The National tribune., 1894-07-12
IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT.
Whitaker's Brigade in the Passage from
Duck River to Franklin.

of Dec last. from the pen of Edward l..
Cheyer. Co. II. s7th H., with the deepest of
interest The comrade has graphically de-
scribed one of the most terrible nights ever
experienced during the time | was soldier
The retreat from Duck River 10 Spring
Hill, and the passage of the enemy's camps
at the latter place IN the dead OF night, was
certainly one of the most thrilling events OF
the war. / was equally as interested IN
reading the article from the pen OF u. V.
Pond. Surgeon of the I'D ILL.,, which APP
peared Feb %. / compliment Comrade
Pond on giving a very accurate description
of the battlefield and battle of Franklin.
Each of these comrades represent a separate
division of the old Fourth Corps Second
and Third).
have felt an earnest wish that some one
from the First Division might come forward
and describe the part enacted by them In
the famous march from Duck River to
Spring Hill on the night of Nov. 90, 1864
also the next days march, including the
remarkable battle of Franklin. Feeling
myself wholly iDcompetent to speak for the
whole division, except in general way, L
have thought to venture TO describe as accu-
rately as / can the part enacted by the Sec
ond (Whitaker's) Brigade, First Division, In
that famous march and battle. The writer
hereof was the First Sergeant, Co. c, 45th
Ohio, one of the regiments OF Whltakers
Brigade.
As to the question of what particular bri-
gade may have been the last 10 leave Duck
River on the march to Spring Hill, will
not undertake 10 say. Comrade Chever
quotes Van Horn in saying that al o'clock
a. m Nov %, Gen. Stanley moved toward
Spring Hill with Wagner's and Kimball's
lao hot h1
was crossing Duck River with infantry, he
halted KimbalTs Division al Rutherford's
Creek four miles north from the river"
This is not strictly correct. This may be
true as to part of the First Division, but
lot the whole. for / have distinct recollec-
ton that our brigade (Second) at the time
spoken of was yet at the rif1c-pits on the
south side of Duck River, where they re-
manned until dark on the evening of the
29th, when they quietly withdrew, being
cautioned TO make no noise, and marched
rapidly to the river, which we soon reached,
crossed by pontoons as quickly as possible,
and at once made for the pike, where We
soon arrived. Here we halted for a few
minutes probably for the rear to close up.
So soon as all had arrived, the column
was quickly formed, the 45th Ohio being in
the rear, and we at once pulled out on that
famous march TO Spring Hill.
Well did we know we were playing a
desperate game that night and in that game
heels were trumps; and, as the sequel
showed, we played well.
And now, to go back to the starting-point
on the pike. While we were waiting there
/ saw other troops whereabouts, evidently
getting ready to make their start. What
troops they were "deponent saith not"; but
it was undoubtedly Woods Division, or at
least a portion of it. Indeed, it is evident
that on our arrival at Spring Hill Woods
Diyision-Or at least some other-was in
our rear as will presently appear in this
narrative. But who that was there can
ever forget the passage of our army by the
enemy's campfires in the first hours of Nov.
30, 1864? Marching silently along when
we first discovered them, from their near
ness TO the pike over which we were march
ing and knowing that by far the largest
part of our army had preceded us, we had
not doubt that those were their campfres.
And now we soon would be in camp, the
one comfort for the weary soldier.
1t was now that silence was broken with
one voice we voted our Generals gentlemen.
But suddenly this was all changed. An
officer was seen riding along the column
toward the rear, and in low voice giving
the admonition to I" keep well closed up and
march In silence, for those are the enemy's
eampfres."
The hush that followed this announce
ment was truly painful. All eyes were
directed to those now dreaded campfres as
we silently crept along. Boys, do you re-
member orr feelings lust before the battle
mother" This feeling was continued for
several hours, more or less. When we had
reached point on the pike which appeared
10 be about the centerof the enemy's camp
the cOlum % halted and quietly moved off
the pike 10 the left, and were directed to
lie down $n our arms so as 10 be ready
for any emergency that might arise
Did we Zee any of the enemy? Well, 81
should snl ile." We could see Opdycke's
men, too, dn the opposite side of the pike,
in cornffld. They appeared to be guard
ing the enemy's camp while the Johnnies
slept That was big joke on 0pdycke's
men.
As we thus lay on our arms the pike was
clear for those in our rear to march forward,
which they did. This undoubtedly was
Woods Division. / should judge we lay
there about the necessary time for a d.
vision 10 march mp even with us. So soon
as this was done we quietly arose and re-
sumed the march two columns abreast.
Shortly after we had passed the enemy's
campfres, by looking eastward, the first
light of the coming day could be family
seen, and by the time full daylight had APP
peared our column on the left had showed
up and we fell in behind.
The 45th Ohio was the hindmost regiment
IN the column Oh the march from Spring
Hill TO Franklin. Only the rear-guard be-
tween MS and the enemy.
And NOW we felt that cnuld again
breathe freely. Indeed, as we thought OF
the feat we had so successfully accom-
plished we felt like giving vent to one pro-
lOnged, eXultant yell.
Notwithstanding we could occasionally
hear the sullen growl of the dogs of war;
away ahead and TO the right, we were now
in fine spirits, with chins elevated and STEP
ping high. The fatigue of the nights march
was all forgotten, as we marched along
well knowing that ere the sun set on that
day we must withstand the shock Of battle.
As we reached the range Of hills described
by Comrade Pond our brigade filed left and
marched along the crest of the hills the
length of the brigade and faced out toward
the enemy. By this time, must confess,
took but little note of time. Hence / can
not now say just when in the day il wal
nor how long we remained there. But o
the scores / there witnessed / have dis
tinct recollection.
The enemy in dense masses could be seer
as they came surging forward. One even
in particular attracted our admiration, ant
put us in good spirits. Some of the enemy
ol.,r 81