of their men and horses were killed in their eagerness to
overhaul the General. It was perfectly evident that our thin line of
battle was soon to be assaulted, as the enemy's skirmishers were
advancing on our front and right flank and his cannon sweeping the
position from our left. We were not long in suspense. Almost
simultaneously we were raked by missiles from three directions. To have
offered resistance would have been sheer folly. In fifteen minutes the
few survivors of Pickett's immortal division had been run over and
captured, together with the brigades which were posted on their left.

Lieutenant Wise having failed to receive any other cannoneers to replace
those previously captured, the guns, without firing a shot, were left
standing unlimbered. As we started in haste to retire, he and Poindexter
being mounted, expressed great concern lest I, being on foot, should be
captured. Just as they left me, however, and while the air seemed filled
with flying lead and iron, I came upon one of the ambulance corps who
was trying to lead an unruly horse. It was a Federal cavalry horse,
whose rider had been killed in pursuit of General Pickett. In the
horse's efforts to break loose, the two saddles he was carrying had
slipped from his back and were dangling underneath, which increased his
fright. I suggested to the man that, to escape capture, he had better
give me the horse, as he seemed to be afraid to ride him. To this he
readily assented, and, with his knife, cut one saddle loose, set the
other on his back, and handed me the halter-strap as I mounted. The
terrified animal, without bridle or spur, was off like a flash, and in a
few minutes had carried me out of the melee. I still have and prize the
saddle. The few who escaped from this affair, known as the battle of
Sailor's Creek, by retreating a mile north came in proximity to another
column of our troops marching on a parallel road.

As I rode up I saw General Lee dismounted and standing on a railroad
embankment, intently observing our fleeing men, who now began to throng
about him. He very quietly but firmly let them know that it would be
best not to collect in groups; the importance of which they at once
understood and acted on.

Approaching night, which on previous occasions, when conditions were
reversed, had interfered to our disadvantage, now shielded us from
further pursuit. It can readily be seen what demoralization would follow
such an exhibition of our ut