Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 32.djvu/23

 Address of Captain John Lamb. 11

The disputes between our officers at this period are deeply to be regretted.

At this late date I do not like to mention one subject, but having noticed that the records refer to a trial of Colonel Munford, I will state the facts.

General Rosser ordered a detail from the 2d, 3d and 4th regiments to go on a raid to Beverley.

On account of the worn down horses and dispirited men, an earnest protest was made. Colonel Munford, Major Charles Old and myself visited General Rosser at his headquarters, asking that the raid be abandoned, or at least delayed. Colonel Munford pressed for delay, that Jack Palmer, our quartermaster, might re- turn from Richmond with much needed supplies. At this time nearly every horse in the 3d regiment needed shoeing. As senior captain present, I was in command of the regiment, and found great difficulty in securing the detail that was made up for the Beverley. raid.

Out of the discussions and disagreements at Rosser's headquar- ters, grew the arrest and trial of Colonel Munford. He was unani- mously acquitted by the court.

Munford's commission as brigadier-general, according to the Confederate roster by Colonel Charles C. Jones, dated from No- vember, 1864. General Stuart recommended him highly for the command of Robertson's brigade, and General Hampton urged his appointment to the 2d brigade. Do you inquire why the de- lay ? I reply, West Point stood in the way.

At Five Forks Munford commanded Fitz Lee's division, and bore the brunt of the attack made by Warren's corps. The re- cords show that we killed and wounded nearly as many of Craw- ford's and Chamberlain's divisions as we had men. Only a day of two before the surrender we captured General Gregg and many of his command. The 3d regiment led this charge. I have spoken to men here to-night who were in the fight. Lieutenant Harwood of my own company was killed by my side. Only a few days ago I was looking over a letter from General Munford, in which he mentioned Harwood as a brave man and gallant officer. Our brigade headquarter flag was carried safely to the end, and was placed on President Davis' bier at New Orleans, when he and General Early acted as pall-bearers by request of the Virginia di- vision of the A. N. V. The Historical Society of New Orleans has