The National tribune., 1889-06-13

rolled therein. The pretended Governor of
the State, Isham G. Harris, was in the camp Of
the rebel chieftain. and sought by his presence
and acts to give color of legality to his attempts
at voluntary and enforced recruiting.
Up to Nov. 80, when the troops of Gen. Smith
began to arrive from Missouri, Thomas had but
about 5000 men in the city on whom he could
rely in an emergency. But every hour counted
in adding to the number. Hundreds of old
soldiers and thousands of civilians were en-
ployed in the supply departments in the city
and on engineering work, and these were
hastily armed and drilled enough TO be of use
behind intrenchments.
Convaleseents from the hospitals and fur
loughed men arriving from the North were
placed under command of officers of different
grades, organized into companies, battalions
and brigades, and put on duty. In the COM
mands thus organized there was not much
cohesion, but every man was a fighter, and
though he probably did not know the name of
single other officer or soldier of the organiza-
tiou, he could be fairly depended on to do his
parts
New regiments were hurried forward from
north of the Ohio, scattering garrisons from
Kentucky added to the number of the city S
defenders, and by Dec. 5 the Union commander
had ab0ut $4,000 men available for defense,
over 10000 of whom were well enough drilled to
be used aggressively in the field.
But HIS CAVALRY WAS NOT ALL MOUNTED,
and till it was he had not force of that arm
of size sufficient to successfully pursue and
harass a retreating foe. Horses were seized
wherever found, even as far north as Louis
VILE and shipped by hundreds from north of
the Ohio, and Wilson and his division COM
manders worked night and day at remOunting
aud reftting their men. Most of the cav
airy had been moved over to Edgeield, on the
right bank of the Cumberland, and Hammond
with his brigade was sent back to Gallatin to
watch the crossings as far up the stream as
Carthage.
At the request of Gen. Thomas, Lieut. Fitch,
of the navy, in command of the gunboats on
the river, patroled the stream above and below
the city daily. and Forrest watched in vain
for an opportunity to throw a force across to
cut the Louisville road.
Hood planted some batteries on the river on
his extreme left, which closed navigation (;
but as little in the line of supplies was expect
ed by that route no serious attempt was made
10 dislodge them, the gunboats being fully en-
ployed watching for attempts on the part OF
Forrest to cross.
When Steedman's troops first reached the
city they were sent out about two miles from
it TO point where the Chattanooga Railroad
passes through deep rocky cut, and taking
position on the eastern side proceeded to throw
up works; but the next day they were drawn
in toward the town and placed on the left of
the Twenty-third Corps, and covering its flank
extended the line to the river, above the city.
On the arrival of the rebels above the city,
part of Cheatham's troops took possession of
the line and works thus abandoned, and
Strengthening it, inflicted severe loss on Gros-
venor's Brigade, which attempted its capture
on the morning of the first days battle
Rousseau, with about 5000 men, held Muir
freesboro, and on Dec 2, Bate, having severed
communication between that place and Nash
vile, attacked the garrison occupying the
blockhOuse at OyeralI's Creek, north of the
town, but it was stubbornly defended, and he
was driven of by Gen. Milroy, with force
from Murfreesboro, and fell back toward Nash
vile; but near Lavergne he met Forrest on
his way to assist him, and was turned back
again. Other reinforeements were sent by
Hood, and on the morning of Dec. z, when ap-
preaching the town. Forrest was suddenly at
tackled in flank by AIiroy, Bates Division was
badly shaken up, and driven from its ground
with loss Of over 200 men and two pieces of
artillery, and the cavalry suffered nearly as
heavily Bate was finally ordered back to Nash
vile and his place taken by Olmstead's for
merly Mercer's) Brigade, while Forrest busted
himself with impressing supplies and stock
from the surrounding country and watching
for an opportunity to get across the Cumber
land. Rousseau's garrison getting short Of ra-
tions, supply was sent up from Chattanooga
by rail- but fell into the hands of the hungry
rebel troopers of Jackson's Division. No fur
ther serious attempt was made upon the town,
though the Confederates remained near it till
the 18th.
"The command of Col. Lyster. 4Oth Z. s C. T..
was one of this class. Some of its companies con-
tanned nearly 200 men, not Of whom was per-
sonalIy known to the officers in command of them
and some companies had four or FIVE Lieutenants