The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-11-21
BUTTONS HILL.
Game of Hide-and- Seek with Rebel Gen
Pegram.

BUTTONS HILL.
Game of Hide-and- Seek with Rebel Gen
| Pegram.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Having
expressed doubts OF the justice of according
| much credit to Gen. Gilmore for his man
| agement of the short but active campaign
| which terminated with the battle of Dutton's
Hill, March 30, 1863, it may not be amiss To
relate what Came under my own observation
The reader can judge whether Gilmore
added any thing to the brilliancy of his mil
itary record.
AT that time was helping to man sec
ton of mountain hOwitzers. Men were
detailed for this duty from the 45th Ohio
and the 10th Ky. Cav. Lieut.. Erastus F.
Smith, of the 18th, in command. Now, sub
sequent events proved that when it was
learned that Pegram had crossed the Cum
berland River, there was force enough at or
near Somerset to have whipped him out OF
his boots before he had gathered bushel of
corn or pound of bacon. But instead OF
this the crawfish act was put In motion,
other troops fell in on the way, so that when
we passed through Danville there was a
respectable force of infantry and plenty OF
artillery.
The enemy's advance was right at our
| heels as we passed out of the town. They
passed into field on the west side of the
pike and rapidly formed line, with the evil
dent intention of coming for us on a charge.
Col. Wolford with the 1st KY. Cav. was rear
guard: one or two guns with them. We
thought it time to rebuke them for their
rudeness while in the company Of gentle
men. We quickly whacked down our little
dogs feed of canister. By experience we
had tbat ar,cb viz la eo1ire1 bei
stomachs; when they let drive, one dose was
sufficient.
Sometime in the night we arrived at the
high bridge that spans the Kentucky River
on the Lexington pike Preparation was
at once made to receive our cheeky adver-
saries In becoming manner on the morrow,
should they desire TO partake of our hospi-
talities. Artillery in plenty was posted in
among the high hills in an ingenious man
ner, and cunningly hid from view with brush.
When dayl light appeared, looking in the direc-
tion OF the enemy, a thin line of skirmishers
only we saw mile or two out! Now, for
two days we did regular baby work. A
regiment or two of mounted troops, with cur
two howitzers would 20 out and we'd sing
to them the song the spider sang to the fly,
but our song didn't charm them worth q
cent; they evidently had other business.
Casting our eyes in their direction on the
third morning they were gone. Now, in the
next move in the game the infantry were
not in it, and most of the artillery was left
silent on the hills. Only the mounted
troops, together with one section of Par
rotts, Capt. Laws's six-gun battery, and one
howitzer, made up the force that took after
them in hot haste, down to Stamford, thence
out to Crab Orchard, where we ran SO close
as to give them few shots. From there
they went south on the Somerset road, and
we after them. This brought them up stand
ing on buttons Hill.
The hill in question was high ridge rum
ming east and west, was clear of timber, the
north face somewhat Steep with long slope
on the Somerset side. mill pond effectu-
ally protected the enemy's right flank.
There was rough, uneven ground, covered
with tangle of brush and briars, on their
left. When our advance had located them
the artillery pulled out of the column into
the open fields on the right, and we dashed
our horses into run. We ran up on to
low ridge, clear of timber, should judge not
more than 300 or 400 yards from the enemy,
and got to business at once.
Lieut.. Smith directed me to take my place
at one of the limbers 10 cut fuse. This gave
me fine opportunity to see the battle from
start to finish. 1t was truly inspiring to see
the tall and manly figure of Capt. Law, as
graceful as u dancing master in his every
move. Serg't Ben Derstne, of the 18th Ohio
temporarily with rs as instructor, conducted
himself in such manner as to be a credit to
the brave regiment to which he belonged.
/ noticed near me Mt one time Gems. Gill
more and Carriers. they sat astride their
horses, smoking briar pipes, and watching
the progress of the battle with evident salts
faction. The troops dsmounted, moved in
on low ground in front Of rs, formed line,
and moved forward. As they commenced
to ascend the hill we ceased firing and at
once limbered up; and, by the time we were
ready to move, the enemy were on the fly
toward Somerset We at once went up on
the hill. 80,
Now Col Wolford was directed to take his
regiment and 90 TO the rear to hunt up a small
force under Scott, and pound the dust out
of their jackets, which was promptly done
in the usual LIST Ky. style.
Meanwhile our main force remained in
active on the hill, while Pegram with his
main force was making his run for the river,
some eight or 10 miles below Somerset, un-
molested!
AS soon as Wolford returned pursuit was
resumed but when we reached the river,
Pegram's last hoof and wheel were safe
ly over. No attempt was made to cross
and continue the pursuit. If the question
arises, How did l, one of the common SOL
diers in the ranks, come to know that the
enemy were only after plumber, the citizens
told us SO as we passed them while In pur-
suit. / remember one sturdy old farmer
standing at the road in front of his house,
giving vent to his indignation in chunks of
profanity. He boldly stigmatized as a
set of towards, to be held back by small
skirmish-line, while they have skinned the
country."1S. D. POND, Co. c. 45th Ohio,
Gorham, Kan.