The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-02-17

had led him into an ambush. The com>
mand was attacked about daylight. |
Being without sleep or rest for days and
nights, the men could not be aroused In
this condition many were killed or cap
tu-ed. Those who escaped were hunted
by rebel soldiers. guerrilas citizens and
blood> hounds. Our men came in singly |
and in squads for weeks. One party
travelled over 400 miles before reaching
our lines On this raid one battalion of
our regiment was detached. leaving the
main column on July 80. 1t destroyed
four depots, forty engines, 500 railroad
cars, many miles of track. public build
ings with heavy military stores, and
many bridges, including the great O'Co-
nee bridge. Several times it passed
near large bodies of the enemy.
1t drove for miles the rear
guard Of large force on its way to
guard the O'Conee bridge already burned
IL passed between the rebel picket and
Milledgeville not over half mile from
the city, joining the regiment on Aug l,
10 time to share in the great disaster of
the Sd. Having lost most of their horses
and equipments on this raid. the scatter
ed fragments joined the infantry battle
line besieging Atlanta, and had the honor
of entering the city the day it was cap
tured with the advance forces. Sept. Is
the regiment returned to Kentucky, where
il was remounted and re- equipped. Nov.
IS it arrived at Waynesboro, near the
Tennessee river. In this locality it dis
puted Hoods advance. On the esd
strong engagement took place. and on
the cath another. On the 29th, whilst
guarding Duck river fords, the brigade
at dark found itself surrounded. IT.
charged the lines of the enemy with
great success, and most calamity cut its
way out. From the Tennessee river to
Columbia, where the infantry came to
the rescue, every foot of ground was
contested by the cavalry in resisting
Hoods aggressive forces. On this re-
treat, after being repeatedly surrounded
like Napoleun's Old Guard at Waterloo,
the troopers could die as many OF them
did. but would never surrender. With
solid, unbroken ranks, many brilliant
battle of Franklin the brigade was on
the left wing of our army, doing its duty
effectively and with firmness. At the
great and decisive battle of Nashville
the cavalry was massed and under the
command of Gen. Wilson. The soldier
who participated in the cavalry charges
in that great battle will never witness
more exciting scenes. With daring and
effective power this branch of the army
was hurled at the compact masses of the
enemy, most calamity aiding in crushing
pursuing and capturing them. And Gen.
Wilson, young athletic and vigilant, was
the Marshal Ney of this victorious and
memorable engagement.
| have given only skeleton of the
operations of the Fourteenth | have re
lated no personal incidents. With these
| could fill volume. For this occasion
| have said enough
| Following this came humorous reci-
tation, "A Word on the Crisis. by j. W.
Cook, of the Sons of Veterans, and an
Instrumental solo by Luke Hemeuway,
and then Prof. A. W. Williams. of Angus
tana college, gave an interesting narrative
Of his recollections AS a private in the
battle of Richmond the Misses Wilcox
sang "Tenting Tonight with such pleas>
ing effect that they were heartily encored
Capt. D. O. Reid, of Moline, spoke at
some length on the surrender of Fort
Done.son, and wildly pictured the suffer
ings and deprivations of the union SOL
diers during that memorable campaign,
He also dwelt on the battle of Shiloh.
where Gen. Grant made his first grand
achievements twenty four years ago.
After martial music, Captain E. C.
Ellis, of Beardsley Camp. Sons of
Veterans. described the purposes of the
order to which he belonged, it being an
auxiliary to the G. A, r society, and its
object being, that the sons of those who
went forth in defense of their country
might perpetuate their fathers memory
and exault it to future generations. Re
marks were made by DR.. P. L. McKinnie
of Moline, and Gen FL c. Litchfield, of
Davenport, when ex-Post Commander E.
Fl. Bowman Jr., submitted The following
resolutions, which were unanimously
adopted to the
MEMORY OF GEN HANCOCK.
Res0LUed That ii is with heartfelt sor-
row that the mem bers of Maj Gen John
Buford Post hear of the death of thai
eminent soldier, Maj. Gen. Winfield S
Hancock.
u ResolCed, That in his death our country
has sustained an irreparablc loss, brave
intrepid. accomplished soldier and gen,
lleman, whose services to his country
will be remembered so long as history
tells of the great rebellion.
Resotoed. That this post extend heart
felt sympathy to the widow aud relatives
OF our deceased comrade.
Supper was then announced and the
veterans entered into the spirit of this
part of the program with as much en-
thusiasm as they had shown during tn
address. The rest of the evening wa:
spent in relating "reminiscences of the wa
days, pack of cards was introduced
which tended to refresh the fond recoI
lections, and one war worn hero becam
: so enthusiastic that he started on hun
for gray backs with a comb
Old 10 Is Agitated.
l ANDALUsIA, Feb. 10.