Attempting the Impossible Again, General Bryan Grimes at Appomattox

North Carolina War Between the States Sesquicentennial Commission
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Attempting the Impossible Again, General Bryan Grimes at Appomattox:

“On Saturday, April 8, the weary and hungry men continued their march westward. “No enemy appeared,” wrote [General Bryan] Grimes in his report of the campaign, “and we marched undisturbed all day.” The sun bathed the Virginia countryside in warmth and light, and the spirits of the men improved somewhat, even if the strategic position remained grim. It was obvious to everyone that Federal infantry was closely pursuing them while strong legions of cavalry were riding west and south on a parallel course to get ahead of the Army of Northern Virginia. If the army was cut off and unable to turn south, a junction with Joe Johnston’s army would be impossible.

“Up to this time, since the evacuation of Petersburg,” Grimes explained, “we had marched all day and night, continually followed and harassed by the enemy.” As a soldier in Grime’s Division recalled the experience, “we just marched on, the ranks growing thinner and thinner, as the men would fall out exhausted.” Following in the rear of [General John B.] Gordon’s Second Corps, Grimes camped his men a couple miles behind near a small stream.

Their slumber was almost immediately disturbed when artillery fire opened in the distance about 9PM. Grimes roused his men and ordered them to move out once more. The march consumed both their strength and the night hours. Before daylight the division was still fitfully moving forward through the quiet streets of Appomattox Court house. Just on the far side of the village, recalled Grimes, “I found the enemy in my front.” The sun on Palm Sunday, April 9, was just beginning to emerge over the horizon when Grime’s rode forward to make his dispositions.

Grime’s directed the remnants of [General] Bushrod Johnson’s Division to attack the Federals on their left flank, while his own skirmishers charged their center. The line would be advancing against a fresh stand of earthworks and a battery of artillery. “I then gave the signal to advance,” recalled Grimes, at the same time [General] Fitz Lee charged…Grimes’ infantry quickly captured the line of breastworks “without much loss,” together with several pieces of artillery. His division was moved forward to support the skirmish line…”driving the enemy in confusion for three-quarters of a mile.”

Grime’s stopped the advance…[and] sent a message to Gordon that “the Lynchburg road was open for the escape of the wagons,” and awaited orders. The directive he received was completely unexpected: Grimes was to withdraw his command immediately. “This I declined to do,” wrote Grimes, “supposing that General Gordon did not understand the commanding position my troops occupied.” Gordon, however, “continued to send me order after order to the same effect, which I still disregarded, being under the impression that he did not comprehend our favorable location.” An exasperated Gordon sent another withdrawal order accompanied this time with an order from General Lee, “to fall back.” A dejected and confused Grimes now had no choice but to obey. Read more HERE.

(Lee’s Last Major-General, Bryan Grimes of North Carolina, T. Harrell Allen, Savas Publishing, 1999, pp. 249-256)
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