The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-08-14
THE ACTION AT DOVER.
Where the Isth Wis. whipped FORESTS cavalry.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In tho perusal
of "reminiscences of the War" as published
in several prominent papers, IA distinctive
feature connected Herewith has been lUrcibly
impressed upon my mind, viz, the various
sketches seem 10 have been written by the samc
pen, and events of marked interest are repre-
sented as having occurred in aud wholly con
fined To certain designated commands, regi-
ments etc. This characteristic tends to bring
prominently before the public their gallant
achievements, TO the exclusion Of other COM
mands whose records were probably az mcrito.
riOus, aud perhaps Of q moro varied character.
One cannot conceive that command which
participated ia active service during the three
last years Of the war could fail 10 adduce acts
Of intrepidity, proves and heroism as grand
and impressive as those performed by others,
but which are not generally known, because
the principal actors therein have not been In a
position TO give such newspaper publicity /
do not write this In depreciation OF the bravery,
daring and pluck Of the oTgani cations referred
20. Such have been we'll authenticated and
commented on by the press. But / wish TO
concede to the Union army their need of
honor and fame so proudly won, and the patr-
otisn and courage displayed on all occasions,
whether upon Virginia soil or the plains,
swamps and rivers Of the Sunny South"
In the operations of the Western army the
regiment of which / had the honor to be II
member 18th Wis, Col. Lyon bore proud
and honorable part Having seen as yet no pub.
lished account of this regiment on the field or
OF the many gallant deeds performed by its
members individually, / will give an account
Of the engagement which took place at Dover,
some thrce-quarters of q mile from Fort Donel-
son, Tenn.
Ia the Spring of 1863 our regiment was
ordered from Fort Henry to Fort Doneson,
for the purpose Of guarding an immense sup
ply OF stores, ammunition, etc, destined for
the use Of Gen. RosecTaus's army. Some three
days after our arrival the stores were landed,
aud matters progressed smoothly for about two
weeks, when we were unexpectedly attacked by
Gen. Forests cavalry, numbering G,00O. Our
command had been reduced a few DAYS pre-
vlOus by the detachment of two companies,
which had been sent up tho river To guard
transports, and We could muster but 66G men
for action. Our artillery consisted Of two
guns tSteinbeck's battery, with plenty OF
ammunition, and one 32-poundcr, with but
about ~ rounds Of grape.
The object OF Forrest was TO capture the
stores, aud being numerically far superior TO
our command, confidently anticipated an easy
victory. Subsequent results, however proved
he "reckoned without his host" The rebels
began the fight about a. m, charging our posi-
ton. They were repeatedly Tepulsed until
about ,. n when they got in on us, captur.
ihB Dhi bhb gum OuI IlDuuitIt manned by
Corp'l Workman and nine men Of tho 1916
played havoc in their ranks, until, ammunition
being exhausted, the gun was spiked after
firing the last charge about p. IN. The rebels
were driven back III confusion, and followed by
about % men of the 18th, who charged aud re-.
captured their two guns together with two of
the eneInys, after a severe and desperate strug-
gle. The guns were promptly got in position,
and opened on the rebel ranks with telling
effect. They repeatedly charged our position,
but were as often repulsed with heavy loss,
until, night falling, hostilities were suspended,
and we held our position secure.
Knowing that the engagement would be con-
tinued In the morning, and as he expected
several gunboats up the river that night, Col.
Lyon called for "a volunteer TO go through the
enemy's ranks and if possible meet the boats.
acquaint them Of the situation and urge their
speedy arrival with reinfOrcements One man
was selected for the dangerous duty,-Silas G.
Milks. Co. q, 18th Ws,-wh0 Immediately
started to execute the commands of his Colonel.
AS the rebel force had swung around, inclosng
our position in semicircle, their TANKS rested
On the river, and it appeared to be n desperate
venture for the brave volunteer lie proved
himself, however, equal TO the emergency.
Slowly crawling on their lines he made sud
den dash through the ranks, aud gained the
thick brush below under fire Of 100 rifles with
out receiving a scratch. Although pursued for
some distance, nc succeeded in making his way
Tor about three miles, when he was cheered by