Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 131, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 June 1913 — STORIES of CAMP AND WAR [ARTICLE]

STORIES of CAMP AND WAR

FIGHT AT SABINE CROSSROADS

Thirteenth Corps Rescued After Order h Had Been Given for Every Man \ to Save Himself. v I was serving in Battery G, Fifth regulars, and was assigned to the ; Fifth brigade, cavalry corps, and was on the advance in the Red River expedition, writes Henry K. McFadden of Cedar Grove, Me., in the National Tribune. We had been following the Confederates as fast as we could to prevent them from burning cotton. All the time it was drawing us from the Nineteenth corps. We had got ahead of the Third and Fourth divisions of infantry. They hurried the Fourth along, and sent for the Third division ,but the Confederates at aSbine Crossroads came around through the woods on our right flank to cut! off our retreat. The wagon train had been following right along, day after day. They would stop for an hour or so, while we had a duel with the Confederates;] then they would come right along.) They crossed Padre’s bayou, and when: they turned the corner and were retreating on another road the Confederates began to Are. The teamstersobliqued to the side of the road and ran, and a caisson of Battery G went to go between two wagons, when thewheel of the caisson locked into the wheel of a wagon. Just then Gem. Stoneman rode along and gave the order for every man to look out for himself. I stepped out between the wheels, and Comrade Briggs, a driver, was. shot in the neck, taken prisoner and died of his wounds. I met some savalry. They engaged with the Confederates, and I came to an opening where the Nineteenth corps was> forming. General Banks was riding along between the two lines, telling them the Thirteenth corps wasi whipped, and if they were defeated all would be lost General Stone was on his horse, telling every man to fall in the rear of the Nineteenth corps. In about half an hour or less theConfederates came out of the woods in a good line of battle, and when they got up to within 300 yards Banks ordered the Ninetenth corps to fire by volley. They loaded and fired again, then loaded and lay down, and let tha Thirteenth corps fire over them. The Confederates charged our right flank, but were driven back, and as near* as I can remember we fired five or six times. After dark Banks posted pickets. All honor to the Nineteenth corps, that saved the Thirteenth corps.