Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1863-11-09
A Private Letter.
HEADQ'Rs 4TH DIVISION CAVALRY,
23d Army Corps,
JonesborO. Tenn. Oct 18 1853

-Co ~AA wi PSI
Jonesboro, Tenn, Oct. 18, 1863
DEAR FATHER: On Friday, the 9th o
this month, we left Knoxville for East
Tennessee, on the cars. Major Gen
erals Burnside and Parke, (his Chief o.
Staff, and Brigadier Generals Potter
Ferrero and shackleford, with thei1
staffs, constituted the cargo for one pas.
sanger car The morning was clear and
rather pleasant, little cool, but withal
pleasant day for travelling. Each Of
the Generals occupied himself as he
thought best-Gen. Burnside, during the
first part of the trip, riding on the
engine; Gen. Potter taking an easy
position, and neither talking nor look
ing at anything in particular; Gen.
Ferrero brushing the dust from his coat,
and smoking a fine cigar; Gen. Shack
leford employing his time by reading.
We arrived at Bulls Gap, our destina-
ton by car, at 6 clock, and found Col.
Carriers brigade of mounted men at this
place. The Colonel informed us that the
enemy was nine mTres TrUur -U5rT; m
force Our tents were pitched, and the
staff retired early. | was called up to
write some orders during the night, and
found Gen. Burnside was just leaving
our camp Several times during the
night l was awakened, and almost every
time l heard Gen. b. passing my tent.
l have been informed that when he is
out in the field, it is his habit to be
up this way, taking his sleep half hour
at time. We were up and off at sun
rise the next morning, and away for
Bulls Gap We Travelled pretty fast,
and passed large number of troops on
the way, most of the infantry belonging
to the 9th Army Corps. Arriving near
Blue Springs, we heard the skirmishers
firing in our front Looking at my
watch found it was nearly II o'clock
Two pieces of Phillips Pennsylvania
Battery we're sent forward, and planted
on high mound or hill, supported by
part of Carter's brigade Part of the
brigade were on the left in the woods,
skirmishing with the enemy. Two more
of Phillips guns were on the right in
the edge of the woods, supported by a
regiment of infantry, and skirmishers on
the right of it. l inclose little sketch
of the positions, as they were when l
arrived on the field, which was about 3
o clock in the afternoon. Gems. Burn
side, Parke, Potter, Ferrero and Shack
leford, with their stats, were on the high
mound on the left, near the two guns of
Phillips battery. While the Generals
were surveying the battle field, sur
veyed them and their stats. The Gen
erals | have already described The
most remarkable man among the staff
officers, is, l think, Col Sanders, Chief
of Cavalry ON Gen. Burnside's staff
He is the man who made the celebra-
ted raid into East Tennessee, and de-
stroyed so much of the railroad He is
tall, straight, and very well formed, au-
burn hair, and heavy moustache that
is almost red in color But the most re-
markable thing about him is his eyes.
could not tell the color of them, and
asked one of the staff if he could. He
said "No, can't tell the color of them,
but they have the devil in them, haven't
Re looks Ea thR hah A p266a pR266aldh ldh dFg fo
do anything, and as though he could ac-
complish anything that he undertook to
do. During this time the cannons were
firing continually, and the skirmishers
also were doing their part and had driv-
en- the enemy more to the left, when the
great move of the day was decided upon.
Ferrero's division of the 9th Army Corps
was ordered up and placed in line on
! the right, in the woods, behind the two
guns of Phillips Battery. The reserve
/ of Shackelford's division was also put in
readiness on the left, and then the charge
was made From where | was standing,
on a mound in the centre of our line,
could not see how the cavalry on the
left were doing, but could plainly see the
9th Army Corps making their charge
They emerged from the woods in fine
style, and marched into the corn field ii
as regular order as though they were OF
drill They had hardly entered the field
however, when the enemy poured in {
terrible fire of musketry. Just at thi
moment ball struck the tree, just owe
the head of Gen. Burnside. When h
heard the whistling of the bullet h
threw his head to one side, and Ger
Shackelford, who was standing by hi
side, lodged also. l did not dodge tha
, bullet, but when the shells began t
whistle | lodged some, | assure you, an
every person l saw was doing the sam
thing. Almost at the same time LieU
tenant Colonel commanding one of th
regiments, and a color-bearer of th
| same, were wounded, and for an instar
the regiment was thrown into confusion
Looking around, l saw General FerFeI
and staff dashing down to the field, bl
: before they were half way there, Il
S regiment had reformed, and was agai
marching through the fcld, as reg
!. Iarly as though on dr. -. arade. ID
u ring this time, Colonel sanders was p
o cling up and down, his hands clenche
n and his eyes flashing FIRE, longing to
q in the charge, not satisfied with the da
y ger he was already in The Division hs
Il now reached the highest part of t
J. Geld, and was still moving steadily o
lie when General Potter galloped down al
IA throwing the line more to the right, e
), tered the woods that the enemy W
+. leaving with all possible speed.
of The remainder of the battle was almC
lie entirely artillery firing, only occasions
n " musket shot being heard. Fully e
pecting the fight to be renewed in
morning, | went to bed that mig
: and slept as soundly as e7
: did. But when the morning came
found the enemy had fed. Our idivisi
being cavalry, started in pursuit, a