Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 12.djvu/383

 Report of Major-General Fitzhugh Lee. 373

was universally known. The genial and dashing Thomson was killed leading cavalry, his guns not being present.

On the night of the 6th the position at Rice's Station was aban- doned, and I moved in rear of Longstreet, crossing the Appomattox a little above Farmville. Fighting took place between my rear and the enemy's advance in the vicinity and in the streets of Farmville, it being found necessary to retard their progress to give time for the passage of the river by our troops. On the 7th a portion of the enemy's cavalry, having crossed the river again, made an attack upon the wagon train moving upon our line of march. They were met by Munford in front, whilst Rosser attacked their flank, and were driven back with considerable loss, including amongst the captured their Commanding General, Irvin Gregg. Our position was held near this point of attack until 12 P. M., when the march was resumed towards Appomattox Courthouse. The cavalry followed in the rear of Longstreet' s corps, and maintained that order of march through- out the 8th, followed by a portion of the Federal infantry. Their cavalry and the remainder of their infantry pursued the line of rail- road from Farmville to Appomattox Station.

During the evening of the 8th I received orders to move the cav- alry corps to the front, and to report in person to the Commanding General. Upon arriving at his headquarters I found General Long- street there, and we were soon after joined by General Gordon. The condition of our situation was explained by the Commanding Gene- ral to us as the commanders of his three corps, and the correspond- ence between General Grant and himself, as far as it had then pro- gressed, was laid before us. It was decided that I should attack the enemy's cavalry at daylight, then reported as obstructing our further march. Gordon was to support me, and in case nothing but cavalry were discovered, we were to clear it from our route and open a way for our remaining troops; but in case they were supported by heavy bodies of infantry, the Commanding General should be at once noti- fied, in order that a flag of truce should be sent to accede to the only only alternative left us. The enemy were enabled to take posi- tion across our line of march by moving up from Appomattox Sta- tion, which they reached earlier than our main advance, in conse- quence of our march being retarded by our wagon trains. At daybreak on the 9th, Gordon's command, numbering about 1,600 mus- kets, was formed in line of battle half mile west of Appomattox Court- house, on the Lynchburg road. The cavalry corps was formed on his