The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1897-05-07
Chickamauea Foretold.

eW people are aware tnat IN the
early part of 1861 the sanguinary bat
tie of Chickamauga, fought in Sep
tember. 1868, was foretold and the
scene of the conflicts of Missionary
Ridge and Lookout Mountain We're
pointed out by distinguished Confed-
crate officer who did not live to see his
prophecy fulfilled, says the New York
Tribune. The circumstances We're re-
lated the other evening by Major VIM.
Crocker DuNbury, who in the first two
years of the war was an officer on Gen
Longstreet's staff. and was afterward
transferred to the West as chief of ar
tillery on the staff Of Gems. Joseph E.
Johnston and John B. Hood. The facts
connected with this interesting state
ment We're recently given TO Major
Duxbury by his brother Confederate.
t Gen. Frank C. Armstrong. who was
one of the most gallant cavalry leaders
on the Southern side. The Major. in
telling the story. sad In the early
part of the struggle Gen. Armstrong.
who had resigned from the United
States army as captain of the Second
Dragons, went South and joined his
fortune with the new Confederacy.
Upon his arrival at Richmond he was
assigned to duty upon the staff of
Gen. Ben. Mccullough, who 1aterOn was
assigned to duty in Arkansas. and in
his first campaign he was killed at Pea
Ridge. En- route to assume command
they failed to make railway connection
at Chattanooga, Tenn. which delayed
them some twenty-four holirs. and
while awaiting the departure of the
next train Mccullough suggested that
they procure horses and ride to the top
of Lookout Mountain. While on top
of the mountain. which oyerlooks Chat
tanooga and the country round it for
miles. Mccullough remarked to Arm
strong: From where we now stand on
this beautiful morning we can look into
five States: at the foot of us we can see
the Tennessee River and | think that
our people in power at Richmond are
absolutely wrong as regards the plan
of campaign as has been laid out in
this section. For instance. we will take
the position of Albert Sidney Johnson,
who is now at Bowling Green, Ky,
with his army. His position there. to
my mind. is untenable. especially with
the large number of soldiers increasing
daily controlled by the United States
in their service. He cannot hold his po-
sition, and it is only a question of time
before he will be compelled to fall back
to the Tennessee River as his line of
operations. With the troops at our dis
poSal we cannot successfully hold the
large section of country which is eX-
Dected of us. and the idea that our gov
ernment proposes to maintain control
of the Mississippi River is preposterous.
as we have not the men, boats or even
heavy artillery TO do it. Besides that.
| the West will not permit of its being
| obstructed. Concentration is every
| thing. Had we the men and material
| it would be different. l now want to
make you u prophecy. though may not
be alive to see it fulfilled. predict that
down this valley. where l now point
my finger will be fought Il battle of
such magnitude that the same will de-
! eide in q great measure the success of
the Southern Confederacy.' We all
know that within two years the battle
| of Chickamauga was fought upon the
very ground indicated by Gen McCul.
Tough, and while the South did obtain
some successes at that battle the bene.
fits of the conflict We're not availed of
by the commanding general on the
Southern side, and later on Gen. Grant
fought the battle of Lookout Mountain
and of Missionary Ridge, compelling
our people to retreat further south
This victory enabled Gen. Sherman
with his fully equipped army. to follow
up the successes already gained by the
Federal troops, which terminated il
his march from Atlanta to the sea. This
prophecy is indeed wonderful, as Gen
Mccullough was only known to the
world outside of the South as the com
mander OF regiment of Texas ranger:
in the Mexican war; but those who die
know him found in him a highly edu
Gated man. a true gentleman and gal
liant soldier Gen Frank Armstrong i:
still alive and resides in Washington
D. c."
a PleasantOn Anec iote.