Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-11-13

ped, and knowing the Businesses Of the
mountainous country. We were to meet
at Knoxville ample re-inforcements
from Southwest Virginia, which were
to equalize our strength, in numbers,
with the Federals. Immediately upon
relieving General StephensOn's troops
my plan was formed to cross the east
branch OF the Tennessee river above
the confluence. advance along the east
bank Of the north fork, and gain pos
session Of the heights about Knoxville
and command a surrender Of the place.
Our troops we're arranged in position,
McLaws on the right, Jenkins on the
Clinton road, deployed, and the cavalry
that was in hand was sent to our ex-
IRENE left to hold the enemy till the ar
rival Of the promised force from South
west Virginia.
The next morning the enemy's outer
line, about thousand yards in front Of
his works, was found to be strengthened
by rail defenses thrown up during the
night This was attacked, carried and
occupied by McLaws: but his troops
were so much faded and so foot-sore that
they did not exhibit their usual dash
and spirit. 1t was not many days be-
fore flying, distressing rumors reached
US OF anticipated trouble to General
Leadbetter up with two brigades TO re-
inforce, with others TO attack tho enc
mys works. Divested OF ali discretion
it then seemed point of honor that
the assault must be made. After re-
ceiving the instructions conveyed by
General Leadbetter, and explaining TO
him the condition of our affairs. | con-
scented, If he could find the point which
he could say was really assailable the
attack might be made. His first idea
was to attack on the Northwest, and
General Jenkins, commanding in that
quarter, with General f. p. Alexander,
my Chief Of Artillery, were ordered to
assist General Leadbetter in his recon-
noisance. After a more thorough ex-
animation he determined upon Fort
Saunders as the most assailable and or
ders were accordingly issued.
| met Major Goggin, of McLaw's Di-
vision staff, riding down from the fort
who reported to me that it was entirely
useless for the troops to go on, as the
works were so strongly protected by net
work of wire that they could not force
their way in. Upon this report | order
ed recall. General III. r. Johnson,
who was marching with his troops at
my side, begged that he be allowed to go
on, but, accepting Major Goggin's in
formation as reliable, | ordered him to
march his troops back to camp General
Anderson's troops were so far advanced
that they reached the ditch before the
recall was given him, and he sustained
severe loss before he could disengage
his men Subsequent information
leaves very little room to doubt of our
success had we pushed our orders to the
end.
The following day bearer of dis
patches from General Grant to General
Burnside was captured. having an auto
graph letter from the former 20 the lat
ter, stating that three columns were
then en- route to succor the latter-one
by the south side, one by Durham, and
one by Cumberland Gap, under Generals
Sherman, Elliott and Foster. Upon the
approach Of General Sherman we drew
off, marched around to the southwest,
up the west branch of the Holston to
look after the column reported coming
via the Cumberland Gap The day after
leaving Knoxville the infantry. so long
expected from Southwest Virginia. met
us on our march. At Rogersyille our
column halted and our trains were sent
in search of supplies. On the 18th of
December we were informed that the
column under General sherman had be-
gun to countermarch and was on it's way
back to General Grant The next day
we countermarched and moved back,
hoping to take up some of the troops
that had ventured out in pursuit of US.