The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-06-28
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What Our Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
WILSON'S RAID AGAIN.
A Sd Ohio caraIryman Tells his Little story.


Of Gen. Wilson's Cavalry Corps
Some time previous 10 this event Gen. Eli (
Long was assigned TO command this division. /
Gen Long was Captain IN the Regular Army, 4
and made Colonel Of the Attn Ohio Cav, ana .
shortly after the Stone River battle assigned to 4
our Second Brigade. He was splendid disci-
plinarian, and a gentleman IN every sense OF /
the word
He was possessed Of quick judgment; al /
WAYS in time, but never in hurry. His kind /
ness of disposition was paramount TO all mean 4
ness; and his courage, directed by good Judg- /
ment was exhibited on ali occasions aud equal /
60 every emergency
His weakness was to cling to the family /
pipe. 1t must have been family pipe, for it
was a big one, which be smoked on all occa-
sions.
The boys viii remember, while we were at
Grayely Springs, Ala, getting ready for this
movement through the Coufederacy, that We
were short on the ration question, both for
man and horse. We that knew Gen. Wilson
least, perhaps, felt whatever other qualities he
possessed, be could not feed worth a cent.
One day while the General was riding along
the road which led between our regiment and
the 9TH Ohio CAY, some Co. X man Of the Sd
Ohio Cav sang ont at the top of his voice,
"Hardtack." II was one Of those electrifylng
voices aud every one, on this occasion at
least, was impelled to echo the same. Conse-
queutly Hardtack went up one company and
down another, and like wave it crossed the
road went through the 4th Ohio and like
cyclone it carried brigade after brigade, and
division after division, dying away in the far
distance.
No General could stand that In less than
an hour We saw the OrdeTlies scattering to the
various regiments throughout the command
with that unnumbered order. AT p. m. - To
armst" was sounded by the regimental buglers.
We stood under arms till s. at 10 again the
ord Aud ,--ls1 ia1
away the hours till II M.
There were more soldiers that night at 10
with stomach-ache than anybody ever saw be-
fore in one army, yet every fellow seemed able
10 swear yOcifeT0UsIy. This matter ended with
rs by lecture from Col. ii. n. Rowland on
sodierly conduct and good behavior.
Al Montevellow We had our first serious con-
fict. The First Brigade had the most Of this
in hand. We were told that four companies
charged mounted, captured $50 prisoners and
two pieces Of artillery. Whether four COM
panies made the charge or not is not quite
clear, but we had the prisoners and the artil-
leTy for fact.
The next day we moved out for Selma, about
2S miles distant, the Second Brigade taking
the advance. The writer had charge Of the
advance battalion, two companies with bay and
two with gray horses from the Sd Ohio Cav.
Ny verbal instructions from Gen. Long were:
" You viii find the enemy at the bend Of the
less absolutely necessary and you cannot dis
lodge by direct charge"
The column was not halted OF the advance
checked till we reached the Notifications at
Selma The first line Of works was carried by
a splendid assault about 3 p. N. The 4th Regu-
lars made the attempt to carry the second line
mounted, bat were Tepuised. Afterward the
Sd Ohio carried the works on foot. Possibly
other regiments charged at the same time on
our leit, but II was some time before We met
other troops.
Il was now quite dark, and after caring for
the prisoners. we sought camp al a late hour.
The next morning aoout sunrise FIVE Of our
men came IN on a very large horse. Each man
had brand new plug hat on and canteen Of
cOmmlssary, singing Johns Browns Body"
etc, amid the cheers Of comrades. Our DVis-
ion lost heavily in the charge on the outer line
Of works, probably one-third Of the charging
force.
We published paper here during our three
days stay. rousing little treat to all. The
writer hopes q copy may be had somewhere
among the boys and given 10 THE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE 50 VIC msy reread its old story If
90 fortunate, complimentary order viii be
resGrrected 70 Gen. Long from the General
commanding. Two issues Of this paper was
made. Short lived, but full Of interest The
arsenal here was second in importance in the
GOnlederacy. About 500 pieces of artillery.
Eeady Tor the field, were destroyed: ammuuI-
ton and other things in proportion. Wagon
loads Of double barrced shOtguns Ct English
make were destroyed, or partially so. Some Of
the stocks were only broken and the barrels
were thrown into the river. Some Of these
were resurrected again by the infantry who
came up from Mobile about two weeks after
ward.
We sent a cOlorcd man with a dispatch "a
Mobile, and it was said that they fired a salute
Of 300 guns ia honor Of our achievements We
tEpF d f1r EgHf .s-g
days atlerward, and il would require at least
that many guns 20 reduce the forts Al
Columbia the bridges were all DESTROYED ez.
cept one, u manner IS described IN the article
given May 10. This remaining one was taken
By night assault IN the following manner.
About 100 picked men were piloted bya citizen
OF spy down a favine and up in another that
came cut at reserve picket post about 300 wards
from the bridge. The picket was charged 81
suddenly and unexpectedly that they fed from
the bridge. Our boys Oh their heels. crossed
tie bridge with them. and seized two guns ri
the mouth Of tie bridge. Gen Cobb cav,
orders 10 IRE, Lnt the gunners refused on &C
count Of their own men. Gen. Cobb left w
secured a large number or prisoners. One boo
fellow, ID his panic ran, looking back al tn
same time, and ran against an old gate-post an,
broke bis neck. Il we are not right in this
some one viii speak cut.
After passing this place our brigade an,
division had the advance. For three DAYS auI
nights we made forced marches aud the las
eight miles cur horses we're put 10 the gallon Z
save large bridge across Flint River Durin
OUr march from Gravelly Springs Ala to Macon
Ga DO bridges were destroyed by the enemy
excepting those referred 10 above
j ought % have said IN another place that q
Montgomery We heard the rumor that Lee Ia,
surrendered. This bit Of information was Oh
taincd By Chaplain CrOzier, Of the ID Ohio Cav
through some Of the resident ministers "
also net Gag Of truce few miles out fro.
Macon, but refused 20 receive It. We gave
few moments time TO dutter out Of sigh
which il did al q lively pace. We soon cam
on a burning bridge, which we extinguishe
before harm was done 10 il.
After We had been in camp about % dav
and had received official notice Of Lees SUI
render ana the assassination Of the Prcsiden
practical joke was played on the boys.
was circulated that the war was over and IS
were 10 march 70 Savannah and take transport
lOr the North 10 receive our muster out. /
view q that report We were ordered 70 prepal
three days ratlons, sound rcycille at $3.50 an
boots and saddles 1t g a. IA. We noticed Ia;
brigade and division headquarters did n,
strike tents. Also, there was no home-lib
movement by those who knew best But abo1
{ a. m. we moved out, sure enough on Il
Savannah road 20 a large sand field, where v
formed in line by regiments, when each reg
mental Proy0st-Guard commenced a s:mult
DeOus search, not for new plug-hats, but &