The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-06-15
~ N DJ C
The 4th Tennessee CaEalrI


MEssRs. EDrroRs The return Of this old
and well tried Tennessee organization 70
tie capital Of the gallant State it repre-
sens, seems a fitting opportunity to notice
briefly some Of the services IT has performed
in Gliding to put down the gigantic and dew
ilish rebellion, organized and set in motion
by Jefferson Davis and his co. conspirators.
And more especially lie it desirable that this
should be done through the columns Of q
widely circulated journal like the Us1ox,
as q large m%siOrity Of its members are from
that grand nursery of Patriotism in the
South, East Tennessee, and have been 80
situated for months that they could neither
receive or return any intelligence from the
"dear ones at home," whom by the pres
sure of despOtiSm in the early part of the
contest they were compelled 10 leave be-
hind snd fly to the Union lines 10 save
themselves from death, or worse, conscrip-
ton into the rebel army. With your kind
permission, then, Messrs. Editors, who un-
doubtedly take an intense interest in every
thing relative to the fair fame Of our glo-
rious old State, I will state e few facts in
connection with the past history Of the 4th,
not becasse I would have you make an in
VidiOus distinction between it and the gall
liant regiments hailing from our common
State, but because il is just that Tennessee
ans and the world at large should be posted
in regard tok,hs part played by Tennsssee's
gallant some in sustaining the honor of our
dear old Union Gag in the contest Just
closing.
When Hood, last November, commenced
his march on our beautiful State capital the
4th, then and now commanded by 1t. Col.
JAcoB THoREBUEG, a bravo, skillful and en-
srgetic officer, was encsmped near this city,
ready to move whenever ordered. At
length, on the 9th Of November, it left
the city, nearly nine 900 strong, and march
ed out seven miles on Hillsboro pike, where
it camped and cleared for sction" by send
ing back to the city all baggage, save q
change Of underclothes. From .thst time
until the 25th of December the regiment
was almost daily under fire or making Sc
we're marches, taking q full and active show
in its sphere, in the brilliant circles Of op-
erations, which resulted in hurting back
across the Tennessee river Hoods dis
h~eartened, demoralized and ~disorganized
forces. Several times during thRtcampaign,
-one Of the most brilliant and successful
Of the war-it was cur duty to head The
charging columns Of dismounted cavalry
which was hurled against the rebel forces.
and when ordered to 60, whether leading
or following, il went as far as the farthest,
and never retrested till properly ordered to
do so, bringing of its colors every time
without even the smell Of dishonor upon
their glorious folds. And though not al
ways successful in every charge, it never
failed save when the strength of the posi-
tion assaulted rendered its capture an utter
impossibility.
After marching 10 Waterloo, Alabama, on
the Tennessee river, where the pursuit of
Wood ceased, we were ordered TO Gravel
Springs, near Eastport, on the Tennessee,
to go into winter quarters and recruit our
selves and stock. But just as We had got
our quarters ready 10 move into, we re-
ceived orders TO embark for New Orleans,
which we did on the 18th Of January, and
arrived at New Orleans on the Goth Of Feb
rusry, having stopped a couple Of weeks or
more at Yicksburg to rest our horses
about laid up by their long confinement on
the boat. Passing from New Orleans, after
8 c couple Of weeks stay there, we pushed on
10 Navy Cove, where We landed and took an
active part in the brilliant operations re-
sulting in the capture Of the last seaport of
note held by the rebels east Of the Texas
line. In those operations we bore our full
part, losing by deaths and wounds a full
proportion Of cur brave boys, snd in every
case acquitting ourselves 10 the satisfaction
OF our glourious Commsndsr-in.Chi hi
And, now, after three years service Of
such service as detailed above, we have re-
turned 10 our beautiful State capital, ready
if need be, 10 again and again peril our
lives in defense of the glorious principles
upon which our benifcent Government is
founded, but especially anxious to return
10 our homes once more, 10 those loved
ones whom q ruthless foe compelled us tC
leave behind us four years sgo, when VIZ
had to go 70 another State to reach prOtee-
ton within the Union lines. But is said
troops are needed to watch the guerrillsi
and thieves spawned by the rebellion. S,
there are; and the way 20 have them in
East Tennesseeis TO disband the troops from
that section, send them home with arms il
1 their hands, and I assure you bushwhacker
a will run but a short and bloody career il
their respective neighbOrhOOds. They ar'
just the lads TO "put 8 stopper" on the dss
tsrdly career Of these fends in human
form. Every man who may thus go hom'
from the old 4th will constitute a vigilAno,
! committee Of enc for the purpose ofsup
= pressing villainy in any and all shapes.
YouIs truly,
IaNua WILKINSON.