Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-08-19
"reminiscences Of the Second Tennes
see Cavalry.
BY LIEUT.. JNO. w. ANDES.


Our last left US at Decatur, on the
9Th day of November, 1854. We re.
manned there until the 18Th, during
which time the excitement over the
Confederate Gen. Hoods movements
toward Nashville continued to in
crease. On that date the writer was
aroused from his SAUNDERS about IL
o'clock at night and ordered to take
charge of large picket force that was
togo out on the Courtland road, with
orders TO go three miles unless
he should come in contact with
the enemy. It was avery dark night
and raining. The road was muddy
and the trip anything but pleasant.
From all the Information we were con =
stanlly expecting TO come upon the
enemy's pickets, consequently We
moved with a great deal of caution.
We took a position and remained un-
disturbed TILL morning. When day
light came we found our post within
short shooting distance of the enemy.
Our orders Were to keep sharp looks
out without bringing on an engage
ment, but should we make any dlscoV-
cry to quietly fall back and report,
which we did. Next day the entire
regiment vas sent out on the same
road aud found the forces to be COM
posed of the Fourth Alabama cavalry
which was scouting the country. We
charged upon them and captured sew
eral prisoners aud then returned TO
camps. On the 10Th about half of. the
TegimenE were detailed TO GO back 4 o
Louisville, KY, via Nashville, by rail,
the object being to get supply of
stock. The writer remained with hat
portion left al Decatur. On the 2OLh We
were sent out with a detachment on
the D4nville road about fifteen miles,
for lot OF refugees, Of all ages, sex
aud complexion. who were to be fed at
the expense of the Government. Ga
the 22nd we received orders TO be ready
to- evacuate the post. On the 18th,
Gen. Hood was crossing the Tennessee
river, hear Florence. with his entire
force, which made &c impossible
to longer hold our position. All
the outpOsts between there and
Decatur were under like orders,
| also between Decatur and Stew
ensOn. Orders were given to shin
all supplies on both these roads to the
rear as rapidly as possible, and should
this fail, 10 have such as could not be
shipped, destroy ed. The trains were
running day and night and the situa>
llion0na0f xcitement. Mostof the sun.
plies were saved. The steamer and gun
boats on the river were also kept busy.
Troops were ready to move at mo-
M enL's warning. On the Oath all the
troops left Decatur except the Second
Cavalry, the Eighteenth Michigan,
One undred-and-second Ohio and
Capt. Beach's battery, and moved in
the direction of Nashville, where the
Union forces under Gen. George III.
Thomas were concentrating. Next
day Decatur was evacuated. Before
leaving, number of large buildings
containing cOmmissary stores, were
| burned, together with a large maya.
zine containing ammunition, the ex-
| plOsiOn Of which made the very earth
tremble. Most Of the prominent build
ings were laid in ashes. Gen. Doo-
little, former Colonel of the Eighteenth
Michigan, was in command.
By the time the troops had crossed
the river, and after the pontoon bridge
bad been destroyed, the enemy dashed
into Decatur. Capt. Beach threw
some sheiis1 and shot, which made
them hide out. ~ The gunboats also
threw some shells, with considerable
effect, as I afterwards learned. We
went as far as Mooresville and camped.
On the 26th we went to Huntsville,
gathering up troops all the way. also
large wagon train. On the 18th we
arrived after night at Brownsboro',
stopped and fed, and then went
on to Gurley's Tank, arriving
there about / o'clock at night. We
rested short time and started again
at daylight on the 18th and went to
Paint Rock Bridge here we remained
all night. On the 18th we went to-
Lark insville. ysthis time n large
number OF refugee citizens were fol.
lowing US, both white and black, and