The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-11-18
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI.
Operations of the Army Under Gen. Davidson

Operations OF the Army Under zen. DaFids0ns
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: By your leave
/ will try TO refresh the memory Of Comrade n.
n. Hill, which does not coincide with my diary,
in regard to the "Midwnter raid he describes
in The NATIONAL TRIBUNE of Aug II. Six
companies of our regiment I'D Mo. Cav.) ope-
rated as part of brigade, under Gen. Warren,
south of Rollo Mo-, moving from that point
about Nov. /, 1862 Late in January, 1868, the
General was relieved and we were ordered
southwark.
Our detachment started from Houston. Mo-,
Jan. 26, but finding the road impossible, re-
turned the same evening. Next day the bril-
gade (99th Ill, 2lst Iowa, six companies OF Sd
Iowa Cav, our detachment, and battery OF 2d
Mo. Art.) moved out over another road, tents,
baggage and all. the 81 Iowa Cav. in advance.
We arrived at West Plains Mo-, Jan. 80, about
noon. Here we met the advance of Gen. David
sons Army of Southeast Missouri coming in
from the eastward. When we were engrafted
that army numbered about l5,0 900 men and was
composed of three divisions.
One division, with most of the cavalry,
moved southwark FEB. ,. arriving at Salem,
Ark, the next day; took the back track on the
9th, aud was in West Plains again ON the 9Th.
The cavalry cut loose from the main column
on the first evening out, leaving a property
guard, including myself. They made raid
into Batesville, Ark, and had a running fight
for about 20 miles. killing and capturing several
Johnuies and driving Marmaduke across the
| White River. They returned TO West Plains
Feb. 9 "A little after noon, finding the tents all
| up, but those Government ratiOns were non est.
Snow fell on the 9Th and 9TH 10 a depth of six
| inches and the mercury sank 10 near zero,
where it fooled about till after sunrise on the
| 9Th. when it warmed up aud the snow went
faster than il came, leaving the mud.
Feb. two divisions, with trains took up the
| line of march northward. Our division fol-
| lowed on the 10th and overlook the advance
the next evening at Jacks Fork, having
marched % miles. The trains were all behind
stuck or lOundering in the mud. We went to
bed without supper, but by using the mill on
the Fork we had very good breakfast next
morning. after which We moved four miles and
waited for the wagons. detail of 20 mel
from each company was sent back to help them
forward. All were closed up at noon the next
day by the details turning half the horses into
vehicles and their riders into mules.(D
The army now deployed right and left oceu
| plying all available roads, and concentrated
again at Eminence, where we arrived Feb. 10
Here We met the Paymaster and supply train
! and spent the night drawing pay and TatiOns
| The next day we marched ii miles, leaving
| the train in the mud again, and the next, six
miles, when we again waited for the wagons
sans supper and breakfast. From here our de
tachInent moved alone and kept everything
close up. We arrived at Pilot Knob Mo-, Feb
20, much fatgued, but full. if not fat. having
made an average daily march of about 10 miles
| Part of the army were in before and part came
in after us. The trains were nearly week
longer closing up and the outfit was truly un
couth. Nearly or quite half the mules were
abandoned along the road, dead or disabled
| Their places were supplied with horses, mule
and oxen. pressed in ms needed. Our supplies
of bareback aud sowbelly were scant. but the
fOragers made up the deficiency. No one slep
in the open air or retired hungry. excepting
when we outmarched our train, unless he wa
too constitutionally tired to put up his tent Of
prepare his supper.
As TO the Spring chase after Marmaduke, / wa
not on that, but it seems passing strange tina
such terrific fighting rs ComTadc Hill describe
should produce so few casualties. Our regi
mcnt with IL companies out, lost only four o
five killed aud 10 or 20 wounded on the who'll
trip. Comrade Poole's description tallies ex
aetly with the rcports brought back at tn
time, as far as it goes.
Lieut.-Col. Carrick's wound was more anus
ing than lamentable. He was struck in tn
back, aud could not sec the wound. Fastening
tothc Surgeon. he exclaimed: "Dochthcr, quick
/ think l am kilt cltJirly!" When the Goa
was being removed BE aisy now, Dochther
I'm afraid il will kill me" When the bacl
was barred: "What do YOU think, Dochther
will il kill me?" Tho Surgeon, with q smile
replied: You are not hurt at all, Colonel;
can't find even bruise; nothing but SINAI
red spot" lie had been hit BY a spent ball.
g. W. SPAHE, Serge, Co. /, 81 MO. Cav, I'D
waTdsville, Ill.