The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-08-04

hook, made a swoop with a 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 subordinates 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 as
though steam roads and telegraphs had
never been invented. Van Dorm also de-
stroyed military stores valued at $500 600
to 81, O00, 600, and misled the troopers sent
out by Grant to intercept him. So rapid
were his movements hat Grants outlying
scouts were beaten in the race TO camp.
Unquestionably Van Dorn's dash was a
godsend to Forrest, for it diverted atten-
ton from his movements in the direc-
ton where his danger was greatest. 1t
was the first brilliant success to come to
the Confederates out of Mississippi, and
Van Dorm became the hero of the hour,
past i'll fortunes being forgotten. Gen.
Joseph L. Johnston had become the Con-
federate leader in the west, the superior of
Bragg and Pemberton. He sent for Van
Dorm aud recognized that his true place In
the army by reason OF his past experience,
MS temperament and training was in the
cavalry. He was, moreover, a full major
general, and the cavalry brigadiers would
not demur at coming under his orders.
Johnston placed him at the head of a 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
fank of Rosecrans' army, in support Of
Bragg. Early in March. 1863, he lay at
Spring Hill, skirmishing in the direction
Of Franklin, an important Union outpost.
Rosecrans sent the brigades of Sheridan
and Col. Colburn against him, and IN a
sharp eight at Thompson's Station on the
9Th, CoIburn's brigade was routed and
nearly all captured. Early in April rumors
reached Van Dorm that the Union troops
were e~vacuating Franklin. and on the 10ta
be 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 cavalry
fell upon their tanks. Van Dorm again
drew back TO Spring Hill
Meanwhile, Rosecrans and Bragg stood
at arms length in central Tennessee scowl-
, ing anu QDlDS IJNL4IZi dLd al
movements were subordinate to Bragg's.
His cavalry lay idly in camp, and then that
bane of the soldiers leisure. dissipation,
crept in to euervate and destroy what the
weapons Of honorable warfare had spared.
Que day while Van Dorm sat in his head
quarters comforting with his staff, a promi-
neut citizen Of the n~eighborhood pushed
his way in and demanded satisfaction for
a personal wrong which he charged upon
the general. With IN impressive wave II
the haud Van Dorm ordered him out Of his
presence: a shot with A ready revolver was
the answer, and an assassiu's pistol cut
down in a second the nero of scores Of bat
ties and Of twenty years Of martial strife.
His last act was ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS s,
I andaunJed. hazarding all upon a single
I chance. Yet his career as a cavalry com
mander was just opening, and with 4
sprinkle OF caution, which was certain 70
follow his failures, his destiny might have
oeen a nigh one. GEORGE l. hLMER