The National tribune., 1884-04-24
TOO MANY FOR THEM.
How Nine Quariermasters Saved a
Whole Division.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRrpuNr:

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
When the Union army engaged in its famous
race with Bragg's forces clear across Tennessee
and Kentucky TO the Ohio River, the commits
sary and transportation departments of Gen
eral Buell's army became scattered and more
or less lost in the general confusion. At Louis
Vile The army was reorganiZed and commenced
TO drive Braggs army southwark again. The
baggage trains were unloaded and the wagons
formed into supply trains to furnish the army
then advancing upon Bragg. In the mean
time, quite number of quartermasters with
their sergcants, helpers and property, accounts,
desks, &c. were left in Louisville, apparently
forgotten by everybody in authority. num-
Der of the quartermasters belonging to the
regiments in General SilPs division of Nc
Cook S corps got perm isSion to take a team and
wagon, containing their office desks, papers and
personal baggage, and strike out to overtake
the division to which they belonged. The
train consisted of nine wagons. nine quarter
masters, three officers and forty three GONZALES
cent guards
They pulled out rapidly and soon passed
General Dumonts division, learning from him
that Siiis division had marched in the direction
of Lawrenceburg. So on they went after their
division and pissed through Lawrenceburg,
where they learned that their division had
gone through in the forenoon, and had fought
the rebels awhile and then marched ON to-
wards Salt River. The train followed on and
then camped for the night in an open field
well surrounded by woods. At daylight next
morning, and before they were up, they were
fired upon by an unseen enemy from the woods
in their rear. As they could see no enemy, it
was thought the shots had come from some
bushwhackers and time was taken, therefore to
hitch their teams and resume their march after
SiIfs command. The cOnyalescent guards were
placed under one of the line officers, who dis
posed them in such manner as to protect the
train
They had not proceeded far, when upon en-
tering piece of woods, the train was fired on
from the left. portion OF the guard was
then organized under the command of another
line officer, who deployed out into the woods,
defending the train from attack as it moved
along. The train soon came to Salt River, and
passed through a covered bridge upon which
the rebels showered their bullets. Meantime
the skirmishcrs, under Major Bradford of the
18th Pennsylvania, and Captain Mcclellan, of
the 18th Indiana and the other life officer,
were hotly engaged. and one-Louis Ballin,
private of the Both Indiana, and brave little
fellow-had been severely wounded. The train
proceeded on up the HILL but was halted when
it was half way up to the summit. Upon another
hill, some distance beyond, and to their front
and left, was a large force drawn up in line Of
battle. This force consisted of infantry cav
airy, and artillery, and at first it WAS thought
to be General Sll's command as a great many
were dressed in blue, though some wore gray
suits; but soon the Confederate flag Haunted its
folds full in the breeze, and that settled it.
Another question now arose What was to be
donc2 The disparity of numbers did not admit
OF resistance. Lieutenant j. K. Cassell, quar-
termaster of the 18th Pennsylvania, suggested
that a line officer be Gent out with q flag of
truce and arrange for surrender.
A FLAG OF TRUCE.
Captain T. c. Bowles, who was in command
of the train. replied that the line officers were
in charge of the skirmishers.
Then" said Lieutenant Cassell, send P.
p. Bailey, quartermaster of the Both Indiana
he is the Oldest man present"
Will you go?" asked Bowles.
Yes," responded Bailey; but give me some
one to carry the flag of truce"
will carry the flag" said sergeant of the
seth Indiana
At this iuncture Sergeant Crawford, of the
49th Ohio, dashed up at furious rate, with the
unpleasant intelligence that Major Bradford,
with part Of his skirmishers, had been cap
tured, and that the enemy was moving up the
road in their rear. This necessitated expedi-
ton In the matter of surrendering.
What shall | ssy?" remarked Bailey,
addressing Bowles.
Bowlcs, whose beard had grown until it
reached well down his chest, stroked it for a
moment with his hand and in a slow meas
ured tone of voice, replied: "Teii them they
are little too many for us, and wen give up."
The flag of truce departed on its mission.
Soon another large force of rebel infantry
was seen, and the truce party was halted. As
the rebel officers came forward to receive the
flag, little time was afforded Bailey for refiec-
ton. He could not help asking himself: g Why
ali this preparation OF the enemy TO capture so
all A. Il
enemy had been deceived as to the Federal
numbers. and most probably thought he was
surrounding General Sills division, which, in
fact could not be far ahead
Bailey, resting in this belief, concluded to
keep up the deception until he made terms of
surrender, for the little train could not yet be
seen, as it was still under cover of the woods
on the hill near the bridge.
In the meantime Bailey had buttoned up his
oVerccat, that his rank might not be known,
and, upon the arrival of the rebel officer, sa-
lutes were exchanged.
Bailey, who was man Of very imposing ap-
pearance, then said, with all the dignity Of his
nature: Sir, perceive by your uniform that
you are Confederate officer"
Yes, SIR" was the reply.
And those are your troops?" continued Bal
ley, pointing in the direction whence the officer
had come.
Yes, sir" was again the reply.
Well, then, sir" said Bailey, "whose are
the men in blue coats, drawn up in line Of bat
tie, yonder on orr left?"
They are ours, too, sir" was the answer.
"They yours, too What the blue coats! %
Yes, sir" said the rebel officer.
Well, SIR said Bailey, "those men have
deceived u.s. We have been skr1nishing with
your men for some time past; have killed and
wounded some of them, and you have wounded
some Of ours, and We have finally come out to
hold parley."
shall be obliged to report 10 General
Cheatham for orders" said the rebel officer.
VERY WELL, INDEED.
"Very well, sir" said Bailey, and the officer
dashed of 70 headquarters.
In short time he returned, accompanied BIZ
General Cheatham, when the same quegtions
were propounded to the general that lad been
asked of his subordinate and similar REPLIES
received. Just then the rebels resumed their
firing in the rear of the train, when Bailey re-
marked: Sir. your men are fighting us now
while we are out with flag OF truce"
The general asked if there was flag out In
the rear, and sent his officer to have the firing
checked.
Bailey knew that now time was precio-s. for
on the return of the officer his actual strength
would be made known, and the opportunity
for making terms would be lost He then
said We'll General Wa have copo nnt IN