Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1884-06-07

liberty ana peace snail III nm ma
defender. The progress Of this army
must be forward.
r. L. LEE,
General Commanding.
Donelson's Brigade was now sepa-
rated from Anderson's and proceeded
to penetrate the Federal rear, which
involved a winding march of about
thirty miles across a series of noun
tain CULTS apparently untraversible.
The mountains were steep, the val
leys narrow, and there was no road
not even path.
Gen. DonelsOn was ordered to keep
within supporting distanceof Loring's
column, and had found a guide to the
expedition who was thoroughly ac-
quainted with the country. The
name Of this guide was Butcher, and
as he wore the title Of Doctor" it is
presumed that he was a physician.
Heappeared to be a vergentleman,
about fOrty-five years Of age, full of
nerve and energy, and a vast amount
If solid and reliable pluck. He was
warmly devoted to the cause, and
rendered valuable services to the ex-
petition.
Proceeding a few miles from Valley
Mountain the Brigade came to the
top Of a deep mountain gorge at the
edge Of an old field. Just beyond the
field the brink was approached, and
looking beyond, lofty heights could
be seen across the gorge, with here
and there a field and mountain cot
tage. a few tents could be seen far
off in The distance, but we knew not
whether they were the encampments
Of friend or foe. Beyond and below
us was the apparently impossible
abyss, the descent Of which must be
accomplished and followed by the as
cent of the heights Immediately fol-
lowing. The field officers led theil
horses diagonally with the mountain
side to a certain distance and turning
to the right or left proceeded at right
angles to that direction, thus alterna
ting along a route in a general direc
ton Of a straight line, but having the
variations and meanderings ola worn
fence. Thus the horses were passed
across two deep CULTS. The artillery
could not be used, as the route wa
absolutely impracticable to its trans
portation. The men passed over tn,
route letting themselves down by tn,
branches of trees and pulling them
selves up as occasion might require
In this manner the march proceeded
through the day, and having crossed
two CULTS arrived at an old field at tn
top of Il mountain, and camped il
line of battle by the roadside in tn
edge of skirt of woods.
At daylight on the morning of tn
18th, the column moved cautiousl,
along till about O'clock, when
came to branch at the head of tn
cove and proceeded down the branc
until about 10 O'Clock, when from tn
fresh tracks in the road, it was ind
Gated that a column of troops ha
Just preceded us, and it was ascertain
ed further that Federal column ha
marched down just ahead of ours an
another was expected along in the a
ternoon to reinforce the Federal DOS
ton down the valley. Our Brigad
had advanced faster than was intenc
ed, and was near six miles furtht
down the valley than was expecte,
We were out of supporting distant
of General LOring's column, and we
in a critical position, the enemy
front and rear, and the mountains {
each side.
Gen. Lee had ordered the differe
commanders to see that each man
their respective commands tack
piece of white cloth or paper on t
front Of their hats and keep them
during the whole expedition. I'll
order was given on the morning
our departure from Valley Mountai
and its object was to distinguish |
men from the enemy, as the war h
not been going on great while, a