The National tribune., 1883-06-14
The Capture of Caudle's Brigade.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
L. U. HunpHRHY.


In reading THE TRIBUNE have failed to see any
report of the capture OF Caudes brigade at Glades
yille Wise county, Va, July D. 1863 by the gallant
Major John Mason Brown, commanding the Second
battalion, Tenth Kentucky volunteer cavalry, and
McGlanghlin's cavalry, or First Ohio squadron in
all S94 men Major Brown conceived the idea Of
crossing the Cumberland Mountain and trying it
little on his own kook-leeving his supply camp
and penetrating the eneny's country about 100
miles. On July 5th in the morning, we started to
climb the mountains, the writer being on the left
OF the advance or skirmsh line and Corporal Nike
Mannion the right with instructions that no man
should show himself in the road, under severe pen
altles, for fear OF drawing the fire Of the enemy
posted IN a log-and-earth works at the summit of
the mountain, it being purpose to surprise
them. Proceeding hand over hand through the
laurel and ivy, we approached within about $50
yards OF the works, when all at once Corporal Man
MON came down the mountain about twenty feet at
jump, landing i'll Che road, drawing the fire of
vidette. whose gun reverberated through the noun
tain like compound Columbiad. When expostu-
lated with by me for dsobedience of orders and
further for exposing himself TO fire, his reply
That Be gorTa he could and would fight ritiis but
dom'd If he'd fight rattesnakes." All hopes of
surprising the enemy were now given up, and we
Immediately formed IN column and charged up the
road, and entering the gap, saw the enemy skin
ming out on the other side of the mountain Cor
poral Nannion, being an Irishman was as brave
as an freshman under ordinary circumstances, but
IN climbing up the mountain had got upon n ledge
OF rocks, and in creyce had struck perfect nest
of rattlesnakes. Hence his unceremonious descent
from the gap IN the mountain Major Brown now
that we Were on the Notwithstanding had five men
wounded and the horse OF Lieutenant White hay-
ing been killed under him. Making "a detour
through another gap called Beef Hide Gap, by
forced march during the whole of the night we
captured, just before daylight, by crawling several
miles almost on our hands and knees, the rebel
pekets and charged the enemy, capturing General
Caudle and most OF his staff, and brought away
with US lis prisoners, and, though holly pressed,
returned across the mountains III safety.
Speaking of Corporal Mannion reminds me Of an
episode In his career. Mike q devout Catholic
Being detailed in 1852 orderly for the colonel of
the Twenty-seeond Michigan infantry, who COM
manded our brigade, he sent the night he re-
Mike undressed and retired early The chaplain
entered his tent, lighted his candle about taps and
kneeling down, after preparing himself for sleep,
read chapter from the Bible said his prayers and
reaching over to camp-stool picked up what Nike
said looked like Fellowship, unfolding il and
spreading IT out on the ground, put one corner up
TO his mouth and commenced to infiate-a rubber
bed! Mike stood it for while; but as the thing
began to swell and swell, he finally exclaimed
TO the chaplain, Ye're domd heretic,n and slid
out from under the tent and broke for his camp
about a mile away, in his drawers and shirt Arriv-
ing at his old mess, his messmates could get moth
ing out of him but dom'd hereto" We could not
induce him to return, and had 10 send for his horse
derby.
Major Brown afterwards made colonel of the
Forty-fifth Kentucky volunteer infantry and the
writer followed him into that regiment The coll
onel is still living and doing we'll in Louisville,
Kentucky.
TENTH AND FORTY FIFTH KENTUCKY
FORT SCOTT, KAN.