The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-08-23
Engagement near Gallatin, between
Gen. Johnson, and Morgan's and
Forests Cavalry.

Thursday morning, and had a large part
Of his men captured or cut TO pieces. The
city, yesterday, was filed with all sorts
Of rumors, representing it "a terribly dis /
astrous to the Federal arms. The state [!
ment which we have received from II. /.
Col STEWART, commanding the I'd Indi-
ana Cavalry, who was in the heat Of the
engagement although bad enough, re
duces our loss very materially. From
this officer we gather the following par
ticulars: Gen. Johnson, with a force Of
between 200 and 500 cavalry, consisting
Of portions Of the I'd Indiana Cavalry,
Col MoCooK, 9Th Pennsylvania Cavalry,
Col. WYNcooP, 9Th kentucky Cavalry, Col.
WINFBEY, and 4th Ky. Cavalry, Colonel
BAYLEs, started early on Thursday morn
ing, three miles from Hartsyille for four
teen miles towards Gallatin. lie reached
the enemys outposts one mile and half
from Gallatin, about o'clock A. NJ, who
were driven in TO the main body by our
advance guard The rebel force consisted
Of parts of seven regiments, consisting of
MoRGAN's and STARNEs' Cavalry, and a
strong force of infantry, all well armed
with MIME muskets, and other excellent
fire,arms. Their whole force was over
5000 men, being more than four TO one.
Our advance guard was led by Captain
Johnson, Company G, and Captain STARR,
of Company d, End Indiana Cavalry,
the remainder of that regiment compos-
ing the advance of the column. The
guerrillas were in an open Geld, near a
brick farm house. On the commencement
of the action, our men dismounted, tore
down the fence, and formed into line Of
battle. AS they entered the field, part
of the rebel cavalry went up the road on
their right. Our men advanced about
eight hundred yards and fred, with such
effect, that the rebel column was broken,
and thrown into great confusion; our men
driving them rapidly before them, when
severe cross fire was opened on our
right from clump of trees, while ano-
ther heavy volley raked us in front.
Capt KEssLER and Captain EDWARDS, of
the I'd Indiana were then ordered TO
charge the enemy, and attempted to do so,
but the fire was so hot they were forced to
fall back, Captain Edwards being severe
ly wounded in the hip and ankle, and
five or six privates being killed and
wounded. 1t Col. STEWART, who was
in command of the I'd Indiana, here
changed front to the left At this mo-
ment the 9TH Kentucky seem to have
been seized with a panic, and retreat
ed in disorder Gen. Johnson order
ed our men 10 fall back toward the
brow of the hill in their rear and
form in line. The rebels pushed on
in heavy force, and liercely contested
battle ragged then for some time. Gen
JOHNSON displayed great GOODNESS and
activity, and by his exertions succeeded
in restoring the 9Th kentucky TO order
when, seeing the vast preponderanco OF
the rebel troops, be ordered our whole
force 20 retreat TO the Cross Roads, when
he halted and sent in flag of truce by
his Adjutant, Capt TURNER, to Gen
MORGAN, asking permission to bury our
dead. Gen. MORGAN returned word that
he would take care of the wounded and
see that the dead were decently inferred;
and also solicited an interview with Gen
JOHNSON. Gen. JOHNSON rode over and
held party with MORGAN, who demand
ed an immediate and unconditional sur
render, saying that he was preparing to
move three heavy columns upon us. lie
promised to parole our officers and men,
allowing the officers TO retain their side
arms. Gen. Johnson replied that "sur
rendering was thoroughly and cnectually
played out and that catching came be-
fore paroling,' and started TO return
when a rebel officer remarked that "hC
marched at the head Of a column that
would id soon catch him." Gen. JoHN-
SON returned 10 his command, and feeling
that further resistance could only result Ia
a needless sacrifice Of life, Immediately
ordered a retreat. After proceeding some
two miles, a messenger came from the
rear with the announcement that the reb-
els were charging their rear-guard. 1t
Col. STEWART was ordered to hasten with
his regiment to the rear, where he dis
mounted his men and drew them mp in
line. A portion Of our cavalry retreat
ing, dashed through his line and threw
them into disorder temporarily, but they
soon rallied Our dismountcd cavalry
held their fire until the rebels came With
in Fifty yards, when they poured in a
terrific volley and scattered them in all
directions. The rebels now pushed for
ward their columns rapidly on our right
and left, and had nearly surrounded us,
when General JOHNSON sent In white
nag proposing a surrender. Col WyE-
6oor with l25 men, It. Col STEWART
with about 200 and some 300 of the 9th
Kentucky, now dashed forward ON the
rebels, cut through their lines and es-
capped Gen. Johnson with the rest of
the command being taken prisoners. This
occurred about ? o'clock, p NJ. General
JOHNSON is highly appIaudcd by his
officers for his courage, intrcpcdily and
perseverance, and he failed Of acbievipo