The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1892-01-28

hook, made O swoop with q band Of cav
airy from Grenada, Miss, to Holly Spring.,
cut the telegraph By which Grant kept up
his correspondents with WAshinRton and
with his snbOniinates on the lines north Of
him, and for several days, with one enemy
Taiding in the rear and another lowering
about its camps, the Army Of the Tennes-
zee was In q state Of ISOLATION a. great -
though steam roads and telegFaphs had
never been invented. Van Dorm also do
stroyed military stores valued at 600, 900
to q, OO0, 900, and misled the trooper sent
out by Grant TO intercept him. So rapid
were his movements that Grants outlying
scouts were beaten in the race to camp.
Unquesti0nAbly Van Dorn's dash was .
Rodsend to Forrest, for II diverted attSn-
ton from his movements In the direc-
ton where his danger was greatest. Il
was the frst brilliant success TO come 70
the COnfederatas out Of Mississippi, aud
Van Dorm became the hero Of the hour,
past III fortunes being forgotten. Gen.
Joseph 4 Johnston had become the Con-
fedeFAte leader in the west, the superior Of
Bragg and Pemberton. He sent for Van
Dorm and recognized that his true place In
the army BY reason Of his past experiences,
his temperament and training was In the
cavalry. He was, moreover, Q full major
general, and the cavalry briRadierS would
not demur at coming under his orderA
Johnston placed him at the head Of . corps
Of cavalry, with Gems. Forrest, W. H. Jack
son and Armstrong under him,
With this force Van Dorm entered upon
Q campaign in central Tennessee, on the
flank Of RosecTans' army, in support Of
Bragg. Early in March, 1855, he lay At
Spring Hill, diminishing In the direction
Of Franklin, an important Union outpost.
Rosecrans sent the bEigadeS Of Sheridan
and Col ColbuFn against him. and In .
sharp fight at Thompson's Station on the
9Th, COlbuFn'S brigade was routed and
nearly ali captured. Early In April rumorl
reached Van Dorm that the Union troops
were eVacaAtinR Franklin, and on the l0th
be moved his whole command boldly for
ward to the attack. But instead Of evAouA-
ting, the Union commander was strength
ening the position, and the impstuous Con-
fsderates were met In front with fortified
batteries, while strong bodies Of cavalry
fell upon their hanks. Van Dorm Again
drew back to Spring Hill
Meanwhile, Rosecrans and Bragg stood
q arms length in central Tenneasso sooWl-
ing and doing nothing, and Van Dorn's
movements were subordinate 70 Bragg'A
His cavalry lay idly In camp. and than that
bane Of the soldiers leisure, dissipation,
crept In 10 enervAte and destroy what the
weapons Of honorable warfare had spared.
Ono day while Van Dorm sat In his head
quarters conferring with his stan. ApEoml-
nent citizen Of the nelghborhood pushed
bis way In and demanded satisfaction for
personal wrong which he charged upon
the general With an impressive WavO If
the hand Van Dorm 0rdeFOd him out Of his
presence; shot with ready revolver VA
the answer, and an asaassln's pistol cut
down in . second the hero Of scores Of bat
ties and Of twenty years Of martial strife.
His last act was charactsriStio- ekless,
undaunted. hazaFding all upon . single
chance. Yet his career - . cavalry CON-
mander was Just opening. and with .
sprinkle Of caution, which was certain %
follow his failures, his destiny might have
been q high one GEoRaR l. KILlrRR