The National tribune., 1890-11-27
Read Better than Pension " on page T.
A MEMORABLE SCOUT.
Hardshlps Endured by the Attn Mo. and 18th KY.
InK.

Hardshlps Endured by The 4th Mo. and 18th KY.
Cav.
EDITOR NATIONAL TGrBUEE: On the morn
ing of June p, 1853, 80 Of Us, consisting OF
details from Cos. d. ! and l. Of the 9th No. Cav
left Columbus Ky, under command OF Lieut.
Col. Gustav ven Heinrich, on a scouting tour
Marching by way Of Cypress, Hickman CO.; 10
Dublin, Mayleld, Cuba, Lynnville, and Boys
Vile, Graves Co. To Harris Grove Cold Water
Murray, and New Providence, Galloway Co,
Ky. TO Conyersyille, India, Paris and Hast
ings, Henry Co, Tenn. TO GAINESVILLE Mike,
Profit, Roxie, Huntingdon, Carol Co.. where
We were Joined by 80 men Of the 18th Ky.
Cav- making our strength go all told. From
Huntington we pushed on toward Jackson, in
Madison Co., Tenn, enoountering several small
detachments Of the enemy en- route, aud push
ing them before us pntil within about thros
miles OF jackson. Winding that place garri-
soned by about 1900 rebels. won Heinrich. after
n consultation with the officers Of the two de-
tachmeuts, concluded 10 pay visit 10 the city
Of Trenton, In Gibson Co but on arriving at
the County lines we found the same condition
Of things there that compelled Us to turn away
from Jackson. Another consultation followed,
and the command was given, 4" by tWOs, right
ab0ut-maroh," for Huntingdon via Spring
Creek; but just before arriving at Spring Creek
we found our advance checked by a YOliey from
the enemy in ambush in our front wounding
two men Of Co. ID. G. Boiling and II. Ward, As
well as several Of the 18th KY; also several
horses
We found ourselves at this time on the incline
Of a long ridge, on the edge Of which ran the
road, with woods 70 the right, an open field 20
the left, and woods in front swarming with
rebels. who under cover Of the timber only
gave us an idea Of their numbers by the reports
OF their muslIets. Our little command was soon
formed across the open field facing the woods.
from which the rebels were now keeping up a
lively fire. extending around both Of our flanks,
and throwing Out a strong body Of skirmishers
in our front. AT this particular time we found
ourselves in anything but pleasant position.
The towns Of Jackson aud Trenton, in our
rear. were both filed with rebels, while the
woods in front Of Us were filed with sufficient
force 20 throw ont a skirmish-line equal 10 our
whole strength. At this critical moment STRAIT
ogy was out Of tho question. and nothing hut
fighting could be Of any avail. Won Heinrich
gave the command, and Chief Bugler Schleif-
stein sounded the charge. ON went tho boys,
with their sabers Elisiening in reCediug sun
light, the speed OF our horses being considera-
bly, retarded in the rain-soalscd wheat stubble,
and this fact aided same OF the rebel skiTmish-
cTs in reaching the cover Of the timber, from
which their main body now poured forth
deadly volley Of mnsketry, the smoke Of which
obscured our whole line for some moments.
when ~ ola flhe nOfEcs WITHOUT riders ana
riders without horses were scattered over the
field, and among them tho lifelcs5 form Of our
Chief Bugler, who had, however squared ac-
counts with the enemy by the deadly use Of his
sabcr before treasun's bullet laid him low The
only house in sight, one just bacl; OF the top Of
the ridge, on which ten men OF Co. had been
stationed rs rear-guard, was soon filed with
wounded.
Our broken line was rallied, but the rebels
were now pouring into the open field by the
hundreds. There was no longer anything 20
gain in attempting 10 fight against such odds;
a house foil Of wounded seven more ia the am
balance, the dead scattered over the field 400
rebels under Col Bifie approaching in q semi
circle, all the roads in possession Of the enemy,
paTley was useless, 80 our guide was told 10 lead
on through the only space in the woods not
already i'm possession Of the enemy and make
an attempt 20 reach some road. IN a short
time we got out Of reach Of the rebel muskets,
even succeeding in bringing our ambulance
lGllod with w0unded) through the pathless
woods until we struck creek, which made ID
necessary 10 20 slow aud carefully in order 10
safely transfer the wounded. While engaged
in this sad duty we were overtaken 10y the en-
envy, who turned out TO he mounted infantry
they capturing ambulance wounded, and our
intrepid Colonel, Won Heinrich, while that hero
was serving the wounded with refreshing
draft from his cantcen. From this point we
miles more, reaching an open road just i'm time
90 get in some shape OF organized command,
when Tie road behind US filed up with mount