Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-04-15
"reminiscences CT the Second Tennes-
see Cavalry.
BY LIEUT.. JNO. W. ANDES.
NO. XIV.

NO. XIV.
My last left the reader at OkoioBa, on
the 22d day of February, 1864, in the
midst of q fierce cavalry charge, in
which not only the Second, but the
Third and Fourth Tennessee Cavalry
displayed distinguished gallantry.
Had not those regiments, together
with the Fifth Kentucky Cavalry,
stood firm at their posts while the en-
my was making his bold, brilliant
dashes, the position of the Second
would have been extremely perilous.
We were being pressed from every di
rection-rear, front and both tanks
and nothing but the gallantry OF the
other regiments saved ours from de-
struction. The action of these regi-
ments bound them to ours ia a cord
that was never broken.
When it became necessary for all to
fall back, confusion reigned supreme
and everywhere. Our forces were
routed, and il became neces-
sary for every man to look to
his own safety. The writer became
separated, not only from his company
and regiment, but from any one he
knew during the whole day. There
was a general mixing up OF both
armies-Ihe blue mingled with the
grey. The armies numbered about
1000 men, including about 3 600 or
1000 citizens, of all grades, colors and
sexes. During the greater portion Of
the day We were moving at a lively
gait-mOst of the time as fast as a
horse could run. We lost nearly all of
our artillery, which was gObbled up by
Forest and his men. The writer
passed one battery in an open field, in
a large ditch. Six horses were at
taehed TO each wagon drawing the
guns, rider being upon each horse.
Ii appeared that they had been going
at full speed 10 make their escape, and
had landed in this ditch unaWares.
Horses and riders had tumbled in, and
the wagons and artillery on top. 1t
was a complete wreck. Most of the
horses aud some of men were killed,
while many were scrambling to get
out. As the writer passed them the
enemy was coming up in solid mass,
full speed, and be had no time TO stop
and sympathize with comrades in dis
NlCHS. IL " aS q AaSC lOI uodI lllct duu
1 passed on.
Going short distance 1 came upon
a Major of the Fifth Kentucky Cav.
airy, who was lying ON the ground,
with his horses bride in his hand i
dashed up to him and said, So What is
the matter my friend?" He replied
that he had just been shot through the |
shoulder. L told him to get up and
get on his horse at once. 9He said he |
was too sick, and suffering too much |
to even set on his horse if he was
mounted. At this juncture / sprang |
from my horse ana took him by his |
sound arm and raised him to |
his feet. The enemy was in |
sight and close by. L told
him to get his foot in
the stirrup, which he did, when
l fairly threw him into his saddle. 1
held him by the arm and we started |
our horses full speed for about one |
mile, the enemy almost at our heels |
aud pouring shot at US thick and |
heavy, when we came up with some |
ambulances. l succeeded in getting |
the Major into ane of them, and got |
the train ofambulances started. What
ever became of him never afterward /
learned. / have forgotten his name,
but if he Is living and this should meet
his eye, would be glad to hear from
him.
About this time and place our Lieu
tenant Colonel, w. r. Cook, who was