The National tribune., 1886-04-22
ON THE HATCHIE.
he 18th Mich. the First to Gross the Bridge.

To THE EDITOR: In your issue of March a,
I read an article. entitled "Hatchie Bridge
written by W. w. Barnett, in which he corrects
mistake made by Col. w. w. Jackson in Civ
ing an account of the battle of Hatchie Bridge.
| did not read Col. Jackson's article, but if it
was not moro in accordance with facts than is
that of COmrade Barnett, it sadly needs cor
rection. If remember rightly, the battle OF
Hatchie River was fought on Sunday, Oct. 5,
1862, and the 10Th Mich. took very conspicu-
Gus part; but Comrade Barnett makes no men,
ton of it in his account of the way the differ
ent regiments crossed the bridge, and / would
like to put on record the position of the 18th in
that battle, as it did its full share of fghing on
that occasion, and is justly entitled to favorable
mention for gallant and heroic conduct.
We left Bolivar, Tenn, about 3 o'clock on
Saturday morning, Oct 4, with about 5000 in
fantry, besides cavalry and artillery (there
being three batteries, believe), all of Gen.
Hurlbut's Division, and part of Gen. Ross, all
under command Of Gen. Hurlbut We marched
about 20 miles that day, and camped for the
night. Early Sunday morning we started again,
and after going about three miles came in sight
of the enemy, when the whole division formed
in line of battle and the artillery opened fire
On the rebel batteries, which had taken position
on high hill on the west side of the Hatchie
River. We soon drove them from this position,
and they retreated across the river, but we took
a number of prisoners before they could cross
the bridge As soon as possible the rebs planted
their batteries so as TO command the bridge,
and began throwing grape and canister at such
lively rate that it was difficult to find a regi-
ment that was willing to cross over and try to
drive them out. Two or three regiments crossed
before they fairly got the range of the bridge,
and then some others refused to 60. Then one
of the Generals spoke to Col. VIM. Graves, of
the 10Th Mich, about the regiments not want
L. L.
regiment there that would cross if he said the
word, and was told to try it. Col. Graves then
told US we had dangerous task to perform, but
that we could and must do it, and asked if we
were willing to make the attempt. The boys
answered with q yell, and the command was
given, Forward, double-quick, march," We
crossed the bridge in q hurry, filing to the left
as soon as over the river, and were soon out of
range of the rebel guns. While crossing the
bridge some of the men were wounded, but 1T
was thought lucky that no more were hurt,
considering the dangerous position we were in
as the boys expected to be almost cut to pieces.
Other regiments followed ours, and the rebels
were soon driven out of that position. About
500 prisoners were taken, including some Is or
20 commissioned officers, among them several
staff and field officers and one of Gen. Van
Dorn's Aids.
This is my recollection of the fight of Hatchie
River and the part the 10Th Mich took in it,
and when / saw the account of Comrade Bar
nett, and no mention made of my regiment, it
induced me to write as above. / don't remem-
Der the names Of the other regiments or the
manner in which they crossed the bridge, but
do most distinctly remember that the 18th made
the crossing after several regiments had refused
to do so, and at a time when it was thought
impossible to gain the other side without severe
loss TO the regiment making the attempt
CHAs. NJ. CONE, Co. ID, 18th Mich, Adrian,
tob