The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-12-14
CLAIMS TOO MUCH.
A Question to Who Formed the Advance
of Sherman's Relieving Force at Knox

| A Question as to who Formed the Advance
of Sherman's Relieving Force at Knox.
vile.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Comrade
W. E. Doyle in his article on Wilder's Bril-
gaden the issue of Nov. 9, claims such credit
for his brigade as the facts in the case do
not seem to warrant.
He says: Il will state that Wilder's Bri-
gade, the advance-guard of the Army Of the
Cumberland, fresh from the battle of MIS-
sionary Ridge, forded the Little Tennessee
River below Morgantown on Dec. 3. and
marched by way of Marysville toward Knox
vile. When the rebel lines were reached a
forced charge of the whole brigade was
made, and breaking through with wild
hurrah we brought to the besieged the
| cheering news that Sheridan's and Woods
Divisions were close at hand"
had always been under the impression
that Col Eli Longs Brigade of the Second
Cavalry Division, formed the advance
guard of Sherman's relieving force. To
prove the correctness of my impression,
quote from Van Hornes Army of the Cum
berland," Vol. ii, PIP. l and p: Col.
Longs Brigade moved to the head of the
column. The march Of the infantry
was resumed on the ID, and Col. Long hurried
on to Loudon to save the brigade if possible.
From this point Col Long was sent
with picked men (those having serviceable
horses) to communicate with Gen. Burn
side"
Now listen to what Uncle Billy" has to
say on the same subject in his Memoirs
Vol. /, p 367.): "By extraordinary efforts
Longs small brigade of cavalry reached
Knoxville during the night of the Sd, pur-
posely to let Burnside know that | was
rapidly approaching with an adequate force
to raise the siege"
Page 800: Il had but small force of cav
airy, which was, at the time of my receipt
of Gen. Grants orders, scouting over about
Benton and Conmbus. left my Aid, Maj.
Mccoy, at Charleston 10 communicate with
this cavalry, and hurry it forward. IL over
took me in the night at Athens. On the I'd
of December the army moved rapidly north
toward Loudon, % miles distant. About
/ / a. m. the cavalry passed to the head OF
the column, was ordered 10 push to LoudOn,
and if poss bic to save pontO n bridge across
the Tennessee held by a brigade OF the
enemy commanded by Gen. Vaughn. The
cavalry moved with such rapidly az 10
| capture every picket; bat the brigade OF
Vaughn had artillery IN position o.ered by
earthworks, and displayed a force too re-
spectacle to be carried ny cavalry dash.
at was all-important that Gen. Burnside
should have notice OF our coming, and but
one day of the time remained. Accordingly,
at Philadelphia during the night of the Cd
of December, sent my Aid, Maj. Audenried,
forward to Col. Long, commanding the bri-
| gade OF cavalry at Loudon, to explain to him
how al-im pnrtant it was that notice Of our
approach should reach Gen. Burnside within
"a hours, ordering him to select the best
material of his commas d. to start at once,
| ford the Little Tennessee, and push into
| Knoxville at whatever cost of life and horse
| flesh. Maj. Andenritd was ordered To go
along. The distance to be travelled was
about 40 miles, and the roads villainous.
Before day they were off"
| Page $751; !" | was at house where the
roads parted, when messenger rode up,
bringing me few words from Gen. Burnside,
to the effect that Col. Long bad arrived at
Knoxville with his cavalry, and that all was
well with him there; Long street still lay
before the place, but there were symptoms
| of his speedy departure"
| These extracts will show the impartial
reader what cavalry force held the advance
on the march to Burnsde's relief 1t is he
custom with too many comrades to claim
| every thing in sight for their own particula