The National tribune., 1889-02-28

steamer Soltana, no evidence could be had as
TO the effect of our manuvers at Thompson's
Station upon the rebel force in our front.
After the surrender of Johnston, however, /
met paroled Confederate officer at Columbia
Tenn, who told me that the cavalry in front
Of Us at Thompson's Station on the 29th was
supported by Chalmers's Division of infantry,
and that the whole force had been misled by
our campfres the night before; and that Hood,
being present with Chalmers, when our fleeing
trains came in sight pointed them out, and or
dered Chalmers to gain possession OF the pike;
that the prompt advance of our skirmishers
and efficient use Of our extra colors held Chal-
mers on the defensive thus giving us time TO
accomplish our purposes.
Taking all the circumstances into considera-
ton, is 1t not reasonable to suppose that the
presence Of the l75th Ohio at Thompson's Sta
ton on the night of the 25th of November,
1864; the display Of its fires that night, and its
strategic and energetic movements on the 29th
deferred Hoods right not only from taking
possession Of the pike at Thompson's Station,
but caused a cessation Of the rebel attack upon
0pdycke in the afternoon at Spring HilIY
BE that as it may the exploit of saving the
trains and extricating the command from its
perilous dilemma was one worthy Of a bright
page IN the history OF the war, and one That
should have placed a star upon the shoulders OF
Maj Mullenix aud Capt Deniston.
/ heyer knew what report McCoy made Of
the action CT his regiment in this affair, but L
do know that soon afterward he was made
Brevet Brigadier-Gener and during the bal
auce Of his term wore star.
The 10th left Spring Hill about daylight,
among the last troops, on the morning of the
30th, and passed into our lines at Franklin,
between the toll-gate posts near the cotton-gln,
not an hour before the commencement OF the
battle. 1t was assigned, if / remember cor
rectly temporarily to Riley's Brigade and
placed in reserve perhaps $50 yards IN the rear
of the cotton-gin, on the east of the pike, its
right resting if not on the pike at least very
close to it. Certainly no other troops were be-
tween it and the pike Immediately IN Its
rear was a frame barn or cotton-shed.
After the regiment was in position went
with a small detail across the Harpeth River to
the commissary, near the burned chimneys TO
secure rations. Before these could be issued
word came that the rebels were advancing, and
by the time l reached the line the enemy were
close up to our works.
rode from the regiment over to the Carter
House to report to Gen. Cox, and had scarcely
reached there before our line was broken near
the cotton-gin, and within a few moments
thereafter 1 noticed the l75th, led by Maj.
Mullenix, in full charge toward the works.
The lines were restored, and / know that
this gallant regiment did as much to restore
them and to hold them as any other regiment
there.
] do not know what regiments were in front
of it or on its TANKS, but ! do know the 175th
Ohio was in the thicBest of the fight, and that
it did not leave the works until after the fire
which was raging among some buildings of the
town had almost exhausted itself
The regiment was unknown in Schofeld's
army, from the fact that it really only Joined
the column at Spring Hill the night before.
During Hoods investment of Nashville it
occupied Fort Negley, and after the rebel re-
treat was ordered back to Columbia, where it
remained until mustered out in June, 1865
f. NJ. PosEGATE, r. G. M, 175th Ohio, st. Jo-
seph. Mo.