The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-08-23
18th IND. DID 1T.
wiIder's Mounted Infantrymen Fought the
Last Fight East of the Mississippi.

Last Fight East of the Mississippi.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: AS many
communications have been published re-
garding the last fighting east of the Missis-
sippi claim that the 18th Ind. MID Inf,
of Wilders Brigade, did the last fighting
east of the Mississippi, in the advance 10
and capture of Macon, Ga, in the Wilson
raid, on April 20, 1865.
To explain any peculiarltles OF the follow
ing report as for instance mounted infantry
men being armed with sabers, | will state
that Wilder's Brigade were armed with
Spencer caTbines and revolvers, and four
companies of the 18th Ind. were armed with
sabers. They were cavalry to all intents
and purposes, and the best kind, too. The
brigade, however, carried infantry flags, and
this for the purpose of deceiving the enemy,
who would not know by what kind of troops
he was about TO be assailed. The 18th and
I'D Ind. and 9Sth and 123d I'll. formed the
brigade, history of which was presented III
this paper little while ago.
On April J. 1865, the four saber companies
of the 18th Ind, under Lieut-COl T. White,
ran through PatteTson's Alabama regiment,
cutting them right and left. Pushing on,
they struck Forests line-of-battle at Ebe-
nezer Church, Ala, and without a moments
hesitation charged the battery of four guns
there and took it, but could not hold It,
Forrest, with his bOdyguard and other forces,
coming up forced them to pass along the rear
of the rebel line-of-battle until they found
opportunity to cut their way out, with the
loss of Capt. J. ID. Taylor and seven men
killed, IL wounded, and five captured.
Capt Taylor inflicted a saber wound on
Forrest, cutting through his hat and LAGER
ating the scalp
Over 100 rebels must have been killed
and wounded in this charge, though they
left but one killed and 10 wounded, all
sabered, on the ground when they retreated.
The following is a copy of an official re-
port of Lieut.-C Col. Frank White, who, with
Col J. c. Vail, was brevetted Brigadier-
General for gallantry on this campaign.
believe that this report will sustain me in
my claim that the 18th Ind. fought the last
fight of the war, at least, east of the Missis-
sippi:
HEADQUARTERS nth IND. MID INF,
MACON, GA, April Il, 1865.
CAPT. o. F. BANE A. A. A. G., First Brigade. Sec
ond Division, Cavalry Corps, NJ ID. VI.
SIR: / have the honor to make the following
port of the action Of this regiment, which had the
honor to command on the goth inst. On the morn
ing OF the goth, the regiment being the advance
regiment of the division, four companies with
sabers were sent forward as advance-guards under
Mai Weller Three companies were in rear of the
division guarding prisoners, and had the remain
ing three companies In proper order OF march.
From our camp of the preceding night, whence
started in the morning, il was As miles TO Macon.
After marching about u miles, near Spring Hill
the advauce-gusrd met a small party of the enemy
and drove them off, capturing a few of them. ]
then moved forward closing up the regiment, and
assumed command of the advance.
After resting about an hour we moved on, and
near Montpelier Springs met the enemy and
charged him through the village and into a barri-
cade of rails across the road, charging il and driv-
ing the enemy, capturing about a dozen of them
10 Uf1l A. al ms Rest
ing minute again moved forward at fast trot,
in order 10 save the bridge over the Tobesokee at
Here we found the enemy in line about 200 strong,
and attacked them. Our advance charged mount
ed through the burning bridge until stopped by
the plank being torn up; they then dismounted as
did the first two companies, and double-quicked
them across dismounted and after sharp skirmish
OF about five minutes drove the enemy in con-
fusion.
In the meantime had part of the other two COM
panies at work extinguishing the fire the bridge
the men carrying water in their hats blankets, etc.
and using weited saddle blankets. As we drove the
enemy from the bridge ] sent two companies
across ford below the bridge TO pursue the enemy
and gave pursuit at the same time with the men
dismounted.
The road after the bridge makes a bend. and
around this the enemy had TO retreat. whilst my
dismounted men doube-quicking across had the
enemy under fire for about 200 yards, and took
good advantage OF II, firing very rapidly, breaking
the enemy to pieces, and causing them TO throw
away everything in their flight.
The fire on the bridge sufficiently suppressed
in about Is minutes to admit of horses crossing
and leaving men siill at work at the flames, /
crossed the command and pushed on about two
miles from the bridge and Is from Macon.
met flag oftruce under command of Brig-Gen.
"Cherokee" Robinson. ] sent word to Division
Headquarters la regard TO it, and the flag OF truce
OBTAINING Us soon received orders to give them
five minutes 10 get out OF the road, and then to ride
on again 10 save the bridge over Rocky Creek at
placed Adjt Doyle in charge of an advance
guard Of is men, giving him instructions aud send
ing him forward at a irot supporting him closely
IN
he came ia sight OF the flag of truce party covering
the rear Of force of about $50 men, said to be
BlOunps battalion. They going slowly, and
evidently trying TO delay us; seeing which, the Ad
jutant, as had instructed him, charged them,
lbg The nag oi truce TO take to the woods. but cap
turing three Of the officers with il, and driving the
cavalry peli-mell along the road. They kept up a
continuous fire US, but with little effect as they
were so frightened and excited.
o. getting near Rocky Creek bridge the enemy
were discovered on foot attempting 10 fire it. Be
fore getting TO the bridge the Adjutant had called
Tor reinforcement and sent him Lieut.. J. Nc
Dowell, with Co. T. with which force he charged
the bridge, drove of the enemy and pursued then,
10 the palisades in the road, where firing en-
sued, and the advance passed through TO the
enemy's works
Here AdTt Doyle rode up on the works and de-
Tnanoed their surrender, telling the rebel sodery
that we bad two divisions OF cavalry la their rear
In the city. Believing they cut off subordi-
nate officers surrendered, the men threw down
their arms and all marched down 10 the road
when Lieut.. Mcdowell took charge of and formed
iheTn. The AdJutant had gone TO the forts on the
right OF the road TO receive their surrender when
came up with the rest Of the regiment and found
The prisoners in line along the road under Nc
Dowell. As soon tire regiment got inside the
works and support being close, the entire line
rendered. Finding himself off from town
Coi. Cumming, WHO commanded the brigade on
The road, came down and surrendered 10 me.
LETT TWO companies in charge of the prisoners
and moved on towards Macon with The other five
At tile edge Of the city met by flag of truce
surTendeTing the city. i marched in and MP TO
Gen. Cobbs Headquarters Taking formal posses
sion OF the city, placed patrols on duty aud
camped The regiment for the night part in the
Courthouse and part in the main street. We capt
ured ia the works and city Maj.-Gen Howell
Cobb Brig-Gens. Macllall, Mercer. and Gustayus
w. Smith, 5000 prisoners Including subordinate
ocers five stands Of colors co pieces Of field and
heavy artillery Of all calibers and 600 small
arms. We had la the action during the dav q
commissioned officers and 430 enlisted men. We
lost one killed and 20 wounded.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
FRANK WHITE
Lieutenant-C Colonel Commanding
The flag of truce under Gen. Robinson
sent out by the rebel commander of Georgia,
Howell Cobb, was to require Gen. Wilson to
make no further advance, as Sherman and
Johnston had agreed upon an armistice.
We had received news of the fall of Rich