer was extri
| Gated from his perilous position by Tor
| bert, who, after ten hours of almos
steady fighting. had forced Hampton
! ar'
firm stand had kept Lee from joininl
Hampton. In the late afternoon Sheri
dan sent Gregg's division against Lee
| and the latter was forced back to Louis
Courthouse.
| When night put an end to the fightin
| Hampton withdrew westward towar
! Gordonsville, while Lee started on a nigh
march. by circuitous road to Join him
The moral advantage of the day wa
with Sheridan. though the enemy wa
still before him next morning ready Z
| fight IL attacked.
The forenoon of June u was spent b,
Sheridan's command in wrecking tn
railroad for five miles. as far back a!
Louisa Courthouse. That afternoon tn
enemy was found in a strong position
three miles west of Trevilian Station
/, and was attacked. He succeeded in beat
| ing off six successive assaults, and nigh
coming on, the Federals withdrew.
The fighting of these two days hat
the effect-of a defeat on Sheridan. 70
II reduced mis- ammunition TO a poin
that would have rendered further ad
vance hazardous. He had received in
formation that showed him a junction
| with Hunter could not be expected. Gen
Lee had detached Gen. John c. Breck
inridge's division of infantry from hi
army at Cold Harbor, and had sent 1
by rail to Gordonsville, en- route L
Lynchburg. Gen. Hunter. instead Of ad