The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-02-25

The 4th u. =. Cav, Capt }. Is. Mcintyre
commanding.
The 4th Mich. Cav, Maj. Horace Gray
commanding.
The 7h Pa Cav, Col W. B. sipes COM
manGiug.
One battalion Of the Sd Ind. Cav, Lieut.
Col Cline commanding.
One section Chicago Board of Trade Bat
terry. Lieut. Griffin commanding
Tie rebel cavalry which 1 was expected
60 clear ont of the country was the bri-
cade OF Gen Dibroll, winch was then camped
in the vicinity Of Sparta, Tenn, the home Of
Dibrcll, TO which place, we understood, he
bad returned for the purpose OF recruiting
his command and OF picking mp his sirag-
clers who had returned to their homes " TO
see thcr folks"
Leaning chat Dibrell was camped at
Clarl5's MIL one mile northwest from
Sparta, / determined, if possible, to sur
prise him. His picllets occupied the line Of
Rock River, a bold, rugged stream, with
rocky banks, absolutely impossible for cav
airy, except at few points known as iords.
Three o. these fords were available for my
purpose They were known as Dllon's
Ford ck Island Ford and Lower Ford,
ANY or all of these could be held by
FEW DETERMINED MEN
against almost any force that could be
brought against them. Going down one
bank. crossing the stream, and going up the
other bank, il was necessary to wind your
devious way in and out, round great rocks
and boNlders, 80 that the passage OF the
river was difficult, with nothing but natural
obstacles 10 contend with.
j left McMnnEille at p. M, Aug. 4, aud
arrived at Mud Creek, three miles from Lower
Ford al p m. Al this point detached Col.
Kline with his battalion, with orders to en-
deavor 10 make a crossing at Dillon's Ford ;
II he succeeded 10 gain, as rapidly rs possible
the Sparta aud McMinnyile road, turn to has
left, and capture the picket at Rock Island,
at which point promised TO meet him at mid
night
Covered by the pitchy darkness Of wild
and stormy night, Co. Kline crossed the river,
with only one shot fired at him; but that shot
alarmed the picket at Rock Island, and when
we arrived there, sharp Gt the appointed time
midnight, ] found that the rebels had scat
tered over the country, every foot OF which
they were familiar with aud thus frustrated
the intended surprise, few moments later
Col. Kline Joined me; be had captured u men,
returned to McMinnyile, arriving at ii a, M
Aug. 3.
was informed that Dibrell moved bis camp
from one 0Cality 10 another every day or two,
and ii was therefore difficult 70 know
JUST WHERE To STRIKE HIM
On the slh i wss informed that he was
eamped two miles south of SPARTA so, az
D. m. on that date, with "a men OF all rHnEs
i marched fJr Spencer, situated almost directly
east from McMinnyiie aud south from Sparta
aud lying among tho foothills Of the CumbeT-
land Mountains We arrived "a Spencer al
1880 p. M, and halted long enough TO make
coffee aHa feed horses.
The country was terribly rough and rugged
and the night was dark Erebus. However
i had "a guide who was thoroughly familiar
with tho locality, and we pushed forward
crossed taney Fork az the mouth ol Cane
Creek, aHd at break OF day struck DibrolI;
pickeis ab0ut four miles south Of Sparta.
My advance was ll5 men OF the 4th Mich.
commanded By Maj Horace Gray, whom hac
instructed not 10 pay any attention 10 or return
the Orc Of the rebel pickcts, but 70 drive and
follow them on the gallon, and they woulC
The pickets led us through Sparta, where
was informed that Dibrel. bad moved camp h
evening before, and was now about three mile
north, on the east bank Of the Calf kille
Creek
The long night march and the mornini
FRllop had tired Osr horses, and consequent.
the reiel piokets were enabled 10 alarm th
camp before we could strike IT, Still, MAJ
Gray dislodged and drove Dibrell across th
creek bcOre the column could render an.
assistance.
Gen. Dibrell took up strong position on
bill commanding a narrow, Tickoty bfidgC
which was the 0uly means Of crossing IN
creek GO tA.s point.
crossed Capt Mcintyre with the ath Rogu
laE at 1 rocky ford some distance below ID
bridge. and instructed him 70 sharply
ATTACK THE ENEMY's RIGHT;
Col. Slres was directed TO support Capt. MC
IutyFe while with the 4th Mich. and 81 IuC
j madu direct attack al the bridge. Th
moment bis flank was touched, Dibrell abau
ooned bis strong position and scattered on th
run.
Ny los was confined exclusively TO tho al
Mich, WGich regiment had three men killed an
ono officer and one man wounded. We saw on
officer aHa 3 Of Dibrells men killed, and W
captured one officer aud nine men.
Tie fh Regulars 9Th Pa, aud 30 Ind. SECURE
the country in every direction. but their hors,
were tO0 Tired 70 0ycrtako the freshly -mounte
rebels.
~ Campaigns Of Forrest" page 29l, II
author referring 10 this affair. says: 9TH
attack made with SO much DASH thi
escape Oi any Of Dibrcls men was due 10 n
1ectHe5- OF their hOlsesh
We returned 70 McMinnville on the follow
ing day-the 10th.
On Aug ~ the general advance Of the arm
commenced.
The order Of march required me 70 be
Pikevi.ie, in the ScQuatcEie Valley on q
might oi the 18th. J marched from McMinl
vile 81 a. %. on the I7th on the direct road
Sparta, aud as we approached that place learnt
that Dibrcl was csmped near Sperry'1 Mil, {
abe BANKS Of the Calf Killer
The 4,h Mich. and 7th Pa moved up the Ca
bana and the 9TH L. s. aud 81 Ind the ",
bank % the creek. The broken nature Of d
RTouno. aud the numerous branches or cree
that crossed the line ~ advance, delayed thC
latter regiments more than had anticipate
The ith Mich. and 7th Pa pushed i0rwa
rapidly, aud were soon
ACTIVELY ENGAGED
The eUemy scattered and the fight extend
over large extent oi country: they We
driven as iaI as Naui.se Town, over 10 mil
from rIrrrVs Mil. Here i abandoned I
pursuit and returned 10 Sparta
Abs.l lDuT miles from sparta thg road j "
moving 0n Jed close % tfo Calf X iller with
high, wooded bill on thr opposite side.
j was riding about IJ I8ds IN al vance o. [
9th II u, which regiment was at the head
my column. Capt. BuTas, any a. A. A.-G. "a
Capt. Vale. my A. A. I..li.. were riding M !