Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 April 1894 — TOPICS OF THESE TIMES. [ARTICLE]

TOPICS OF THESE TIMES.

BATTLE OF FIVE FORKS. ’ <0 The daily press have a great advantage over the weekly publications in being able to call attention to anniversaries on their annual occurrence at the proper date. This fact, however, does not prevent the weekly journals-from recalling important events prior to or shortly after their anniversary days. Twenty-nine years ago, “about this time,” the country press in Indiana and elsewhere, was filled with details of the great battle of Five Forks, which was one of the last great contests of the war. March 29, 1865, Gen. Grant issued his order for a general advance of his left wing. In carrying out this order, Sheridan, two days later, met the Confederates near Five Forks, nine miles southwest of Petersburg. The Confederates had massed all the infantrvthat could be spared to support their threatened right wing, being fully advised of Grant’s intention. At 10:30 a. m., March 31, 1865, the Federals received a staggering and unexpected attack on their flank and rear. The Federals rallied and drove the enemy back. Sheridan, with 10,000 cavalry, attacked the enemy near Five Forks. By dismounting his troopers and posting them behind earthworks he repulsed the superior forces that were sent against him. The night of the 31st was passed amid rain and mud. April Ist the Confederates were totally defeated by Sheridan. Many a veteran still survives who participated in that dreadful struggle, and many a hero still bears as a memento of that contest, a bullet wound or saber cut, or perchance an empty sleeve, that makes it impossible for him to forget the time,, and its annual return is hailed with mingled feelings of satisfaction that they have themselves so long survived and of regret for their martyred comrades who died for their country on that fateful day.