The National tribune., 1895-09-12
WILLIAM SIMMONS, Philadelphia, Pa
STON E M A N RAID.
Narrative of Participant i'm that MemoI
able Dash in Dixie.

Narrative of Participant in that Memoir
able Dash in Dixie.
| CONTINUED from, last ,reek.l
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Ny &C.
count of the Stoneman raid is compiled from
! the notes of the author and Of officers and
men who participated, written Immediately
| after the occurrence from memoranda
kept by them. The records have been SC
carefully sifted by comparison with each
other aud with official reports as to warrant
| the statement that it is correct in every par
| ticular.
On Wednesday, July %, 1854, everything
was completed for the raid in the enemy's
rear. 1t was understood to be desperate
ventura sort of forlorn hope The sew
eral commands were slted of every man
and horse that las the order was worded
could not 20 through fire and water Stone.
mans Division of Cavalry, 200 effective
men-was made upOf three small brigades
The First-Col. Capron's-14th Ill. Cav,
Lieui-Col. ID. p. Jenkins; 9Th Mich. Cav, and
au Ohio squadron of 300. Second-Col.
Adams's Kentucky Brigade-1St and 11th
Ky. Cav. Third-Col. Buffers Indiana Bril-
gade-5th and 9Th Ind. Cav, and one section
| of the oath Ind. battery. They marched early,
and passed through Decatur at daylight
| The Federal batteries along the line were at
work to aid the cavalry to pass through the
enemy's lines. They went around the city
of Atlanta on the north and east, and struck
eastward. They halted next morning at
Above River, after the nights march of IS
miles.
On the morning Of July % they resumed
the march southeast, crossed Yellow River,
gathered up large numbers of horses and
mules, and contrabands to lead them, passed
through Monticello, and halted in the even
ing TO make reconnaissance, having marched
30 miles. In Is minutes were ordered for
ward, supperless and dinnerless.
On July % the party bivouacked one hour
without feeding or breakfasting. We passed
through the town OF Hillsboro where we de-
stroyed large amount of rebel property.
At Clinton Maj. Davidson, with 1st battalion
of the l4th III. Cav, and Co. II of same regi-
ment, was detailed and sent in direction of
Milledgeville, Capital of Georgia, to make
feint on that place, and then turn suddenly
toward Gordon to destroy the railroad and
other military property. The operation of
this command forms an interesting separate
detail.
The main command now continued on
through Clinton and marched till midnight,
having marched since morning 80 miles.
Our march at night was much retarded by
frequent attacks by parties of the enemy
sent out to harass US.
When within four miles of Macon we met
the enemy in force, and had severe engage
ment, which lasted several hours and result
ed in the retreat of the enemy into the town
without awaiting the cooperation of Nc
Cooks Division, which was expected to have
Joined us ere this, we took possession of all
the roads that led into Macon from the north,
planted our two guns on the bank of the
river, and shelled the city. Detachments
were sent out which destroyed much rail-
road and other military property of great
value.
We continued the assault on the city,
capturing many prisoners. N0twithstand-
ing heavy rein forcements had reached the
enemy we would have soon had possession
but for information that Wheeler, with q
force of cavalry and mounted infantry, 10000
strong, was marching down on our rear TO
cut of retreat, and that he had met and
routed Gen. McCo0k's Division.
No other course was left but to retreat.
We fell back, choosing a favorable position,
and awaited an attack, but no enemy APP
pearing we moved cautiously forward, reach
ed Clinton about dark and there released
of our men who had been captured
on our downward march. Days march, 80 |
miles.
At night we continued our march, con-
stantly harassed by attacks Of detachments |
of the enemy. At early dawn, July 81, we |
came upon the advance of Wheeler's force, |
which we pushed back to his main line. We |
charged the enemy vigorously, capturing |
one Of the works, and killing, wounding, |
and capturing number.
Wheeler's lorco was formed crescent shaped, |
with strong log-and-rail defenses in the |
center on the road, and reaching out on either
flank for a long distance. His batteries were
In position in the center of the road. The
nature of the ground was to preclude the
possibility OF a mounted attack on his strong
works.
As usual, our horses were sent to the rear.
while three fourths of the command formed
on foot to charge with short-range carbines
and revolvers against force more than five
times our number, protected by breast
works, and many of them armed with long
range rifle and bayonets, and with artillery
more than five times that of ours, which
was only two guns. These were stationed in
the center of the road. The enemy's over
force permitted him TO have a
heavy reserve to throw into any breech that
We might make.
No sooner had our first charge succeeded
in making partial opening than the gap
was filled by heavy reinforcements, and
though we were neryed by the energy of
dispair, produced by the overwhelming
horrors of Andersonville. so near by, we were
overpowered and compelled to fall back.
Preparations were now made on both sides
for desperate engagement. Had the situa-
ton permitted a mounted charge and Tree