The National tribune., 1893-03-02


for wounding and capturing Maj. Dick McCann
in hand to hand conflict.
"Corp'l Edward Shut. Co. T. eth Pa. Cav, for
great gallantry in seriously wounding and
making prisoner of Lieut-Coi. Martin, In q
single handed saber contest"
Van Horne in the . History of the Army OF
the Cumberland" !" Vol. ]. page 297, says: april
Goth, Gen Reynolds with 1000 infantry and
1900 cavalry (including Wilders Brigadc)
m ado q reconnaissance northeast and southeast
from Murfreesboro. He destroyed almost en-
trely the railroad from Manchester to Me-
Minnvile a cotton mill and two other mills at
McMinnville small mill at Liberty. captured
large amount of supplies, 80 prisoners, over
GOO animals, and returned to Murfreesboro,
with the loss of one man wounded"
The only part of Reynoldss Division that en-
tered McAInnvile or struck the railroad was
Wider's Brigade, and, as | have before stated,
if was in tight place would rather have the
support of that Brigade than any other in the
Army of the Cumberland.
/ took or sent into MurfreeSboro 143 prison.
ers and 5l7 horses and mules.
From April 20 to May 81 had many af-
fairs of pickets, which kept the brigade con-
stantly in the saddle and on the alert
On the latter date | found my brigade on the
Salem pike at $50 p. IN. and took the advance
of the division, now commanded by Gen. Tur-
chin. for a night march to surprise Gen. Mar
tins Division of rebel cavalry at Middleton.
Ny inyariable custom in expeditions of this
nature was for my advance not to return the
fire of the enemys pickets, but to ride them
down. The great advantage of this course was
that the demoraized pickets led us by the
shortest route directly TO the enemys camp,
which / generally succeeded in surprising; the
first knowledge of our approach being re-
ceived from their flying pickets, with my ad-
yance in close pursuit.
0rderlies, provost guard and escort, rode ahead
of my column, and between it and my advance
guard Cos. ID and | of the 4th q. S. Cav, CON-
manded by Lieut.. 0'Connel.
About break of day OConnell struck the
enemy's pickets. He charged home. and they
led him directly into Martins camp, where the
cheering aud shooting of the Yankee troopers
was the uuaccustomed reveille which rudeiy
broke the sumbcrs of the Confederates. who
came tumbling out of their tents and huts in
every stage of disilabile. The surprise
complete aud the success of the expedition
would. have been all that could be desired II
OConnell had been properly supported; but the
first notice / had of the enemy having been
encountered was the sound of the distant firing.
| then hurried forward quickly as possible,
but was too late to reap much OF harvest.
colors of the lst Ala. Cav. togethar with $40
horses and p prisoners. We destroyed the
tents, baggage, camp equipage and commissary
stores, and returned TO Murfreesboro, my bri-
gade, which was now in the rear, skirmishing
with the enemy for several miles.
My casualties were, Lieut.. Woods, 4th G. S.
Cav, killed; five men of same regiment
wounded, and Lieut.. Tucker and two men of
the Attn Mich. wounded.
NaIe pape If9 "T'he num her 0f killed
and wounded of the enemy was 115.
The victory, though brilliant, was not so de-
cisive in its results as it should or could easily
have been made had all the forces moved for
ward to the work after the enemy had been
driven out of their camps. Several thousand
prisoners could have been secured by prompt
action"
Private Edward Racine. of the 4th Mich
Cav, boy Of is years, was with the advance
of his regiment as it entered the camp A
rebel soldier fired at him; the ball passed
through his left lung short distance above
bis heart. The moment he fired he yelled:
Surrender you - Yankee!" But instead
of surrendering, Racine raised his carbine and
shot the rebel killing him instantly. A few
minutes later Racine was in the hands of DIR.
Fish, the Brigade Surgeon. Gaspng word at
a time, he said Just think, Doctor. that fell
low had the impudence to tell me to sur
render"
After dressing the wound the Surgeon said :.
" Well. Racine, | think you will be all right,
but don't know where your heart was when
that bail went through you"
He replied p" / guess, Doctor, it was in my
mouth about the time was hit"
Edward Racine is still living. and has for
several years been located at Grand Rapids,
Mich.
In my official report made honorable men,
tiou of Lieut.. O'ConBell, 4th U. S. Cav, for
the very gallant manner in which he led his
squadron, driving the enemy out of both their
camps; of Sergt Owens. Corpls Bartlett and
Miller. Privates Smith and Higgins, 4th u. s.
Cav, who distinguished themselves by capt
uring the piece of artillery" -; of Sergt-Maj.
Clarke and Privates Wilcox and Parker for
having distinguished themselves by capturing
the standard of the 1st Ala. Cav"