The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-06-27

of smallarms
Its offensive power was gone, and gone for
ever; its commander had risked and lost ell.
The event had justified the plan of action.
From Louisville, where he had paused to give
his comrade opportunity to win new laureis,
chivalrous Logan added his congratulations
TO those Of the General-in- Chief from the Capt.
tai OF the Nation. The tidal wave of insurgent
invasion had struck
1.-THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA,"
and, dashed into harmless spray, receded, never
10 gain force enough for q return.
Through the deepmud and amid adriving rain
storm the pursuit was renewed at dawn on the
18th. When the junction of the Granny White
and Franklin pixies a short distance beyond
the Little Harpeth, was reached, Wilson was
ordered TO take the lead with his cavalry. Four
miles north of Franklin enough of the beaten
force had been collected to attempt TO make
stand, to give the retreating masses time TO get
across the Harpeth. But knipe, with his di-
vision, aided by Hatch and Croxton, assailed it
in front aud on both fanks and drove ii from
its position, capturing over 500 prisoners. The
rains had raised the water in the Harpeth, but
Johnson got across some distance below Frank
lin and passing rapidly up the left bank, forced
the rebel rear-guard TO evacuate the town to
avoid being cut off from the main body. The
day was fast closing when, FIVE miles south
of the town, Wilson came upon Steyenson's
Division deployed across the Columbia pike
to dispute his advance. Forming line in
the muddy fields on either side, Hatch and
Knipe closed around the lanks, while the 4th
u. S. Cav, only about $50 in number, charged
down the pike upon the rebel center, riding
down the gunners of the battery posted there,
and passing entirely through the line. Broken
into fragments and in great confusion, it was
hand-to-hand fighting, and the officer in com
mand of the 4th Cav was captured and escaped
III mt
an end to it, The infantry bivOuacked that
night on the right bank of the Harpeth. When
the retreat began orders had been sent to For
rest 10 move by way of Shelbyvil Q, but with
the instinct of a soldier he knew that troops
mistaken by defeat such as the main body OF
the army had suffered would be of value to
that army, aud had hurried Armstrong; Bri-
gade of cavalry and his infantry across the
country TO join the main body. The discom-
fitted army got across Rutherford Creek, which
on the 18th was at food hight, and day was
lost TO the pursuers while they
IMPAT1ENTLY WAITED FOR A PoNTooN
TRAIN
to come mp. At Duck River there was another
check, and at Columbis, Forrest, with the re-
mainder of his command, joined the main
army lor what was left of it,, and to him and
Walthall, with eight small brigades of infan-
try, was assigned the task of holding the pur-
suers in check while the disheartened rem
Dants Of the Confederate force plodded their
muddy way to the Tennessee.
Five miles south of Franklin, on the morn
ing OF the 18th. Steedman's troops had been
taced-about, and rccrossing the Harpeth had
gone across the country 10 Murfreesboro, there
to collect transportation aud proceed by rail
20 the Tennessee at Decatur, and If possible
get in Hoods front, or, falling in that, fall
upon bis flank after he had crossed and COM
plete his destruction. The march was ex-
tremely arduous. Much of tho way was over
dirt roads knee-deep in mud; artillery sand
wagon trains were exhausted by the four days
ceaseless labor, and stuck fast in the mud st
every hill or creek crossing, and ammunition
wagons were unloaded time after time by the
guard during the weary night hours as they
struggled through the darkness.
buring the morning Of the 10Th the troops
forded four creeks, swollen 10 torrents, through
water up TO their waists, and TO add 10 their
suderings the storm turned TO snow at
night. aud their wet clothing froze on
their persons. At Murfreesboro only half
OF one days rations could be procured, aud
there was delay Of day while cars and en-
giDes could be gathered and made ready for
use Tanks and wood-piles had been burned,
aud fuel was furnished by the fences, and water
for the engines was dipped from the bitches
along the road. BY Christmas the command
q Charleston Railroad, and most Of that day
was spent in replacing burned bridge. Army
TaiiOns had disappeared, and the command
lived on what it could CLEAN from country
already twice stripped in one year. 0n the
morning OF Dec. 70 the troops were at the
mouth Of Limestone Creek, about eight miles
above Decatur Landing about two miles above
the town. a regiment Of cavalry and small
battery were brushed away by line OF skir-
mishers, and that night
TWO or TIE GUNS WERE CAPTURED IN BIv-
ouAC
by small force Of cavalry, and the next morn
ing the command moved out on the Tuscumbia
road, and Jan. ]. 1865, were at Leighton,
small station on the railroad eight miles south
Of that place. In the meantime, through the
storm and mud the defeated Confederates had
struggled back to the Tennessee, the rcar-Ruard
engaged daily with the relentless Union cav.
airy AZ Lynnville aud Buford's Station, on
the 23d. and again at Pulaski. Lambs Ferry and
Sugar Creek, tue indefatigsble troopers had
hacked at and charged the foeman found ia
their path, though no speed greater than q
walk could be obtained from their worn
mounts; and half their guns had been lett be-
hind In order 10 get horses enough 10 pail the
remainder. The hne ponto0n bridge at Deca-
tur, by some oversight or miscalcGiation, had
not been destroyed. aud, aoated down to Balm
Of the retreating force, and their own, saved
at the expense Of other transportation, and
even Of ordnance stores, was also utilized In
putting the river between them and their pur.
suers, Of whom the main body did not cross t.
Steedman, at Leighton, on the first of the now
year, found that he was too late TO intereept
the retreat. but Palmer's Brigade Of cavalry,
supported by one Of infantry, took up the pur-
suit, and on Jan. struck the finishing blow
near Nauvoo. Ala, capturing about 500 prison
ers and over 600 animals, and totally destroy
ing the pOntoon train.
Gen. Lyon, who, with small brigade Of cav
airy. had been In Kentucky operating against
Gen. Thomas's communications, made a rapid
retreat across Tennessee. harassed at every
step by the garrisons Of the country through
which he passed. and by forces detached from
the main body for his capture. By the time he
reached the Memphis q Charleston Railroad
east Of Huntsville, Ala, his force had dwindled
10 less than onc-third Of its original numbers,
and il the country lying between the railroad
and the Tennessee River was totally dispersed
and most Of IL captured.
The offensive power Of the iRsurgent Army
Of the Vest had departed. The blow which
had been contemplated had not only failed to
effect anything, but the army which was 10 do
liver IL was broken and useless.
MANY OF THE gRAVEsT AND BEsT
of that army Of hard fighters had been slain ::
others were captives. Many others, whose
homes were in the invaded State when the re-
treat began, returned 70 them aud were lost 10
the Confederaey. The brave but rash and
headstrOng Chieftain, who bad staked his all
upon its movements, bad foSght aud lost his