The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-10-08

HAND-TO-HAND ENCOUNTER
less than two miles of Hoods pickets.
A few miles above Butler Creek is
another ford.
"No sooner had Coon moved out to-
ward Butler Greek than Gen. Forrest,
who, from the frequency of our recon
noissanees, was anticipating this move,
moved up on our rear, cutting us off
from Cowpen Ford. Forrest had also
sent Gen. Buford's Division of mounted
infantry to the ford above Butler Creek.
HOur position at this crisis was any
thing but favorable. Shoal Creek, fear
fully swollen by the copious rains of the
past few days, separated us from the
balance of the division; our front and
rear vas beset by
VASTLY SUPERIOR NUMBERS,
while a little distance to our left lay the
powerful army of Gen. Hood. We were
completely in the trap set for us by Gen.
Forrest"
Fortunately for US, however, We still
commanded by-path that led to the
old ford, where Mai. Horton crossed the
day before. and he (Horton), J, who was
in command of the I'd Iowa. took in
the situation at once, and ordered the
pack-train and membranes across this
old disused ford; in the meantime hay-
ing thrown most of the I'd Iowa to the
front, dismounted, TO hold Buford in
check.
Col. Coon was with the balance of the
brigade, who had been furiously at
tackled in the rear by Gen. Forrest.
Coon approved of Horizons promptness
in taking advantage of the old ford
without first receiving orders for so doing
from his superior officer.
Col Coon now fell slowly back,
choosing wellsheltered positions, from
which places yolley after volley was
sent against the advancing foe from
our trusty seven-shooting carbines, thus
checking them and keeping them at a
sufficient distance to allow US to fall
still farther back, and then going
through the same tactics. In this man.
ner We got safely over to the northeast
side Of Shoal Creek with but slight
lox, with the exception of one battalion
OF the 9Th ILL.,, Capt. Mack command,
ing. he was cut off from the ford, and
was compelled to break out in another
direction. So well did he manuyer,
however, that he frustrated all attempts
to capture his little command, and later
ON Joined the brigade, with his men and
horses pretty well tired out
1t was now evident that Gen. HOOD
was about TO start Oh his forward marci
to Nashville with his entire army, cen
sisting Of $4,000 infantry, nearly l0t
pieces OF artillery, and $4,000 cayalr,
commanded by MAJ j.-Gen. Forrest
Gen. Hatch had confronted this vas
force for two weeks with but 5000 cav
airy, 40 miles from infantry support
through an almost continual rainstorm
keeping himself well-informed Of th
movements Of the enemy, which b
promptly reported TO Gen. Thomas.
Gen. Hood set bis army in motto
Nov. 20, Forrest with his mounte
$4,000 cavalry intending to gobble u
Hatch's Division right there and ther
by sending out large fanking partie
and furious charge on Hatch's center
Gen. Rucker telling Hatch as much aftel
ward while his prisoner in our lice
Hatch defeated that scheme by quietl
slipping out Of bis
NOW DANGEROUS POSITION.
Hatch relreated to Lawrenceburg.
Here be successfully held the enem
in check for some time, in order to allo
the infantry at Pulaski more time