Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 15.djvu/26

 XXVI INTRODUCTION.

the interval thus left, and attacked the wagon-train moving toward Farm- ville. This caused serious delay in the march of the centre and rear of the column, and enabled the enemy to mass upon their flank.

After successive attacks, Anderson's and EwelPs corps were captured or driven from their position. The latter General, with both of his division commanders, Kershaw and Custis Lee, and his brigadiers, were taken prisoners. Gordon who, all the morning, aided by General W. H. F. Lee's cavalry, had checked the advance of the enemy on the road from Amelia Springs, and protected the trains, became exposed to his combined assaults, which he bravely resisted and twice repulsed ; but the cavalry having been withdrawn to another part of the iine of march, and the enemy massing heavily on his front and both flanks, renewed the attack about 6 P. M., and drove him from the field in much confusion. The army continued its march during the night, and every effort was made to reorganize the divisions which had been shattered by the day's operations, but the men being de- pressed by fatigue and hunger, many threw away their arms, while others followed the wagon-trains and embarrassed their progress. On the morn- ing of the yth rations were issued to the troops as they passed Farmville, but the safety of the trains requiring their removal upon the approach of the enemy, all could not be supplied. The army reduced to two corps, under Longstreet and Gordon, moved steadily on the road to Appomattox Court- house, thence its march was ordered by Campbell Courthouse, through Pittsylvania toward Danville. The roads were wretched, and the progress slow. By great efforts the head of the column reached Appomattox Court- house on the evening of the 8th, and the troops were halted for rest. The march was ordered to be resumed at one (i) A. M. on the gth Fitz. Lee with the cavalry, supported by Gordon, was ordered to drive the enemy from his front, wheel to the left, and cover the passage of the trains, while Longstreet, who, from Rice's station, had formed the rear-guard, should close up and hold the position. Two battalions of artillery and the ammu- nition wagons were directed to accompany the army; the rest of the artil- lery and wagons to move toward Lynchburg. In the early part of the night the enemy attacked Walker's artillery train, near Appomattox station, on the Lynchburg railroad, and were repelled. Shortly afterwards their cavalry dashed towards the Courthouse, till halted by our line. During the night there were indications of a large force massing on our left and front. Fitz. Lee was directed to ascertain its strength, and to suspend his advance till daylight if necessary. About five (5) A. M. on the gth, with Gordon on his left, he moved forward and opened the way. A heavy force of the enemy was discovered opposite Gordon's right, which, moving in the direction of Appomattox Courthouse, drove back the left of the cavalry, and threatened to cut off Gordon from Longstreet, his cavalry at the same time threatening to envelop his left flank. Gordon withdrew across the Appomattox river, and the cavalry advanced on the Lynchburg road and became separated from the army. Learning the condition of affairs on the lines where I had gone, under the expectation of meeting General Grant, to learn definitely the terms he proposed in a communication received from him on the 8th in the event of the surrender of the army, I requested a suspension of hos-