The National tribune., 1895-05-30
GARRARD,S CAVALRY.
wilder's lightning Brigade at Stone Mount
AMIN the Tolls at Flat Rock.

AMIN the Tolls at Flat Rock.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Col
Minty, Brevet Maior-General, in an article
in The NATIONAL TRIBUNE of May 81
1894, in describing cavalry operations on
Shermans Atlanta campaign, on the kene-
saw lines. saws: We have seen how faith
fully this duty was performed, and how
successfully, at times against overwhelming
odds of over six to one. Minty, on whom
the burden of the fighting fell, executed
the trust" etc. In the same issue of MAY
81: "0n the 18th July, 1864, / moved
down the railroad, augusta Railroad, and
after a sharp skirmish gained possession OF
Decatur and then DESTROYED the railroad as
far as Stone Mountain, and thoroughly scout
ed the country for over 10 miles in every di-
rection, making it decidedly unhealthy for
the rowing scouting parties OF the enemy"
That he did not tear up any railroad al
Stone Mountain on that date / am certain.
The history of the 18th Ind. says: July
10, 1864, moved toward Stone Mountain,
and met the enemy at the railroad within
about o mile of the town. One brigade
(Wilder's) dismeunted and drove him out of
the town in hurry. We found some
stores, which were appropriated. The rebel
force was said TO be Dibreli's Mounted In
fsntry Brigade, and they fought well on
foot. Moved back through Stone Mountain
at dusk to last nights camp"
But Garrard's Division, including Will
der's Brigade, had been tearing up this same
railroad the previous day, and you will find
in the history of the Fifteenth Corps, in
the issue of April 20, 1893:
At O'Clock on the morning of the 18th
July, 1864, the corps moved on the Decatur
road to the intersection of the Stone Mount
ain and Lawrenceville and Decatur roads,
where Gen. Logan was directed to hold his
command in readiness to assist Gen. Garrard
il be should require il in his efforts TO break
the Decatur Railroad. Subsequently Gen.
Logan was ordered TO move with part of his
command directly 70 the railroad if possible
and break it that day.
"A portion OF the Second Division was
accordingly moved forward and struck the
railroad near Stone Mountain, and effectual-
ly destroyed it for considerable distance.
The corps was then moved TO the vicinity
of Henderson's Mill. On the morning of
July 10 the corps moved in light fighting
order in tbs direction of Decatur, under
orders TO strike the railroad at the nearest
point en- route, and tear up the track, burn
the ties, and make the destruction complete.
At Decatur six miles east Of Atlanta, the
corps struck the railroad, which they COM
plefely destroyed, and at night biyouacked
on the north side of Decatur"
in addition to this history, Comrade
0'Beary, in issue Of June Il last, states that
Swayne's Brigade Hsscalls Division. TWEEN
ty-thiTd Corps, took possession Of Decatur
at noon on July 10 (same day., after the
18th Ohio battery had shelled barricade in
the road, when Swayne's Brigade advanced
in line-ofbattle behind its skirmish-line,
which had been firing, TO the town.
The Twenty-third Corps must have been
Cd Logans right. Loganls Corps were tear
ing up the railroad between Decatur and
Stone Mountain. on the Decatur end, and
Wilderis Brigade were fighting at Stone
Mountain. So you see that Col. Minty
could not have destroyed the railroad from
Decatur to Stone Mountain on the date he
claims; and, notwithstanding the destruc-
ton by Logan's Corps and Garrard's Di-
vision, there was still some railroad on the
nine miles between Decatur and Stone
Mountain to destroy as late as Aug. "a,
when we gave ii q finishing touch.
If you look at Gen. Towards maps of the
battle of Atlanta and vicinity of Atlanta in
Feb. 2s and March 81, you will find il diff
cult TO see how Col. Minty could :" scout the
country for over 10 miles in every direction
without scouting through the rebel army, for
he was not at Stone Mountain; that will
swear
j believe that Gen. Garrard had Col.
Mintys Brigade on the railroad on Logan's
left, probably three miles east Of Decatur
next came Col. Longs Brigade on the left,
and then Wider's, covering the nine miles
from Decatur 10 Stone Mountain. Minty
l. Il.
left flank in the Atlanta campaign, but
Gen. Garrard commanded the cavalry As
Col. Minty claims the Stone Mountain fight
in article of April 4, he was probably in our
rear la support.
Gen. Sherman greatly deplored the absence
Of Garrard's Division on July 20, 1864, but
he had sent them off TO Coyington on a
raid which lasted from July 81 TO "a, being
very successful in the destruction Of stores,
mills, and railroad bridges especially Grip
pling the Augusta Railroad partly for 80
miles. The success of this raid determined
StOneIRan TO make big raid toward Macon,
taking his cue from Col. Miller, of the
Wilder Brigade.
For while Col. Minty states that he de-
sired TO dismount his brigade at Covington.
and go to Augusta TO destroy the powder
mills there, and was refused permission by
Gen. Garard. ii is equally fact that Col.
Miller proposed TO take the Wilder Brigade,
mounted, pass around the right Of the rebel
army las they did once before, when they
went completely around it,, and push for
Andersonville, release the prisoners there
arm them from rebel captures, and act as
circumstances dictated.
But Gen. Sherman said emphatically that
he could not spare Wilder's Brigade at the
time. However, he let StOneman 20 on his
raid, and 10 cover the movement Garrard's
Division moved July u, 1864, TO Flat Rock,
10 the southeast Of Atlanta. thus threaten
ing the enemys rear The consequence was
that we were attacked in the night. and
Gen. Gerard had the division throw up
temporary rail breastwOrks when available.
he having disposed the division in defensive
position before night.
Now here is what Col. Minty says in the
issue of May 81, 1894: "The morning Of the
25th disclosed the fact that the command
was completely surrounded by two divisions
and three additional brigades-nine in all
Of cavalry, A heavy attack was made on the
position Of the 9TH Pa. near the shoals, W hich