The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-02

an0 then IL passed into other hands Our c0IorS
advanced to the enemys works on the top of the
ridge, and there they on the outside and the stars
and bars within were so close together that for
fully twenty minutes the flags touched each other
as they were moved by their bearers Finally we
were so close the rebels did not dare stick their
heads above the works, as our boys we're gigging
them with their bayonets. We then made an
opening not more than ten or twe,ve feet wide
In their line, and we rushed in, pressing them to
the right and left. In ten minutes from that
time our flag was in the works, and the rebels
had abandoned the whole line on the summit of
the ridge
II never knew, although adjutant, aad in
charge of the colors, who carried them into the
works. In the hurly-burly of that gallant charge
probably half dozen heroes had their hands
upon the staff. Sim j. Thompson, now, editor of
the Lebanon Patriot, brave soldier, lost his
leg in the act of climbing over the works. 1t
was warmly discussed question between that
old hero, General Which, and Gen. Fred Knefer
as to whether the Thirty second Indiana-the
German regiment, as it was called-or the
Seventy ninty went into the works first, but the
proof being in favor of the Seventy ninth, Gen.
Which gracefully yielded. In that battle the
Eighty-slxth Indiana had consolidated with the
Seventy ninth, and is equally entitled to the
glory of that occasion"
"Ask General Knefer to tell about the night
march to Spring Hill" said grizzled veteran
1.-THE march from Columbia to Spring Hill"
The General, being urged, began: AFTER we
fell back in the night from Columbus and crossed
the pontoon bridge over Duck river, going into
position on the hills overlooking the river.
wherever there was point open we fortified 1t
with brush and logs. In the morning the bat
teries were placed in position overlooking the
river. 1t was not long before very heavy Skin
mishing opened, with en- occasional shot from
artillery. At times this grew into pretty heavy
III Al.
cannonading. The shells came nylne over our
positions hut doing little harm. There was COM
parative rest for the soldiers, and they enjoyed
it, having marched very hard from Pulaski to
Columbia.
IF remember For days and dates are things
that cannot always be kept accurately in mind,
we lay two days on Duck. river until about the
Goth of November, Wednesday morning.
1t was quiet enough with the exception of the
cannonading. The boys went out foragings
1t was rich country along Duck river, and the
enterprising marauders always found something.
All at once rumor spread through camp that
to the east of US about four miles, on the Louisa
pike, the rebels had crossed in force and were
marching north towards Nashville. To verify
this the rebels on the south side of Duck river
opened furious cannonading, and their mus
kerry increased every moment l was com
manding brigade at the time, and did not
receive any information as to moving from
the division headquarters. | strolled over
there during the day to hear something Every
thing was so quiet that did not feel any appre-
hension about the rebel movement. / ascer-
tanned that General Stanley commanding the
11rys lew at last brigadier- general in the
regular army and no man better deserved pro-
notion had placed himself at the head OF the
Second Division Of our corps, and had rapidly
marched to Spring Hill.
"Ths last news was evidence that something
was in the air. Still no orders were given until
late in the afternoon In the meantime the rebel
commanding in front Of us had increased in
force and we were informed that further down
on our right crossing had been attempted by
tha rebels. This attempt was repulsed by the
troops of the Twenty-third corps who were de-
Tending the passage of the river. LIZ was after
dark when the order was given to prepare to
march. The columns pulled out and took the
route towards Franklin. The order was given
to keep close columns, move as rapidly as posi-
bile, and make room on the pixies for
our artillery and teams About the time
we started orders were transmitted
down the line to march very quietly, have the
columns well closed up, and to be ready to fight.
Also that the men should observe the strictest
silence; there should be no halloolng or yelling,
as was customary on the march. 1t was dark
night. but comfortable marching weather. We
did not know what these precautionary orders
really meant The silence of the marching col
umn was so extraordinary that kind of OPP
pressive feeling came over the troops. Without
urging the marching became very rapid Rldlng
ct the head of the brigade, and looking bask oc-
casionaly on the straight stretch of road, the
column was coming along solid black wall.
Nothing could be heard but the tramplng OF
feet At turn in the pike we came to o heavy
woods. The trees threw their great shadows
over the way making the road darker than be-
fore. Here was met by Major Bartlett, in
spector on the staff of the division, who brought
the information that the rebel army was in
front of us on our right for two or three miles.
He gave the orders of the general to close up
and be ready to front at any time, if necessary
to go into action
1.-THE general had also sent orders to have
every man secure all his accontrements so that
they would make no possible noise. The can
teens were shifted from the bayonet side to the
cartridge box side so not to rattle against the
shank of the bayonet They were ordered to
look close to their guns SO that no accidental
shot be fred. The artillery was driven off the
pike TO the dirt road to the left of the column
Of infantry. Before Major Bartlett left he inn
parted to me the pleasant information that when
we passed the turn of the road we would come
in sight of the bvouac fires of the rebel army,
and they were none too far back from the pike
to fire right into was startled at the in
formation. and vigorously disputed it, l was
certain that it was impossible to march in
front of rebel army in plain sight and hearing
without being attacked. The Major said I
would have TO do the best l could, which was
not much consolation
Sat the turn in the road we at once discov-
cred the lorg lines of fires stretching far
the eye could see. 1t looks to me to-day that
the lines of fire were about as far from the pike
as Delaware street is from New Jersey street.
We saw men moving about the fires. The stu
alton seemed to be worse even than Major Bart
lett had described. Nothing else but that we
should be discovered and attacked could be ex-
pected The rebel camp, as we moved on, gave
no indication of alarm. AS we moved by the
long lines of guns in our columns glistened in
the light of the fires.
"There are many here to- day who were in that
night march, and if they enjoyed the situation
better than did, they did not say My anx
iety was great that if there is anything in the
theory of hair turning white in single night,
do not see how my poll escaped. Our men were
fully alive to the danger, and moved as silently
as bodiless spirits. The artillery teams seemed
to understand the danger, and not horse
neighed or nickered AS getting by
this great. danger, my attention was called
to long line of battle advanc-
ing from the rebels. This intensified the
excitement of the situation. You could hear
the CLICKING hahind Won as the men were cock n O