The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-05-28
THE 9Th IOWA CAVALRY.
Its Christmas Party in 1854.

To THE EDITOR: desire to present to your
readers the 9Th Iowa's Christmas party for 1864
We were closely following Hoods retreat just
after the battle of Nashville, and on that morn
ing the 5th Iowa took the advance under the
command of that brave rough and-ready old
soldier, Lieut.-Col Harlan Baird, the battal-
ions being commanded by Maj. Wilcox and
Capts McNealy and McElrea We were de-
pioyed in skirmish-line before daylight, and
started soon as We could see. For about
seven miles we had lively skirmishing until
about 10 o'clock. when we emerged from the
woods on the hills north of and commanding
the nice little city of Pulaski, Tenn. Here we
had brisk little fight that lasted about 10 min
utes; then Col. Baird rode 10 the center OF the
regiment and with his powerful voice gave the
command: "On last battalion, fours from the
right, forward march Draw saberS, charged"
There we went in three columns-the hrst
making for the eastern limits of the town, the
second straigh down the main street through
the center of the town, breaking through and
scattering the enemy, cutting right and left
with their sabcrs. On and on they go ike a
tornado, yelling like demons; they come to the
bridge that spans a swollen creek, then nearly
a quarter of a mile wide. Into this they go,
right among the frightened, fleeing rebels,
dealing death and wounds in every direction.
Here Serg't Clinton Pous, noble soldier, six
feet six inches high, outstripped his comrades,
and at the further end of the bridge killed
three rebs with his sword and was himself
killed, receiving five wounds either of which
was fatal. Capt. McEirca's fine blooded horse
carried him SO far ahead that he was compelled
to surrender; his men, seeing his capture, shot
his horse under him, and the rebs marched
him of on foot.
The bridge was covered one and the rebS
fired the cover, expecting to retreat through
and leave the bridge burning TO impede our
progress; but the boys mounted the burning
cover, tore it from its fastenings and threw 1t
into the creek. In this charge We captured
over 800 men, or nearly two men for each
man in the regiment. There were several
amusing scenes here in the eastern part of the
city. The rebels scattered in every direction,
closely followed by our men. Serg't White, of
Co. Z, followed wild rider for half a mile
and captured negro wenCh riding astride OF
a mule. No time was lost but the 9th Iowa
proudly marched across the bridge they had
captured from the enemy aud saved from the
flames, and kept up lively skrmsb for about
four miles, when they got into a real fight,
where Harrison's Brigade and Hatch's Dirls-
ion were all engaged The 9Th Iowa lost quite
number ofmen and horses here. At this point
Serg't A. III. Taylor, of Co. A, was captured and
marched on foot until dark, when he stepped
out a few feet in the brush, delicately laid down
and slept until daylight next moraing, when
he awoke and looked toward the road, where
herecognized his own regiment passing.
The 9th Iowa claims to have captured more
prisoners from the time Schofield fell back from
Columbia until Hood escaped to the Tennessee
River, than any other regiment did in the same
length of time during the war.-W. S. CoEN,
Private, Co. A, 9th Iowa Cav, Ottumwa, Iowa.