The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-04-02
Read Better than Pension " on page 7.
"WHY DID THEY COP"
And lhs Gallant Bnrlle GA the natehis River.

And The Gallant Battle on the Hatciie River.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In your issue
Of Jan. %. under the above heading Com rade
Hobart, Co. d. 18th H., relates tina. which pur-
ports 10 be a mysterious military move on the
part Of our brigade. While il was highly mys-
teilous az the time OF its occurrence, Yet ia
very few days the reason therefore became per-
fectly apparent.
tomrade Hobart falls into several mistakes
~ his statement Of the transaction, which il
VIII be necessary 10 correct in order to reach
the proper solution. In the first place, this
move did not take place in the Spring Of 1863,
but ln the Tall OF 1862, not far IRON the both
day OF September. In the second place, ] think
there were but two of the brgades Of our diyis-
ION az Bolivar at that time aud these we're
commanded by Gems. I.auman and Yeach. re-
spcctiveiy. think we had left the other bTi-
gaGes al Memphis.
Bolivar is situated some 40 OF 30 miles south
west Of COrinth, at which last named place
EosecIans was in command OF the post Gen.
Grant then had his headquarters az Jackson,
Tenn, partly north OF Bolivar aud west Of
1oUnth. While we were thus eUcamped
Gen. Grant received information at Jackson
that Gems Price Nan Dorm and Yillepigue were
moving noTthward 10y way Of Grand Junction
with an army or some 5000 men, evidently
Tor the purpose Of rccapturing Corinth. Either
iOI the purpose Of satisfying himself with re-
gard 10 the strength OF This impending move,
or Tor tic purpose OF delaying the attack on
Nolnih land possibly from both reas0nsl. Gen.
Grant ordered Gen. Hurlbai, al Bolivar 10 make
r demonstration ia the face Of the rebel army
IN pursuance Of this instruction land evidently
i0r the purpose Of making AS big a show OF
strength as possib!c) our brigade and a squad
ron 81 cavalry, together with both batteries
aud euilTe train belonging 10 both hTiEades
started southwark towards Grand Junction
The second morning out, about o'clock tic
advance cavalry came Eying back. and reported
that they had run against a tremendous army
OF rebels, and VIC were soon ordered 10 retreat
on the doublequick. But We did not 20 on the
d0able-quicll very Gar at a tine Every two
OF three miles the advance battery aud the
advance regiment Of infantry would Gle TO the
Dght ana les u the road aud form N line Of
battle. The other battery, the other regiments
aud entire train would then march through
thls line 0! battle and go on for two or three
miles farther, when this battery aud the ad-
vance regiment would 1le right aud LEFT and
form another line OF battle, and hold il ill the
other regiments, the other battery and the en-
tire train had passed through.
ihis routine was repeated from time 10 time
every few miles throughout the whole retreat 10
Bolivar where we arrived in safety, aud never
lost a man. Several times the enemy came M
IN PLATA sight Of our little line Of battle, when
the battery stationed there would open upon
them and compel them 10 halt throw out skir-
mlshers aud form in line Of battle Bv the
time this was accomplished our line OF battle
would be removed and they would find no one
20 fight
This demonstration probably delayed the at.
tack on C0rinth Tor AZ least day or two aud
gave Gen. Grant more time TO concentrate his
troops and prepare for the defense Of that i'm.
poItant military point.
Late Ia the afternoon Of Oct we received
an order from Gen. Grant at jackson, 10 march
~ once" 10 reach COrinih al all hazards and
relieve Roseerans OF perish" About two o'clock
the following night the bugles beran 10 sound.
the pickcts were called Ia, a hasiy breakfast
eaten, aud long before daylight NC marched
out Of camp in obedience 20 the order. Each
soldier carried loo rounds Of ammunition aud
rations Tor three days ia addition 10 bis gun,
equipments and bedding, making in all about
80 p0unds With this load for each man 20
carry we that day marched % miles, cheered
on by the roar Of cannon at COTiuth Just be-
fore dark we commenced 10 skirmish with tho
enemy, which was kept mp until we went into
camp Oh the Big Muddy about nine o'clock at
night
About this time happened 10 be standing
close 10 Gen. Hur.but who Was seated on his
horse, when an officer from Gen. humans
stan rode mp, and addressing the commander Of
the expedition, said:
>" Cen Hurlbut, Gen. Lauman presents his
compliments, and wishes 20 know where your
headquarters will he to nightf"
Tell Gen. Laulnan that this night my
headquarters and headquarters are IN this
saddle, sir" replied Gen. Hurlbut
The next morning soon alter sunrise, having
shcllcd the woods ia advance OF us, we started ON
the douhlo-quick for the Hatchie River, about
four or I've miles away. On our side OF the
Haschie, az Davis's Crossing, there was a wide
bottom, perhaps n mile in width. On tho Cor
inih side the bottom is not more than 10 yards
wide at The bridge, aud the bluT rises very pre-
cautiously Tor some 30 feet. This blun faced
our advance at about right-angles, and on top
OF the LluG the enemy had formed his line Of
battle. Amidst a whitening fire We marched
across this wide bottom aud across the bridge,