The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-04-11
GRANTS CAVALRY CUTS
OFF LEES REAR.
April s.

Fifty years ago today Gen. Lee. on
the fourth day of his retreat from
| PETERSBURG lost 1900 men. by cap
ture at Sailors Creek. where the rear
| of his army was cut off by Grants
cavalry and part of his infantry.
This stroke against Lee was re-
suit of the persistence with which the
Federals had kept up the pursuit, in
the face of many obstacles
Marching over roads deep in mud,
obliged at times to halt while large
working parties corduroyed or other
wise mended the wretched highways
or built bridges. the Federal infantry
had succeeded in coming up with Leo
before he had marched forty miles
westward.
Lees first objective had been Anne
liza Courthouse. on the Richmond and
Danville Railroad. where he expected
to find stores that had been ordered
left there. No stores were found. and
through April 1 Lees hungry men had
searched the bare country for food.
While they were thus occupied,
Sheridan's cavalry was at Jeterville,
also on the railroad, eight miles south
least of Lee, and by the night Of April
5 three corps of Grants army, num-
bering probably 10000 men. arrived at
Jeterville. and parts of two other corps
at Burkeville Junction. a few miles
further south. where the Lynchburg
(Southside) Railroad crossed the Dan
vile Railroad.
The two roads in this section formed
two sides of triangle roughly twelve
miles each. with the point at Burk-
willie Junction. BY cutting across the
third side OF the triangle Lee hoped
to get to the Lynchburg road ahead
of his pursuers.
Night March and Panic.
Lees efforts to find enough food for
his men had failed. but in his dire
necessity he must push on. and on the
night OF April his famished soldiers.
some OF whom had often eaten only
parched corn for two days past, were
started on a night march westward.
In the halt at Amelia Courthouse
Lees shattered army had been di-
vided. for convenience. into two units,
the left wing. under Gen. James Long
street. and the right wing under Gen.
Richard l. Ewell.
Ewell's march was directed along
roads due west, to cover the wagon
trains. while Lonestreet was sent more
southwark. TO strike the Southside
Railroad at Rices Depot
That night march was one that no
veteran of Lees command ever for
got Through the dark the wagons,
drawn by horses weak from hunger,
jolted and splashed over the roads
that were roads only in name.
Again and again the weary men
were obliged to lift the wagons from
the mire. to rescue the faded animals, |
or, in cases where nature had been
too far taxed, to end the life of some |
pOor brute with a hul1st
With the excessive fatigue Of the |
soldiers came drowsiness and nervous
ness. Some of the men actually slept |
as they walked. Others felt their /
nerves so gaining mastery that the |
slightest unusual sound caused alarm. |
result of this physical state was
Illustrated in Ewelrs column that
night in this incident: A powerful
black stallion, that had been tied to |
md. dragging It by his bride, dashed
It full gallop down a road crowded
'ull of troops.
Instantly there was a panic. Think.
ing the enemy's cavalry WAS upon
hem, the soldiers began firing into
ZACH other.
Il was never more alarmed" wrote
me of Gen. Ewelrs officers. '.Musksts
we're discharged in my very face. III
'uily expected TO De shot down" After
he men were quieted the panic sud
lenly seized them again. They rushed
n a body out of the road and into the
woods. firing back as they went Tho
'anic persisted in spite of everything
he officers could do until several SOL
liers were shot down. One offcer, a
major of artillery from one of the
ames River batteries, was killed.
Efforts to Stop Lee.
Morning had found Lees infantry
With about ten miles to its credit for
t. all-night march.
Lees wagon trains had passed |,
through Amelia Springs by daylight,
Ind Ewell followed Them. 0ordon'u ,
>orps-the old ',Stonewall" jackson
Misunderstanding a. rear guard. I,
In the early morning LonGstreetj
cached his assigned position ana ,
laced his corps across the southside
railroad. to check the Federal col ,
mn that was expected to march along ,
he road from Burksvills.
Weary beyond any WEAKNESS ehsy
nd ever known. Longstrest's soldiers !
vere set 10 building intrsnehmen,s:
ut the day passed without the Fed !
rails or Lees other forces appearine. II
he reason. unknown to the anxious 4