USA > New York > Boots and saddles. A history of the first volunteer cavalry of the war, known as the First New York (Lincoln) Cavalry, and also as the Sabre regiment. Its organization, campaigns and battles > Part 25
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Very respectfully, R. E. LEE. General. P. S .- I am anxious to get recommendations to fill vacancies in the different commands in your corps. R. E. L.
Another interesting selection, giving an insight into Rebel military life, in high eireles, is the following :
SPICY CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GENERALS EARLY AND ANDERSON. [ Early to Avler.en.]
(Copy.)
June 1. 11 p. m. GENERAL :- I gained the position I mentioned to you, drove the enemy back. and established batteries from which Lopened on him. 1 met with no co-operation from your force, except the artillery, which opened at my request. I could not find either General Picket or your- self on the line. Your skirmishers did not move forward to connect with mine, and after continuing the fight until nightfal. I withdrew. as I could do no good without co-operation, and my left and rear were exposed to attack. if the enemy should be enterprising. I think Ias- certained very clearly that the enemy's right breaks off at about right angles to Picket's line from the left of Kershaw's, and comes around! faring the Matada Queen on the north-east.
The only position from which the enemy can be attacked with ad- vantage. is the right of Picket's Division, moving diagonally in front of Kershaw's left. This attack I cannot make without running over your troops, which I presume you would not wish me to do. Unless we attack the enemy. either your corps of mine ought to move to the
V.g. fully. your obedient servant.
Lieutenant-General R. H. ANDERSON, Commanding First Corps.
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[ Anderson to Forty.]
HEADQUARTERS LONGSTREET'S CORPS, June S. 18H.
GENERAL :- I am sorry to see that a consciousness of the folly which you repeated on yesterday of sacrificing some eighty or a hundred of your men to obtain a little information, which added nothing to what was already known, has put you in a bad humor.
If you mean by co-operation, committing equal folly with yourself, I grant that I did not co-operate; but if you mean that I did not proceed to carry out the instructions of General Lee, your statement is false. Your opinion as to the best point for attacking the enemy, and the manner of conducting the attack is very obligingly given. I have not. however, a high appreciation of your judgment, and I decline to be guided by it.
As to your opinion touching the future movements of your own or my command, I would recommend your communicating it to the com- mauding general, instead of to me.
I am, very respectfully. your obedient servant. R. H. ANDERSON, Lieutenant- General. Lieutenant-General J. A. EARLY, Commanding Seemed Corps.
(Early to Anderson, non est.)
[ Anderson to Early.]
HEADQUARTERS FIRST ARMY CORPS, June LSp. m.
GENERAL :- I send you a copy of your note of last night. I respect and admire the tone and sentiments of your note of this evening. as much as I felt offended at what seemed to me to be the ill-tempered and unjust reflections of your first note.
Be assured that my private feelings will not be permitted ever to interfere with my public dury.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant. R. IL. ANDERSON, Lind'on'- General. Lieutenant-General J. A. EARLY, Commarting & cond Corps.
THE CHAMBERLAIN PLACE.
Major Ezra H. Bailey, provost marshal of the corps, now has his head- quarters at this historic place, about a mile up the river from the site of the White House. It was here that Colonel Washington, as the story goes, crossed the Pamunky River. on his way, on official business, to Williamsburg. Stopping over night with Judge Chamberlain. he was introduced to Mrs. Mary Parke Custis, a beautiful young widow of the neighborhood, proprietress of the White House, who was visiting the family. That night Cupid did his work. and the result is well known.
This place is still. comparatively, in a good state of preservation. The old Couply mansion . brick vand att the out - buildings are standing. The foyers ate gote. Among the out- butding tea time brick stabile.
horses which he is said to have kept. The present proprietor of the
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estate. a Mr. Hill. resides on another plantation of his, somewhere on the other side of the Pamunky, while this is occupied by a poor white family, the head of which is too old for Robel military service. or rather. besides being old, which is no exemption, is disabled by rheu- matism.
On the 25th of March Sheridan's Cavalry crossed the Chickahominy, every foot of that ground being well known to our boys, and on the 28th they crossed the James River, and found themselves on strange territory. never having been south of that river before, except when under Hunter in the Lynchburg raid.
On the 27th they crossed the Appomattox River and encamped in sight of Petersburg, where they found the Second Cavalry Division, under General Crook, our old commander at the battle of Winchester, in the summer of 1864.
