The Dickinson press., 1888-08-18
FIGHTING JUNE "a AND 25,

The roads were so heavy that in some in
stances the advancing divisions could make
no more than seven miles n day. McCooi's
division Started Oh the march early June p.
Liberty Gap, in a westerly spur of the Cum
bcrland mountains was the first point at
which McCoo!'s corps met a Confederate
force. AT IIoover's Gap, another mountain
pass east of Liberty Gap, Thomas ndvanc-
ing troops encountered the southern soldiers
the Same day, June 2i The passes were de-
Tended by dctachmcnts from Gen. Pat Gle
Jurne's command. Cen Gordon Grangcr's
division was in the rear as a reserve support
to McCook and Thomas.
Col. Harrison, with the Thrty-ninth In
diana. was iii the advance of McCooks corps
for sl,irmish line. Immediately behind
him were Willichs and Millcr's brigadcs, of
Jpllllstons division. After some sharp fight
in, they took possession of Liberty Gap.
The next day, June 25, detachment from
Har,lce's corps attempted to drive Miller and
Which from Liberty Gap. The hottest
fighting Of Rosecrans' campaign to Tullaho-
ma occurred here. 1t became too hot for tho
Union troops that held the gap. Johnson's
division and Carlin's brigade from Davis
division were sent to their assistance.
Thus re-cnforccd, Johnson's division was
ball passed through the left eye Of Col
Miller, strangely enough without killing him.
Hairless force was defeated, and aban-
done'l the pass altogether, retrcating south
ward to Bellbucklc. In the fight at Liberty
Gap June %, Johnson's division and Carlins
brigade lost 23l men,
On the eth Of June, Gen. Thomas corps
broke camp at o'clock in the morning
and started in the direction Of Hooycr's Gap
Co. John I. Wilder's mounted infantry
were in the advance. They drovc in the
mounted pickcts Of the Confederatcs, and
passed through the gap Reynolds division
was Immediately following Wilder.
Immediately after Wilder had taken pos
session Of Hoover's Gap two Confederate
brigades advanced to attack him. SO early
an1 SO rapid had been his approach that he
had surprised completely the Confedera:cs in
the gap, and had captured u wagon train
with a number of prisoners ant. drove OF
beef cattle.
But the Confcderates rallied at once, and
came on TO the attack with such spirit that
Wider's brigade came near losing their pris
oners and becves and being captured in their
turn, before Reynolds advancing soldiers
could reach them Reynolds division came
IL the NICK OF Time, however, ana the loll-
fcderatcs we're driven back to the woods
Thomas other divisions occupied the gap
during the night
The campaign had opened successfully. So
impatient was Gen. Halleck, at Washington,
for some decided movement to be made, or
for victory to be gained somewhere, that in
the spring of 1863 he wrote a duplicate letter
to Grant at Vicksbultg and Rosecrans at
N1urfreesboro. There was vacant major
generalship in the regular army at that time,
and i'll his duplicate letter Haleck offered
this place to either Grant or Rosccrans.
whichever should first achieve all important
victory
The way in which this letter was treated
by the two generals was characteristic of
each. Grant the silent man, folded his copy
up andelail it away without q word. pro.