The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-02-08


force at Milton,
about 10 miles southeast from Murfrees.
boro.
II having been determined to drive John
Morgan from his stronghold at Snow HILL
south of Liberty, Gen. Stanley organized an
expedition for that purpose.
On the morning OF April 2, General Stan
ley ordered me TO take the advance with the
First and Second Brigadcs of Cavalry, and
TO march rapidly for Liberty.
The enemy's pickets we're met at Auburn
and were driven to Prosperity Church by
the advance-guard. Here wemet strong
force holding a good position on high
ground OH the Southwest bank of Smiths
Creek.
The enemy, assuming the offensive NOV
cd force up the left bank of the creek,
threatening to attack on my left. sent
Col Paramore with his brigade-lst, I'd and
Sd Ohio-against this force, which fell back
before him. As paramore advanced he in
turn threatened the right of the rebel posi-
zion. causing them to wayer preceptibly.
directed Lieut. Newell to open fire with
dis TWO guns; battalion Of the 18th Mich.
dismounted and quickly dislodged the enc.
mys skirmshers and sharpshooters from
the woods bordering the creek.
At this moment Gen Stanley arrived on
the field with division of infantry, and
Morgan fell back towards Liberty. | occu.
pied their position, on which | bivouacked
Chat night.
Early on April Gen. Stanley ordered a
forward movement. With my own brigade
/ advanced directly up the valley and quick
ty drove the rebels through Liberty. They
made a stand short distance south of the
village, on the foothills, with creek in
front of their position. | directed Col. Par
amore with the Second Brigade to cross the
creek higher up and to turn the left Hank
of the rebel position.
Morgan at once fell back. followed him
close " and ordered Col. Paramore to move
up a valley parallel to the one was in, and
60 keep in line with my brigade,
About half mile from the foot of Snow
Hill Morgan again attempted to make
stand, He occupied a formidable position,
and opened fire from two batteries IN earth
works short distance up the hill The 4th
Mich dsmounted, and pressed forward in
10 tue woods on the hi lside in front OF the
enemy's left, and supported by the 9th
Tenn. The 7th Pa. advanced directly up the
road. slowly followed by the 10th Ohio and
the section of arti lery.
The fire of the Fourth Mich. was proving
very effective on the rebel line. | ordered
the 7th Pa. to charge which that regiment
aed by Lieut., Col. Sipes did in its ustomary
gallant and dashing style. The rebels did
not wait for the rt-encounter but fell back
rapidly to their position on Snow Hill.
depoyed the 10Th Ohio, and moved It up
che face Of the hill placed the artillery in
position to shell the rebel batteries, and
with the 9TH Mi h., 5th Tenn, and 7th Pa.
moved rapidly up Dry Run, endeavoring to
get In Morgans rear. and to cut of his re-
treat. As moved forward Morgan aban-
doned his position and retreated rapidly to
McMinnville.
This was the same force which had sur
rounded and attempted to capture Col
Halls Brigade at Milton on the Goth of
March. and numbered 2,25O men, and six
pieces Oi artillery.
The infantry and the Second Cavalry Bri
.gade returned directly to Murfreesboro,
while made circuit through Alexandria
Cherry Valley. GAINESVILLE, Statesville, Leb
anon, and Boards Mill, arriving at Muir
freesboro at = p. m, April 9.
We buried II Confederate dead. and
Drought in IS prisoners and 357 horses and
mules.
The total loss in the cavalry were two
men wounded in the 4th Mich, and one
KILLED and two wounded in the 7th Pa.
On April 0 General Stanley marched for
Franklin to reinforce Gen. Gordon Granger
who was threatened by the rebel Gen. Van
Dorm, with 10000 cavalry and mounted in
fantry.
For the only time in the history Of the
"Saber Brigade II went on an expedition
leaving me in camp. was under the Sur
geon's 'are, and unable to go with i.
After Stanley's arrival at Franklin
.ry and 200 cavalry.
Gen. Stanley crossed the Harpeth River,
and struck the enemy in flank. The 4th
US. Cav. made a gallant charge and captur.
ed Freeman's battery; but before they could
bring il of Armstrong rebel brigade made
a counter. charge and recaptured It.
Vale, in "Minty and the Cavalry" pages
las and 1i6 gives the following description
of this affair. "Gen. Stanley crossed the
Harpeth northeast OF the town engaged the
enemy under Col. Siarnes, whose force on
that part of the fe d consisted of his own
brigade and Freemnn's battery of four pieces
The 4th Cav dashed upon the center of
Starnes's line, broke IT, driving II demoralz
ed from the field; then charged upon the
battery. A short but desperate encounter
took place over the guns. Freeman, know
ing that Forrests's whole force was ut hand,
encouraged his mtn to fight to the last, and
when completely overpowered endeavored
90 retreat with two guns. Lieut.. Rende.
brook, with two companions dashed after
and soon overtaking him demanded his own
and the surrender of his guns. Freeman re-
fused and urged his horses ON. firing his re-
yover almost in the face of the Lieutenant.
At his third shot Serg't Maj Strickland;
wth.a single shot from his revolver, laid
brought back to where the other portion ol
the battery was In POSSESSION OF the 4th.
Forrest promptly rallied his command
and attacked the 4ih with Armstron,'s Bri
gade. The 4th. being entirely unsupported
retreated, when u arly surrounded, to the
north side of the river, abandoning, aftel
disabling the captured guns. The rebe
loss In this engagement was 81 killed ant
over 15O wounded and captured. Most o.
the wounded prisoners were recapturet
when the regiment retreated but the 4tf
brought out 48 unwounded. The 4th los
five men killed and l8 wounded -
Gen. Stanley reported particulars OF thi
affair to Gen. Rosecrans by telegraph. ant
added IF Minty 10 we'll enough, send hin
to me. II he had been here to-day W,
would have brought out those gun"
Gen. Rosecrans sent for me and HANDED
me ths telegram. which read and hande'
back, saying; General, am ready" Al
hour later, with couple OF Orderlies my
servant and horses, was on my way tl
Nashville by rail. At Nashville was trans
, ferred 10 the Nashville and Decatur Road
and early next day, April II, ] reported I,