The National tribune., 1890-01-30
'ull details to schofield. From this message

+" have prisoner who came with Gen
Forrest from Columbia. Forrest himself
left Columbia at 4:30 p. m. The whole o.
Hoods infantry were then expecting tC
march. They were building three pOntoon-
bridges Just above Huey's, where my prisoner
crossed; expected to be ready by 10 o'clock
tonight ! think il very clear that they are
aiming for Franklin, and that you ought to
get TO Spring Hill by 10 q. m. Another
prisoner confirms the above. Get back tC
Franklin without DELAY"
Gen. Wilson declares that two copies oi
his message reached Schofield by O'Clock
a. m. of the 29th. Wilson had telegraphed
the same information TO Gen. Thomas at
Nashville, and the latter at $50 a. m. OF the
29th wired Schofield orders, from which
take this extract:
desire you to fall back from Columbia,
and take mp your position at Franklin, leav-
ing a sufficient force at Spring Hill TO con-
test the encmy's progress until you are
securely posted at Franklin"
WHILE sCHoFIELD WAS DEIIBERATTNG
over the information from Wilson and the
orders from Thomas Hood was successfully
prosecuting his plan. His head Of column had
crossed the river aud was well past Schoiield S
flank before the latter had made mp his
mind what was best for him 10 do. 1t was S
then decided to disperse his army as follows:
NagnCT's DiyiSOn-the Second. of the Fourth
COrps-was ordered 20 Spring Hin, ID miles TO
the rear. 10 guard the reserve artillery and the
trains of the army, which had preceded tho
division. This was the point which Wilson
had advised Schofeld to reach with his entire
army by 10 clock. Gen. Stanley. the corps
commander. accompanied Wagner TO take
charge OF matters at Spring Hill. kimbalis
Division followed WagneT's. but was halted at
Rutherford Creek. four miles to the rear.
The divisions Of Wood, Cox and Ruger were
strung ouC on a line between Rutherford's
Greek and Duck River. part faced up the
river 10 oppose Hood, who was expected TO
march down the river bank after crossing, and
part faced across the river, confronting Lees
two divisions which had been making all the
noise they could ever since daylight. At 9
O'Clock Posts Brigade, OF Woods Division, was
sent up the river TO reconnoter and find out II
possible, what Hood was doing. During the
forenoon Post reached point from which he
could see Hoods column on its march to Spring
Hill, and repeatedly reported that fact.
Nevertheless. SchOfeld remained at Duck
River, fighting the phantom of Lees feint,
until late in the afternoon he received news of
the progress OF Hoods movement startling
enough TO stir a corpse into action.
The Second Division was under arms and
ready 10 move before daylight, but il was
O'Clock, as already stated, before the order came,
and within ID minutes il was fairly on the
march. Then il pushed rapidly without a
halt il was nearly y O'Clock, when the Gath
Ohio, Of which was a member, marching left
IN front and leading the column, halted on the
pike, about . mile out from Spring Hill, and
crossed the fence 10 the right of the road to
drive Of the advance of Forests cavalry, then
in sight across the fields. Five companies de-
ployed forward as skirmishers, q sixth was
sent 70 look ont for the right flank, aud the
other four followed in reserve. In this order
the regiment advanced more than mile.
carrying arms at right shoulder Shift aud
driving before il the cavalry. without deigning
10 reply TO the fire which they kept up at long
range with their cArbiues, and then galoping
away before we could come up within reasonable
killing distance. At length we ran against
more serious obstacle. Ii WAS the head OF Hoods
infantry column. Gen. Bradley, our brigade
commander, says it caused great CONSERVATION
when Maj. Coulter, Of the Gath, came riding
back and reported we had developed infantry
IN our front
Gen. Hood states that he rode over his pom
tOOn-bridge q little after daylight. He there
left word for his other divisions 10 follow
aud keep well closed up, and then, accompanied
by has staff he rode 10 the head of Cieburne's
Division, Of CHeatham' : C0TIs which had the ad-
vance that day, aud himself led his column on its
marcE 10 Spring Hill. He states that it was
about ; o'clock when he reached a point within
two miles aHd IN plain sight Of the pike lead
ing from Columbia ~ Spring Hill, along which
he could see the Federal troops and traius re-
treating the dOuble-Quick. The trOops
which Hood saw must have besn the rexr Of
Nagner's Division. hHrrying forward 10 cover
the trains parked al Spring Hill from tue attack
OF Forests cavalry, and il was therefore earlier
than O'Clock, for before that hour the last
Of the division had reached Spring Hill Hood
further states that he then halted, and calling
MP Chcatham and Geburne 10 where he was
sitting on his horse, and pointing out TO them
" hat be saw, gave them orders 10 20 forward and
seize the pike al or near Spring Hin, aud take
possession Of whatever came to hand He then
rode 10 one side 10 let the troops file by.
Ii was pro ably as early az 2 o'clock when
Hoods leading regiment deplOyed in line Of
battle aud, supported by the cavalry on the
TANKS charged home On the left wing Of the
6sth Ohio skirmish-line which was covering
the road Oh which Hoods column was march
Ing and The real serious work began For
about t|o hours the 64th had very lively
time. The cavalry, encouraged by the arrival
Of their infantry, became decidedly aggressive
and showed 10 our fall satisfaction that they
could bght when % disposed. Fortunately the
fences were high aud strong, aud
FUEsIsHED EXCELLENT LINES OF DEFENSE.
Of which the Gath took full advantage, A high
stake and -ridered fence saved us frorn heing
infantry IN front, the cavalry made a circuit 10
our night. under cover Of some weeds, and sud.
denly came out on our right rear where they
were checked by the fence While they were
opening gap 10 get through, the regiment fell
back to another fence, with the loss Of q few
men cot Of on the exposed flank
Oar last stand was made in the edge Of tbe
woods within which BTadleys Brigade was
drawn mp IN line Of battle The cover was
good, and the regiment made desperate de-
Tense. By this time a number Of Cleburneg
regiments had come up and were deployed In
our front, Bheu a staff officer from Cen Brad.
ley came out with an order 20 fall back 10 The
main line aud let them come on When we
got back Gen. Bradley c0mpimented Col
Brown on the conduct Of his regiment n
was well inrrited compliment for the regf-
Enent had acquitted Itself maufully: and. white
lighting greatly superior numbers, had alone
delayed llODd's advance nearly two bours
every minute Of which was Of iuestjtpabIc
value.
When tie 6sth came of the skirmish.Jine Il
was sent 70 The support Of the 42d III. The
s2d was on bradley's right, and refused IA
cover that flank. IL was posted on an isolated
hill IN the midst Of open lelds To the right
about so yards, was the Columbia nike. and
on Knoll near the pike was planted q section
Of battery, which covered with its FIRE tbe
open fields Ia front Of the 42d. To the Ief,
was another interval reaching into the woods
The nearest regiment ia that direction was out
Of sight in the woods. The remaining fonr
regiments of Bradley's Brigade were deploved
IA single line 0f battle along q wooded rjdge
70 the left of The 42d. This ridge was aboJt