The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-04-30
THE CRACKER LINE.
How 1t Was Opened by Midnight Float Down tn
Tennessee.


How 1t Was Opened by Midnight Float Down the
Tennessee.
To THE EDITOR: Perhaps your army of read.
ers would be interested in a short account OF
the midnight float down the Tennessee River
which opened the bread line for the Army OF
the Cumberland. The night of Oct. 26, 1868
was chosen to carry out the orders of Gen
Thomas, previously given, which were to the
effect that picked force was to be chosen from
Gems Hazen's and Turchin's Brigades, to be in
readiness to move at II midnight of said date
As each man was chosen he was also informed
that his work for that night was of the most
dangerous character,-in fact, a fOrl0rn hope
and if any wished to remain in camp they
could do So The writer was one of the number
chosen, and the reader will doubtless imagine
his fright on receipt of this information: but a
change from the humdrum of siege life was
always accepted, even though it proved to be
a change from this world into the next. This
was indeed trial Of courage-tO be Informed
of coming danger, but not a word by whom or
how it was coming.
The object of this move as the sequel will
show, was to make night attack and, if NOR
tai strategy, secrecy, and strength could pre-
vail, capture low range of hills close to the
Tennessee River, situated about nine miles be-
low Chattanooga, Tenn, then held by strong
force of the enemy's sharpshooters, who, in n
measure, held control of the river at that point.
We were also to capture, if possible, the wagon
road on the opposite shore, over which our
hard-tack must be hauled from Stevenson to
Chattanooga. At the appointed time every
officer and man was in his proper place. shifting
the battle not far off. Gen. Hazen was
in command of the men-about 1900 in all,
who were to have a free ride down the river.
while Gen. Turchin commanded the land
forces, who marched earlier in the night across
Moccasin Point, opposite where the attack was
to be made, to act as support to Hazen. The
troops under HaZen were to float down the
river in pontoon boats prepared for the occas-
ion, steal across the river, and make the attack
at Browns Ferry Each boat as fast as they
were unloaded was rowed back across the
stream to bring over the troops under Turchin.
1t will be seen from this that the first so men
who landed had no way of retreating, except
lost we did go that way, and in 20 minutes
from the time the first man began to land the
hills were ours, and once taken were ours all
the time.
Everything being in readiness, we were
marched to the landing, just west of the town,
where the boats were in waiting for our recep-
ton. judge the time of starting to be about 1
o'clock in the morning of Oct. 81 1863 Silently
and swiftly the boats were filled as they came
up, each containing about % men. As fast as
filled the oarsmen pulled out one after another
in close order, aud like a great water-snake
foated noiselessly down the silvery tide. When
fairly under way our instructions were given;
.. e., not a word was to be spoken above a
whisper, no oars were to be used, no matches
struck, and loud splitting was to be avoided. In
fact, this move depended upon SO much secresy
that we almost held our breath but what
troubled us the most of all was the fact that
We had no bait, so the chances for catching a
10-pound salmon each for breakfast was forever
lost.
Soon all sights and sounds were lost to eye
and ear in the camps we left behind us. Down,
down. We fioated, so close to Lookout Mountain
that it seemed the rebs might have tossed the
boys plug of Virginia twist, which they would
greatly have preferred to plug of Virginia
lead. The night was cold and damp, with a
slight fog creeping up the stream and we had
great difficulty i'll keeping our teeth from strik-
ing up tune, and thereby attracting the
enemys attention. After rounding the bend
near Lookout Mountain, we still had about
seven miles to go before reaching cur destina-
ton, keeping all the time close to the right
hand Shore as the enemy was posted just over
OF the 9th er shore. The writer being in the boat
next to the lead had good opportunity of see
ing what took place at the front. At last we
reached Browns Ferry, and we heard the wills
pered command from the front boat, Steer
right for that light!' Looking across the
stream and some distance below could be seen
a small picket fire glimmering like star
through the fog that still hung like thin vail
over the stream. This was the place selected
for the attack, toward which the leading boat
of our train headed. So silently did we APP
proach that the two forward boats had almost
touched the shore before the picket (who we
could plainly see) gave the alarm by saying,
:" Who comes thar?" but without waiting to be
discharged his gun and retreated on
the reserve a few PAGES to the rear And now
that the alarm was sounded, our success de-
pended upon unshipping in the most lively
manner. which we did so quickly that 20 or 80
men were in line on the bank before the reserve
pickets could resist the landing. Soon our
rapid y-increasing force moved forward, when
we met a force of the enemy at the gap, and
lively battle began and continued until the
hills were ours. Wecould not see the fee during
this battle, but fired at the flashes of their mus
kets and moved right up the hill. Our loss
was six killed and % wounded
Gen. w. b. Hazen commanded the forces in
this land land water raid and, as usual it was
well done, resulting in victory of the highest
Importance to the Nation and the army at Chat
tanooga. Not only did it open the navigation
Of the Tennessee as far as Browns Ferry, but
the same blow knocked the rebel gate off its |
hinges and allowed fighting Joe" to push his
Eastern heroes through into Lookout Valley. |
think there is some mistakes in history in re-
gard to this move but as my narrative is already
longer than l intended, will leave that point
70 higher authority.-PHILIP Dimes, 41st Ohio,
Hazen's Brigade, Fullertown, o.