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CHAPTER XXVII.
Sheridan sets out to out Lee's communications-Fight at Dinwiddie Court House-Battle of Five Forks-Battle of Sailor's Creek-Charge at Appomattox Station-Surrender of fare-Raid to North Care- lina-Races at Petersburg-Review a: Washington-Reception in New York City-General Grant's Congratulatory Order to the Armies of the Union -- Lot tis Have Peace."
0 N the 29th of March, 1865, the Cavalry Corps set out from Petersburg. under General Sheridan, to turn Lee's right flank and cut off his railroad commu- nications. Grant's Army had already got possession of the Weldon Railroad, running directly south, from Petersburg into North Carolina, and there remained but. two others ; the South Side Railroad, running in a south- westerly direction, from Petersburg into Tennessee, passing through Lynchburg on its route ; and the Dan- ville Railroad, running in a southerly direction, from Richmond into North Carolina, crossing the South Side Railroad at Burkesville Junction, about half way be- tween Petersburg and Lynchburg. These two roads were the only salvation for Lee's Army. If they were lost, his army could not remain in Viginia. and in all probability must surrender. In view of these facts hard work was to be expected.
The roads were in an awful condition, and only nine miles were made in two days. They crossed the Wel- don Railroad, at Ream's Station, without opposition. but had to re-build the bridge over Rowanty Creek be- fore they could proceed.
Here they learned that the Confederate cavalry were on the south bank of Stony Creek, only a short way off,
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marching parallel with them, trying to head them off at Dinwiddie Court House, where the Boydtown Plank Road crosses that stream. Our troops reached the Court House first, however, driving the enemy's pickets out, and securing the bridge, the flooring of which was at once removed. The Confederates then moved on. crossing over to the White Oak Road, to place them- selves between our force and the South Side Railroad. The White Oak Road was on the prolongation of Lee's right flank at Petersburg, and therefore very important.
On the 31st. Merritt was off on the road leading through Five Forks to the railroad. and soon fell in with the enemy.
The fighting was very sharp, and Merritt was being roughly handled, when Sheridan sent for Custer's Divi- sion, which was with the wagons. The bold Custer, tak- ing Pennington's and Capehart's Brigades, set out at a gallop, and after a ride of eight miles, arrived on the field in time to turn the tide of battle in our favor. Our boys fought dismounted, having constructed breast- works of rails, and kept at bay some of the best troops in the Confederacy, and the opposing forces slept on their arms that night within three hundred yards of each other.
General Sheridan. in his dispatch to General Grant. says : "At this time " ( the pinch of the fight.) "Capchart's and Pennington's Brigades of Custer's Division came up. and a very handsome fight occurred. The opposing force was Picket's Division, Wise's Independent Brigade of Infantry, and Fitzhugh Lee's, and Rosser's, and W. Il. Let's Cavalry."
On the Ist of April. the cavalry went in again . Five Forks, dismounted, and fought the Confederate
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infantry and cavalry combined, until 3:00 o'clock p. m., when they were relieved by the Fifth Corps. The three divisions then took to the saddle, and, at 5:00 p. m., charged the rebel lines, carrying everything before them : and soon had possession of the South Side Railroad. and not an opposing " grayback " to be seen.
Colonel Battersby, not being upon duty with bis regi- ment, had an opportunity of seeing the prisoners; and, upon inquiry, he found that the Fifty-second Virginia Infantry had been taken almost to a man. He soon found where the officers were located. and went to hunt up Judge Watson's son. Almost the first man he met was the individual he was in pursuit of; and he found that Adjutant Watson had had a letter from home, by the " under-ground railroad," informing him of Sheri- dan's advance, and of Colonel Battersby's promise.
The colonel was as good as his word. and saw that every want of the judge's son was supplied. so far as in his power, and upon advancing. he intereeded for him with the officer in charge of the prisoners : who, by the way, was no other than Major Ezra H. Bailey, of our own regiment, then provost marshal of the Cavalry Corps.
Sheridan was now in rear of Lee's Army ; had cut off one of his main arteries of supply ; and was on his way to ent the other, and only remaining hope of Lee's Army.
Knowing this. Lee . broke cover" at Richmond and Petershung, in order. if possible, to escape into North Carolina, by the Danville Railroad. before it should be "eternally too late."
But he had procrastinate I too long; the " day of de- liverance" for his army was past ; and there was nothing
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left to them but a " fearful looking-for of judgment, and fiery indignation that should consume them."
