The National tribune., 1894-01-11
AT ROGERSVILLE.
A Little Affair That Was But Mentioned in
the History of a Fighting Regiment"

Little Affair That Was But Mentioned in
the History of Fighting Regiment"
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The 9th OF
November, 1863, found a small brigade
composed of the 9Th Ohio Cav, Cd Tenn,
and Philiips's battery, Of the I'd Ill. i. A., in
camp on the northwest bank of the Tennes-
see (HOlstOn) River at the mouth of Big
Creek and about four miles east of Rogers
vile, Hawkins County, Tenn.
Tie brigade was commanded by Col.
Israel Garrard, of the 7,h Ohio Cav. The
I'd Tenn. was commanded by Maj. Dan. A.
Carpenter who has recently been appointed
Pension Agent at Knoxville. The Colonel
and LivuteDant-COlone of the I'd Tenn. were
al this time both absent
On the morning of the 9Th the I'd Tenn.
was cut 10 pieces and nearly every man
captured by an overwhelming force of the
enemy, which iauked the Federal forces at
Greenville and surrounded the camp be-
tween midnight and daylight on the MORN
ing of The 9Th.
These facts are, perhaps, nothing within
themselves, but they remind us that there is
more h story belonging TO the 9TH Ohio Cav
than we can find in Capt. Rankin's History
of Fighting Regiment" Why he treated
the Rogersviiie affair with such brevitv, is a
question upon which we hope the Captain
will, in the near future, throw a little more
light.
No one has a disposition, l hope, TO rob
the 9TH of any laurels it may have earned
prior 10 aud subsequent TO the affair at
RogeTsvllIe. The material of which the 9Th
was composed was good average stuff. But
there is little wonder that the exploits of
the 7ih on that day are wiped out of The
History of Fighting Regiment"
As early as The afternoon of the 9Th Col.
Garrard WIS apprised of the fact that an
overwhelming force of the enemy were ap-
preaching by way of Carriers Valley. This
must be fact, as nearly every man in the
command was aware of their proximity.
On the night of the 9Th Capt. Amos Marney,
Co. a, ID Tenn. Cav, in command of sc nut,
was sent up Carriers Valley. This force,
composed entirely of TeDnesseeans were
gobbled in short order, but by daylight on
the morning of the 9th Capt Marney and his
men had effected their escape and returned
20 camp. There was yet time for Col. Gar
rard to have crossed his command 10 the
southeast bank of the river, with, perhaps,
the loss of nothing save the small wagon
train belonging to the brigade.
Shortly after Capt. Marney and his men
reported, at least one-half of the I'd was cut
Corporas and Sergeants to picket the nu-
merOus trails and cow-paths leading to camp.
or course, these squads were soon licked up
in detail. Maj Carpenter, with the balance of
his regiment, fought hard to hold his posi-
tion al the camp, but he was fighting against
odds of perhaps 20 to l, and was finally
forced to surrender.
This disposition of affairs enabled Col
Garrard, with good portion of the 9TH, to
cross the river, The only way left open for
escape, and pursue his John Gilpin ride 10
Morrisiown, twenty miles away" in per-
feet safety.
1t affords the writer of this sketch no
pleasure 10 allude TO these matters, bu: it is
TO be presumed that your readers want the
truth in his'O Dries Of fighting regiments Not
that Capt. Rankin has been guilty of false
hood, but he has avoided the recording of
facts.
Before close, il will be manifestly proper
to speak of the gallant conduct of Adi't Al
len, Of the 9Th Ohio Cav, who made heroic
efforts TO save the wagon-train by the way of
the road leading from Rogersville to Bulls
Gap. That gallant officer and small de-
tachment of the 9TH fought like demons, but
were all, or nearly all, captured, and with
the ID sent TO Richmond, ABdersOnville, and
other Southern prisons. Adj't Allen earned
an eagle that day. but was rewarded with
prisoners lot.
And who will rise and explain why the
two guns of Phillips's battery posted on the
hlll near the Russell House were surrender
ed by The First Sergeant who fought almost
single-haBded and alone? Where was Capt.
Phillips and his Lieuienanis? That Ser
geant should have been promoted for his
sticking qualities, as exhibited on that occa-
sion. He WAS sometimes called the Big
nosed Sergeant" He certainly had a nose
well calculated TO excite NapoleOn's admira-
ton.
Capt. Rankin was known in my regiment
as a brave, efficient officer and was trusted
by his superiors ut all times and under all
circumstances But the old comrade must
take in everything as he goes. There's no
use skipping the unpleasant features of an
affair."
If this is not true history, and Capt. Ran
kin or anyone else will convince me of the
same, the error will be promptly admitted
II Serg't HOyt, of Co. II OF the 9TH, is on
earth, VIII he please correspond with me?
or will Frank Powers, or Pedago, the NUT
tOn-killer ?-W. 81. CLARK, Co. c, ID Tenn,
Ola, Tenn.
DEAD CAVALRYMEN.