The National tribune., 1895-09-19
STONEM AN RAID.
Narrative of Participant In that Memoir
able Dash I'm Dixie.
fConfinued from last tceck.l

Narrative of a Participant in that Memoir
able Dash I'm Dixie.
roontinued from last ,ceckl
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: These de
lays suited Wheeler, but were not to our in
terest, and they lasted only long enough Il
plan some new movement. The hours flew
rapidly by.
At length the advance of the Macon force
attacked our horses in the rear. The guards
succeeded in beating back the first assault
but it was evident that this defense coulG
not continue longer than until the body O
the Macon force appeared. Our line at this
time was engaged in a simultaneous attack
| into which our men had thrown the most
superhuman effort. The enemy's lines gave
way for a moment, and victory seemed almost
| within our reach, but word came that oul
horses in the rear were attacked, and hasty
retreat was ordered. The rumor flew along
our lines that Stoneman had surrendered.
The men and officers of Capron's Brigade
determined to have no Andersonville in
theirs, flew to their horses, followed closely
by the enemy. Some were killed in the act
Of mounting. Led by their officers, Col.
CaprOn and Lieut.-Col. jenkins, Maj. Quigg
and the company commanders, they charged
furiousy upon the rebel lett flank. Hills
and timber, usually considered an impedi-
ment to mounted charge, were no hindTance
to this rushing mass of desperate men, each
feeling that he is a host in himself With
fury they fell upon the rebel line. 1t gave
way under their fierce saber attack, and
they charged through the broken line with
triumphant shouts.
Northward we struck our course, and
little grass grew under our horses feet.
Col. Capron, in an account of this charge,
spoke in the highest terms Of praise of all
his officers and men. Each at the head of
his command led and inspired his men with
heroism.
Once clear of the rebel lines, we dashed
forward at speed that distanced the pur-
suit of WheeleT's main force, though fol-
lowed by attachments. About p. m,
while passing through a narrow lane. we
were fercely assailed by strong force that
had pursued US. This was situation to
breed a panic, but Maj Quigg, taking with
him Capts. Mayo and Sanford, together with
the best armed and most reso,ute men and
officers, threw himself in the rear, and by
superhuman courage and effort succeeded in
checking the enemy until the point was
safely passed by the column.
The rebels continued to harass us until
dark. We now travelled a northeasterly route
passing through Columbus, and making our
first halt Aug. ], in the evening, between
Madison and Yellow River, having marched
since the battle of Sunshine Church full 60
miles.
Here we fell in with Col. Adams and his
brigade, who had cut through the weakened
rebel lines at another point leaving Gen.
Stoneman to deliver up to Wheeler a part of
Buffers Indiana Brigade. If this was a
ruse of Gen. Stonemans to permit most of
his command to escape.-and we confess it
looks somewhat like tit was certainly one
of the most noble and selfsacrifcing deeds
recorded.
Capron and Adams now differed as to
which had seniority of rank and right to
command the division. They finally agreed
to disagree, and each went his own way.
Col. Adams demonstrated his superiority in
one respect at least-tbat of being the
superior woodsmsn. as he finally escaped
with his whole brigade. Capron was not SO
successful. Unacquainted with the country,
he employed guides, who proving false, led
him on wrong roads until again far back to-
wards Macon. Meantime, unknown to him,
he was followed by large command under
the rebel Gen. Iveson.
We reached Yellow River just after sum
rise Tuesday, Aug. 2, and halted near the
little town of Woodkinsville, having marched
20 miles. Here we halted some time to de- |
eide upon the best route.
About a p. m. we moved in the direction |
of Hog Mountain, marched until dark, then |
halted to feed and get supper. We resumed |
our march until o'clock a. m, Aug. 3, when, |
deeming his command out of danger, Col |
Capron ordered his brigade TO halt in lane, |
tie their horses, and lie down for some rest. |
That night our slumber was sound and |
sweet, but oh! what an awakening! The |
OF the rebel Gen. Ivesen, after
having killed and captured our drOwsy
picket, dashed with fury through the lane,
many of our men as they slept.
Those who were not killed were so suddenly
aroused and confused that they had no more
time than was needed to spring from their
beds and avoid the misunderstanding column
Of the enemy. Singly and in small squads
they escaped in and through c0rniields,
hunted down with inhuman barbarity by
rebel soldiers, guerrilas, citizens, and blood
hounds. Many were captured. Many Of
these were killed on the spot because they
had dared to escape from their captors.
Many Of them were still more numerically
treated by being sent TO dread Anderson
vile.
From this time our record of the regiment
and brigade necessarily ceases until weeks
alterward, when the remnant was gathered
1T Marietta, Ga, having been coming into
lamp in small struggling parties and singly,
All dismounted, and most of them without
arms Foo;sore and nearly starved they
made their way through the rebel country
and the rebel lines; even the Colonel and
Colonel came in on foot, bare
headed and virtually barefooted, shorn of
much of their command and for the time all
Of their dignity.
What sad ending to so noble an under
;aking. We went out to release our noble
comrades from prison he.ls Perhaps one
half of our command returned In the most
pitiable plight. The remainder were killed
outright or themselves made victims to the
most vicious cruelty that men or devils
Gould invent. One squad only of our men
escaped, mounted, and they were out on
cout duty, and took Q circuitous route of
several hundred miles.
ITO be continued)
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FOR np AUr ynDrrno Ii