The National tribune., 1883-05-24

| the rebel army and hiding place for the
guerrllas. Only the Monday the 13th) previ-
Gus a company had been organized and dis
patched to the rebel army from this place.
COLONEL sTREIGHT ARRIVES.
Monday, the Goth, a false alarm was sounded,
but ii had the effect of changing the current of
| our thoughts, aud brought Us to the sense of
our situation. On that day Colonel Sweeney re-
ceiyed his commission brigadier- general of
volunteers for bravery and the efficient hand
4 ling Of his men on Sunday April 9th, at Shiloh
The troops rejoiced at his promotion, as all rec
GgniZed IN him a true soldier and one able to
command. / viii digreSs little just here
and say that the officers Of the Fifty second
Illinois purchased a very fine field-glass
sword, sash and belt, which they presented to
him as a slight testimonial of their apprecia-
ton of his worth, and a mark of their respect
and esteem for him as an officer. On the DIST
Colonel Streight and command of two thousand
mounted infantry Joined us, coming from East
port. General Sweeney was now second in
command. and had the First brigade and the
cavalry and artillery under his command. On
the 3d. the command moved out in direction
of TuScumbia the cavalry in advance, followed
by the First brigade. The advance reported
the enemy in force TWO miles ahead. General
Sweeney was ordered TO advance the First brig
adge and Wilkes battery and give battle. The
advance was begun with company as Skin
mishers, but the rebels withdrew before us. A
little further on we came upon their main body,
drawn mp in line in gorge through which the
road passed. halt was called. battery III
placed in position, the Sixty-second Illinois
deployed as skirmishers, the Second Iowa in
reserve, and the advance again began. The
enemy did not seem disposed to bring on an
engagement, but as we approached their posi-
ton, they retired without firing a gun. Our
line was thrown forward to within less than
mile OF Little Bear Creek, where we bivou-
acked. During the early part of the night
deS1ltory hiring was kept up between the pick
cts without any casualties on our side. To-
wards morning there seemed to be design on
the part of the enemy to attack us. Conse-
quently our lines were formed to repel any
such movement; but. as daylight revealed ~
them our strength, they did not deem it best
and again fell back towards Tuscumbia-
cavalry and First brigade close upon their heels.
SLOW PROGRESS
Our progress was necessarily slow, as there
were a good many roads that had TO be secuted
for considerable distance to guard against
flank movements. The enemy was in force di-
rectly in cur front, but constantly fell back as
we advanced and offered battle. What their
object was, we could not divine, but fearing
they were trying TO trap us we moved eau
tiously. We reached Tuscumbia at 100 D. m,
and bivouaeked on the east of the town. on a
high commanding ridge. The cavalry, under
Colonel Corwyn, moved on to the front, and
several smart skirmishes occurred during the
afternoon. The troops remained at Tuscum-
bia until the 9th, to give time for Colonel
Strelght TO get his command in readiness for
their raid to Atlanta. The understanding vas
that Colonel Streight was to strike the enemy's
line of communications at Atlanta, destroy the
railroad, machine-shops, arsenal and other pub
lie buildings, while General Dodge was to move
ON towards Decatur, engaging the attention of
the forces under Generals Rhoddy and Forrest
in order that they might not modest Streight
The sequel will show how it was done. At
daybreak on the 9th, General Dodge moved
his command ont after Forrest; the cavalry in
advance, followed by the First brigads as usual
This brigade had been kept in advance ever
since the enemy had been found. 1t was not
because other troops were not as true and
trnsty; and the only reason that l could give
is, that General Sweeney was from the Regular
army, and had had large experience in the
field, having been in the war with Mexico and
General Dodge deferred a great deal to his
Judgment. Then, again, the First brigade and
the cavalry being under his command, made it
quite necessary for us TO be close together. On
we moved, slowly and cautiously. feeling our
way along, yet encounteying nothing but the
rear guard OF the enemy. At O'Clock D. m.
we reached Old Town Creek, sixteen miles
from Tuscumbia. Here We found the enemy
IN considerable force. Re-eripcements were
reported of ZOO men and one battery. As we
advanced to the ford, they brought up strong
force with nins pieces of artillery, aud disputed
the crossing so stubbcrnly that we could not
effect il that night We had no pontoon. and
the bridge had been buried. Darkness put
stop TO operations. Ou- lines fell back to
higher ground and we lay down on our arms
ready Tor an attack at any moment We did
rot know just what had become of the force
that had been in our front fo~ several days AID
were afraid that they might come in on our
Hank or near at any moment. Quiet rcigncd
throughout cur camp and nothing occurred to
disturb ou- repose.
A. HAZARDOUS UNDERTAKING.
At3o'c.oc6 il the morning company B, Fifty
second Illinois, company 4, Second Iowa. and
company l, Sixty-sixth Indiana all of the First
brigade were called uo and into line and placed
under the command CT Major Z. A. Bowen of
the Fifty-secOnd Illinois, with orders to pro-
coed 10 the railroad bridge and destroy It. The
sky was overcast with heavy clouds, and dark
ness maEtied the earth IN the folds of her dusky
garments. it was utterly impossible TO dis
tIngnlsh the road We went haphazarG across
The fields, taking direct course TO the railroad
as hear as We could through the mud, sloughs
gulcGcs over fences and all other obstacles that
came IN our way. st last the railroad was
reached, and we filed down towards the bridge.
advancing rather incautiouslv as we expected
road, as We had been instructed at headouar-
ters We were suddenly brought to halt,
however, oy the firing Of two guns immediately
IN 'front.' OF Us, and the whistling of two bullets
Ia close proximity to our heads. To say We
were startled would be rather a tame way of
putting ii, as we could see no bridge. did not
suppose we were near the river, ard believed
our picket line was in front of us. Major
Bowen, Captain Davis, of company A, Second
Iowa, and myself, were marching in front of
the column, so We held a hasty consultation.
and concluded we had passed our pickets un-
perceived, and that we had found a force of the
enemy on our side of the bridge. Acting upon
this supposition, Major Bowen deployed his
line, placing Captain Davis, company A, Second
Iowa, on the right, company i, Fifty-second
Illinois III the centre, and company J. Sixty
sixth Indiana on the left. Just as we were
leaving the road for our position in line a
heavy vOlley from the concealed enemy was
fired at Us, which tended to hasten our move
ments. We could see distinctly their line of
fire as it burst forth upon the darkness, and
judged that at least forty guns were fired. As
their aim was high no one was injured bat
the music OF the lead. as it cut the air with its
sharp, plugging sound, so close to our ears reused
us TO a sense OF our danger, and created desire
10 get even by some means. AS company h
LETT the road II assembled 2 little knoll and
halted. This move revealed rs to the enemy, rs
we were on higher ground, and again we heard
music IN thea air" This time the balls did not
all go over us, fer some struck the ground in our
very midst; but fortune favored the brayeu
and again no one was hit. We dronped fat
upon the earth and era prfs she'd dow, thn hjll