The National tribune., 1881-12-31

DatUeTJ, escorted q Train OF nfty wagons
on a foraglng expedition In the direction of La
Vergne on the Murfreesboro road Leaving the
turnpike, he passed to the left toward Stone
River, where in a rich valley he soon loaded his
wagons with abundant forage. While the wagons
were loading reconnaissance was made to Dob
bins Ferry mile beyond. Satisfied that no enemy
was in that direction the train was about to be
set in motion on the same route by which it
had advanced, when almost Immediately the
sharp report of muSketry was heard in the rear.
company of the Twenty-frst Kentucky ON
guard near a clump of cedarS still engaged in
loading wagon, was attacked by body of dis
mounted cavalry, which was repulsed and held
at bay until the arrival of squad from the
Ihlrty-tifth Indiana, when the enemy was put to
flight. The train now started on its homeward
march The Fifty y-frst Ohio Thirty-ffth Indiana,
and the artillery in advance the Twenty-fiTSt Ken
lucky at intervals along the train and the Eighth
Kentucky in the rear. Soon the sharp rattle of
musketry IN the rear gave intimatiOn that the
object of the expedition would not be accom-
plished without struggle. line of skirmish-
ers suddenly appeared emerging from dense ce-
dar thieket at the side of the road With a rous-
ing cheer the boys of the Twenty-frst charged
upon them and drove them back into the woods
The enemys guns opened, when Colonel
Matthews ordered charge along the whole line.
This movement resulted in dispensing the enemy
and the train returned to camp without further
molestation. The loss in Matthew's brigade was
five killed, thirty-one wounded, and six missing.
Brigadier-Gener ID. S. Stanley reported for
duty as chief of cavalry early in December, and
at once assumed command.
Gen. Stanley graduated at West Psint, in the
class of 1852, and was assigned to the Second
Dragons with the rank of second lieutenant.
After three years service on the plains he was
transferred to the First Cavalry as first lieuten-
ant, then under command of Colonel f. V Sumner.
Joe Johnston was heutenant-colonel, and John
Sedgwick and VIM. III. Emory majors In 1857
he accompanied Colonel Sumner on an expedition
against the Cheyenne Indians, in which he was
engaged in sharp fight on Solomon's Fork of the
Kansas River in which the Indians were defeated.
In 1853 he was engaged in the Utah Expedition
and IN the same year he crossed the plains to the
northern boundary of Texas. In sharp and
decisive battle with the COmanches Lieutenant
Stanley displayed such courage and skill in
handling his command as to receive the compli-
mentary orders of General Scott. The opening
of the rebellion found him stationed at Fort Scott
Arkansas, where in March, he received his
commission as captain in the Fourth Cavalry.
His command was included in the surrender
made by General Twiggs, but the heart of the
brave officer beat loyal to the flag of his country
and he resolved upon march nortnward to
Kansas City, Mo. Uniting his force with that
| at Fort Smith, the column moved through the
Indian country. confederate force sent against
them was On the 8th of May captured and
| parOled. On the 18th of June they occupied
Kansas City, and marched at once upon indie
| pendence where Captain Stanley was fired upon
while carrying flag of truce. He Joined General
| Lyon in his expedition against Springfield,
which was occupied July 18th. He participated
in the various engagements in Missouri during
the summer of 1861, displaying in an eminent
degree the dash and conspicuous courage which
so distinguished him in his subsequent career,
and in September he reported with his regiment
! 70 Enr1nr ,oy,& &o%S III
against Price from Syracuse, and in November
moved against Springfield. Captain Stanley was
| appointed brigadier-general in November 1851,
and In March, 1862, was assigned to the COM
mand of the Second division of Pope's army in
the expedition against New Madrid and Island
No. 10, the Fort Pillow expedition and in the
siege of COrinth. Here his acquaintance with
General Rosecrans began, ripening into sincere
attachment under the fire of Prices guns at
| 1uka and the yet fercer blaze of Van Dorn's
hard-fghting battalions at Corinth in October.
| His conspicuous gallantry ON this occasion added
a second star to the insignia of his rank and
caused him to be selected by his old commander
| in arms to organize and lead the cavalry of his
new command. In person General Stanley was
tall and erect. handsome face and long flow
ing beard slightly silvered, engaging in manner,
and full of enthusiasm for the success of the
cause in which he held his own life as nothing
In comparison, he soon impressed his personality
| UPON tIt cavalry VI ARMY Ol the CumD6r-
| land and made it reliable branch of the service
When he assumed command it was composed of
| the following regiments:
Colonel John Kennett commanding First Cav
! airy Division.
| Colonel Ed. McCook, commanding First Brig
ade Third Kentucky, Colonel Eli Fl. Murray;
Seventh Pennsylvania, Major Wynkoop; Second
| Indiana Major Hill; Fourth Michigan, Colonel
Minty; Fourth Kentucky, Lieutenant-Colonel
! Buchstahl.
| Colonel L. Zahm, commanding Second Brigade:
First Ohio, Lieutenant Colonel Milliken Fourth
Ohio, Major Pugh; Fifth Kentucky, Lieutenant
Colonel Scott; Third Ohio, Lieutenant Colonel
Murray; Artillery, Lieutenant Newell.
| Making total of 1898 men.
| General Stanleys first anxiety was to arm this
little force with repeating rifles, and to increase
it by the addition of several new regiments as
early as possible.
| On the 11th Of December he determined to try
| their metal in an engagement, and to this end
moved upon Franklin. Colonel Ed McCook, with
| the Third Kentucky, Seventh Pennsylvania, and
| Fourth Michigan, took the lead. The advance
guard, two companies of the Seventh Pennsylya-
mia, attacked the enemy's pickets six miles south
of Brentwood, and drove them upon the main
picket, about fifty in number, who retired after
brief skirmish.
The command now turned off on a by-road and
bivouacked for the night. In the morning the
march was resumed, and within two miles of the
town the advance again struck the confederate
pickets, who ran away and joined the main body,
which was formed in line of battle to the left of