The National tribune., 1885-02-19


or lose more wiki them !" was his brave
resolution as he urged his men forward. As
they emerged frJu the thick brush upon
Scott's flank, every man in that little band
of 60 multiplied himself by 10, and sprang
forward like a tiger. The rebels IN turn
were completely SURPRISED. They were
prone, however, TO fight all comers for pos
session of their prize of more than l,Uoo
horses. saddles, blankets and overcoats
They charged furiously upon Lanestons
men in the brush. but the Union boys met
them with Calling fire from behind trees
& and from their bushy coverts, causing them
to stagger hack each time in confusion. IL
was fearful odds and the fight was desperate
Scott's officers gathered together consider
able BODY of their men and pre- pared for a
last final effort to drive Langston away, OF
destroy him. Just then Woltord and Car
rard came TO the rescue with rush that
swept Scott's men away IN confusion ana
recovered everything that had been lost
Cheer upon cheer broke from the Union
line as they were told "The horses are
safe,n When the first part of this con-
test in the rear was over, and when 1t
seemed that defeat and ruin were the
lot of Gilmores army, rebel sol
dier from the hill shouted to Stough's
men. "Hell has broke loose in your rear,
Yanks!" A few minutes later, as Lapgston's
rifles pealed forth their blessed music, the
retort went back from Union skirmisher,
ave seem to have small sized hell IN re-
sePyein During the melee at the rear, Pe-
gram threw coo more men into his line OF
battle swelling his fighting force on the hill
to about 1900 men. Leaving Garrard and
Langston to take care of the rear, Wolford
hurried back to his post on the right. Tell
Runkle and Mitchell TO fix bayOnets," was
now the order. a moment later Wllder's
two rifled guns fired shot apiece in quick
succession. 1t was the signal to advance.
Forward" rang from the officers lips, and
then the long, dark blue line slowly, steadily,
but resolutely swept forward. They reached
the fence at the foot of the hill and began to
push it down or Chamber over, when they
were greeted with CALLING fire from Pc
grams line.
"HoLD YOUR FIRE, BoIS."
ran down the line from the lips of the fiery
but self-possessed Mitchell. Half way up
the hill lay the men of Slough and Cum
mings pouring in their fire upon the rebel
works "Fall in with the line of battle"
was Stough's order to his men. The line of
blue was now within 80 yards of the rebel
breastwork The rebels rose to deliver
Il u
along the Union line, and then there was a
tremendous rush OF men in blue upon their
foes. Pegram's right gave way in confusion.
Mitchell pushed his men over their works
and urged them in pursuit. A minute later
Runkle's men t45th Ohio scaled the works
on Mitchell's right, and then from Runkle's
right, where Wolford's Kentuckians had We'd
with the infantry in daring zeal, there came
cheer that told the result of the charge. 1t
had swept everything before it, and
THE HILL WAS OURS.
Down the southern slope, across the creek
and into the brush, where their horses await
ed them, rushed the defeated foe. and close
after them howled the victorious Union sol
diers. Mounting their horses under cover of
the brush and Scott's regiments in reserve,
Pegram's troops retired hastily up the hill
towards Somerset. They left behind them
III killed and so seriously wounded, and
400 prisoners.
lam maware that Greeley prefers newspaper
correspondents report to that of Gilmore
(see p. 42S, Vol. ii, Amer. Con.-foot note, as
tothe results ofthe battle. The burying squad
of the 44th Ohio reported having disposed of
more than "60 rebel dead u on that part of
the line in front of Mitchell's regiment.
Runkle's and Wolfords men certainly killed
as many more. Greeley says the enemy's
loss "was only about 100." Gilmore says
their loss will not fall short of 500.n Gree
ley's newspaper correspondent probably the
same one he learned military tactics FROM
says Pegram lost IS killed, six wounded,
and 81 prisoners" Gilmore ought to be re-
spectacle authority, and the officers and men
who captured and guarded the prisoners are
perhaps entitled 10 some credence. The bat
10 ha
cupied the nights about Somerset till morn
ing, and then continued the pursuit to the
Cumberland River. The van reached that
stream next morning just as the last of Pc
grams force landed from small fiatboat on
the other side where i rifled gun was posted
to cover the crossing. An artillery duel took
place across the river for half an hour, and
then the rebel army continued its retreat
without further disturbance over the noun
tains into East Tennessee. The Union forces
patrolled the country for
THE EHEMY'S SPoILs.
Nearly 700 head OF fat cattle were recap
fured, besides a number OF horses and mules
Nearly a dozen loads of cloths, clothing.
boots and shoes were oyertaken near Mill
Springs by some of the 10th Ky. Cav who
being unable 10 remove their captures, de-
stroyed them. In that fight with the 10th
Ky. Pegram lost about a dozen in killed
and wounded and as many more in prison
ers. The bug-.i-boo invasion Of Kentucky
was past and gone-the pursuit Of the enc
my was at its close. The rebel loss from
first TO last Was not far from 175 in killed.
100 severely wounded, and $50 in prisoners
The Union loss from beginning TO the end
was perhaps % killed, 80 wounded, and
about the same number captured. Current
history" Leaves out the 44th Ohio in the
account of buttons Hill, says nothing
about the peril1us ride of that regiment
under Gilbert through Camp Dick Robinson,
and ascribes TO Noliord and Garrard all
credit for repelliDg Scotts charge upon our
rear. Gilmore also left ont of his order of
thanks F" all mention of Langston's gallant
defense of the rear. 1t is true that Lang
ston disobeyed orders to get into that fight
but his disobeGience proved to be wisdom of
the highest order, and his pluck and push
saved Gilmore from
IGNoMINIoUS DEFEAT
Take no lanrel from the brows of the immor-
tai LIST Ky aad the 9TH Ohio Cav, and their
famous commanders, but place one evergreen
sprig in the crown Of J. c. Langston and his
brave Co. B, 4iih Ohio. Honor TO whom
honor is DUE is motto good enough for
soldiers in war, and il should be good enough
for soldiers in history.
+" With malice toward none with charity