The National tribune., 1892-08-11


by nearly a year; both of these officers having
gone into the field as Colonies of their regi-
ments while had served as Major in the I'd
and denominations in the 81 Mich. Cav.
prior to NV promotion TO the Colonelcy of the
4th Mich. Cav.
On the 18th Col McCnoi returned TO his
command. Init on the 2ist ne was thrown from
his horse ard so severely hurt that he had to
reiiuouish the command; and ola the 22d was
assigned To the permanent command of the
brigade which within three months was an
nounced in General Orders rs ''the Saber Bril-
gade of the Army of the Cumberland"
During the 10 days that i was in temporary
command. an incident which illustrates the
lax ideas of discipline which existed in some
regiments occurred:
The LIST Ks was paid off receiving pay, be-
lieve. for some six eight months. On the
day following. when | received the morning
report of the regiment. found Isl men absent
without leave. together with their horses, arms
and equipments. 1 at once sent for the Colo
nel and asked for an explanation.
said- 9 Col. Woiford, what has become of
your men?"
We'll. guess they we gone home to SEQ their
folks"
"Do you mean that they have deserted?"
Drawing himself up with dignity, WoIford
replied: Deserted. No sir, my men are pa
triots. sir; they have come into the field to
fight the enemies of their country, sir"
will they return to their regiment
I" If we pass that way | guess they will jine
u.s."
"Col. Wolford, / will have to recommend
that your regiment be ordered back TO Ken
tucky to collect your absentees."
& ] rep0ried the case to Gen. Stanley, who in
dorsed my recommendation, and the lst Ky.
Cav. was seat hack to Kentucky. / never
again met the regiment, but have often Won
dered if the absentces ever LINED " their COM
msnd.
In the advance from Nashville Oh Dec. %.
the brigade, consisting of the 81 K Cav, Col
Eli Murray lthen only l9 years OF age COM
manding; the attn Mich. Cav, Lieut.-Col. w.
II. Dickinson commanding; the 9TH Pa, Maj.
John wynkoop commanding; one company
I'd Ind. CIV, aud Lieut.. NewelPs section of
Battery d. LIST Ohio Art. two steel Rodmans)
acted as advance guard TO the left wing Of the
army moving op, tie direct road to Murfrees-
boro.
We had stead and continuous diminishing,
and at times heavy fighting. with the enemy's
cavalry under Gesi. Wheeler until p. m. ON
the 29th. when they were driven back on
Bragg's line Of battle ia front of Murfreesboro.
On the Both, force of onfederate cavalry
captured destroyed the wagon-train of the
Third Brigade Of Rousseau's Division on the
Jefferson pike. in rear of our left, and was
threatening cur line of supplies on the Nash
vile road
Leaving the company of the Cd Ind. on cou-
rier duty. aud the Sd Ky. and two battalions of
the 7shsPa efaTufses chain of videts in rear Of
the Soc 81 5a. tie to prevent struggling, /
msrchei for Larergfe 70 operate against the
enemy's rayalry and protect the supply-trains.
bivouacked at Lavergne at about IL o'clock
that night. close to Col. Walkers Brigade, of
Gen. Fry's Division.
On the morning OF the 31st heavy cannon
aiding WAS heard little west of south. in the
direction of The position occupied By Gen. Nc
Cooks Corps. The continuity of the cannon
aiding indicated very heavy fighting Knowing
that we world be of more service there than
where We then were started across the coun-
try guided by the roar of battle
When crossing Stewards Creek Gen. Stanley,
our Chief of Cavalry. one of the grand heroes
of the war. with the 5th Tenn. and part Of the
15th Pa. joined use. He warmly approved ofthe
course Was taking; he placed the 5th and 18th
under my command, and instructed me to send
my guns with an escort To the crossing OF
Stewards Greek, en- the Nashville and Muir
freesboro pike. which position was then occu-
pied by the 10th Ohio, commanded by Col.
Burke. / detached Lieut-Co. Dickinson,
with six companies OF the 4th Mich, on this
duty.
As we advanced the noise of battle was con-
that the right OF our army was being driven.
Shortly after crossing Stewards Creek we struck
Wheeicrs cavalry. but did not allow it TO de-
lay us an instant
When crossing Ovcrali's Creek found that
we were in front OF McCook's line Of battle
and several shells were thrown at us before
could show them who we were.
This being simply record Of the part taker
by my brigade in the battle of Stone River,
viii only Touch upon the grand work per
formed by other portions of the army as may bt
necessary 10 make clear what we were doing
The Army Of the Cumberland was at thi,
time holding position forming almost com
plete somi-cireie. The left rested on and cas-
Of Stone River. The line, extending westerly
crossed The river. the Nashville & Chattanooga
Railroad, and the Nashville and Murfreesbort
turnpike at right-angles From this point th,
night Was gradually retired. until the extrem,
right. resting la cedar tbieket almost touched
the Nashville pike The extreme left wa
facing south; the extreme right was facinI
north.
now took position parallel to the Nashville
fosd, in front of and at right-angles to III,
position occupied by McCook's right.
Six companies of the Attn Mich, dismounted
occupied line of fence on the edge of piec
of wood On the west side Of large cotton field
The 9Th Pa. lone battalion mounted somewha
retired, were in position to the right of Tn
4th Mich, north Of the line of fence; the ST
Tenn, dismounted, occupied line of fence Of
the east side OF the large cottonfeld. in rear
the Alb Mich; the 18th Pa mounted, was i
rear of the 18th Pa, and slightly retired froI
the line of the 9th Tenn.
Capt Mix. commanding the 4th Mich, an
Capt. Jennings, commanding the 9TH Pa, wer
instructed, if attacked in force, TO fall back o
the second line. At this time my entire fore
numbered $50 men.
My command was scarcely in the positio
described when the Confederate cavalry, di
mounted, and not less than $500 strong, a
tackled the line occupied By the 4th Mich. I'll
assault was handsomely repulsed, and the re;
iment :hen retired TO the second line whic
the enemy made repeated attempts to assault
but co.id not cross the cottonfeld in the fa,
of the whitening fire that met them; the
were again aad again driven back to IL
shelter Of the woods.
: heavy mounted force now attacked an
drove bSck the battalion of the 9TH and ii
detachment OF the 18th Pa, thus uncoverin
tAe flank Of my Gismounted line, which ] o
derci To faii back TO their horses and mount.
The Confederate cavalry followed US on
the open ground, showing three strong lines