The National tribune., 1893-04-13

The Second and Third DIVISIONS OF the
Fifteenth Corps were also started for
Eickshurg the moment the boats were In
readiness. and on the 9th of September
Gen. Sherman embarked for Memphis, fol-
lowed BY feet Of boats conveying these
two divisions, reaching Memphis on the
nigh; of Oct 2, the divisions arriving on the
Sd and 4ih.
After a conference with Gen. Hurlhut, and
being shown the dispatches and letters of
instructions from Gen. Halieck, Gen. Sher-
man found that the plan OF operations con-
templafed the movement of the Fifteenth
Corps and all other troops which could be
spared from the liue Of the Memphis &
Charleston Railroad, to Athens, Ala, and
that he should then report by letter for
orders to Gen. RosecraDs, at Chattanooga.
He was 10 follow substantially the railroad
eastward. repairing ii as he moved; to look
to his own liue for supplies, and in no event
TO depend upon Gen. Roseerans, as the roads
TO his rear were already overtaxed to sup
ply his present army.
Gen. Sherman also learned that The First
Division of tlie Fifteenth Corps had already
arrived in front Of C0rinth, and that Gen.
john T. Smith WAS still at Memphis, moving
his troops aud material out by rail as fast as
the limited facilities would permit. Find
ing. however that horses, mules, and wagons
could be moved faster by land, the artillery
and wagons were dispatched by the road,
under escort, and the entire Fourth Division
was finally moved by land. The enemy,
having become appFised of this movement,
endeavored 10 thwart il from the start. A
considerable force assembled in a threatening
attitude al Salem, south Of Salisbury Sta
tion. and Gen. Carr, who commanded at
C0rinih. was compelled to turn back and use
part CT tbe troops that had already reached
CgIinih to resist the threatened attack.
On Sunday, Oct. II, Gen. Sherman, with a
battalion OF the 18th Regulars as escort, left
Memphis in special train, and reached
CoTnth the following night, having mean
while had short and successful engagement:
with the enemy at ColliersEille Station
Gen Sherman now ordered Gen. Blair for.
ward to Iuka with the First Division, and
as fast as troops got up they were pushed
forward TO Bear Creek, the bridge over which
was completely destroyed, and an engineer
regiment engaged in its repair
a considerable force of the enemy was as
semblcd near Tuscumhia 10 resist the advance
Of the onion forces On the march TO lnka the
First Division tOsterhauE'sl was in tho ad
vance. and was constantly skirmishiBg with
the eueIuy. II was supported 10y the Second
Division, both divisions under the command
of Mai. Gen. Blair.
Under orders of Gen Sherman Gen Blail
pushed forward with the two eading divisions
10 dr9e the enemy beyond Tuscumba. whici
he did very successfully after a severe fight a
Cane Greek, occupying Tuscambia on the 27tl
Of October.
IN the meantime Important changes in com
mard had occurred Gen. Grant had bees
called from RicksbBFg and sent to Chattanoog
10 cCmm&nd the three Armies Of the Ohin, Tin
Cumberland and tho Tennessee, and the DE
f2rtHent % the Tennessee had degoiycd up0l
Gen Sherman. with instructions, however, {
retain commapd o. the army Ia the field.
Gen. Sherman assigned Gen. Blair 10 th
command of he Fifteenth Corps. Subsequen
movements brought Gen. Sherman 10 FaycttC
vile ~ wa.ch point he received orders frof
GeB. Grant TO come To Bridgeport with tn
Fiitcenth Corps ANA leave Gen. Dodge's con
maud, sbcut 600 nee OF The Sixteenth Corp
At Puaslli and along the railroad from CC
lumb... ~ Decatur.
Cen Blair WAS accordingly Instructed
move with the Sccond and FEST Divisions b
way ol Ncw Market, LaTkinsyillc and Bell,
funte. wiilc Gen. Sherman conducted the 9th,
two divisions 10y Dccherd. the Fourth Diyisio
eGossiag the iasGniains 10 Stevenson. ani Il
Third by University Place and Sweden
Cove
0a the night OF Noa. I3 Gen. Shcrma
telrgfaphed to the Commanding General b
arrival al Bridgeport and the position OF h
several divisions, ard was summoned tG Cha
fanooga. lie accordingly took the iifst be
daring the night of ;he l4th fer Keliy'S an
rode into C!attanoosa on the 18th. where he +
eeved full instructions as TO the part he was
take in the movements already planned. The
movements contemplated that. in addition