The National tribune., 1890-03-20
OFF WITHOUT ORDERS.
How Go. J.. "a Mich. Cav, ohnsed the Rebels.

How Go. J., "a Mich. Cav, Chnsed the Rebels.
Through The SATIoSAL TRIRUsE Is now
about tie only way old soldiers talk together
Even If they live close, see each other every
day, were in the same company, and knew each
others haps aud mishaps. now, in the busy
whlrl OF life, they seldom get time 10 talk over
the old story Of varied experience in the war
but the fact il, hardly two ia thousand are so
fayorlby situated All arc scattered to the
four corners Of the earth, but each aud all can
certainly afford 81 for THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE,
aud then during leisure moments sit by the fire
aud read what each other says.
| will try to relate a little incident in which
/ was one Of the actors.
Some time in November, 1863 our Cavalry
Division. in command Of Gen. I'd McCook, was
ordered from middle Tennessee to cross the
Cumberland Mountains 10 the relief OF Gen.
Burnside then bescged at Knoxville.
We took mp our line Of march by way Of
Sparta, and we're soon on the broad plateau OF
the mountain summit. The % battalion OF
the % Mich. Cav. had the advance. Maj. J.. s..
Scranton III command. We were several miles
in advance Of the main army. IL was growing
late in the day, aud the Major, thinking IL WAS
time 10 select a camp turned us out Of the road
into an old clearing; horses were unsaddlcd
and fed, aud the boys vent % building fires for
coffee. ] threw of my belt and revolver, aud
having noticed house, perhaps 10 rods 10 our
rear along the road VIC came, j thought ! would
90 back there and perhaps get some milk, a
chicken, or something TO cat.
Arriving 10 the house, along came a soldier
al full speed. saying the rebels were right close
by, aud had killed one Of our men in the road
a few rods further on. Then 1 felt cheap,
away from my command without arms
! lit ont on "A rnD, aud as soon as got near
enough 10 be understood, ] ordered, 10. j.
saddle up-lead out-m0unt." and in about
three minutes IL Of my best men were in their
saddles. aud putting myself 40 the head, /
ordered, ''I.Os right-forward, march-trot,
PaliOP,' and away we went without orders, aud
soon came 10 our man lying dead in the road
stripped Of his boots aud most Of his clothing.
Merely checking 10 discover which way the
enemy had gone we NJ once took the trail and
followed on a run. From their tracks and the
report Of an old citizen whom they passed, We
found their number was about the same as ours
! aud that they we're about 10 minutes ahead
We passed through brush and timber most oil
the time expecting to be fired upon any mo,
mcnt. ] had given orders in that event "a
drop from our horses take 10 the trees and
! bushwhacE the same way. After continuing
! the chase for five or six miles, and il growing
dusk. we turned aud leisurely made for camp
and as VIC returned we met an officer with
another company coming OHt 10 support u.s.
] had started of on the spur Of the moment
IN full view Of the Major aud the rest of The
| command entirely without permission, and
| when we returned we took our place in CAM
and never 50 much ar mentioned il 10 the
| Major, nor he 10 me; but IL was not from want
| Of respect for Maj. Scranton, for he was greatly
| beloved by all, but / rather expected he would
| take me 10 task about it, and no doubt he woulC
/ had the company been cut up IN the ad venture
| ! would like for some Of my old comrades L
| tell, through The NATIONAL TRIBUNE VIVA
! they remember of this affair. and give the
names OF those engaged in it.-J. N. STEPHENS
Lieutenant, Go. j., I'd Mich. Cav, Denver, Colo