This account is taken from W.A. Croffut and John M. Morris, The Civil and Military History of Connecticut During the War of 1861-1865, pages 783-784

Bryce

----------

On the same day, April 1, Sheridan fought the great battle and won the decisive victory of Five Forks. The First Connecticut Cavalry was here heavily engaged. At sunrise, the regiment started out under Col. Brayton Ives, with Custer's division. The force was dismounted, and advanced against the enemy. The Confederates retired slowly until they reached that junction of roads known as Five Forks, where they made a desperate stand. The First was on the extreme right of the division. About noon, the regjiment halted, in line of battle, at a ravine in a narrow belt of woods, just in front of which lay a broad open field, and beyond that a large peach-orchard with its trees in full bloom. Everything was quiet; not a shot had been fired for some time. The enemy was near, and maintained a suspicious silence. In a few minutes, one of Custer's staff dashed up in front of the od New-Jersey, which was on the left, and shouted, "There's a rebel battery over in that orchard, entirely unsupported!" the Jersey men gave a shout, and dashed ahead pell-mell.

Col. Ives restrained the First but they were clamorous to charge.
Col. Ives says, "officers and men entreated me by looks and words to allow them to go forward ; and I think I was persuaded by Capt. Parmelee. I sat on my horse near him; and I never shall forget his eagerness to advance, nor the appealing look he gave me. Unable to resist longer, I cried, “Forward!' and with a yell the First Connecticut charged 'on the run.' But no sooner had we reached the outer edge of the woods than the peaceful-looking peach-orchard assumed a different character. The bright pink blossoms were blown into the air by bullets, shells, canister, and grape- shot. Everyman who had gone into the open field was shot down. Fortunately, another staff-officer rode up with an order for the line to retire. Just at this moment, a shell struck Capt. Parmelee in the breast, killing him instantly."

In his official report. Col. Ives gives an account of the succeeding battle, "During the afternoon, our line charged the enemy's breastworks three successive times. Twice we were repulsed. The thick woods, the long march, the lack of rations (we had been without food .for thirty-six hours), the heavy and incessant fire to which we were exposed, all united to test severely the bravery and discipline of our troops. But they bore all without flinching, and charged for the third time so vigorously, that the rebels threw down their arms, and fled or surrendered. In addition to many prisoners taken by the First Connecticut at this time, two guns were captured by Major Leonard P. Goodwin and Lieut. Aaron S. Lanfare. These were the only pieces of artillery taken by Custer's division in the battle of Five Forks. After a short pursuit of the flying enemy, we went into bivouac.