Lee's intention seems to have been that the troops at Petersburg should press along the South Side Rail- road to Burkesville Junction, driving our cavalry before them, while the troops at Richmond should follow the Danville Railroad, crossing the Appomattox, passing through Amelia Court House, and form a junction with him at Burkesville Station. But
" The best laid plans of mice and men gang aft aglas."
Sheridan's boys followed up the advantage gained at Five Forks, causing the enemy from Petersburg to aban- don the railroad, and hug close to the Appomattox River.
On the 2dl of April Colonel Capshart's Brigade, the First New York ( Lincoln) Cavalry leading, attacked them at Mamozine Church. near Scott's Corners, and drove them to Rock Creek. a distance of nearly twelve miles In this engagement the bold Colonel Capchart had his horse shot under him and his clothing pierced with several bullets.
On the 3d. Merritt. with his own and Custer's Divi- sion. struck them again. at Deep Creek, and after some hard fighting the enemy retired in the direction of Amelia Court House, on the Danville Railroad. south of the Appomattox, where they formed a junction with their friends from Richmond.
Merritt, with his two divisions, followed them up to this point, while Sheridan. with the Fifth Corps, and Crook's Cavalry Division. struck the Danvibe Railroad at Jetersville. some miles farther to the south.
Now was Les's change. He had his whole army to- gether, at and near Amelia Court House, on the only
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railroad left to him, and nothing to oppose him but the Fifth Corps and Crook's Division of Cavalry. Sheridan felt the necessity of aid. and sent word to General Meade, requesting him to hasten to his assistance. The gallant Meade, at the head of the Army of the Potomac, marched all night, reaching the railroad a little after daylight. General Ord, at the head of the Army of the JJames, was marching down the South Side Railroad. to strike the Danville Railroad at Burke's Station ; and Merritt's two divisions had arrived at Jettersville.
Lee thought he would rather trust to his legs than try to break through this force, so he struck off towards the Appomattox. His great object was to shake our army from his flank and throw them behind him. know- ing that a "stern chase" is a long one, and that the leader generally wins.
Sheridan was not deceived, and. instead of following Lee, struck out for Farmville with his infantry, by a shorter route, hoping to head him off. The cavalry fol- lowed Lee, worrying him constantly, and greatly retard- ing his march.
On the morning of the 6th. Lee's columns were dis- covered at Sailor's Creek, on a road leading directly to Burk's Station. on the Danville Railroad, which point they still hoped to make: but the Sixth Corps. under General Wright, was ready to dispute the way, and a bat- tle was begun by the enemy, in order to force a passage.
At this battle Custer's Division again covered itself with glory: charging upon the enemy's works, defended by two lines of infantry. capturing seven guns, fourteen battle flags, one hundred wagons, seven major-general-, (Ewell. Kershaw. Custis Lev, Sommes, Corse. Delie and Barton.) and several thousand prisoners. The First
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CHARGE AT SAILOR'S CREEK, VA .- April 6, 1865.
Death of Capt. Sava
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New York ( Lincoln) Cavalry were the first to enter the enemy's lines, and in so doing the brave and intrepid Captain Edwin F. Savacool was mortally wounded, at the moment he snatched the first Confederate battle flag from the hands of its bearer. The sergeant-major of the regi- ment, Oliver Lumphrey, formerly of Company C, lost a leg by a cannon shot; and the color bearer, Sergeant Ed- ward Giles, of Company C. was wounded in three places, his horse killed, and his clothing pierced with bullets in many places; but he brought the colors away safely on foot. Sergeants Wm. P. Morris and George JJ. Pitman. of Company C, each captured a battle flag, and together brought out a great number of prisoners. The last three named were rewarded with Congress medals : and Colo- nel Adams promoted Lumphrey to the position of Lieu- tenant in the regiment. for gallantry on the field.
Captain Samuel Stevens, of Company C, First New York ( Lincoln) Cavalry, captured General Ewell and his whole stoff, and the general presented him with his field glass as a sourenter of the occasion. He was also brevetted as major for "distinguished bravery," upon the recommendation of Colonel Adams.
The following is from a Michigan paper :
CAPTAIN EDWIN F. SAVACOOL.
