The National tribune., 1884-06-05

success Of Old Abe "a remarkable circumstance,
bat true.) The major and doctor returned
muck pleased with their visit
October 29.-Left Clifton at 3 o'clock p. m
taking the Nashville pike
October 30.-Moved towards Waynesboro' as
far as Lincoln Creek and camped.
October 31.-Resumed the march and camped
one mile beyond Lawrenceburg.
November Left camp carly; reached
Pulaski and camped for the night.
November . 3 and OCCUPIED in procuring
clothing and rations for the men; shoes were
fitted on the horses, and preparations made for
q heavy campaign. On arriving at Pulaski we
found two divisions of the 4th army corps, I'M
der the command of Major General Stanley.
General Croxton's cavalry command was be-
low, towards Florence. While here brigade of
cavalry arrived, consisting of the 14th and 10th
Illinois and the Sth Kentucky regiments. The
23d army corps, commanded by Major-General
Schofeld, was reported to be en- route Tor this
place. Railroad trains arrived daily from Nash
vile, bringing supplies.
HOODS ADVANCE INTO TENNESSEE.
November 5.-Left camp with three days
rations. Marching southwest, towards Florence,
we were Joined there by Gen. Croxton's COM
mand, who were ordered to report to Gen.
Hatch. During the afternoon of this day heavy
cannonading was heard in the direction of the
Tennessee River, which gave undoubted evil
dence of Hoods advance into Tennessee. The
command went into camp on Sugar Creek. 1t
haG rained constantly for the past three days,
which put damper on the spirits of the whole
command.
November 6.-Pushing out of camp before
daylight, we were enabled to reach Lexington,
Ala. before IL o'clock a. m. Getting no re-
liable information here Of the enemy, the COM
mand moved on TO Baughs Ford On Shoal
Creek, the I'd Iowa cavalry in advance. When
Ga1e 5I.a4 odz
the enemys pickets, driving them across
the creek, when the whole command came IN
full view of heavy line extending along the
bluff on the opposite shore. The whole COM
lnand was withdrawn except the I'd Iowa, which
was 10 remain and watch the enemy and hold
its position, if possible, until further orders.
At o'clock ?. N. the command went into camp
in q most unpleasant rain storm.
November 7.-Dayiight found Us in mud and
water knee-deep. Information had been OBJ
tanned that Hoods forces were located between
here and Florence. The 9Th Illinois cavalry,
Captain William c. Blackburn commanding,
was ordered in advance. The enemy was
soon found and heavy skirniishing took
place, resulting in his being driven from the
bluff on the opposite side. The creek, how
ever, was too much swollen TO admit of crossing
ard our forces withdrew, falling back to
Suits Crossroads and camped for the night
1 1t Aad rained all day.
VOTING FOR PRESIDENT.
November s.-The whole command remained
/ in camp this day, except detachments sent out
10 reconnoiter. This afforded the men an op-
portunity 30 vote for President, the result
! of which was an overwhelming majority foI
Honest Old Abe" Major c. C. Moore, I'd
Iowa. was sent out with one hundred men with
instructions 10 strike the river ten miles below
Florence.
-g-1.4 I'll ~
| Coon was ordered 70 move out early with his
] brigase and make another demonstration On
1 the enemy at Baugh's Ford But the road was
nearly impossible from mud and water, the enc
my's picletz had been heavily REINFORCED, and
I the stream was still too high to admit of ford
ing from either size, so our troops had TO with
draw. 1t Taiaed nearly every day. In the
meantime Major Moore returned safe with his
command, having passed around the enemy's
rear disiance-going and returning-of eighty
miles "a twenty-fOur hours. The object of this
] expedition was 70 bring N some men Of GEN
eTal C1oxs0n's command, who had been three
4 days previously sent down the river from
! Bainbridge 10 destroy the enemy's pontoons
/ at Florence, which was not accomplished. Dill
/ gent search and careful inquiry was made, but
no clue to the men could be found.
November 1o-This was the first pleasant
! day since leaving Pulaski, but the roads were
still in fearful condition, and the whole COM
maDd was nearly destitute Of rations Two
mills were taken possession Of and a reg
ular system of fOraging the country was adopt
/ ed, which, even with the most careful manage
nenf, but poorly supplied the men.
November 1I--An early move upon the enemy
was made by the whole command, advancing
on The Daugf's Ferry, Huntsville, Bainbridge
! and Military road. 1t was not long before the
! whole command was engaged in skirmishine
with the eaemy's pickets. Every effort Wa
made 70 cross at the fords, bat the stream wa:
found still too high TO cross, even for mounted
men. 3 few battalions did succeed ia crossin.
below, but the fords had TO be abandoned by
others On account OF oGicksand and miry soil
Those who succeeded in crossing did som.
brisk fighting, infiieting severe punishment
upon the enemy. They returned under cove
| OF our artillery and dismounted men, posted or
I the banks Of the stream. This force consisted
Of the I'd Iowa cavalry. The whole command
now returned TO camp.
November l2.-Remained In camp all day
very Light ration Of meal ground at mill
was issued TO the hungry command.
November 13.-Remained in camp all day
Orders were received from General Hatch Il
send heavy details TO all the fords and MAR
roads, and by telling timber TO obstruct tn,
passage of the enemy. This was done to en-
able the command to shift from right to lef
and make an immediate attack. Forrest wa
1 AeFO1AoA IAOoSibS db 1~dsl pOII Win 1OSOUU men
November 14.-Al roads were efectuallI
blockaded in compliance with orders.
November 1.-THE command moved out OF
the Military road towards Lawrenceburg sns
can pod.
BRUSH WITH RoDDY's CAVALRY.
November IS, II and le-StiH along tn
enezay's 'front.' heavily picketing In III
meantime the I'd brigade, Colonel Coon com
manding, passed down the valley of VOL
Creek, crossed Shoal Creek at Wolf Ford
moved from the opposite side TO Aberdeen
thence to Big Butter, and down to Little But
ter; thence directly south toward Wilson
Crossroads. They succeeded in finding Gen
eral RodGy's brigade (rebelsl and driving then
pell-mell back to their infantry support. Sew
erGl prisoners were captured and Colonel Coo
returned, recrossing Shoal Creek at Savanna
Ford, and camped on Harris plantation. In
formation was obtained that the enemy wer
constantly receiving re-enforcements and tina
Forrest had recently Joined Hood.
November I9.-While the LIST brigade wa
watching the different roads, battalio
) was sent cut TO patrol the Waynesboro' road
the main column 70 move north to Butte
! Creek. The enemy was soon found in force i
front-Buford's division irebel1, on Big Butte
: Creek. At the same time our pickets wer
pressed On the south By the enemy, who ha
5 the appearance of being infantry It was i'm
, portant that we should hold our position at a
hazards until the pack train and artillery ha
I passed, as 1t was impossible from the bad con
5 dition of the road to halt or return by the sam
route. Orders were given for the train an
artillery to turn up the valley Of the Little But
r fg~ I'D =.