Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/262

 256 Southern Historical Society Papers:

command while on the Hne. Lieutenant-Colonel Griggs had been pro- moted to Colonel — date from T6th May — and continued on the lines until the night of the 4th of March, 1865, when it left with the division by railroad to Farmville; reached there on the loth, to intercept forces of General Sheridan, but that General changing his course the division returned to Richmond. On the 14th, proceeded to Atlee's Station, and continued to follow after Sheridan until he left for Petersburg On the 26th, the regiment proceeded to Bat- tery 45, south of Petersburg, and proceeded to throw up fortifi- cations. Left on the 30th March to meet Sheridan, who was ap- proaching from Dinwiddle Courthouse ; arriving and bivouacking at night at Five Forks. The regiment was rear guard, and skirmished most of the day with the enemy. The division moved at 8 A. M. toward the Courthouse; engaged the enemy about 2 P. M., and drove them until dark. The regiment did not become actively engaged. The enemy bringing up his infantry in the night, the division com- menced to retire at 4}^ A M. On ist April, halting at Five Forks, it proceeded to throw up rifle-pits along the road. The enemy at- tacked in the evening with about 35,000 infantry and Sheridan's cavalry. To oppose which was Pickett's division, two brigades of Johnson's division, and Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry. Colonel G. K. Griggs was ordered early in the action to take his regiment to the left of Brigadier-General Ransom, which he did at a double-quick, de- ployed his regiment in single rank, and opened a deadly fire on the enemy, who were marching to our left three columns of infantry. His front was checked, but there being no support to the left of the regiment, the enemy's heavy columns soon passed its left and rear — the regiment thus became exposed to front and rear fires. The situation was immediately reported to headquarters, and the men kept up a deadly fire until their ammunition was expended, and the enemy had rapidly closed in, forming a horseshoe shape. Colonel Griggs ordered the few men he had to cut their way out as best they could. The regiment fought against at least ten to one, and, knowing the fact, yet there seemed to be no fear among them, and some were seen to club their guns after expending all their ammunition. On the 2d April, the command attempted to cross the Appomattox river at Extra Mills; not being able so to do, turned up the river to cross at Deep Creek bridge ; failing here, halted for the night; marching on the 3d, and crossing Deep Creek at 11 A. M., and continued marching on the 4th to near Amelia Courthouse; formed line of battle here, living on rations of parched corn. The