The National tribune., 1884-06-05

when they were ordered towithdraw slowly,
which was done by alternate numbers in line
for two miles. The brigade was then ordered
to mount and withdraw by brigade in line of
regiments, each regiment i'll line of squadrOnS
in columns of fours. The enemy, discovering
this formation, charged down the pike, in col
umns of fours, on a small company of the 9th
Illinois, who were acting rear guard. The
company did not halt, but continued to fall
back, leading the enemy between the thanking
column right and left, who opened upon them
a raking fire, throwing them into confusion
and ending the pursuit for the day. The COM
mand arrived at Nolens plantation at II noon,
and halted in line of battle until o'clock, p.
M, when it moved towards Franklin two
miles, and, turning to the right, crossed Little
Harpeth River and moved north TO the Nolens-
vile and Franklin road, where the command
camped for the night General Schofield had
not yet completed his arrangements for the
evacuation OF the place. A vast Government
train loaded with army stores was there. Gen
eral Hood thought this his time to break the
Federal power by crushing blow and the cap
ture of the train. He assembled his army and
excited their cupidity by description of the
enormous stores just before them. They were
ragged, shoeless and poorly supplied with sub
sistence, and were told that the coveted train
contained the comfortable clothes and palatable
ratiens always to be found in abundance at a
well-supplied post occupied by Federal troops.
Hood told his barefooted followers that this
| tempting prize was separated from them but
| by demoralized corps, and that If they would
strike one bold blow it should be theirs. For
many days our army had driven spendidly,
and they supposed we We're indeed whipped
| and demoralZed General Schofeld had con-
structed some very formidable breastworks
south of franklin, behind which he placed his
infantry--the veteran 4th corps, under that
skillful leader, Major-General Stanley, and the
| 23d corps, under General Cox-while Brevet
Major General Wilson, commanding the cav
airy corps, was ordered to protect the TANKS
November 30.-The 18th Tennessee cavalry,
| Colonel r. E. Spaulding commanding, was this
| day assigned to the I'd brigade, and reported
| for duty The day was beautiful one. The
| positions on the roads were held until about
! o'clock p. M, when the enemy attacked Gen
| eral Croxton's command heavily, which was
/ pieketing the river, and compelled him to give
| back. The Confederate cavalry on their right
made q general attack on the Federal cavalry
on Schofield's left, and simultaneously with
their main assault on the Federal works al
| Franklin, with the evident design of forcing
back and thanking General Schofeld's position
the enemy massing their heaviest force upon
| the center
THE CAVALRY FIGHT.
General Hatch formed portion of the
18th Tennessee cavalry, detachment of the
| 10th Tennessee cavalry, the 3d. 9th, 9tf
and It'll Illinois cavalry regiments in order
from right to left, and facing high ridge t.
the south, with the Cd Iowa cavalry thrown
across the Noensville road, half mile east of
| and at right angles with, the main line, a.
dismounted The cavalry fight was very
| simple and brief one-heayy skirmishing OF
the right and some pretty sharp firing. Th'
9Th Illinois had expended nearly ali their am
a L Il l..
were forced back until they were protected By
the guns of the brigade The enemy nov
made q charge upon the latter, which wa
handsomely repulsed by the 9th, It'll and 9tl
Illinois, who III turn charged the enemy
completely routing them at all points anC
driving them through their bivouac and acros
the Little Harpeth River. The enemy's force
were estimated at from five to six Thousand
strong, and were said to be Buford's division o
cavalry and mounted infantry. The rebe
center came down upon General Stanley in
style probably never excelled for determined
bravery in any charge of the war. As the1
neared the works the boys opened upon them
fire 20 destructive that no living force eoul(
withstand it. The rebels succeeded in gainin,
possession of the works IN one place for few
seconds, but they were quickly repulsed, anC
the battle was over. The contest had beer
very brief-not lasting over an hour, and il
! killed and wounded, among them five general
| killed viz, Major-General Cleburne Brigadier
Generals Gordon Adams, Strahl and Gran
berry, and two major generals wounded. Th
Federal loss was but GOO killed aud wounded
From this date no operation of importanc
| TRANSFERRED save the march 70 Nashville.
December 2.-Crossed the Cumberland River
and camped at Edgefeld, where we found on
tents and knapsacks-the first time we hat
seen them since leaving White Station in Sep
TENDER. From this time until the 18th W
were kept busy recruiting up our horses an
making preparations for the final battle wit
Hoods army.
And now, dear reader, If you viii compar
my statement with that of the article whie
appeared in THE TRIBUNE under the head c
"Capron's Cavalry" l think you will come t
the conclusion that Hatch's cavalry took a
active part in, and did as much toward
checking Hoods forces and preventing ther
from interrupting General Sehofeld's move
ments from Pulaski to Columbia as any in til
field.