Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-02-09

PdueTS III tne west. GEN. EARL VAN DORM.
Some slight changes had been made in the
army Of the Cumberland at the beginning Of
1868. Brig. Gen. Gilbert had been sent with
his command to protect railroad communica-
ton. His headquarters were at Franklin,
Tenn.
March a. 1853, Gen. Gilbert ordered Col.
John Coburn, Of the SD Indiana volun-
teers, to take five infantry regiments, with
Aleshire's battery and 600 cavalry under Col.
Jordan, and march south toward Columbia.
He was to take with him 100 wagons on a
foraging expedition He was also to note the
force of the enemy at Columbia. Gilbert did
not know, neither did Col Coburn, that Van
Dorm had pushed his picket lines far out to
the north, in sight Of Franklin itself Such
was the fact, however. Van Dorm had even
moved his headquarters TO Spring Hill. north
OF Columbia Three miles north of Spring
iii the five regiments of Col. Coburn
struck the united forces of Van Dorm and
Forrest, in all 10000 men.
There was sharp but short fight and the
Confederates fell back in the afternoon
That evening Coburn sent hasty mes sage to
Gilbert, informing him of the greatly superior
force of the Coufederates, and proposing that
he be allowed to fall back. Permission was
refused, and nothing was left Coburn but to
fight for it next day March s.
The battle fought next day has three
names. 1t is indiscriminately called the
fight of Spring Hill, Unionville, and Thomp-
sons Station. The Confederates usually give
it the name of Spring Hlll
Col. Cohurps wagon train was large and
valuable He left one regiment to guard it
and pushed on towards the Confederates
early March s. After marching two miles he
met them near Thompson's Station. The
Coteierates were in line of battle ready to
meet him. Forrest occupied Van Dorn's ex-
treme right.
Coburn opened the battle, his command
charging down the turnpike road upon Con-
fe'is'ate battery. For reply, Armstrong;
Confederate brigade sprang forward and
opened a terrible fire upon Coburns front,
While brigade of Texans attacked upon the
left.
Coburn ordered his command to fall back.
They did so, the retreat being covered by Col
JordaL's cavalry. Jordan dismounted part
of his force, and with these took position be-
hind stone fence to meet FORESTS advanc-
ing men In hot haste the Union wagon train
IN the rear was dispatched back on the road
toward Franklin with the artillery and the
rest of the cavalry.
Twice Forrest charged upon Col Jordan
behind the stone fence to dislodge him. and
twice he failed The third time he was sue
cesSful. Col. Jordan's men were taken
PRISONERS. Col. Coburn was surrounded ON
three sides by swarms of soldiers His last
round of ammunition had been fired He
could only surrender. The wagon train got
away, however
Forrest demanded Coburns surrender with
q loaded revolver pointed at him. Naturally
Coburn yielded at once Forrest led linn
back and introduced him to Gen Van Dorm,
and then went to look after the wounded.
with Col Coburn were made prisoners , 20
men
March 10, Gen. Gordon Granger attacked
Van Dorm AT Spring Hill, broke up his en-
campment there. and drove him south beyond
Rutberford's Greek
Two months later, May s, 1863, Earl Van
Dorm was shot dead in Maury county, Tenn,
by DIR Peters.