The National tribune., 1884-06-05

great surprise, the 9Th illinois, pack train. ar
tillery and ambulances all safe on the other
side and the regiment dismounted to cover
the crossing. A lively skirmish was kept up
by the guard while the command passed
down the steep, miry bank by file. obliquely,
one hundred and fifty feet. The modification
and apparent chagrin of the rebels. when they
found their prey had unexpectedly escaped
their snare, was made known by their hideous
yells-such as rebels only can make. By dark
the command had returned to the same place
they left in the morning, with firm belief
that Butter Creek was becoming very I'M
healthy. The day had been one of incessant
rain.
AN IMPORTANT CAPTURE
November 20.-At o'clock a m. the CON-
mand moved out on the Military road and
thence to Blue Water Creek. Captain Mock
10Th Illinois cavalry at one time was COM
pletely surrounded by the enemy, and was
obliged to take to the hills and by-roads. BY
accident he came upon General Chalmers dl-
vision wagon train (rebel) and made q charge
on the guard, capturing several wagons and
prisoners, besides many supplies that he could
not bring away. While in the act of destroy
ing the trains he was attacked by superior
force and compelled to leave all and take to the
woods again. BY the assistance of Union men
and negroes he was guided by circuitous routes
until he reached the column On capturing
the train, he succeeded in obtaining papers
conveying very important information, which
must have been of infinite importance to Cen
eral Thomas, as they detailed the movements
about to be made by the enemy. The captain lost
over thirty men, mostly taken prisoners. Cap
tain Mock is entitled to much credit for the
skill displayed in bringing out his command
with so little loss. At sunset the pickets were
driven in on the military road, and patrols
| who had been sent out returned, reporting the
enemy advancing in force.
November 21-The whole command moved
at an early hour on the Lexington road. At
ter resting few hours at this place, the whole
force moved toward Lawrenceburg, where it
arrived at o'clock p. M and canped for the
night. The day was cold and snow fell during
the afternoon.
A BRISK ARTILLERY DUEL.
November 22-The morning was cold and
] the ground frozen hard. About IL o'clock the
| enemy commenced skirmishing with our pick
cts. and battalion was sent to ascertain theiI
! force. In about an hour it returned, re-
! porting the enemy three miles from town in
! force, and strongly posted on bluffs and behind
well-arranged rail-barricades. At O'Clock the
/ enemy moved up in heavy force-infantry
| cavalry, and artiliery-and encamped in line
| in plain view Of the town and our bivouac
| The general ordered the I'd brigade into line OF
/ DaILlS anu DISK artillery CuS1 Was hSpe VI
! for an hour between the enemy and company
K, LIST Illinois artillery. In the meantime q
| large disnounted force was displayed, showing
all the characteristics of infantry. After hold
| ing the town until sundown the command was
ordered TO move out on the Pulaski road
| Croxtons brigade in advance, while the second
brought up the rear. The command withdrew
in good order, though heavily pressed by su
perior numbers, and halted and camped sever
miles east of Iawrenceburg
November 23.-Leit camp at o'clock g. m
and halted at Richland Mills to feed and issue
rations. General Croxton's command was il
the rear, heavily skirmishing with the enemy
| at 3 o'clock p. u. the command moved three
miles toward Pulaski, marched up the valley
of Dry Creek, and camped Eve miles south o
| Campbeliville.
/ SOME HARD FIGHTING.
| November 24-Moved ont at o'clock a. m.
arrived at CampbellyiEle at o'clock a. H., The
| ID brigade bringing up the rear. Patrols re
ported the enemy moving on our left, with
videttes standing on every high bluff. Genera
Hatch ordered the patrols strengthened. 1
was now discovered that heavy column
| supposed to be Buford's division) was in from
of the LIST brigade. The I'd brigade was with
drawn, and fell back to the east side of tht
town, and held the Linnyille road until tht
LIST division, then ia a critical situation, coulC
be recalled. The I'd had no sooner taken posi-
ton than the enemy's infantry made its ap
pearance in heavy force on the south and Yves
side of town. The general ordered battery &
| LIST Illinois, TO commence firing at range of on'
and halfmiIes, and the effect of the eannonadiDt
| was excellent, causing the whole rebel column
| to halt for at least an hour. Atthis time flank
| ing column OF the enemy was discovered NOV
| ing to our left, and threatening the Linnyill'
road. The I'd Iowa was ordered to check thu
movement. They reported the enemy vastl,
| outnumbering them, and the 9Th Illinois wa
at once sent TO their support. The enemy wer'
moving their main column by the right fianl
to get possession of the road in our rear, ant
| General Hatch then ordered the I'd brigade t,
fall back and hold the road regardless of tn,
LIST. The enemy were strongly posted on th
left of town, with q heavy battery playing q
LOCO yards. In the meantime the 1st brigad
succeeded, by passing through the timber Owe
rugged and steep hills, in making junction
| with the I'd. The 9TH ulinois-Major Graham
commanding made two gallant charges, driy
ing the enemy before them in confusion. Tw,
miles from Campbellville the hanking column
and patrol of the I'd, from the left, were sud
denly driven in, as the road turned to the lef
through a narrow gorge, and just at the tim
General Hatch was passing. Capt E. B. Phil
lips, company M, 9th Illinois, commandin,
escort discovering the rebels, charged in al
instant with his company and saved the gal
LIANT commander from being captured. Thi
act of Captain Phillips is worthy of specia
compliment here, as well for its daring as it
good results. Unfortunately, the captain re
ceiyed wound in his left hand which disable,
him for the campaign. The 9th Illinois-Cap
tain j. w. Harper commanding-fol i'm
medistely in rear of the escort and was ordere,
to dismount and hold the gap at all hazards.
THE GALLANT 9TH.
They had but just dismounted when they re
ceiEed a heavy fire from a brigade of the enc
my, but not in the least daunted the captain
ordered his men forward until 1t became
hand-to-hand conflict, and the captain receives
orders to fall back slowly, their ammunition
sixty rounds-being nearly exhausted. TIL
I'd Iowa was formed across the gorge to protec
them while they withdrew. The loss of tn
9Th Illinois IL this fight was thirty killed AM
wounded in as many minutes; among then
We're four orderly sergeants. No sooner hai
the 9Th passed through the line Of the I'd low
than the rebel brigade came at double-quicl
up the hollow, colors in 'front.' and in line G
battle. Just then 300 Spencers in the hands G
the I'd Iowa poured in volley after volley am
drove them back in confusion. The rebels raj
lied again, but Major Horton in the meantim
mounted and retired by battalions, under FIRE
leaving one officer and five men on the field
The whole command then moved forward
Croxton in the advance the I'd ON the pike
the 1st to left Of pike, while the rebels folIowe
close to rear and on both tanks. At III ocloc
p. N. the command was In the rear OF Colum
bia and inside the infantry pickets of the 1T