Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1865-05-11
Written Tor the Chronicle,
History Of the P. D. A. IT., or
s.Pee-wee Division"
PART I.

| l1OOu, VI IctltIlIdH d. ny { . O"S '--'''-y
officers and men, disabled by wounds or
disease, having been sent to hospital Or fur
Laughed home, until the army cut loose
from its base to follow Sherman on his
wonderful "march down to the sea; were
by his order, directed to report for duty
as soon as possible, to Maj Gen. Steadman
at Chattanooga, Tenn, to await his appear
ance on the coast, when they should be
sent for to join their respective commands.
Upon their arrival at Chattanooga they
were placed in Camps Of Dctachments, z"
drilled, and prepared for active service, as
it was supposed that every available man
would be needed to give Hood and his reb-
els fitting reception. to-
welcome them with bloody hands
To hospitable graves
On the 9th day of November, 1864, Gen.
Sherman with his gallant army left Atlanta.
tn cir faces turned seward, and on the
next day the gathering up Of the fragments
the saving of the peices-began. In a
Special Order, dated Nov. 10th, COL A. G.
Malloy of nth Wis. Vol. Infy having re-
ported to Brig. Gen. Charles Cruft-to
whom the organization of these detach-
ments had been assigned by Gen. Steadman
and not being able to join his command,
was ordered to assume command of Camps
of Detachments at this place. AS men came
on and reported, the Col. organized them
into companies, battaions, and soon had
order established where chaos threatened
afortime.
On the oath Of Nov orders were sent
to Col Malloy from Gen. Cruft, directing
him to take ''all the available men in the
camp of the 18th Corps Detachment now
commanded by you proceed to Tunnel Hill
Ga. by rail-establish your Head Quarters
at that place--proceed forthwith to strength
en- the present forces at the various block
houses from the Junction to BuZZards
Boost (on the Georgia State Railroad) No
to 13 inclusive until there shall be an
officer and 30 men in each-the residue OF
your command, YOU will use as a garrison
for Tunnel Hill and Rinsgold placing at
Ringgold competent officer and 100 men
You will have the general command Of the
block houses named above, and will make
such dispositions as viii prevent surprise
or capture, and ensure proper defense III
case of attack The orderly and soldierly
behaviour of your men in their intercourse
with the citizens Of the surrounding coun-
try is important, and must be looked to
carefully--no marauding, struggling, i'm
pressment of property, or ill-treatment OF
citizens will be suffered, nor will arrest Of
citizens be made except on charges made
, and strong probability or evidence Of guilt.
Another brigade was sent under the com
mand of Col. Culver, Of a Michigan reg
to Dalton, Ca, while third, composed
J principally of men from the 18th Corps, was
sent, under command of Col Broughton O.
the 14Sth New York Infantry to garrison
Cleveland, Tenn. on the Knoxville Rail
road.
As Hood was pressing upon Thomas
army toward Nashville, it was deemed nee
cessary to make a diversion in the latter's ia
vor, and to distract the enemy by sending
a force against his flank. Consequent,
] Gen. Steadman moved out of Chattanoog;
e with what force could be spared, anon:
e which was 500 men from Tunnel Hill, un
I der Col Maloy, whose command Was In
creased by additions from the ''camp 0
] 18th Corps Detachments" at Chattanooga
4 to a full brigade-Maj. NJ. G. Hamill Of q
!, Iowa Infantry remaining in command a
a Tunnel HILL
a On the 30Ih Of Nov. tina command begar
moving by rail from Chattanooga, arriving
;. safely in Nashville the next day. AS to th
e part taken by Col Malloy's brigade, which
r represented the Army Of the Tennessee
a in the famous battle Of Nashville [ quot
d from his report as follows:
$ MY brigade on the afternoon of Dee. I'd
n was ordered to the front by Gen Cruft, ant
Nashville and Chattanooga Rail Road anC
threw mp works. These works were occu
h pied until the morning Of the Sd, when
h was ordered back within the limits of tn,
:. city, where my command occupied posi-
ton between the Lebanon and Murfreesbo-
70 Pixies, my right resting about 2n rods
= to the left of the latter, while my left rested
= about the same distance to the right of tn
e former, the line running at about right an
5 giles with the "'pikes," where was ordered
o by Gen Cruft TO throw NJ works.
r On the 3lSt my brigade was ordered gu
on a reconnaissance to the east of the city
: | marched out on the MurfreeSboro pix,
o about one mile, formed line-of battle a
e right angles with the pike, my left res.ins
{ upon the same. | Immediately sent out
heavy skirmish-lne which soon became en-
} gagged and drove the enemy TO his works
The object Of the reconnaissance having beer
attained, received orders from Gen. Crnf
: to return TO camp with my command. Tn,
e casualties during the reconnaissance were