The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-20
Our Army Correspondence.
MINNESOTA CAVALRY IN ALA.
BAMA.
Account Of Their Recent Etrbts.

fAccouht Oh Hhelr Recent Fights.
THE First Cavalry, Capt VoN MrNDEs the
Second, Capt. SHELLY, and the Third, Can't.
WEST, are in a regmental organization known
as the Fifth Iowa Cavalry, Col LOWE. The
following letter gives an interesting account of
their recent operations in Alabama
NASHVILLE, Ala, Oct. 20, 1868.
To the Editor of the Pioneer.
For the first time for some weeks we have
an opportunity of sending mail matter to the
Estates, having in the meantime had our COM
munication cut off by the rebel Gen. Wheeler;
but the general impression is that his visit
among the g Lincoln Hirelings" was not only
unhealthy but improbable.
On the 9Th of this month our regiment was
at Decherd, Tennessee. in command of Colonel
Lowe. The Colonel received orders from Gen.
Rosecrans to collect and take command of all
the cavalry in that section of the country, to
pursue and attack Gen. Wheeler, who had just
captured Meanwhile, quite number of pris-
oners and large amount of Government stores
with very fair prospect of his doing damage
on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad,
which supposition afterwards proved correct.
We proceeded directly to Duck River Bridge,
got there about p. M. on the 9th, and there
heard that Wheeler with large force was at
bridge seven miles north of there, which
crosses the north branch of Duck River,
trying to burn it, We made forced march,
without hating to the bridge, but got there too
late; the bridge with the stockade was mass
of ruins, and all in flames. We forded the
stream and followed him, were fired into be-
tween there and Wartacca which is one mile
north ofthere. The 9Th Iowa cavalry formed
line of battle and charged them. We drove
them through the town to point about quar-
ter of mile west of Wartacca, where they pre-
pared to make stand. The different COM
panies of the regiment were SO disposed of as
to prevent the possibility of flank attack,
and Company X, Capt. Shelly, was ordered to
charge them, which they did in manner
that did them great credit. The company
fought 25O of the enemy at distance of not
over forty yards, for fifteen minutes, routing
them completely, occupying their ground,
when another portion of our regiment pursued
them for two miles. 1t getting dark, we fell
back to Duck River Bridge. In the fight at
Wartacca, private Perkins, of Capt. Shelly's
company, was killed. One man was wounded
slightly and several horses were shot.
The next morning we marched to Shelbyville
and there learned that General Wheeler had
at completely sacking the place, left early that
morning, closely pursued by Generals Mitchell
and Crooks divisions, also that they were then
fighting at Pennington fourteen miles from
there. We followed on as fast as possible, but
too late to he in the engagement of that day,
the result OF which was complete Federal
victory, and would undoubtedly have been much
more disastrous to the enemy, had there not
been misunderstanding about orders between
Gen. Crook and Col Minty. The engage
ment did great credit to Gen. Crook.
On the Sth instant We made good days
march with nothing worthy of note except
skirmishing now and then. Went into camp at
Pulaski, and on the next morning at daylight
we moved on, the Fifth Iowa Cavalry in adj
vance of the division. At Sugar Creek we
came upon the enemy, where they had thrown
up defences and made a stand Companies H,
and K, having the advance guard, commanded
by the bold and fearless Major Bracket, had a
warm and lively time skirmshing before the
column moved up. As soon as the Fifth came
up, they were ordered to make Il sabre charge,
which they did to the entire satisfaction of all
the officers And let me assure you it would
have done your soul good to have seen that line
of mounted men with drawn sabres going at
full gallop; also to have seen the Grey backs
get out Of that! 1t was the most complete rout
ever saw-they threw away their arms and
they had stolen at Shelbyville
and in fact everything, and fled in every direc
ton. The Fifth Iowa cavalry was commanded
by Lieutenant Col. Patrick, who, for his cool
ness and bravery on that occasion, won the
praise and admiration of all. We killed as
near as we can learn, fifteen, wounded some
sixty, and took between three and four hun
dred prisoners. Our only casualty was one |
man wounded. | have not seen the Off |
cial report, but some say we took five hundred
men-their arms, few of them discharged,
Law along the road for eight or ten miles. We
pushed on with n good prospect of making
rood haul at the Tennessee river, but found
hey had all crossed, and that the force that
.ttacked us at Sugar Creek was two thousand
strong, left there to cover the retreat of Vince
cr's train army Some Of the prisoners that
We took. say that when Wheeler started on the
aid. he crossed the Tennessee with eight thou
and men, aud re-crOssed with less than six
thousand, which corrobOrateS very well with
he killed and prisoners taken during the eX-
)editiOn.
conversation between one Of our officers
md a wounded rebel Captain, shows how well
ONE of Wheeler's men remember us. One Of
ur officers remarked to him that he the rebel
ficer might be under the impression that we
we're the Seventh Pennsylvania cavalry. He
eplied, "The Seventh Pennsylvania cavalry! !
Iell it's that id Fifth Iowa! / knew them
t Donelson." We meet great many that we I
ave had prisoners before.
General Crook is here in command of the |
econd division, which at present, is all in camp
ere. Ours is the FIRST brigade, commanded
v Colonel w. w. Lowe and we all think our
elves very fortunate to have our old regimental
commander in command of our brigade His
Military and social qualities render it only ne
essary to know him to love and respect him.
TN, Sy,o;J T | 4