The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-15


ing the fire all around. When it was dis
covered what the object was, some old rail-
road man in the party ran forward and at
imminent risk Of being scoTched, closed the
valve and let of the steam so as 10 preclude
any accident Gen. Wilson thought that it
was a rebel performance, but when next
morning be found that it was trick of the
scouts, he felt very angry, but finally laughed
ID of
On the morning Of the both the 17th Ind
under Iieut.-Col. Frank White, which had
marched l04 miles since p. m. Of the 18th,
were advanced-guards Of Longs Division,
and 5000 encountered the enemy. lie had
thrown mp rail works all along the road, and
o. these lad 10 be carried by charging, the
rebel cavalrymen were
KEPT FLYING TowARD MACON.
The Object was to try 10 save the bridges; a
dash carried that over The Echeconnee, but
at Tohesoflee the bridge was on fire, and
while Adit Doyle was sent across the ford
will TWO companies 10 drive the rebels back,
tine Ios, OF the regiment dismounted and by
wetiing their blankets and carrying water
saved lhe bridge. Several prisoners and
horses were taken, and the rebel cavalry
threw away over 100 guns in their fight,
Two miles beyond the bridge, and within
about l3 miles OF Macon, the advance was
met by Gen. Cherokee Robinson with . flag
OF truce, and accompanied by three other
officers and an escort lie had a written
communication from Gen. Howell Cobb, in
closing d dispatch from Beauregard, stating
that a truce was existing between Gems
Sherman and J. Z. Johnston, which was APP
plicable 70 al forces under them. Gen Cobb
therefore desired Gen. Wilson to stay the
march Oi his troops and meet him so as TO
make arrangements for a more perfect en-
f0rCemeHt Of the armistice. Col White
halted aud sent the communication to Col.
Min;y, who commanded the Division. That
officer read il aud sent il 20 Gen. Wilson, but
directed Col. White TO resume his advance.
Gen. Robinson was notified that he must
clear The road in five minutes, as it was
necessary TO push forward to save Rocky
Greek bridge The fag-ol-truce party moved
along leisurely, and finding they were try
ing g. delay him, Col. White directed Adi't
Doyle, IN charge Of the adyance-guard, to
clear the road. He charged, and a running
fight ensued with Blount's battalion with
pistol and carbine, TO Rocky Creek bridge,
where some dismounted men were trying to
fire it, but were driven OF. The advance
pursued the flying rebels, closely supported
by the regiment, entered the palisades and
through The rebel works, and thus gained
possession Of the outer deienses. Col. Cum
MINIS commanding the rebel brigade on the
road, surrendered his command, but could
NOT make ont what became Of Gen. Robin
son and bis aag-oi-truce party, until inform
ed tina, they had taken 10 the woods several
mile back.
A. THE COMMAND CLOSED UP,
Col. White advanced into Macon. Several
shot were fired on the leading troopers and
Corp -. WHitemm was killed by an actor.
named Harry Crisp, as The command raoyed
mp Cotton avenue.
Th, town being taken, Howell Cobb pro-
tssieG agiinst the violation OF the arlnisfice.
but Gen. Wilson held the ground nntil that
night he obtained communication by cipher
with Gen. Sherman. Gems. Howell Cobb.
Gustavus W. Smith, MacI<all and +. r. Rob
inson, with about ], 500 prisoners. were taken
iD the city, and an immense quantity Of
stores. Gen. Shermans dispatch, received
on the 2lst, directed Gen. Wilson TO cease
hostile operations until directed to renew
them. On the 27th word came that the
shomun-JohnstOn arrangement was to be
d,segaided and hoslilities resumed: bnt
immedisisly after came the news OF John
stone surrender, and the information that
Lee had previously surrendered at Appo-
matt0E
Tic country was full Of rebel stragglers,
and small commands were constantly COM
inR ln aud being paroled. Sometimes a
regiment or company, and on one or Two
Occasions small brigadcs, came Ia. MANY Of
these belonged 10 Lees army, and had es-
capped ihe surrender. Some were going to
Their homes In Alabama Louisiana, Arkan- !
sas OF " Mississippi Others were intent upon
standing by the Coniederacy, and were push |
ing toward the Trans NJ ississippi Depart-
meni 10 make last stand. Upon being
paroieo these men were formed into deiacb-
menis WHO were going 10 the same section.
and team and wagon, loaded with rations.
wm supplied them 70 carry them 10 their
destination.
After the surrender Of Johnston. n COM
mand Wac Immediately sent to Fort Valley
en- route 10 liberate the prisoners at Ander-
b0nFiile but hearing OF its approach the
Georgia militia regiment aud Florida bat
tery having them in charge marched ont
viii hru on lhe brunswick road, aud al Inc
END ~ .ns iirsi day's march abandoned them
The Georgia regiment returned home. many
Of them % Macon, while the Florida battery
start ..r Tallahassee via Albany and
Ihomast.u. The escaped prisoners mostly
returned TO Macon, where they could with
difficulty be restrained al times from punish !
ing members Of the Georgia militia regiment
whom they recognized as having been cruel
10 them in
THEIR TERRIBLE NPRIsoKMEET.
Ihe last act Of importance OF this great
raid Nas the capture Of jefferson Davis by
Lieut. Col. ID. b. Priichard, oh Mich. Cav.
Rided by Col. Handen, OF the lst Wis. Cav.
Hs.fH 40. ! a. ~