The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-10-14
a DISASTROUS DHY.
Cavalryman Depicts Shifting Scenes Mt Sabine
Crossroads.

Cavalryman Depicts Shifting Scenes at Sabine
Crossroads.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: / was
much pleased with Comrade o. d. Moor
heads story Of Sabine Crossroads. Many
interesting incidents of battles are omitted
in history. The man in the ranks sees things
differently from the general historian or the
high officer.
belonged to Co Fl, ID ILL., Cav. We had
skirmishes with the enemy nearly every
day through the entire expedition. The
diary of Capt. Moses Kelly, Co. /, showed
we had been under fire As times in 30 days.
On April 8, 1864, our regiment steadily drove
the rebel skirmish-lines back until about
noon, when we were relieved by that dash
ing regiment, the 9th Mo. Cav, and the driv-
ing process continued We had not gone
far before we saw 9th Mo. Cav. man lying
dead beside the road. A noble-looking Ger
man Lieutenant was standing over him, the
tears coursing down his cheeks. With re-
vengeful gestures he faced us as we passed,
and said: "2d III. Cav. don't take rebel
prisoner; shoot them down on the spot.
See, boys of the old I'd, they have killed
Sergt -; he was nv best friend" We
passed on in silence and sympathy.
About p m. the rebel skirmishers were
driven back upon the main body of the
enemy, already i'll line -of-battle in the form
of the letter Y, with the open end toward
us. Our infantry was hurried forward, and
the battle soon commenced. The cavalry
formed In line across open fields on the east |;
behind MS was heavy strip of woods The
Cd III. Cav. occupied the extreme right
The battle ragged for some time, when
small squads Of infantry came running back
across the field near our regiment. Col. =.
F. Marsh rode to them, ordering them bac!,
to fight. followed the Colonel's example,
riding to other fleeing soldiers, and with the
authority Of Brigadier-General ordered
them back. They said
We are already whipped there are three
rebels to one of us y
The retreat became general The rebel
bullets were beginning to whistle through
our ranks. Oar heroic Colonel, with drawn
sword gliSteniDg in the sun, called out in
ringing tones:
continued to remember the old flag long
time, till our company lost one-third of our
men and two-thirds of our horses killed and
wounded. Our cavalry left a line of dead
horses across that field from one end to the
other
The Thirteenth Corps had gone by us, and
we, too, were ordered to retreat. We soon
passed an old log. cabin on the north side of
the road. The door was off on the east side
l dismounted, lediiny horse inside and fred
several shots through the holes in the house
at the enemy. Fora minute or so the bull
lets whistled past the corners rs thick as
hail. For a time | considered it fatal to have
dropped out. | was now, to the best Of my
knowledge and belief, the farthe8t in the rear
of our retreating forces. But no. l looked
about 40 yards TO the west. | saw a bat
terry; great flames of fire leaping from the
throats of roaring cannon; brave men load
ing and firing, pouring those deadly missiles
OF grape and canister and sho. and she'll into
the ranks of the enemy.
II was fine sight to see those few men
stand and battle against an overwhelming,
enemy. Our line of cavalry, and
that battery, prevented the Con-
federates from rushing onto the Thirteenth
Corps and capturing every one. Talk of
medals of honor! There are none more
worthy to receive them than the survivors
of that battery.
/ led my horse outside mounted, and gave
him the rein. / soon caught up with man
and hoy about Ia years old. The man was
suddenly shot, and staggered forward three
or four steps and fell, face down. / stopped |
a moment to see if | could give him aid.
1t seemed hopeless. / spoke to the boy, bu.
received no reply. | galoped on, and took |
my place in the rear of my regiment.
A moment later Jack Pace, the man in |
my immediate front, was shot in the shou-
Ter. | said: Jack, get to the front; you
can do no more good here" These words |
had only passed my lips when Gabe Jones,
riding on my left side, was wounded. l |
made the same remark TO him. / think |
these wore the last two men wounded in
that engagement, as the firing had about
ceased.
Our retreat continued nearly all night
About p. H., being entirely out of danger,
we received orders 10 pass by the infantry
10 the front. We had to march sirgle-tile
On the south side OF the road crowding the
infantry to the north. After awhile they
nade an opening so we could cross to the
north side. At this point soms Of the COM
rades used some profane and uncomplimsnt-
Try epithets in regard to the cavalry This
fact, | suppose was what led contributor,
several years ago, to say that the cavalry be-
came demoralzed and panic-stricken, and
'tampeded through the ranks of the in
antry.-A. d. TYSON, Sergeant, Co. Ii, I'd |
III. Cav, Syracuse, Kan.