The National tribune., 1897-12-02
THE CAPTURE OF GO. G.
DR.. Cannon's Story May Result in
Justice to a Brave Man.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: DR.. j. p.
Cannon, in the issue of Oct. 81, uncovered
hitherto mysterious points concerning the
capture of Co. q, 9th Ohio Cav. White
Horse, at Peters's Plantation, near Cheat
hams Ferry, below Florence, On the night of
April II, 1864.
part of the 9Th Ohio were at this time
stationed at Athens, Ala. under Col ". ID.
Hamilton, of GAINESVILLE. / am not sure of
more than the I'd battalion being there at this
tme-Cos. T. +, G. and II. Our duties were
to watch the ferries and fords of the Tennes-
see from Decatur to Florence and below, and
prevent the enemy penetrating to the north
side for forage and supplies.
We made frequent expeditions to Florence,
and often found traces of the enemy at Rogers
vile and Center Star. On this particular oc-
casion, | think on April 8, we left Athens in
the forenoon and crossed Elk River before
night. We left one company near Rogers
Vile
From this point we were gradually dis
tIibuted along the river. My company Cd
being several miles east of Florence, and Co.
G being sent to the westward several miles,
took quarters upon PeteTs's Plantation, a
few miles back from the river.
Everything was quiet along the river
until the afternoon of the 18th, when a
courier from Florence came rushing into our
camp saying Forests command or at least a
part OF 1T, was upon our side Of the river; had
captured Co. 6 entire, and driven the balance
OF the Union troops into Florence, where they
were intrenchng. We must get there as
soon as possible to help hold the place
Wewere off in few minutes, and when we
reached the town it had been ascertained that
only small force Of the enemy had taken
in Co. G. and Capt J. \. IIetzler was openly
denounced for his surrender and for not post
ing guard on the river side of the pIanta-
ton, from which direction ii was most reason
able to suppose an enemy might approach
Unfortunately, question Of his loyalty was
raised, from which he suffered
Whether the Captain was ever successful
in clearing himself / am not able to state. but
it seems to me that now, in view Of the
statements made in DR.. Cannon's diary, and
assuming they are facts, Capt Hetzler ought
to be allowed at least to be exonerated and
take his place i'll the ranks Of the Grand Army.
The Doctor frankly admits that parts Of
two regiments OF Confederates crossed the
Tennessee that night-Col. Jackson with part
OF the 9th Ala. and Col Ives with part of
the 35th Ala. that, by aid Of a negro guide,
wide detour was made through fields and
byways, and the little company of 10 men
were bounced upon in the dead of night, and
from direction i'll which they least expected
foe, and by disparity of numbers at or
about four to one
Could anyone familiar with all these cir
cumstances doubt the result? The only
other thing they could have done besides
surrender was to put up fight that could
last only few minutes, then scatter, each
man for himself and this would probably
have resulted in two-thirds of their number
being killed and wounded and balance capt
ured
Boys, let us look upon this incident in the
light OF facts as we have them now, not as we
understood them then. 1t was always mat
ter of conjecture as to how the Coniedcrates
managed TO cross over and back that dark
night, with Hutchins Island almost directly
between shores. But the existence of the old
fat-bottomed scow the Doctor speaks of COM
pletely explains it. For several days after
the event the Johnnies amused themselves by
riding up and down the opposite bank Of the
Tennessee astride those fine white horses in
plain sight OF us fellows, and just ont of rifle
range.
There must certainly be some few of those
40 men who were taken prisoners that night,
and afterwards marched to Tuscaloosa under
guard. Their narrative of experience from
the beginning to the end of this affair would
lie interesting reading to the balance of the
battalion.-E. J. VENT, Co. III, 9th Ohio
Cav, Little Falls, n. Y.