Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-09-23

BY LIEUT.. JNo. w. ANDES.

- S4NSs W 0ND1%o'
sG8IBsI % g.
NO. XXI.
On the morning of the 4th of
January 1895. after another hard
night march, we stopped just before
daylight long enough to feed our
stock and get something to eat our
selves. II was very cold, and the men
were suffering for hunger and want +
rest, having been on the march four
DAYS and nights. We received infor-
nation while here, from some of the
prisoners we had captured, that Col.
Russell, of the Seventh Alabama
Cavalry, 800 strong. was in front o. US,
and coming over the same road, so
that he would certainly meet US. So
we had to prepare for the reception.
Coils. Palmer aad,. Prosser were net
long in shaping their command
for the occasion. We had about AIS
prisoners to guard, aud about 200
horses and mules. After putting one
man to each prisoner, and enough to
guard the stock, and, putting suffi
cient force OUT to protect our TANKS,
we found Col. Russell had to be met
with 100 men. For this purpose call
was made for volunteers from the diff
ferent commando, and the number
was soon made upsof men who had q
full knowledge OF the emergency and
VINO were prepared for the worst.
hGsef mn O. tho FpoHA hia O r.
pearance over the frozen hills we were
in our saddles and on our perilous
journey. The 100 picked men took
the advance with the prisoners aud
their guards Just behind, with q rear
guard TO cover the rear OF all. We had
gone three miles, perhaps, when.
fortunately for US, we met The enemy
In the gap of q ridge. Just as we
reached the top from one side Col.
Russell's command came up on the
summit. We had out o small ad-
vance guard, while they had none.
The moment we discovered them,
the order was given TO charge, the two
Colonies being at the head of their
columns. Every man applied his
spurs and the war whoop was raised
all along the column, and on we
dashed TO the conflict with drawn
saDres. The gallant Colonel Russell
stood bold as a lion, and tried his best
to rally his men. Some stood their
ground while others fled at once. AT
the first dash we OverpOWered the
head of the Confederate column. Eol.
Russell leaped from his horse and fled
to the mountains, to save his life, but
not until he and Col. PrOsser crossed
sabres. By this time the entire column
was panic stricken, and a general
stampede ensued. The road was shut
in on each side by steep mountain
covered with timber, which pre-
vented their escape in that di-
rection on Horseback. Hence
they let their horses and Il d
for refuge. Hundreds of them es-
capped. We pressed through along the
narrow road, blOckaded with de serted
horses, the best We could, completely
routing the entire Confederate force.
some were killed, q number wounded,
and fifty prisoners were captured, be-
sides twenty five Federal prisoners re-
captured. We Captured and burned
eight wagons, loaded with army sup
plies, such as clOIhing, ammunitt oI,
&C., together with paymast er's
wagon, loaded principally with Con.
federate money. Confederate money
lay scattt red around on the ground
like shucks about u cOrn-crib, while
some Of our mtn Were loaded with it.
But it was worth 10 more than the
paper it was printed on, though thir-
teen dollars of the worthless stuff was
what aSCoufetierate private soldier re-
ceived for q mOnth's service. i# ie
sThis was one of the most brill ant
in the history OF the
SecOL d Cavalry, aud the attachments
OF other regiments engaged were
equally entitled TO the glory with the
Sc cond.
After all the odds against US in point
Of numbers, we had only one man
slightly .wounded, Sergt. Robert
Udailey. He had his horse shorfrom
under nlm early in the engagement,
and being dismOunted his comrades
passed on add left him. He was cap
turtd. but before his captors could get
away with him, tqnad OF our men
came up and rescued him He was
the only man hurt on our side. Dur
Ing the 1.-THE writer ordered large
Confederate soldier to surrender.
He replied with a terrible
oath and leveled his old Belgian
musket at me, swearing he would
" shoot my heart out" Being near
his side, aud, knowing prompt action
was required. 1 struck at his head
with my sabre. but missed my aim
aud sntarly cut his nose of He
dropped his gun and begged for mercy.
M4jor McBAth saw my peril, and by
TINS time was at my side. Msjjr Nc
Bath, Lieut.. John q. Hale, Lieut.. r.
II. Andes, Lieut.. A. b. Prosser, Capt.
Fletcher Wallace. Serx't. d. G. EN-
mert, and q host of others, specially
displayed gallantry on the occasion.
Many other things might be said of
the engagement, but leave it for
others TO len. $
,Ao1atant Will. A. McPeer will prob
aoiy nave something to say of this
night. DE was in the thickest of the
battle, Away cool, courageous, and
displaying good judg So
- One Week in Wall Street.