We publish this week the tribute of the officers of the brigade to which Captain S. was attached, who, together with the privates of his regi- ment. have voluntarily and out of respect for his bravery as a soldier. and his true manhood, contributed two hundred and thirty-nine dol- lars toward the erection of a monument to his memory. Captain >. listed as a private in the first one hundred cavalry that left this Site. and was transferred to the New York Lincoln Cavalry. He was promoted to a lieutenanty in fol for his daring conduct in capturing. single handled. the notorious Blackford, and for other daring des was . and five months. single-handed. 72 personers. Watlundive motions Le bad tive horses shot under him. on the day before he was would he
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the horse which he rode received seven balls. He was shot during the severe fight at Sailor's Creek, where Ewell was taken. while he was capturing a battle flag.
The regiment to which he belonged was itself one of the most distin- guished for its gallantry and valor. At Sailor's Creek, his brigado captured : pieces of artillery, 1,500 prisoners, 14 battle Hays. (one of which he took himself when he received his death wound.) " major- generals, also 100 wagons. As related by one present. " with a degree of unpetuosity seldom equaled, and a bravery equal to that of the Spartan Band. this brigade alone charged and carried the enemy's works, defended by two lines of infantry. In the great charges of the war, but few. if any have been more brilliant." To have belonged to wuch a brigade was sufficient glory, but to have been honored by it, as Captain Savacool was, is to reach the height of all ambition. We shall allude to this subject again.
DIED-In Armory Square Hospital, Washington, June Ml. of wounds received in the battle of Sailor's Creek, Captain EDWIN F. SAVACOOL .. Co. DK." Ist. N. Y. (Lincoln) Cavalry, a resident of Marshall, Mich .. aged 24 years.
' At a meeting of the officers of the regiment. in camp near Annan- dale, Va., June 25th, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :
Ist. That it has been with feelings of the deepest sorrow that we have learned of the death of our comrade and brother officer. Captain Ed- win F. Savacool.
St. That during his connection with this regiment since its first or- ganization. in 199. whetheras private, sergeant, lieutenant. or captain. he has always dong his whole duty as a soldier: having, while a ser- grant, and detailed for the dangerous and most important service of a About. captured. in person. more than seventy prisoners ; that as an officer. he was always foremost in every action. inspiring his men with xn enthusiasm to follow where it was possible for soldiers to go. and having. in a desperate charge. captured a rebel battle flag, which he was waving in boyish gle .. just as he receivedthis mortal wound.
Ml. That in his simplicity, manliness and straightforwardness; in hi. discreet but fearless bravery, that won for him the admiration even of his enemies; in his large heart with an intense hatrel of the rebel- lion, yet so full of generous impulses and prevent love of country, we recognize the character of a true hero and patriot
tth. That in hisdeath the Republic has lost one of its bravest defenders and trust citizens, who fell a martyr to the cause of Freedom. just at the coming of the righteous peace for which he had so long and so bravely tought.
Va That while ***** grinthe relativesof anchetoledo.our sincere Simpathy in their bereavement. we rejoler with them that he lived to
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see the complete triumph of the cause to which he had not in vain given his life.
6th. That these resolutions be published in the New York Herakl and Michigan papers, and a copy be transmitted to the relatives of the de- ceasel.
F. G. MARTINDALE. Major 1s' N. Y. Curry. Chairman.
WM. H. BEACH.
Ist. Liont. Co. B. Vij' .. Spere well.
On the morning after this battle, while the prisoners. under Major Bailey of the First New York ( Lincoln) Cavalry, who was provost marshal of the Cavalry Corps. were getting ready to march to the rear. Custer's Divi- sion emerged from their bivouac, and passed them at a canter. As Custer took the road he ordered his band to strike up " Bonnie Dundee." On approaching the prisoners he spied the group of officers, and raised his hat, bowing politely, as he galloped past. This action was repeated by his staff, and the rebels seemed electri- fied by the unlooked for civility. General Kershaw. ono of the prisoners, turned to the others. and. in the most enthusiastic manner. explained : " By G-d that man is the embodiment of chivalry ! Let us give him three cheers !" And the next moment the well known " rebel yell " was heard, which caused the horses to prick up their cars, which were attuned to that vell. Our boys returned the compliment with three rousing Yankee cheers, and the band struck up " The Bonnie Blue Flag," which almost made the prisoners wild with delight. They all agreed that our cavalry had finished the South- ern Confederacy.
