The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1882-08-17
HOW WHEELER WAS WHIPPED AT
LAVERGNE.

ao LAs0As1s
Only one or two Federal historians
have even made mention of the neat lit
tie fight at Lavergne, which occurred
at the time OF the battle OF Stone River,
and il the Confederate historian has
touched upon the matter it is only to
dismiss it in three or four lines. / have
taken considerable pains to work up
both sides, and the many facts and in
cidents which the dignifed historian has
refused to meddle with will certainly in
terest a large constituency to-day.
LAVERGNE.
Lavergne is bit of a town between
Nashville and Murfreesboro, and, as
Rosecrans left Nashville further and
further behind him, he detailed various
bodies to protect his lines of commune
cation with the city. In many cases
these details were gobbled up-indeed,
1t was from capturing so many of them
that Bragg came to show up such
large list of prisoners. Wheeler, Whar-
ton, Pegram and other Confederate cav
airy leaders did not have hand in the
big fight at all, but worked around on
various pixies and highways, killing,
capturing and burning. They captured
train after train, and such wagons as they
could not run off were burned as they
stood. Col. Innis, having with him less
than 400 of the Michigan Regiment of
Mechanics and Engineers-men who
did not profess to do any fighting-was
detailed to take position at Layergne
and keep the road open. He had no
artillery. but the boys had full supply
of cartridges and were rather proud of
being called to take part in the grand
movement.
IN POSITION.
There is just one spot around the vii
lage where small tody of men could
take position TO successfully fight a
larger body, and Innes at once seized
upon it. On the range back of the town
he posted his little command and hasti-
ly covered it with breastwork of logs,
stones, rails and cedar trees cut down
and dragged to the spot. He had no
reason to expect fight, and yet he took
all precautions.
WHEELER APPEARS.
The sounds of the battle between Nc
Cook and Hardee came to the men all
the forenoon, and once in awhile strug-
gler gave them news of how the fight
was going, but it was not until after
noon that it was known that the Con-
federate cavalry were cutting and slash
ing up and down the roads without
check. Wheeler, having about 1900
men in his command, suddenly appear
ed from the direction of Murfreesboro,
and he gobbled everything on the road.
Army wagons, sutler stores, ambulances
o,,I 81
highway, and he had only to gallop
along to seize everything. He meant to
press on, but he found Innes there and
dared not leave him in his rear. 1--WE
had made big haul,'' explained one of
his lieutenants to me, land the boys
were in the spirit for reckless fighting.
Several different citizens of Lavergne
had counted the Michigahders to man,
and when they came and told us that
Innes had only about 400 muskets we
reckoned on gobbling the whole crowd
without firing shot. Wheeler sent in
flag of truce and demanded surren-
der, but what do you suppose that
cheeky Colonel repliedP"
"He refused, / believe"
Refused! Why, he told Wheeler to
go to h-ll! There we were, six to one,
and he could see it before his eyes, and
he meant to fight! Wheeler was aston
ished and amazed, but we had no time
to fool away, and in ten minutes we
were ready to drive those Wolverines
out of their nest. A part of our men
dismounted, the artillery was brought
up, and then Wheeler flung column
of attack at the hreastwork. | was one
of that column, and | didn't expect to
hear dozen muskets pop before seeing
white flag run up"
''But you didn't see one"
mo, l didn't! We went In with veil
and know got within five feet of the
breastwork, but we come out singing a
different song. Why, sir, they opened
on us so hot and kept it up SO con-
tinually that we heard tie bugles blow
recall within five minutes. We were
beautifully licked in no time at all. and
! don'- believe we killed one of sem in
that charge. / got'so near that could
look ever the breastwork and see the
men. and my horse carried two Yankee
bullets away with him.
4 SECOND FLAG,
The man was correct. When Innes
saw that he was to be attacked he order
ed his men to hug down and fire slow
ly and coolly, and they obeyed to the
letter. The two pieces of Confederate
artillery flung the brush and rails ten
feet high at every discharge, but when
ever gap was opened men lung down
their muskets and closed it. After the
repulse Wheeler sent in a second flag of
truce, stating he had five TO one and
wanted to prevent further bloodshed.
What did Innes say to thatr' I ask
ed of my informant
Il heard the report of the officer as
he returned. He rode up to Wheeler.
saluted and said;
nGen. Wheeler, Col. Innes says he
will see YOU d-d before he'll sur
render! He says you must take him if
you want himr'
AT that Wheeler got fighting mad.
Ine idea that we were being held there
by 400 men made him fighting hot. The
second attack was made with over l.
ZUU men, and our artilIarv hlazad away