Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-08
SAILORS CREEK BATTLE
MEMORABLE CONFLICT.
One Of Wars Severest Engagements
Fought Three Days Before Sur
render mt AppomattoN.
LAST GREAT ACTION or LEE
Following This Historic Clash. His
Army Passes Into History-One OF
Closing Scenes in Tragedy Takes
Place in Amelia.
CONTINUED From Last sundayD
By WALTER A. WATSON.

Continued From Last sunday
BY WALTER A. WATSON.
At Amelia supplies were expected TO
he sent. and by utilizing the trains OF
the Danville Railroad to transport
these as we'll as the troops IT was
thought yet to be possible TO effect
junction with Joseph f.. Johnston's
army in Carolina. Could Rurkeville
once be passed in safety, before Grant
marching west along the Southside
Railroad. reached that point. il
seemed not impracticahlc this plan
could succeed. and the Confederacy
have another chance for life. Time
Of course. was the controlling factor
In the problem. But when IL is re-
membered that Lees army began to as
seaable al Amelia Courthouse on Tues
day morning. April 4. and were fully
concentrated by noon OF the next day,
While Grants columns did not reach
!turkcville until the night OF that day,
It will be discovered how nearly these
hopes were 10 being realized
BY some accident which can now
never be explained. the expected sup
plies did not reach Amelia, and some
twenty-four hours were consumed in
trying to collect provisions from the
surrounding country for men and
horses In the expressive language OF
General Lee, reporting to President
Davis afterwards: The delay was ia
tai and could not be retrieved
Shortly after noon OF the same day
tTuesday) on the morning OF which
Lees army arrived at Amelia. the van
of Sheridan'S cavalry. marching with
all possible haste westward along the
Namozine road. struck the Danville
Road at JenninGs's Ordinary, and turn
ing northward halted at Jetersville late
that afternoon. Here also arrived
about z. NJ the Fifth Infantry Corps
under Griffin. which had followed be-
hind the aforementioned division OF
cavalry under Crook on the Namozine
Road. but had left that road after
passing Dennisville and marched di-
rcctly upon Jetersville. on the road
leading by the old courthouse and Mt.
Airy" During the night and early
hours OF the following morning the
rest OF the cavalry came up.
The infantry as soon as il arrived
Was put in line OF battle across the
rail and county roads, facing north.
about one-third OF mile south of the
station. and the cavalry present vas
thrown out 10 the west the left
flank. During the afternoon OF We'd
nesday the remaining corps of Mcades
infantry-the Second under Humph-
reys, and the sixth, under WriEht-came
up and went into line on the right and
left OF the Fifth Corps. which had been
entrenching since dark OF the day
before. This line extended across the
railroad east and west distance of
near two miles from the vicinity Of
"Wyanoke" tthc old Smithcy rcsidcnce)
to point on the western slope of the
hill overlooking NauEhan's Creek.
slightly northwest OF the present home
of ". a. Farrar. II was defended
- l.
and logs, portions OF which are stand
ing to-day. Thus 1t will he seen that
while this line was held during Tues
day night and the greater part Of
Wednesday only by one corps OF in
fantryH and the cavalry, by Wednesday
night and Thursday morning over 5000
men had been planted across the line
of Confederate retreat at JetersNillr
and that road TO Danville effcctually
closed.
Meanwhile let us sec what the Con-
federates had been doing. The night
of Tuesday april - General Ice spent
at Amelia Courthouse in the house Of
Mrs. Masters. lately the residence OF
Major Irving.
Virginia, numbering now some ~. 00o
men. was here divided into Ave small
corps-four Of infantry and one Of
cavalry-commanded respectively b.
LonEstreet. r. III. Anderson. Ewell.
Gordon and -Fitz Lee. Early on the
morning Of Wednesday (April -.
Longstreet, preceded by Rooney" Lees
division OF cavalry, moved out on the
Jetersville Road, and General Lee rode
with him TO inspect in person the sit
uation at Jetersvile. held al that time
il will be remembered. by Shcridans
cavalry and the Fifth Corps OF infan-
try. The cavalry had spirited Skin
mis- ha faaI
tion and develop its strength. and the
infantry went into battle line across
the road north OF JeterSville prepare
tory to attack IL that should be deter
mined But after long and careful
reconnaissance Lee decided the position
was too strong TO turn. but might be-
Ranked on its left by filing OF his our
troops on his right and marching away
to the west. Thercupon il was de.
tcrmincd to abandon tee Danville Ran.
road. and. in lieu thereof seize tn,
Southside road ahead of Grant anr
utilize il as line OF retreat and sup
ply and supply at least as far a,
Lynchbu-g, when way might be clear.
ed from that point southwark 10 Caro-
lima. Accordingly orders were ISSUED
directing the retreat upon Farmville
Longstreet to move in front. closely
followed by Anderson. Ew.ll and Cor
don. in the order named. and the cav.
airy TO march where most n-eocd
.<6p.after destroying ninrty-eight Gals.
sons OF ammunition at Amelia no
needed and too heavy to transport. or
Wednesday evening april 5tn). III,
army resumed It's march. lnngstreet
in the van. turning off the Jetersville
Road. where he had awaited nearly al
day possible attack. and taking tn.
route TO the west across Flat Greet
by Amelia Springs. The march con