The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-03-29
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have to Say
About Their Old Campaigns.
To the Editor NATIONAL TnrBux..


count of the battle Of Shiloh by General Hovey,
and the reply to same by General Veatch, with
ySnr permission would Like to have published the
ter known in the Western Army as "Chickasaw."
The words are, verbatim, rs conveyed to me by
him personally in 1864, at which time he furnished
a complete history Of his life from the Begin
ming of the rebellion; also, permission to publish
any part or whole OF the same. 1t occurred to me,
after reading the interesting statements SO ably
written by the parties in question. that Chickasaws
account would have some bearing upon the subject.
The following is his statement:
AT break of day / found myself three miles
above the Landing, near the mouth of Lick Creek,
and In the bottom OVERLOOKING with water and full
OF DRIFT wood, which could neither wade through
nor swim in. l had been fired at by Confederate
pckets four times but, thank God escaped After
ming across to the north side. then followed the
course of the river one and half miles, when I
was hailed by the Union picket, and conducted to
Colonel Davis headquarters, where l had not
been many moments when up rode Gen. Sherman.
i was then called to his attention by the colonel,
who told him had just arrived from Corinth. The
general then ordered me to report to his headquar
tiers at the Bluff where would find double log
cabin and there to await his arrival His quarters
had not yet been established had not long to wait
before the general made his appearance, accompan-
led by Col. MCPHERSON. The late lamented Major
General Mcpherson; Drawer heart and more noble
mind was not to be found in the ARMY was then
taken into private room and closeted with the
general and his aids, when / WAS questioned
closely, and answered all their questions honestly
and truthfully. / stated to the general all of my
prison troubles and while doing could not avoid
shedding tears. The general showed much feeling
and sympathy, and told me not to be discouraged
that was safe, and to make his headquarters my
home. After being provided with food, | sat down
to think over the past my family at home, and my
own condition. once felt like free man, while
over my head was the flag with its beautiful folds
floating In the breeze, under which had fought in
Mexico. then, on Bonded knees sent up a prayer
to our Heavenly Father for my safe deiiverance.
Troops kept constantly arriving, and in two
weeks from that time headquarters were moved to
the front, two and half miles from the river,
Shiloh Church On many occasions ] had been
questioned and consulted by the general respect
ing the country, with which / was familiar. He
appeared to have Implicit confidence IN me- and
allowed me many liberties. 1t was he who gave
the name of " Chickasaw, y by which was we'll
known in his army. Besides myself, there
Tennesseean by the name of Mcdonald, who
sided between the Landing and COTinth. Melon
AID was a good Union man, who had TO seek protec-
ton within lines. He very anxious TO go
and sec his family, but the general would not give
him pass | interceded for him. and procured
one for ls both. was to proceed as near Corinth
as possible and obtain all the information could
respecting the rebels, their designs, &c. This gave
me an opportunity to send letter to my family
through Mrs. Mcdonald. We reported TO the gen
eral the next day the reliable information that the
rebels were III force at Monterey and adyanc-
ing upon him. The general was not disposed to
believe us, saying that the roads were in such
deplorabe condition that it was impossible for
army to move.
1T was on Tuesday before the battle that the
general requested myself and Mcdonald to go out
and obtain what information could. AT first
felt somewhat dubious about going for knew they
We're advancing. However, started, and we sue
ceedeG, after making some narrow escapes. in re-
turning the next day. with the that the whole
Southern army was advancing upon him, as stated
to us by Mrs. Mcdonald; that Beauregard's, john
stons, Brock enrdges, and Bragg's combined forces
would IN few days pounee upon him. 1t appeared
to me that upon communicating this news for the
second time to the general he still had his doubts.
He acted as if uneoneerned, and could not per-
ceive that any preparation made to receive
them, though some caution was observed.
hiS limo l,aad
were at Savannah, about ten miles below Pittsburg
Landing. On Friday General Sherman sent out
force OF cavalry to reconnoiter. They returned
with the information that the rebels We're advane-
ing. Another force was sent out that evening.
They returned stating that the enemy in force
four miles out and they had TO beat hasty retreat
under fire of battery. ThiSreport fully convinced
the general that the enemy was in force and near
by The next day was employed in drawing in the
pielSets and strengthening lines. asked the
general if he did not think we were going to have
a fight. He replied that would soon have all
the fighting would want In my opinion, the
general is very extraordinary man, possessing
peculiar traits of character An early riser
eating his breakfast before sunrise, of very tenn
perate habits, seldom using profnne language,
fine military appearance, plain in his attire
cising has own judgment, governing his actions
according to circumstances approachable by ell the
private meet him with the assurance of reeeiv-
ing attention and respect well the officers,
though there We're times when his temper not
mild. pronounce him difficult man to read, but
brave and good; possessing high military talent,
with constitution adapted TO the field. Sunday
morning brought WIN II an early aJtaeE TIE
enemy rather sudden and unexpected. The
general hastily mounted his horse and left for the
front just rebel battery of six guns opened
upon headquarters. The shot and shell were
thrown with great precision, killing horses and
mules, and ripping open tents 1t was my desire
TO accompany the general to the front but hav-
ing any horse arms, was ordered by him to re-
main and take care OF headquarters. succeeded
in getting the wagons and some other things away
in less than forty minutes from the time the ball
! opened. The rebels were charging three deep and
within forty yards oil the generals tent. thought
it high time to evacuate and made hasty retreat
for the river with salIite of nusketry in my rear
will refrain from making any comment this
battle. It's proceedings have been placed before
the public many times by various writers / Will
conclude by saying that l acquitted myself with
honor and credit and was highly compIiInented
by the general and staff
The writer desires to state that he was not en-
gagged in the battle of shiloh but his command ar
rived at Pittsburg Landing in time to form the left
wing in the advance of our forces upon Corinth.
Yours, In l.. @. and L., Il. W. SUBBY,
Late of 9TH Ill. Cav.