April 5, 1865
Last night, at 9.30, came a note from Sheridan, dated at
Jetersville, saying that he was there, entrenched, with the 5th Corps and a
part of the cavalry; that the whole Rebel army was in his front trying to get
off its trains; that he expected to be attacked, but, if the remaining infantry
could be hurried up, there was a chance of taking the whole of the enemy.
Although the 2d Corps had only gone into bivouac at eight in the morning, and
had no rations at that moment, General Meade issued orders for them to move at
one at night and push on for Jetersville, followed by the 6th Corps, which lay
just behind. The distance was fifteen or sixteen miles. I was sleeping on the
floor, in the same room with the General, to look out for him in case he needed
anything; for he had a distressing cough and a high fever, but would not give
in, for he has a tremendous nervous system that holds him up through
everything. General Webb was worn out with want of sleep, so I was up most of
the night, writing and copying and receiving the despatches. The General talked
a great deal and was very excited in his thoughts, though his head was
perfectly clear. General Humphreys had slept, I don't know when — but there he
was, as sturdy as ever, issuing orders for the advance, with his eyes wide
open, as much as to say; “Sleep — don't mention it!” At one in the morning,
sure enough, he moved; but had not got a mile, when, behold the whole of
Merritt's division of cavalry, filing in from a side road, and completely
closing the way! That's the way with those cavalry bucks: they bother and howl
about infantry not being up to support them, and they are precisely the people
who always are blocking up the way; it was so at Todd's Tavern, and here again,
a year after. They are arrant boasters, and, to hear Sheridan's Staff talk, you
would suppose his ten thousand mounted carbineers had crushed the entire
Rebellion. Whereas they are immediately cleaned out, the moment they strike a
good force of foot-men, and then they cry wolf merrily. The plain truth is,
they are useful and energetic fellows, but commit the error of thinking they can
do everything and that no one else does do anything. Well, Humphreys
could not stir a step till seven next morning, but, meantime, his men got rest
by the roadside and his rations were, with incredible exertions, gotten up to
him, over fearful roads. At about nine o'clock we put the General in his
four-horse waggon, wherein he can lie down, and followed the column, first along
the main Namozine road, and then, striking off to the right, across the fields
to Jetersville. At ten, we got word that the enemy were still near Amelia Court
House, and the infantry were continually ordered to press on, the General
stirring up the halting brigades, as he rode past. Some four miles this side of
Childer's house (where Sheridan was) we came upon General Humphreys, at a large
house of one Perkinson. Near by were several hundred Rebel prisoners, looking
pretty gaunt, for we had nothing to give, and but little food for our own
troops. I think that we have been obliged to give mule meat to some of our
prisoners, during this campaign, to keep them alive till they could get to
supplies; and some of our own men have gone very hungry, because, in the haste
of pursuit, they marched straight away from the waggons. . . . At 1.30 we found General Sheridan at the
house, which was perhaps a mile south of Jetersville. Along the front was the
5th Corps, strongly entrenched, while the cavalry covered the flanks. A little
before three, Sheridan rode off to the left, to help in Davies whom the enemy's
infantry was trying to cut off. Before this, at two, the head of the 2d Corps
was up and the troops went rapidly into position; for, a couple of hours later,
Mr. Sheridan (and still more his officers) had a stampede that Lee was coming
on top of us. For once in my life I will say I knew better than that, and
laughed the cavalry Staff to scorn; for I was dead certain it was only a
demonstration, to protect their trains and find our strength. In truth they
never came even in sight of our infantry pickets. Though he was not fit for the
saddle, General Meade insisted on riding out beyond the lines to talk with
Sheridan. He treated him very handsomely and did not avail of his rank to take
command over his cavalry, but merely resumed the 5th Corps — a generosity that
General Sheridan has hardly reciprocated!
SOURCE: George R. Agassiz, Editor, Meade’s
Headquarters, 1863-1865: Letters of Colonel Theodore Lyman from the Wilderness
to Appomattox, p. 345-8
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