The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-06-11
Particulars OF the Attack Upon
Franklin.
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IeFulL me, AS an eye Wltnehs Oh most
of the stirring events at Franklin last
week, ALSO having access to information
not personally observed-to give you a
statement of the facts in the case, in con-
tradistinction to certain rcmmoes which
have appeared,
On the I'd inst, the cavalry regiments
at franklin, with one exception, changed
quarters to Triune, whether temporarily
or otherwise, was for the Secesh to find
out But, on the afternoon of the 4th,
dispatches received here by Maj Gen.
Gordon Granger, announced that Frank
lin was closely invested by the "insoIent
fOe." Then, indeed, did Col. Campbell's
Brigade ''move in hot haste;" and l veri-
ly believe that not more than ten minutes
elapsed from the order of SADDLE up"
before the cavalry were on the march,
and this, too. though number of horses
had been taken to distant fields, to Craze.
It-was after 4 o'clock, P. NJ, when orders
to depart reached the Brigade, and yet
four of the cavalry regiments stationed
here, reached Franklin in time TO give
the rebels another lesson, before night
set in. The 1st East Tennessee Caval-
ry not departing till later hoxr, were
deprived of the chance of participating
in the ceremonies of the occasion.
Nothing of Importance occurred on the
route till our column was within three
miles of Franklin. After reaching the
road leading from the second ford above
the village TO the Murfreesboro Pike, Col.
A. p. Campbell, the Brigade Commander,
ordered the 4th and 6th Kentucky Cav
airy (Which were in the advance) to pro-
ceed to the left, toward the Harpeth river.
At that time, Lieut.. Col, Cooper 4th
Kentucky Cavalry, from causes unknown
to this deponent, fell from his horse, and
was so much injured as to be forced to
ride in an ambulance, thus giving him no
opportunity to exhibit the "great gallant
ry" which was attributed 10 him and the
Colonel of the 9th Kentucky. Both
these gentlemen, for aught know to the
contrary, are really brave and able OIL
GERS, and, doubtless upon some other oc-
casion, will give evidence thereof, which
the engagement in question gave them nc
chance Of exhibiting.
The rebelbrigade commander, Gen. Arm.
strong, only saw the Kentucky cavalry
as theirrear was receding to the left. He
therefore, sent seven of his companies tC
the lower ford, in order TO head off the
Federal troops from reaching the village
ofFranklin by the Lewisburg pike, Th,
remainder of his brigade, (about 1,5OC
men0 were intended to be used in ma.
king charge upon the rear Of the Ken.
lucky troops, he not supposing any more
Union cavalry to be approaching. But
just as he was preparing to execute The
latter movement the head of the second
Michigan cavalry came in sight, com
manded by Major j. O. Cooley. 0ui
troops advanced through an open field
exposed to full view, with no protection
while the secesh forces were in tn,
woods beyond. Desultory firing com,
menced, but no foe could be seen till th,
I'd Michigan arrived within few yards
of the secesh, when tho bullets few fast
and il was evident that considerable
numbers Of the rebels were opposing Us
How IL happened that so few Of our mel
were injured is almost miraculous. at
tribute as fact that the eyes of tn
rebel mArksmen were directed to our ex
tended column, emerging from the wood
in our rear, while the muzzles Of thei
guns pointed, with wAvering aim, ,owar,
the front Of the column.
Tho I'd Michigan were dismounted ii
the face of this FIRE, and with their Colt
repeating'rines soon dislodged the enemy
driving them steadily to the front an
right, capturing arms and horses; q val
liable and handsome blue silk banner
gold-lace fringed, formerly belonging I
Gen, Van Dorn's body guard; also takin
a number of prisoners, and killing an
wounding many rebels. The 9th Penn
Col. Jourdan, mounted, with sabres draw
acted as a reserve, prepared for charg
but, while they had the will and IL
pluck, the opportunity TO distinguis
themselves did not present itself, an
more than TO the 4th and 9th Kentuck,
All these regiments, doubtless, in Il
past and the future have and will dii
tinguish themselves but justice to d
, I'd Michigan demands that to them mu
be awarded the praise Of routing Ii
rebels and driving them to rapid re
, treat, on the occasion Of the fight mel
! franklin, on the night Of the 4th, ins
j They lost two men killed and tv
wounded; 4th Kentucky, one man kills