The National tribune., 1893-09-07
PICKETING AND SCOUTING.
Incidents in the History of the Saber Bri-
gade, Army of the Cumberland.
Concluded from last ,ceeIs)

;icipated an attack, but 1t soon developed
hat this was simply movement to cover
their ascent of Waldron's Ridge.
Three columns, on as many different
mountain roads, were soon on the move.
When about half the force was thus out Of
our way l urged Gen. Crook to make
vigorous attack, but he considered it unad
visable TO do so.
BY o'clock the entire force was on top
Of the ridge and out of sight.
Gen. Crook now decided to ascend the
ridge at Sales Creek and south of it,.
Longs Brigade moved on the road leading
from my position Miller's on that south of
the creek. / was ordered TO remain in the
valley until the other brigades were on the
summit and then to follow, taking the artil-
lery up with me.
This could not be called march, it was
climbing the side of the mountain, and it
was hard and laborious work taking up guns
and horses
1t was after midnight when / reported to
Gen. Crook that my brigade was on top of
the mountain. / found him comfortably
sleeping Al his campfire. He told me that
Wheeler was within five miles of us with
5000 men.
The top of Waldron's Ridge is a table
land varying from five to % miles in width.
the Cumberland Mountains, and is the east
ern boundary of the Sequatchie Valley,
while the Cumberland Mountains form the
western.
The General told me TO camp wherever I
found room and a suitable place.
/ returned to my command and issued the
necessary orders TO bivOuac where we were,
and directed my inspector, Capt. Vale, to
report to the division inspector for instruc-
tiOns as to pckets.
Capt. Vale quickly returned and informed
me that division inspector told him to suit
himself about picketing; that the other bri-
gades had no pickets ont
The three brigades were lying near each
other. After a moments thought told Vale
TO cover the entire force. This was pretty
hard on my men, but under the circum-
stances considered it the best that could
be done.
Wheeler made an early start, and was
promptly followed by Crook.
On reaching Sequatchie Valley it was
found that Wheeler had divided his force,
part having gone down the valley toward
Anderson's Crossroads, and the remainder
up the valley toward Pikeville.
Col. Long and | urged that one brigade |
should slowly follow one of these bodies |
while the other two should move rapidly on |
the other, attack vigorously and crush it, |
then move against the other force.
Crook was very Teticent man, and on |
this occasion did not say what he proposed |
doing, but after some delay he took the |
entire division up the valley.
At Pikeville we got sight Of Wheeler's |!
Tear-guaTd moving up the mountain, on |
top of which il disappeared.
About two hours later we commenced the |
ascent, and We spent the night on top of the |
mountain.
On reaching the western brow during the |
forenoon of Oct We found Wheeler in posi- ]
ton at the foot of the mountain, and our 1
movement became very slow and cautious;
it was dark before our advance brigade /
(Miller's) got into action.
The fight was short and sharp, and the /
enemy was quickly driven from his position |
by the mounted infantry.
We bivouacked at the foot of the mount |
ain, near a fine stream.
Early on the morning of the 81 party of /
Confederate cavalry, dressed in our uniforms,
approached a videt Of the 18th Pa. and shot |
the unsuspectiDg man down. He died in a
couple of hours, and his comrades vowed
vengeance against every rebel found in Union
uniform.
This castardly act was committed by
part Of the force which had gone down the /
Sequatchie Valley 10 Anderson's Crossroads,
where they destroyed several hundred /
wagons; but while engaged in the work of |
destruction Col. La Grange, of the 1st Wis,
with his brigade from McCook's Division, !
made a dashing saber charge into their
midst, and put an end TO their work They
retTeated rapidly, crossed the Cumberland
Mountains, passed southwest Of us and re-
Joined Wheeler.
We followed the raiders through McNinn-
willie, and by crossing fIom the Readyvi.le to
the Liberty turnpike Interposed and saved
Murfreesbaro, and forced Wheeler 10 move
towards Shelbyille.
We remained some hours at Murfreesboro
TO draw small rations, and again followed
Wheeler
We passed over Guys Gap late in the
evening, my brigade in the advance and
Gen. Crook riding at my side.
As we commenced the descent of the
mountain Gen. Crook, pointing TO a piece of
woods near Cedar Geek said You had
better camp there tonight, and be ready to
move by daybreak. / expect Gen. Mitchell
TO join US sometime during the night"
Regimental commanders were instructed
10 have their horses saddled at o'clock in
the morning, without sound of bugle. At3
o'clock j sent staff officer to each Of my
regiments; he reported all horses saddled
and the brigade ready to move.
Mitchell had come in during the night /
and had camped next 10 me-
About o'clock the movement commenced,
and cavalry appeared to be moving in every
direction; but / had not received orders,
and did not know what was going on.
About $50 o'clock Gen. Mitchell, who was
Acting Chief Of Cavalry, came in from the
direction of ShelbyvilIe. As he was pass
ing / went forward 10 meet him. After
chatting for a while he said: by the bye,
Gen. Crook is in front, and 1 think he ex-
poets you"
] told him this was news TO me. had
supposed Crook was still in camp, and that
nothing had moved but the First Division.
/ ordered TO horse and at once marched to
the front. At Shelbyville met Gen. But
terfeid with his division of infantry He
informed me that Gen. Crook was following
the enemy on the Pennington road.
j overlook the division near Pennington
and reported TO Gen. Crook. He had had a
gallant fight with Wheeler, defeating him
with heavy loss.
Crook charged me with disobedience of
orders, promptly placed me under arrest,
and ordered me to return to MurfreesbOro
TO await orders, first turning over my COM
mand TO the next senior officer.