The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-04-17

withdrawal was accomplished by our officers
and men with great deliberation and GOODNESS,
our new position was secured, and we waited
again for the onslaught of the enemy. General
! Iongstreet was evidently under the impression
that by masslng his troops and making one
decided effort TO crush us, he conld wrest from
ms the key to Knoxville and capture us all.
lie at once hurled his freshest troops against
US On they came with frightful yells, but
4 they found opposed to them the same stubborn
columns. We were determined to resist all
attacks until darkness set in.
Here it was, while carrying orders to our
! brigade commanders, that saw General Burn
side watching every movement and directing
affairs in very exposed position, his very
presence inspiring courage and confidence IN
the men.
As the fiercest struggle of the dag was now
raging, the sight of our leader recalled the days
| of Roanoke, New BeTne and many other battle
fields and as the enemy dashed upon the vet
Grams of Hartranfts and Ferreros divisions
1 with a more determined bearing than before,
our men poured in CALLING fire, and, lying low,
gave chances for Benjsmin's, Roemers and
! Buckley's batteries to fire over our heads
1 sweeping discharges of grape and canister,
which told with dreadful effect. No troops could
/ long Withstand such terrible ordeal, and
! finding all hopes of victory gone, the rebel
1 ranks began to wayer and, finally, they Tell
back before that tempest Of iron and lead.
Thus ended the battle of Campbells Station,
one Of the best-fought battles OF the war with
a small force, the particulars of which Were
hardly known, especially in the East.
CONDUCT BEYOND ALL PRAISE.
The conduct of the officers and men was be-
yond all praise. General Potter, commanding
the 9th corps, and Colonel Hartranft (afterwsrd
promoted general), in charge of the Cd division,
proved themselves in this conflict, as III many
liant commanders and inspired their men on as
they did when they crossed the stone bridge at
Antietam together at the head of their respect
/ i've regiments, the 5lst New York and DIST
/ Pennsylvania, or, as they were called, the
twins" General Burnside always seemed TO
have the fullest confidence IN these two bril-
liant officers, and if the country has failed to
award them their full Iaeed of praise, the
( brave men who served so long under them viii
never forget their great courage and intrepid
ity.
General Ferrero commanding the 1st di-
vision, which held the extreme right, and
Generals White and Hascall of the 23d corps,
to whom was assigned the center deserve equal
praise for their part in this decisive victory,
while Colonies Sigfried Morrison and Christ,
each in command of brigades proved them
selves equal 10 every emergency.
We were obliged TO leave our dead on the
field, but the wounded as far as possible, were
placed in ambulances and hurried off to Knox
vile, where they were tenderly cared for in
the hospital.
The varied scenes of that November day will
ever be proudly remembered by the survivors
Of our troops who were fortunate enough to
participate in its success Night coming at
last TO our relief, our forces were Withdrawn,
and we started for Knoxville. We left regi-
nnent of mounted infantry as picket-line. who
built a large number of fires in all directions,
TO make the enemy think we intended TO re-
main for the night and renew the combat
on the morrow. and, while they were thus haf-
fed, we withdrew our pickets, who followed on
as a reaF-guarG to our little army. We made
the'sixteen miles through the mud. mire, and
darkness during the night and through the
!, morning mist beheid the town of Knoxville
We can imagine the sarprise of Longstreet
that morning when he discovered no enemy
before him. We were sixteen miles distant
intrenehing ourselves as fast as possible, as
10 be able 70 Withstand his assault, and also To
protect IT, Inhabitants of Knoxville
SCENES AT KNOXVILLE
Now, let MS turn to the commotion and ex-
element that ran high among the peaceful
citizens Of that place, when Informed of ths
approach of the rebels 10 lay siege 70 the town
: When the line of defense had been drawn
around the three sides of its limits, (the Hol
! ston River being In It's rear, portion Of the
mercy of the enemy: thus the numerous resi-
dences in that vicinity came unavodabiy be-
tween the two lines, and many of them. as q
military necessity, had 10 be torn down OF
burned. SO as not to obstruct our range.
Nothing could be done but state the case
clearly to those who for years had lived il
! those happy homes. These houses, being di.
rectly in front OF the ID division of the 9ti
corps, / was sent specially to notify tht
/ families living In front of our line of the ne
: cessity of fastening aud coming in from th'
great danger which surrounded them. / vel
Z remember the looks of anguish and surprise a
l j rode hurriedly from house 10 house, com
: mlnicating the sad news Of my mission Ny
approach IN each startled them, and as they
did not know the situation, found it almos
l impossible to convince them of this reality
c Having no time TO lose, as there were mann
1 houses 10 visit, and the enemy was lnonentaril,
q expected, j hastily made known my GRAND
= advising them to act instantly, take what val
: uables they had, and find refuge within tn
i lines until all was over. At once could be seel
scores of these homeless families hurrying TO &c
= within our IiIfes, heavily laden with bedding
e kitchen utensils and valuables, taking ali the
$ could while the remainder was left to be ran
l. sacked by the soldiers Of either side. TIL
inhabitants more fortunate) living in tn
heart of the town opened wide their door
\ and did all they could for those who were lei
: without homes, some Of whom found quarter
! among relatives and friends.
\ All that day Knoxville was made as defens
i ible az possible. The troops, though wearie
= by three days constant marching and fighting
: worked with viii upon the riAe-pits an
= b2stions assigned to each brigade and battery
being assisted by many Of the citizens Of tn
place. the loyal ones showing great desire
: lend their aid in the defense of their tow
Contrabands were also pressed into the servic,
: and By united effort much was accomplished
:, In front Of one of cur positions on the mort
; side Of the town the ehevanx-de-frise was con
, posed ia part Of a large number Of sharp pixies
= said 70 be over two thousand-which WEI
: captured from the enemy at Cumberland Ga
= early IN the fall. They were stuck and frml
- secured in the ground at aa angle of abont 45
and formed barrier not easily surmountet
!, 1 Knoxville is a hard town TO she'll on al
= count OF its great ACTIVITY from the plain belo
! Il, through which the railroad runs. No ma
I, ter what position an enemy might take to SUI
~ round il, they would find il difficult to thro
- shot or shell accurately up such height, whe
- the object aimed at Was high absve then
!, Only random shots could be thrown, and eve
= those with doubtful effect.
L. DEATH OF GENERAL SANDERS.
le The next day about noon picket firing W.
heard in the distance, telling us of the a.
=; preach Of the enemy. They felt their wa
~ gradually, and later in the day heavy ski
mishing commenced on the Kingston road b
tween them and Sanders cavalry division. III
d, rebels brought forward some Of their batterie
rrit lr