The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-12-22

Phi" sheridan.
CONTINUED from last ueek.)
From prisoners | learned that Gen. Smith
had approached Thompson's Station at about
o'clock that morning, had skirmisheG slightly
with Stearns, and had fallen back towards
Franklin. ] sent courier to him with the in
formation that j had possession of Thompson
Station, and would hold it until he came up
Vale, page I39, says: In this fight Minty
killed 81, wounded l5s, and captured 1O5 OF the
enemy" NV loss was three killed and eight
wounded.
The enemy suffered very heavily when
they abandoned their position near tie station.
They were literally moved down by the fire
of the 4th Mich. while the sabers of the 4th
Regulars and 9Th Pa. did terrible execution on
their flank.
At about p. 10. Gen. Smiths column ar.
rived, Gems Granger and Sheridan riding at
its head. Sheridan. with gratifed smile,
prssped my hand and said. Well done; and
Granger said, We'll. Minty, you have taken
the spots of my cavalry to-day"
Bivouacked near Spring Hill.
On the morning of the 10Th Gen. Granger
ordered Smith to take the advance; 60 push
the enemy vigorously, and not allow him 10
take position on the Knobs south of Ruther-
ford Creek"
Giving Smith time TO get out Of my way,
followed, Sheridan riding with me 1T the heai
of my column. We passed through Spring
Hill, and soon came up with Smiths command,
which was dismouRted and lying under cover
of rise of ground about mile north of Rgth-
erford Creek. the bridge over which had been
destroyed, while Van Dorm was holding
strong position on Z" the Knobs" close to the
south bank of the creek.
The infantry was ordered Hr aud strong
ekirm sb- line was thrown forward to the creek
which now g roaring torrent, utterly i'm
passahle for man or horse.
] moved a mile snd half 10 the east, or up
the creek, to try ford. and found the water so
deep that my horses were swimming 10 feet
from the hank. Here the 4th Ind. had two
men killed and three wounded, and the horse
was riding was shot
considerable force of the enemy were ly-
ing behind stone wall, but Newell, with his
Rodmans soon disIodged them.
] then moved two miles still farther up the
creek 20 Moorc's Ford. bEt found it, too, i'm
passable. / bivouscked near the ford.
Early on the morning of the I1th Forrest in
person, with about 500 men, advanced to the
opposite side of the ford. where they met with
o sharp Ere from the 4th Mich. The water had
fallen considerably during the night, and i de-
termined to attempt crossing. / ordered the
artillery forward, and under cover of its fire
the 9TH Mich. galiantly pushed forward, and
although the water reached almost 10 the top
of the saddles, they were soon il position on
the south bank. / ordered the entire brigade
across.
The moment Granger heard my guns he sent |
Smith TO my assistance, but I had everything
south of the creek before he arrived, and then |
moved forward to leave r0om for him to cross |
Forrest, who had fallen back again ad- |
vsnced; this time Oh foot with flags flying and /
apparently determined 10 give battle. / de- |
tsched the Attn Mich. to the right, with orders |
%, IL possible. gain position in rear of the |
snemy's left, and / requested Gen. Smith to |
send q good regiment TO the left to get in rear /
of his right, bat he declined TO do So ! there |
fore moved forward 20 meet Forrest, intending |
20 give him taste of cur sabers; but as / adj |
vsnced he fell back 70 his horses. mounted, and |
reiterated on the ssiiop towards Lewisbnrg / |
followed him about Eve miles, and then fell |
back to the right, expecting to strike Van |
Dorn's right fank, but soon found that he had /
fallen back towards Columbia.
These movements had occupied the entire |
day, and night was now approaching. halted /
and sent Col. Long with part Of his 1.-THE |
Ohio brigade TO feel for the enemy's position.
Col Long arrived II Duck River opposite Co
lnmbia al about O'Clock p. IA, without en-
eountering any rebel force. and there learned /
that Van Dorm had crossed his entire command /
on 8 poatoon bridge during the day. and had
slresdy removed the bridge to the south side
OF the river
Long rcjoincd ne about midnight / re-
turned by easy marches, netting as advance and /
Year-gnard TO Sheridan's Division, and arrived |
at Murfreesboro at $50 p. M. March Ii.
Gen. Stanley expressed himself as much |
Erstifed with the praise bestowed on the cav
airy by Gen. Sheridan, and Gen. Rosecrans /
eomplimented Us very highly in General Or
ders in which be said: In recognition of the |
dash and gallantry displayed by this brigade /
on ali occasions, 1t shall hereafter lie known in
fhis Department as the Saber Brigade of the |
Army Of the Cumberland" This distinction
We have always felt proud OF.
On my return 70 Murfreesboro il was re-
ported TO me that during eGr absence Or this
expedition Second Lieut.. James p. Rexford, of |
the 4th Mich. Cav, with 40 men from that |
regiment, while on picket the Manchester /
pike was attacked by considerable force of |
rebels and, after making a stubborn fight, was /
slowly driven. He reported his situation, and |
Lieat.-Col. Galbrsith. with the 5th Tenn. Cav,
was seat TO his assistance, but lie WAS also /
driven. After falling back about half mile /
he called bis officers together sud asked their
advice as to whether be should continue the I
fight or fall back behind the infantry pickets.
All favored falling back except Rexford. who
remained silent Col. Gaibraith, turning 70
him, said: " Lieutenant, yoR have not ex-
pressed your opinion; what do you adviser"
RexfoFd replied: "Our Colonel is al WAYS i'm
pressing upon Us that the saber is the cavalry
mans weapon and that we should never lose |
chance for using IL The ronghest oyerhauling
i ever received was for falling TO make use of |
80 on one occasion. j think there is q good /
chance To make effective use OF it now"
Gaibraith said: VIII you charge If ! sup
port your"
Certainly" said Rex, who at once returned |
30 his men. moved them into the road in column |
of feurs, gave the commands. Draw sabers-
forward-trot, march :" moved forward to
within good striking distance, and charged
home.
The attacking force was Bushrod Johnson's
Brigade-two regiments of mounted in fantry.
This dsshing charge threw them into utter con-
fusion, and Rexford, with his 30 men of the 4th
Mich, drove them on the run for nearly two
miles and then returned to their picket post.
bringing in several prisoners, whom Col. Gal
brsith took into Camp.
j sent for Lieut. Rexford, thanked him for
his conduct, which / said was worthy of the
gallant regiment Of which he wa. a member
Next day issued the following General Or
der:
Subject to the approval OF His Excellency
The Governor Of Michigan, Second Lieut. ]. P.
Rexford is appointed First Lieutenant vice
-- resigned"
Copy of this order was sent 20 the Adiutant-
General Of Michigan, and by return mail re-
ceired the commission.
Before the 4th Cav. left the State of Michi-
gan Governor Austin Blair had given me an.