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

Van Horne in his History OF the Army
of the Cumberland" Vol I, pages 296-7,
says: "Gen. Stanley crossed the river and
struck the enemy in flank, but was subse
quently forced to recro's. Having met SUE b
opposition before reaching Franklin. Gen.
Van Dorm retreated without making gener.
oil attack.
The command returned to Murfreesboro,
arriving on the evening of April IL. The
death of Capt Freeman. who was a gallant
soldier, would have been very serious mat
ter for SSg't-Maj. Strickland IL the enemy
could have captured and identified him.
Vale, page l46-7-s, after telling OF the kill.
ing OF Freeman. saws; AS was the custom
Of the rebels after meeting mishap they
in this instance, invented a cock and.bull
story TO the effect that Capt. Freeman was
murdered by an officer of the ith after he
had surrendered. and while prisoner in
their hands. on their retreat; the object be.
ing to give color Of excuse for atrocities
committed by themselves, and to create o
bitter, blood thirsty feeling on the part Of
their soldiers against efficient cavalry regi.
ments in general and the 4th Regulars in
particular.
Serg't-Maj. Strickland killed Capt. Free.
man in a fair fight, and Capt. Freeman's
bravery required no false statement, such
as made, TO rerpetnate his memory.
The report was however assiduously cir
culated and generally believed in Forrest .
command and on two notable occasions
afterwards Forests men refused to take
any of the ith Y. 3. Cav. prisoners They
in some way learned that It was the Ser.
Major Of the regiment who killed
Freeman. and they threatened TO hang him
If they ever caught him.
During the Atlana campaign. Strickland :
term ofservice expired and he was dis.
II. L. ar,l
was at once engaged as clerk in the Quart
ermasters Department soon after which ne
was taken prisoner aud sent to Anderson.
vile, Ga He claimed to be Sergeant Major
of the ith Mich. Cav IN order to prevent
his being Unidentified. He escaped from
Andersonville seven times; three
times he was pulled down by
blooihornds and II living, carries the marks
of the hounds teeth on his shoulder and
arms to this day. The seventh time. he
arrived at Atlanta, where he expected TO
find Union forces; but. Sherman having
gone on his march to the sea" the rebels
were in posse sion. He procured Confed.
rate uniform and supplied himself with a
furlough and passes and in few days start
ed for Chattanooga, When within sight o,
that place he was picked up by rebel cav.
airy scout and taken before the Major com
manding. to whom he presented his fur.
Tough and passes The major looked at
them and laughed. saying: 81 know the sig.
natures of these officers these are well done,
hut they are forgeries" Strickland broke
down at this and sitting down on a stone,
cried like child. He then said: major !
am the Sergeant Major ofthe 4th Mich Cav.
| have heen prisoner at Anders0nville.
This Is the seventh time have escaped. ]
have been run down three times by blood
hounds and three times before this captured
in other ways and now within sight of q
Union garrison. am captured the seventh
time. tell Won IL Is enough to unman any
one" The Major looked at him moment
and said: ~ have been fighting for the Cor.
federacy for nearly four years; have mt
your regiment often; your men are good
soldiers and treat your prisoners well, and
| won't send you back to that-place
agian; besides the war Is nearly er and
you cannot do us much harm, anyway"
And writing pass handed it to him, and
told him to go on his way.
On the return of the cavalry to Murfree>-
boro the 4th U. s. Cav, which, up to this
time had been acting under direct order
from the Chief of Cavalry, was assigned t.,
the 'Saber Brigade"
think the Regulars, at first, felt n littl,
sore at being briga led with volunteers, ana
having to serve under a volunteer but this
did not last long The regiment was com
posed of as gallant body of officers and
soldiers as ever mounted horse or drew saber
ana were soon proud of their brigade. proud
Of the regiments composing il, and proud Oi
the soldier like work achieved bv il.-RnD
ERT III. q. MISTY, in National Tribune.