Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-09-13
"reminiscences Of the Third Tennse.
see Cavalry.
BY ADJUTANr WILL. A. M'TEER.
BATTLE AT SULPHUR TREsTLE-THE
REGIMENT CAPTURED.


"Reminiscences, not being along my
self aud gaining my Information from
different parties just after the occur.
renee, when there was so much con-
fusion, and irquirisg recently find
meneaies to COZ fl ct, as 1t is d ticult to
place everything together properly.
AS formerly stated, when Forrest at
tackled Athens, Col. Miunis, with the
largest portion of the regiment was
out on a reconnaissance. having started
from Athens on the 2lst day Of Sep.
tesnber, 1854, and going down in the
general direction of Florence.
While he was at or near Lawrence
burgh, Tenn, which Is near the State
line, Forrest passed from Florence via
RogeIsville to Athens. Col. Minnis
aimed to return to Athens, but on
Cunning to Rogersvilie, be found q
force had passed him and left him in
their rear, aud at this time there was
light skirmish between small detach-
ments from each command. The
Colonel then could only change
his course, which he did in the
| direction of Sulphur Trestle, Alabama.
On the "a of September he again
! started for Athens. Captain E. God
dard, with his company, was in ad-
| vance, aud met the enemy in corn
field, where short skirmish followed,
! which revealed the fact that IT was
heavy force OF the enemy fronting
them, aud the gallant Colonel was
COIN PEELED to again fall back TO Sulphur
Tres. lie This was fortlfication Quilt
for the protection of q tresLIe work Oh
the railroad, and was most unfortunate
In its location aud construction. The
fort was located on q rise or knoll at
one end OF the trestle-work, 80 con-
structed that if an enemy should be
fool enough to attempt to tear down
or burn the trestle-wOrk, sweeping
fire could be given from the fort, bu!
ihe engineer had apparently disre-
garded every other consideration.
Right around and within range of
these works, Were four high points,
situated above and commanding the
fort.
Colonel Lsthrop was commanding
the forces at this place. aud a brave
man he was, too. The great pity was
that he and Colonel Campbell had not
been sent V5se Versa. Lathrop to
Athens and Campbell TO Sulphur
Trestle.
Failing back to this place COlOnel
LaLhrop orcered Colonel MINIS and
his com mand into the works. Ahe
latter regarded it as unfortunate, and
hn ali of h huk A..
terms demonstrated on account of the
horses, preferrIng to remain in the
saddle. The orders we're peremptory,
and being the ranking officer, obedI-
ence was the only alternative.
The hosts under Forrest made their
appearances, anu placlng batteries on
each of these hig0 pom 8, with rifle,
shotgun and cannon, the deadly mis-
sIies were literally poured in upon the
brave buys Ia The tort. IG WAS only u
short time until Colonel Lathr0p ielI.
Assistant Surgeon Frederick Wagner,
of the Ihlru, went TO his almost life
less form 10 render medical assistance,
when he received u snOL and fell dead
Colonel Minus then took command OF
the entire force, aud II Was only
short time uutIl he was paraly Eco
from the effects of a sbel. This left
ID sjor Ben. Cunning ham IN Com maud
anu &c was UuG 0rief period un II he
was W, uuded by a MInie ball passing
through nis shoulder. Col. MInBls
az all rallied aud assumed Command.
Capt Johu ii. Morton was outside the
tort, walking with his sabre under his
arm, q passing tail struck the hilt,
Knocking the blaue out OF the scaO
BARD anu sending it sOUIe distance III
A b - f<Nr.
arm, passing between tue two bone Q.
he then Went lntU tue tori, aud Into u
small builuIpg USED as nUpiial 70,
surgical AID. Finding 10 surgeon he
again stepped 40 the door when can
non bali passed by hlm In the door,
,eaIIng GnlDgs up at y fearful rate III
the house. IL appeared that death was
faciug HIM at every turn. Lieuieuaui
George E. Cartun, of COMPANY "G,n
" as Killed outright. Sergeant w. A
McNutt had his carbine by his side. A
piece of shelf struck him, cutting off
ais small, and II l r. member rightly
the next or third fingers, knocking the
stock from bis gun aud lodging in his
Lh1gn. AT er the fight was over the
look il out, when IL
WAS found to weigh over y
pound Corporal A. w. Rose, OF
"E." was severely wounded.
A number of others were killed aud
wounded but have not their names,
owing to the III fusion following and
the capture of the regiment. The
battle lasted over three aud q half over
nours, when Forrest demanded sur
render. Upon examination il Was
found that the ammunition of our
command was exhausted, SO the de-
mand was acct ded to, aud ~ gallant q
regiment with as brave commander a.
ever buckled on a sabre, became pris
oners of war. The regimental color
bearer was Andrew E. Fowler, OF
Company "L," a mere youth, whose
home was in Newark, New Jersey.
The brave boy stood to his place, hold
ing up the banner and cheering the
boys around him, until he had a mere
battered flagstaff with 8 few tattered
strings remaining to the splinters, and
be only took it down when he became
a prisoner. Another member of the
same Company had been drilled in the
artillery service. Some guns were ia
the fort manned by few colortd men
who did not manage them as effective
ly as they should be. Our man took |
charge OF them, working and fighting,
ohtl ne was stopped by the flag OF |
truce, doing most effective work.
In the surrender he officers " ere al |
lowed TO retain their side arms. The |
rebel chieftain passed some high COM
pliments upon the bravery of Col