The National tribune., 1885-11-12


Theater, with U. S. building in rear 8. Printing
II. Private residence. IA. Club-room.
!, 1862, when Scctt's (rebeD Alabama cavalry
1000 strong with a section of artillery, crossed
Elk River west of town and stole march on
US. The first we knew of their whereabouts
was when they fired on our pickets about day
light. Well do l remember how those rifle:
cracked on that beautiful May morn, and how
our good Union friends pricked up their ears
as the rumOr spread that ScottS cavalry wa:
coming.
In the meantime Col. Stanley telegraphed
Gen. Turchin at Huntsville our condition, and
asked for orders. Orders came for US to fall
back on the Huntsville road and wait for re-
endorsements. Our skirmsh-liRe was thrown
out and everything arranged to protect the line
of retreat Our pickets came in, closely pressed
by the rebs Just when we were leaving town
our good Union friends made their appearance
with shOtguns in hand cheering for the South
ern Confederacy, and giving US shot in the
rear We fell back about mile east of town
to bluff, near a creek-a good position natur-
ally. Here Lieut. Col. Given wanted Col. STAN
ley to attack the rebs. He begged, cursed and
swore because he couldn't have the liberty to
lick the Johnnies right there and then and cap
ture their artillery. The boys were anxious to
go for them, but Stanley would not hear to it,
So we lost one of the best opportunities we ever
had to get in good lick for Uncle Sam. We
retreated slowly and in good order. Tho rebs
shelled us as we were crossing field, and a
six-pounder struck the bottom of an old rail
fence we were climbing over, but did not ex-
plode, or we would not be here to tell the story.
The next morning Gen. Turchin with the
balance of the brigade came up, and also the
4th Ohio Cav, under Col. Kenneth. We re-
turned to Athens, but found the Johnnies had
burnt our supplies and the depot and left. Gen.
Turchin marched his command into the court
house square, stacked arms, spread his blankets
for rest Just here he made his famous little
speech: Boys, l shuts mine eye for two
hour"
1t was not very plain English, but we fully
understood the meaning, and took the chance
of getting even with our friends who used
their shotguns the day before. 1t was here
we got the title of johnny Jerkers," which
was applied to US the balance of the war. Jerk
ing with vengeance was the order for the
full two hours. Then we were loaded into a
wagon train and sent in pursuit of the retreat
ing enemy. Col. kennett's cavalry took the lead
with Simonson's battery with the mounted in
fantry bringing up the rear. We travelled at a
lively rate some Is miles, when we found the
rebs crossing Elk River. Kennett's cavalry
charged them in good style, but the enemy was
fortified behind swamp, with his artillery in
position on the opposite side of the river de-
Tending the ferry. The rebs made stubborn
fight, but were finally driven into the river.
Our battery gave them few shots, one of
which pierced their boat below water, sinking
her almost instantly. 1t was now almost dark.
We suppered and fed at plantation near by,
pressing the darkies as cooks and walters, after
which we returned to Athens, taking our
killed and wounded with us.
Meantime, Co. Z, 18th Ohio, was having a
rich experience. They were guarding the bridge
over Piney Greek between Huntsville and De-
catur. The enemy sent detachment to drive
them off, intending to burn the bridge and cap
ture their supply trains, which had been sent
from Athens to Huntsville for safety. They
succeeded in driving the guard off, but not
until both sides had lost severely. They then
fired the bridge, and thought they had their
prize sure, but the trains came up, and saw
that the only chance was II run the gantlet
across the burning bridge or captured. They
steamed up, and the first two went over all
right and made their escape but the last one
went through into heap in the water below.
The engineer was caught in the engine, poor
fellow, and was burned to death. The guards
on the train were not hurt; they SWAN to the
shore and made their escape. Co. E lost two
killed and several wounded.-W. S. Brown,
Co. A, 18th Ohio HiaWatha, Kan