Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-08-06

hook, made a swOOp with n band Of cav
airy from Grenada, Miss, to Holly Springs,
cut the telegraph by which Grant kept up
his correspondence with Washington and
with his subordinatcs on the lines north Of
him, and for several days, with one enemy
raiding in the rear and another lowering
about its camps, the Army Of the Tennes-
see was in "A state Of isolation as great AZ
though steam roads and telegraphs had
never been invented. Van Dorm also de-
stroyed military stores valued at sGOO,OO
TO 81 900, 900 and mislcd the troopers sent
out by Grant to intercept him. So rapid
were his movements that Grants outlying
scouts were beaten in the race to camp.
Unquestionably Van Dorn's dash was
godsend to Forrest, for it diverted atten-
ton from his movements In the direc-
ton where his danger was greatest. IL
was the first brilliant success TO come TO
the Confcderatcs out Of Mississippi and
Van Dorm became the hero Of the hour,
past i'll fortunes being forgotten. Gen.
Joseph Il. Johnston had become the Con
federate leader in the west, the superior OF
Bragg and PembertOn. lie sent Tor van
Dorm and recognized that his true place in
the army by reason Of his past experience,
his temperament and training WAS in the
cavalry. lie was, moreover full major
general, and the cavalry brigadiers would
not demur at coming under his orders.
Johnston placed him at the head Of corps
Of cavalry, with Gems Forrest, w. ii. Jack
son and Armstrong under him.
With this force Van Dorm entered upon
a campaign in central Tennessee, on the
flank Of Rosecrans' army, in support OF
Bragg. Early in March, 1868, he lay at
D. Z. 1. In. laR dir Ia ri
Of Franklin, an important Union outpost
Rosecrans sent the brigades Of Sheridan
and Col. Colburn against him, and in q
sharp fight at Thompson's Station on thu
9Th. Colburn's brigade was routed anC
nearly all captured Early in April rumori
reached Van Dorm that the Union troop
were evacuating Franklin, and on the lOtt
lac moved his whole command boldly for
ward TO the attack. But instead Of evacua
ting, the Union commander was strength
ening the position, and the impetuous Con
federates were met in front with fortified
batteries, while strong bodies Of cayalr!
fell upon their TANKS Van Dorm agall
drew back 10 Spring Hill.
Meanwhile, Rosecrans and Bragg stool
mt arms length in central Tennessee scowl
ing and doing nothing, and Van Dorm
movements were subordinate TO Bragg's
His cavalry lay idly in camp, and then tina
bane of the soldiers leisure, dissipation
crept in 10 enervate and destroy what th
weapons Of honorable warfare had spared
One day while Van Dorm sat in his heac
quarters comforting with his staff. aprom
nent citizen Of the neighborhood pushe
his way in and demanded satisfaction fo
n personal wrong which he charged upo
d the general. With an impressive wave {
p the hand Van Dorm ordered him out OF hi
presence, a shot with "A ready revolver wa
the answer, and an assassins pistol Gu
! down in a second the hero Of scores OF ba
ties and Of twenty years Of martial strif'
His last act was Observation-Disclosures
undaunted, hazarding all upon sing
chance. Yet his career as u cavalry con
mander was just opening, and with
/, sprinkle Of caution, which was certain
follow his failures, his destiny might hay
been a high one. GEORGE l.. kILhER.