The National tribune., 1883-11-01
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns.
We're Spears Used at Knoxville.

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
In your issue of October Is, J. NJ. Jolley, of
Adei Iowa. asks seine questions concerning the
siege Of Knoxville. Tenn; the first Of which
L can answer, viz. " Did Burnside cause spears
to be driven into the ground, points up, for the
rebels TO fail on when they stumbled over the
wires that were woven among the stDmpsr"
Yes In 1861 the Confederates were short of
cavalry arms, SO they armed several such regi-
menis with laBces and spears, made at Knox
vile, Tenn. These implements We're made of
polished steel. about twelve inches long aud
one and a half inches wide, sharp at both edges,
with a very sharp point. on handles about SIX
feet long. Some of them had an additional
knife. made at right angles with the main one,
OF about the same dimensions. and forming
dangerous hook. These spears were placed in
the hands OF certain rebel cavalry who were
operating in Powell's Valley. near Cumberland
Gap. Tenn. They were soon found 10 be ina
practicable and consequently abandoned.
When the Army Of the Ohio first took posses
sion Of Knoxville large number OF these
spears were found in a warehouse near the
depot and fell into our hands. In the plan for
the defense of the city there WAS line Of
earthworSs constructed huIriedly, the right
resting on or near the river, east OF Knoxville,
and running Ia northeast direction toward
the old fair grounds making break where
the road east. or up the river crossed this line.
This formed an important flank support for The
works on Temperance Iiill, and was 10 De held
81 al hazards The works consisted Of an
ortlimarv ditch with the head log" Ia front Of
this line the spears were placed, but moi points
MP they were in a horizontal position, about
two feet from the ground, close together, or so
close q man could with difficulty, pass between
them, the handles pushed into the bank of
loose earth the oater end or spear point firmly
supported ly stakes driven Ia the ground aud
tied with fine wire; and i tell you the rebs
w0aid have had happy time II they had made
a more serious effort 70 capture this line than
the mere feinis with which they annoyed rs so
constantly Il this point Ia this line Of works
were, just on the right, part of the Ninth
Tennessee cavalrT.-a new regiment, and not
vet mounted; next the Eighth Tennessee
infantrv. Colonel 4. A. Reeve, and next. /
think the Sixty fifth Illinois, Colonel ID. Cam
eron commanding the brigade, which was q
part o. General J. d. Coxs division, Twenty
third Army Corps Now, rs to whether these
spears were there by order Of General Burnside
or not I cannot tell: they were there, | well
know; and even at this date 1 fail 10 see any
mn reVriciy in having them there. They were
captured munitions OF war, and could be used
the same as captured artillery. Ii we chose to
thus form q double line Of defense, why not?
Could ne not place them in the ground as well
as hold them in our hands? And then, again,
- Aa-4C AoA t--l1cEdl view Vi liS
subject the fact that these were the only
arms Governor Harris-enr Tennessee gov
ernOr-fumishe3 this particular Eighth and
Ninth regiments would certainly justify their
use Lomrade yolly's friend. the ex-guarter-
master. may have one Of the originals for
aught ] know. They have al disappeared.
There are many important events and expert
ences IN connection with the unwritten history
of this siege about which / ha e a personal
knowledge and would like 70 tell, but win not
nov. The ether questions OF C0mTade Jolley
canaOt answer. ] would like 10 hear through
The TRIBUNE from some Of my old comrades
IN the Eighth East Tennessee infantry, of
which ! Was a member al hail The Ma
TIosAL TRTBUyEi among the many friends
OF the soldier, the trRcst and the best. Give
il 10 Gresham he needs i
GEO ID. MOORE,
ID Lieut.. Co. 3, sth Tenn.
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA.