The National tribune., 1883-07-19
Who SAVED the rralns at pecatur.

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
have read with interest and great deal OF pleas
the letters which You have published from
comrades OF the various commands who took part
IN the late unpeasantliess. In your issue of June
18th, conirade, mo signs himself Veteran, says:
In reforming the army, General ThoS. w. SWSe-
ney's Second division, Sixteenth Army Corps and
General John Fuiler's Fourth division, Sixteenth
Army Corps Except Colonel j. ". Sprague's Sec
ond brigade OF the Fourth division, Sixteenth Army
Corpsl, were stationed at Decatur to guard the
Army of the Tennessee supply train. beg to differ
with him Oh that point. On the I'D of July 1864,
there only one brigade at Decatur, and that WAS
Colonel j. w. SprngUes. consisting of the Forty
third and Sixty-ihird Ohio volunteer infantry, the
Twenty fifth Wisconsin volunteer infantry, and the
Thirty-fifth New Jersey volunteer infantry. He
also claims that Colonel hersys Second brigade of
the Second division. Sixteenth Army Corps, saved
the supply train of the Army OF the Tennessee on
the 22d OF July. 1864 also dispute his claim ON
that. On the ziih Of July. 1854. one diyision-the
Fourth Sixteenth Army Cor,5s-struck Decatur AT
p. m, where we found the enemy who fell back
as advanced. Our regiment was detailed for
picket that night. 10 guard road leading from De-
casur TO Covineton, while the rest of the division
kept on advancing 20 the front We were relieved
on the 21st, al dusk. by Garrard's cavalry. and
dered TO the front 10 join our brigade, where we
arrived about r. M and took our position in line
TO the right Of the road and about one hundred
yards above the distillery We laid here about one
hour, when our brigade was ordered back to Deea-
fur 10 guard the supply train OF the Army of the
Tennessee. Now, If there We're two divisions at
Decatur on the I'D, know nothing of it, for oUr
brigade lay parity in the heart of the town and the
wagon train lay one mile 10 our rear. On the
morning of the 22d two companies of regiment
were ordered out or picket. About ii a. IN. there
was distant artillery firing III our front, but we
thought nothing of it until it began TO get nearer
and nearer. About p. IA q shell came bursting
over OR camp Our brigade was ordered into line
Of battle, and advanced TO tie railroad cut When
got TO the opposite bank OF the cut were met
by Il volley from the Confederate line of battle,
which proved 10 be division OF Wheeler's cavalry
We were ordered TO fali back one hundred yards,
which did. and from that time until p M we
held in check . whole division Of rebels, and the
wagon train was got out of harln's way. Our regi-
nlent went into this fight with about $50 Tor
duty, and lost 30 killed and wounded. Two COM
panies. i and l. taken prisoners by the rehs.
Now, claim that Colonel J. w. Sprague's brigade
saved the train, and IN proof of il viii quote Colo
mel $ ". Bowman and LieHten2iIi-C Colonel Irwin,
both officers on Shernail's saf who say: ia the
meantime GarraTd's cavalry division having been
sent of to CoviBgton, Wheeler. with his Confed-
crate cavalry, had reached Decatur and attempted
TO capture the wagon trains, but Colonel SpTague
covered them with great skill and success sending
them 70 the rear Of Generals Sclloiied and Thomas
and not drawing back from Decatur till every wagon
was safe, except three which were abandoned by
the Transfers" For this service Colonel J. w.
Sprague gained q star.
Yours IN f.. c., and T., D. g. BRIITIN
Late Corporal Co. y. S5th Regt, n. j. Vol. Inf
yellow Hammers"
ELIZABETH, y. J.