The National tribune., 1895-03-07
In Comrade Edmiston's Account OF the
Philadelphia Fight.

PhIladcipliia right.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In the
issue of Feb. appears an article by d. w.
Edmiston on the Philadelphia, East Tennes-
see fight, Oct 90, 1868. He does an injustice
to our brigade commander, Col Wolford, of
the LIST Ky. Cav, and the troops under his
command. The brig de at that time was
composed of the 1si, 10th and 18th Ky. Cav,
the 10th III. and 45th Ohio MID Inf, with
Capt. Laws 4-gun howiizer battery.
At the time of the fight the 10th III. and
the 11th KY. were detached on some duty,
leaving only three regiments and Laws Bat
terry on the field. There was flag of truce
sent into the rebel lines at Sweet Water that
morning, one man being detailed from opy
company by the name OF George w. Stap-
ford to act as escort, and upon reaching
Sweet Water they met the enemy marching
out TO attack us, and instead of respecting
the truce they sent it into Sweet Water and
advanced with their forces to the attack,
and we, knowing the rules during truce
were taking things easy until about !
o'clock, when the enemy began firing on our
pickets on the Sweet Water road, and the
command was formed facing that direction,
which position we did not retain long, as
the enemy began to close up on our TANKS,
aud we had TO fall back from our first posi-
ton to near the railroad, where some sharp
fighting took place and where the Major Of
the 10th KY. was killed.
At this time, seeing the enemy closing in
on US from all sides in greatly superior num-
beers, and knowing that our only salvation
lay in cutting our way out Col. Wolford,
taking his bridlerein in one hand and re-
volver in the other, called on us to follow
him, and started for the enemy's line, coming
onto them so UNEXPECTEDLY that we threw
them into confusion, and by that means
made our escape.
Edmiston's statement is the first that l
ever heard that the infantry took any part
whatever in that fight, tor we were told by
some Illinois troops stationed at L0udUn,
that the enemy, In surrounding us, had driven
in their pickets, and as they could hear US
fighting the Colonies of some of the regi-
ments had asked to take these regiments
and come to our assistance, but that Gen.
White refused. Edmiston also states that
Col Adams was ordered to charge the enemy
in his front; that with the approach of the
infantry and the cavalry charge the eDemy's
line was broken and repulsed and sent pell-
neil southwark, with Wolfords men in pur-
suit. well toward Sweet Water.
Then, again, he says that Wolford ignored
the order TO tall back on the 24th Ind. bat
terry and retreated his forces by a route west
of the railroad known as the River Road,
and arrived at London with his trains and
forces late at night. We did cross the rail-
road when we cut our way through and ar
rived at Loudon nj early dusk on the Goth.
Now, if the writer of that article will only
put on his thinking-cap for a short time, he
will see that he is confused in regITd to the
dates of the infantry and Oath Ind. battery
participating. In couple of days after the
fight on the Doth there was force sent
down 10 Philadelphia that had considerable
of skirmish there, and routed the enemy
and sent them whrling toward Sweet Water,
and at which Co. b of the 45th had a
splendid officer killed, Jones by name. In
our fight on the Goth command lost
heavily.-WM. II. COOK, Corporal, Co. K,
45th Ohio, Pitchin, o.