The Maine bugle ... campaign; 1-5 Jan. 1894-Oct. 1898 - Maine.gov

RECOLLECTIONS Of APPOMATTOX. 133
Some RL-collections of Appomattox.
HV MAJOR H. C. HALL, LATE OK FIRST MAINE CAVALRY.
Un the eighth of April, Custer, with liis Third Division of the
Cavalry Corps had the advance and at Appomattox Station,
early in the evening, intercepted and after a short but sharp
fight, captured four rebel railroad trains loaded with supplies
that had been sent up from Lynchburg for Lee's suffering army
It was late when our division, the Second, commanded by
Gen. Crook arrived. The fighting was all over and some of the
cars had been broken open and the men seemed to be helping
themselves to whatever they could find that would be of use or
service to them. They had been obliged to subsist for several
days upon what could be picked up in a poor and impoverished
country and their stomachs were thoroughly in need of support;
their search, therefore for food was thorough and earnest.
Our halt was short and when we started out again our
division took the advance; we marched until between eight and
nine o'clock when we went into camp with a joyous prospect of
a much needed nights rest. After the horses were picketed and
were enjoying the fruits of the Virginia farmer's cornfields, I
looked for my darkey to take my honse and prepare my supper,
but no darkey could I find nor could I hear that he had been
seen since we left the field of Custer's capture. I thought he
had probably got left somewhere by accident, not an uncommon
thing on the march in the night time, and that he would
eventually come in. In about an hour he did come, but minus
his mule. He rode one horse and led the mule on which was
packed mv blankets and spare clothing, provisions, cooking
utensils and the forage for the three animals. The darkey was a
big, black, faithful fellow and was feeling very badly. He said
that while we were halted near the captured trains he left the
mule in charge of another man and went up to the broken cars