The National tribune., 1893-05-25

/ at length divided my force, and pushing on
with one portion | succeeded in heading them
off, routing them, and capturing lot OF good
horses and equipments. We went on with our
prisoners a few miles farther, when we were
told that very large body of rebels were lying
in wait for us at Big Pigeon, so turned back,
and arrived safely in camp.
Next day was ordered to go to Franklin, n.
c., about 80 or 20 miles distant to act as scout
for the I'd N. c., under Col. Bartlett, and also
to see where the rebels were. We started in
advance of the regiment, and soon learned that
body of rebels were at the Narrows, pass
between two large ridges.
l reported back this information to Col. Bart
lett He gave me several men who were &C
quainted with the country, and directed me TO
push on. cross the mountain on the other SIDE
of the Narrows and then come in by the main
road again to the main force, and report il any
rebels were there
! learned that there were about 400 rebels
at the ford at Big Pigeon River, so we steered
clear of there and went back through the
Narrows that night, and l reported to Col.
Bartlett. He paroled some prisoners that we
had picked up, and took charge of 20 head OF
horses and mules we had taken in that night.
About daylight the Colonel sent me out again
to go back by the way of the Narrows, to the
Pigeon River Ford, then about 10 miles away.
We at length got upon a ridge near the ford,
the ford. We went on to the ford. and there
waited for the reg iment, meanwhile foraglng
among the people. Then all moved six miles
farther down the river and went into camp.
/ was ordered, with several men, to Waynes-
vile the next day. We were now in Haywood
County, and expected to meet at any time with
Thomas and his Indians. We marched into
Waynesville and found that the rebels had just
left We Immediately dashed away on our
horses in pursuit. We had not gone more than
half mile before we sighted them returning
towards Waynesville. When we got within so
yards of the rebels they caught sight of US for
the first time. it appeared, and we met them at
a turn In the road. ordered charge and
the rebels wheeled their horses and started on
back track, finally scattering. Many left
their horses and sought the dense thickets of
laurel and ivy. We took in a good lot of
equipments this time, captured Captain and
a Lieutenant, and holly chased Maj. Mellow
ell, but could not catch him.
We pursued the rebels to within a few hun
dred yards of their Notifications, and then
we fell back about mile, and l sent man to
Col. Bartlett to move up or send me reinforce
ments, that we might successfully assault the
rebels posted in the gap but COL Bartlett ordered
me back to the regiment, which had reached
Waynesvile.
We remained three days at Wayncsville, and
at the end of that time Col. Kirk came in at
franklin. linen all Inc reDelS VINO were De-
tween the two Federal forces surrendered and
were parolsd. Col. Bartlett was ordered back
to Ashevlle, and / to take scout and proceed
to Franklin with dispatches for Col. Kirk.
We travelled all night through Webster and
Jackson Counties, and reached Webster at day
light, and Franklin late in the evening
Col. Kirk had taken the town without a
fight, and had captured several rebel officers
and many privates all of whom he had paroled.
The dispatches brought him ordered his re-
turn to Tennessee, for which he was sorry, as
there was game, he said, where he was.
We started back TO Asheville the next day,
and got to Waynesville the evening of the day
after. Two days later we met Col. Bartlett at
Asheville. Then we set out for Greeneville,
Tenn. All this time we had experienced great
difficulty in getting forage and food for our
selves. for the country had been pretty well
eaten out, as it were. 1t was poor, anyhow.
On the 2lst of May we entered Greeneville,
and / received orders from Gen. Gillem to 20
to the Counties of Carter, Johnson, Sullivan.
and Washington, to arrest all absentees belong
ing to his command. ! accomplished this task
to the Generals satisfaction, and returned to
Headquarters at Lenoir's Station OH June 8.
Gen. Gillem remained there short time re-
moved his force to Sweet Water, and thence to
Knoxville, where / received an honorable dis.
charge from the service of the United States
on Sept. 5, 1865.
The