The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-08-24

,-SS~kANIYy Nbri rigade C m.
lb@Ass- GV(ElN&. McCook, 2d Ind
&WA S%s%>Cav. Two of the
-. I'M - Coloneis - VOL.
So sassls%% ford, of the Is,
- ASaSsS$~--Ky., and Wynn
-. |s:;1. =, koop, of the 9TH
Pa.--outronked me by nearly year;
both of these officers having gone into
the field as Colonels of their regiments,
while had served as Major in the I'd
and Lieutenant Colonel in the Sd
Mich. Cav. prior TO my promotion to
the Colonelcy Of the ith Mich. Cav.
On the 18th Col. McCook returned
10 his command, but on tho 21st he
was thrown from his horse and so Sc
verely hurt that he had to relinquish
the command; and on the 22d | was
assigned to the permanent command
of the brigade, which within three
months was announced in General
Orders as "the Saber Brigade of the
Army of the Cumberland"
During the 10 days that | was in
temporary command, an incident
which illustrates the lax ideas of dis
cipline which existed in some regi-
ments occurred:
The 1st Ky. was paid of, receiving
pay, believe for some six or eight
months. On the day following, when
received the morning report of the
regiment, l found 1877 men absent
without leave, together with their
horses, arms and equipments. | at
once sent for the Colonel and asked
for an explanation.
l said: "Col. Wolford, what has be-
come Of your menu
"Well, | guess they've gone home to
see their folks"
"Do yon mean that they have de-
serted9"
Drawing himself up with dignity,
Wolford replied: deserted! No sir,
my men are patriots, sir; they have
come into the field to fight the enemies
of their country, sir"
"Will they return to their regi-
ment 2"
"If we pass that way guess they
will iine us"
"Col. Wolford, will have to recon-
mend that your regiment be ordered
back to Kentucky to collect your alb
sentees."
reported the case to Gen Stanley,
who indorsed my recommendation, and
the lst Ky, Cav. was sent hack to
Kentucky. ! never again met the regi-
ment, but have often wondered il the
absentees ever 'Jined" their command.
On the 3Oth, force of Confederate
cavalry captured or destroyed the wa
gon train of the Third Brigade of
Rousseau's Division, on the Jefferson
pike, in rear of our left, and was
threatening our line of supplies on the
Nashville road.
Leaving the company of the I'd Ind,
on courier duty, and the Sd Ky. and
two battalions of the 18th Pa. forming
a chain of videts in rear of the line of
battle to prevent struggling, marched
for Lavergne, to operate against the
enemy's cavalry and protect the supply
trains. I bivouacked at Lavergne at
about II o'clock that night, close to
Col. Walkers Brigade, of Gen. Fry's
Division.
On the morning of the 31st heavy
cannonading was heard little west oi
south, IN the direction of the position
occupied by Gen McCook's Corps The
continuity of the cannonading indica-
ted very heavy fighting. Knowing
that we would be of more service
there than where we then were, start
cd across the country guided by the
roar of battle.
AS we advanced the noise of battle
was continually moving eastward,
clearly showing that the right of our
army was being driven. Shortly after
crossing Stewards Creek we struck
Wheeler's cavalry, but did not allow it
to delay us an instant.
When crossing Overall's Creek, /
found that we were in front of Nc
Cooks line of battle, and several shells
were thrown at US before could show
them who we were.
The Army of the Cumberland was at
this time holding position forming
almost a complete semi-circle. The
left rested ON and east of Stone River.
The line, extending westerly, crossed
the river, the Nashville & Chattanoo-
ga Railroad, and the Nashville and
Murfreesboro turnpike at right.angles.
From this point the right was gradu-
| ally retired, until the extreme right,
resting in cedar thicket, almost
touched the Nashville pike. The ex-
treme left wa' facing south; the extreme
rigl was facing north.
/ now took position parallel to the