Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-15

Hill by the Hillsman house (now T.
T.. Shcltons). and continued the march
across the stream.
Gordon. whether through Ignorance
OF tho roads. or TO protect tho wagon
train already sent before on that road,
or to avoid the enemy he now saw
mnssing on his left. cannot be learned,
when he reached the forks mentioned,
instead of following the road across
sailors Creek behind Ewcll. turned off
to his right on the Jamestown Road
towards the Double Bridges This sud-
den change Of direction on his part
ms soon AS his column had passed
turned the enemy in at once upon
Ewelfs rear, and there was some fight
ing around the Hillsman house before
pleted successfully. The enemy then
came up so rapidly and In such large
force. preparing to attack at once. that
Ewell was forced to halt also and form
n line OF battle in tho edge of the
woods. part the way up the hill on the
south side OF the creek. This line,
while facing in the opposite direction,
was In general way parallel to that
already formed by Anderson on top
OF the hill, and was on both sides of the
road leading across the creek from
Hillsmans to Swep Marshalrs. Tho
troops composing this line were Ker-
shaw and CuStis Lees divisions. num-
sisted chiefly of Mississippians and
GeorGians; Lees division were mostly
NirEinians. To ii was attached the
marines and sailors Of tho Confederate
navy under Admiral Tucker, and the
heavy artillerists from around Rich
mond under Colonel Crutchfield and
Major Stiles-all now armed as infan-
try.
In Ewells front on the northern
slopes of Sailors Creek. with artillery
massed near the Hillsman house. was
the sixth corps of infantry under
Wright, 1900 men of all arms. while
passing along the jamestown Road be-
hind Gordon and in striking distance
of Ewell. was the second infantry corps
of Meadc's army under Humphrey,
numbering some $4,000 more Accord
ing to some accounts portion of these
latter did actually take part in the
subsequent attack upon Ewell.
Here then was a critical situation
of the retreat. Lees object. of course.
was not to fight battles. but to reach
Carolina with as much of his army
as could possibly escape. Now the line
Of retreat had been cut in twain; and
a third Of his army surrounded north.
east and south by the myriad hosts Of
the enemy. The general himself was
several miles off with Longstreet at
Rice, and could not he communicated
with. Could path yet be found to
the west by which his followers might
escape the tolls closing round them?
Ewelrs report written after the war
days:
ION crossing a little stream known
as Sailors Creek. l met General Fitz
Lee. who informed me that large
force OF cavalry held the road just in
front of General Anderson. and was so
strongly posted that he had halted q
short distance ahead. The trains were
turned into road nearer the river,
while hurried to General Anderson's
aid. General Gordons corps turned of
after the trains. General Anderson in
formed me that at least two divisions
OF cavalry were in his front, and sug
Gested two modes of ascape-either. to
unite our forces and break through.
or to move to the right through the
woods and try to strike road which
ran towards Farmvi:e. l recommended
the latter alternative but as he knew
the ground and I did not and had no
one who did, left the dispositions to
him. Before any were made the enemy
appeared in rear of my column in large
force preparing to attack"
LonGstreet says: There was yet
way of escape from the closing clutches
of the enemy by filing to their right
and marching to the rear Of the (my)
command at Rices Station; but they
were true soldiers and decided to fight.
even to sacrifice their commands IL
necessary to break o. delay the pur-
suit until the trains and rcarguard
could find safety beyond the High
Bridge"
(To Be Continued Next Sunday.)