After the battle of Sailor's Creek, the Confederates struck off to the north, crossing the Appomattox River. in hopes that our troops might lose the great at the water: but they were groviously mistaken. Sheridan
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knew they were hungry, as well as fatigued, for he had captured a dispatch from Lee, ordering up two hundred thousand rations to meet him at Burkesville Station. never dreaming that he could not reach that point with his army.
He certainly would not go back to Richmond or Peters- burg, for there was nothing there with which to feed his hungry troops : and he would not attempt to reach the Shenandoah Valley, as Sheridan had left that a howling wilderness. His movement was only a feint. then, for the purpose of deceiving us. He was catching at every passing straw, as a drowning man is said to do; but nothing could save him, and he should have surrendered without further delay.
The only silvation of his army was to reach Lynch- burg ahead of Sheridan; but this was impossible. as they were traveling on the are of a circle, while Sheridan was riding along its chord. Part of our troops pursued the enemy to Farmville Station, on the Lynchburg Rail- road, near the Appomattox River. and part passed through Prince Edward's Court House, on the Danville Turnpike, farther south.
Custer's Division had the lead. and that impetuous general made straight for Appomattox Station, and on the sth of March. he charged upon the enemy. at that place. in the darkness of the night. scattering them to the winds; capturing four immense trains of cars loaded with provisions for Lee's hungry army. besides thirty guns, one hundred wagons and a great many prisoners. most of whom escaped in the darkness.
In this charge. Lieutenant Walter, of the First News York (Lincoln) Cavalry. and Major Howy of the First Virginia Cavalry, were killed. Lieutenant Walter had
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LAST CHARGE-Appomattox Station, Va. April 8, 1865. Death of Lieut. Walter.
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fought his way up from the ranks, and was a brave and a valuable officer.
The services of Colonel Capehart were at last recog- nized by the Government, and on the day succeeding this fight he was recommended for promotion to the rank of brigadier-general United States volunteers. and soon thereafter was so commissioned.
On the morning of March 9th, Lee's long columns were discovered in the direction of Appomattox Court House. and General Crook was ordered to attack them. and hold fast. while General Custer was directed to dash on and take them in flank. Crook "pitched in," and Custer took the road at a gallop. It wasa glorious sight to see that division as it dashed along, with sabres drawn, the gallant Custer leading, and the Con- federate army on a parallel road, only three hundred yards distant. vainly endeavoring to escape. Custer dashed along for several miles, and had ahnost reached the head of the retreating columns, when he was met by a flag of truce. The halt was sounded, and in a few minutes Custer came riding along, his face radiant with smiles. and informed his officers that General Lee had surrendered ! Then the echoing heavens resounded with the wild cheers of the Third Division. as cach man felt his task was done, and saw in contemplation the bright vision of home and friends once more. The band played " Home, Sweet Home," and everything went merry as a " marriage bell." The four long years of civil war were practically at an end ; and the long marches, hard fight- ing and short rations were forgotten in the joy of that supreme moment.
That day General Coster issued the following order to his division :
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HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION, APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE. V.A., April 9. 1:65.
Soldiers of the Third Cavalry Division :- With profound gratitude to- wand the God of battles, by whose blessing- our enemies have brett humbled and our arms rendered triumphant, your commanding gen- eral avails himself of this, his first opportunity to express to you his admiration of the heroic manner in which you have passed through the series of battles which to-day resulted in the surrender of the enemy's entire army.
The record established by your indomitable courage is unparalleled in the annals of war. Your prowess has won for you even the respect and admiration of your enemies. During the past six months, al- though in most instances confronted by superior numbers, you have captured from the enemy, in ope: battle, one hundred and eleven pieces of field artillery. sixty-five battle haus, and upwards of ten thousand prisoners of war, including seven general officers. Within the past ten days, and included in the above. you have captured forty-six pieces of field artillery and thirty-seven battle Bags. You have never lost a gun. never lost a color, and have never been defeated; and notwith- standing the numerous engagements in which you have horne a prom- inent part, including those memorable battles of the Shenandoah. you have captured very piece of artillery which the enviny has dared to open upon you. The near approachof pues readers it improbable that you will again he called upon to undergo the fatigues of the toilsome march of the exposure of the battlefield: but should the assistance of keen blades, wielded by your sturdy arms, be required to hasten the coming of that glorious pracy for which we have been so long contend- ing, the general commanding is proudly confident that. in the future as in the past. every demaat will meet with a hearty and willing re- sponse.
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