The National tribune., 1890-01-16

in disparagemeDt TO the troops S'tth whom we
were now serving. Far from it, For the ISL
Tenn, 2d Mich. aud Sth Iowa Cav. are deserv-
ing of any encomium which might be written
in their behalf As we deb0uched from our
line of march TO the west side of Newman we
encountered the enemy in force. The section
of the 18th Ind. battery took position on a
hill near an old log house, with the LIST Tenn.
on its left, the remnant of the Ith Ky. on the
right, and the Sth Iowa to the right OF the 4th
Ky. l cannot give tho position occupied by
the balance of the command. The pack train
and prisoners were corraled in the valley OF
deep ravino 10 our rear. Here for several
hours we were engaged in most fearful aud
unequal contest; the rebels receiving rein
forcements all the time while our ranks were
being depleted by the effects of the battle. At
last it became evident that we could not hold
out much longer. The pack train was either
destroyed or abandoned and those in charge
Joined their companies. The prisoners were
brought forward and marched through our lines,
and permitted TO return 10 their much-l0Ved
Conlederacy. While we had them between the
lines, Col. Cr0Nton reformed our line on hill
some distance in rear of where we had first
taken position. Ii was clear to everyone that
IL was only a question of time until our sur
render would take place, If we tried to hold our
new position. The rebels had us almost COM
pletely surrounded. Infantry had been sent
GOWN from Atlanta 10 3SSiSi III our CIINhIts anu
could be seen on both our TANKS going on the
double-quick 10 cut of our last avenue of escape
Col. CroNton now ordered Col. Brownlow TO
take the LIST Tenn. aud Capt. West the 4th Ky.
and cut their way out; while he attempted to
reach and help TO cXtriCate the 9Th Iowa, who
were fighting in true Hawkeye style near
where the section of the 18th lud. battery had
been disabled aud abandoned. Col. Croxton's
attempt TO help the Sth Iowa resulted in disaster
10 afH n il ed ri. yh
were cut off from the command and were after
ward unable TO rejuin IL touring the raid. They,
however, reached Marietta, Ga, some two weeks
afierward in a most pitiablc and starved con-
ditiOn. Col CrOXgon died in South America
several years ago. Johnny Mitch is on ranch
somewhere in Colorado. His story of their
escape as told to the writer would make an in
teresting chapter for the readers OF The Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE.
! am unable TO tell how the Sth Iowa got out
of the hotbed in which they were engaged
when last saw them on that day. The dash
of Col. Browulow and Capt. West was success
ful. We soon secured guide aud reached the
ChattachOochce a few miles below Browns
Ferry about a. IN. on the morning of the 3lst.
Here Col. Browniow and few others succeeded
in getting across the river and subsequently,
reached our lines. The greater number, how
ever, were captured and taken to Andcrsonville,
among the number your correspondent, who
was taken in a vain attempt TO reach our lines
on foot, in company with the Adjutant and less
than a dozen of the LIST Tenn. who had succeed
ed in crossing the river. Two months after
ward j made a successful attempt TO escape
from prison and reached our lines at East Point
Ga. reporting 10 the 4th Iowa of Gen. Hazen's
command. / regret that / have no data at
hand TO enable me to tell of the casualties of
our regiment. Quite a number were killed and
wounded Nearly 400 were captured.
1t would also afford me much pleasure to
give an account of the action OF other troops
and their success in reaching our lines UNDER
Gen. McCoUk, who left Newman by different
route from that taken by Col. BrOwnlow.-
HENRY NJ. REED, Sergeant, Co. X, 4th Ky.
MID Inf, Washington, Kan.