Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1884-08-02
CAMPAIGNS AND BATTLES
OF THE
18th TENNESSEE REGIMENT.
Copyrighted June 9th, 1884, All rights re-
served.
BY II. A. HEAD.

ing the months of June and July.
Memphis had fallen into the hands Of
the Federals. A similar fate had at
tended New Orleans. The Federal
gunboats on the Mississippi had ap-
preached Baton Rouge from below and
threatening Vicksburg from above.
The Federal army had dispersed to
other points, and the Western Depart
ment of Bragg's army had returned to
the Trans-Mississippi Department.
Gen. Bragg had placed his army in
shape for an aggressive movement into
Kentucky. The object of this move
ment was threefold. First, it would
cause the Federal army to evacuate
Tennessee. Second, it would enable
the Confederate General to recruit his
army in Tennessee and Kentucky.
Third, it would enable him to gather
supplies of such articles as were be-
coming scarce in the Confederacy.
The whole army having been thor
oughly organized and equipped for this
campaign, Gen. Bragg sent his wagon
to Chattanooga early in July, and on
the 21st of the same month began to
send his troops to that point on the
cars. The 18th Tennessee regiment
took the cars on the 22d, and arrived
at Chattanooga on the 9th. The
whole army was being gathered at
Chattanooga as fast as the railroads
could transport the troops. General
Bragg encamped his army to the east
of Chattanooga, at the Western base
of Missionary Ridge, and remained in
this encampment for a few weeks.
Many of the Tennessee troops were
approaching their homes, and were met
at Chattanooga by relatives and friends
who brought them supplies of different
kinds from home.
On the 18th of August Bragg COM
menced his forward movement. Cross.
ing the Tennessee river he moved for
ward few miles and encamped at a
place known to the army as Stringer's.
Proceeding northward he moved lei
surely with his army till August 30th,
when he camped for two days at the
foot of Walden's Ridge. At this place
a detail of fifteen men was made from
the 10Th Tennessee regiment to recruit
the battery. Volunteers came forward
to fill the detail, and these men were
permanently assigned to duty in the ar
tillery. Capt. RandaPs company Of
the 18th was detailed to guard the
wagon trains across Walden's Ridge
and Cumberland Mountain, and pro-
ceeded in advance Of the army. The
army passed through Pikeyille on the
LIST of September. From Pikeyille il
moved across Cumberland mountain
and encamped for few days at the
mouth of Cane Creek, near the west
base of the mountain.
While encamped at this place the
families of the soldiers from Van Blu
rem and White counties met them Al
the camp with refreshments, and the
boys enjoyed the occasion to the fullest
1t was a great pleasure to meet with
relatives and friends, and besides they
were supplied bOuntifully with every
thing that was good to eat. The boy
who lived near by were granted brie
leave of absence to visit their homes
and to many the return to their camp
was their final parting from the fami
lies and homes. Many of these mer
fell in the battle of Perryville shortly
afterward.
On the morning of the 9th the regi
ment arrived at Sparta and encamped
At this point there was a general re
union of the White county boys of tn,
regiment and their families and friends
On the 9th the regiment left Sparti
and proceeded to Gainsboro. Til,
army moved on rapidly now. The mel
thought before this that they wer
moving on Nashville. 1t was nov
learned that Louisville was the objeC
tive point.
The Federals in Tennessee wer
commanded by Buell., who seemed
completely deceived as to the intention
&c Al TonfoJorotos H. boJ oop,