The National tribune., 1892-10-20

1.6C0 MEN and two pieces of artillery" AT
any rate, he reached Greeneville at o'clock
in the evening of Sept. in cold and bitter
rain. His objective was Bulls Gap, IS miles
away. There lay Col Gilem, the Federal
commander, West Pointer, with portions
Of two Tennessee regiments, a part of the
: 10th Mich. Cav, and a section of artillery
two pieces. Except the small force of Micn-
igan cavalry, the men in this command were
all East Tennesseeans. They were the sons
of the men who had fought at Kings Mount
ain and wiped out Ferguson, 7lh of October,
1870. Patriotic fire burned in their bosoms
with force that can only come from pat
country, and anxious to continue the SUBJ
lime achievements of their fathers. John
Sewers spirit lived in their ranks. Conse-
quently they were on the outlook for adven-
ture. Gillem had advices that Morgan was
approaching, but in
NUMBERS GREATLY SUPERIOR TO HIS OWN.
After dark, between s and o'clock, little
boy 10 or IL years old was brought by the
picket-guard to the quarters of Col. John X.
Miller, commanding the 18th Tenn. Cav. The
boy was closely questioned. He said that his
name was James Leady; that he lived in
Greeneville, and had been sent to mill that
morning Oh his pony; in returning with his
bag of meal, two miles from Greeneville, he had
been stopped by Morgans men, who seized his
meal but, not seeming to notice him, he had
taken an opportune chance to leave them, and
had come directly to camp. His story was
simple and straightforward. lie could not be
moved or changed from what he said. At once it
flashed into Miller's brain, Now is good time
to play OF on the enemy the Rs olutionary
strategy Of 1776. Miller was rugged noun
taineer, five feet and eight inches in hight,
and Of striking personal appearance he had
been educated, however, only in the " "old-field
schools" of the country. when opportunities
Were few. Weems's Life of Marion " was the
popular book of that day, brought over the
mountains by peddiers in their packs. This,
perhaps, was the only book that Miller had
ever thoroughly read aud absorbed. But he
was a man of action and born soldier had
he lived in Sewers time, he would have been
one of his most trusted Licutenants. He took
the boy at once to Gillem's quarters. Here
the lad was again closely questioned. but
swerved not hairs breadth from his original
story. He was then dismissed. Col. Miller at
once besought Gillem to advance aud
ATTACK MORGAN WITHOUT DELAY.
lie urged that Morgan's officers naturally
would get under cover TO keep out of the rain
during the nights Storm that the men would
do the same; that the pickets would be badly
posted aud sleepy; and, If the attack were
made just at daylight the whole rebel COM
i1and might be captured or routed
Gillem did not enthuse quickly. Gillem
was tall West Point officer, the very opposite
of ,he frank bold mountain man before him.
His confidence in tactics was bouEdlesS. with
something of contempt for military opinion
not thence derived. He replied to Miller that
it was impossible to act in such storm; more
over, it was unmiiitary-against the best rules
of strategy.
Miller urged. with increasing warmth, that
while he did not pretend TO know much about
the technical rules of war, he did know this
that at daylight the enemy would be in a
demoralized condition; that the morrow
they would probably have to fight; instead Of
waiting an attack, it was best TO make it. as a
favorable opportunity now presented itself,
with every prospect of success. He added:
There is not mile between this and Greene
vile that is not familiar to some man in our
command"
Gillem bluntly responded, he would probably
be court -martialed by his superors if he under
took such A fool headed expedition; it was
! full of hazard; be had information that the
enemy greatly outnumbered his own troops.
Miller continued to press for immediate ac-
tion, and urged the feasibility of his plan, say
| ing that if blame came of it. he would take it
on his own shoulders; he would proclaim him.
| self responsible. and in case of court-martial
would ask that be (AIiller), and not Gillem,
should be tried. Gillem was still unmoved, and
/ refused. Miller then reminded him that he
was his (Gliiem's) superior by commission and