The National tribune., 1898-12-08
4 HARD RIDE.
Artillerymcn Rush Through Dangerous
Country on Urgent Mission.

ArtilIerymcn Rush Through Dangerous
Country on Urgent Mission.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Permit me
to tell of ride during the civil war made
by Frederick w. Fout, First Lieutenant, 18th
Ind. battery, and myself, then appointed a
Cadet to the West Point Academy.
The 18th Ind. battery as an organization
had no superior and few equals. 1t was there
fore kept in the field during the whole war.
At Knoxville, when Burnsde's army moved
after Longstreet, Benjamin and Edwards
Regular battery was ordered to turn horses
anu harness over to the 18th battery. In
order ~ keep the field. the Regulars remained
in Fort S>aders, at Pulaski, Tenn. The I'D
Ind. battery was obliged to transfer its horses
to the 18th and at Columbia, Tenn, on Nov.
81, 1864, the Odd Ind had to turn over their
harness to the 18th Ind battery. The 22d
and Odd were sent North by rail; the 18th
kept the field.
In East Tennessee the artillery service was
unusually hard. But for a six-gun battery
to manuver with the cavalry was much hard
err We had travelled mp and down the valley,
with Col. Byrd as brigade commander. The
brigade was composed of the 112th Ill. M'td
Inf sth Mich Cav, 45th Ohio M't'd Inf,
II.
To keep the battery up with Col. Byrd was
almost impossible. Burnside therefore order
ed that an extra team be attached to each
gun and caisson, making eight horses to a
carriage. but he had no harness nor horses to
secure this Lieut.. +. w. Fout received an
order to proceed at once to Cincinnati with
reauisition for the extra harness and horses.
At the same time, about Oct. 81, 1863, an
order came from Washington. ID. C., for my
discharge and an appointment as Cadet to the
West Point Military Academy. We started
in the early morning from Loudon for Knox
VILE distance of about 80 miles; had break
fast at Knoxville, and again started for Cum
berland Gap by way of Clinch Mountain.
About noon we reached videt post at
farmhouse; the farmer being loyal. he used
the videts for his personal protection. We
had some trouble before he would furnish Us
our dinner and feed for the horses, but finally
lie served both, and we paid him well for it.
We now rode on until about p. M, when
within a mile of Clinch River Ford man
on horseback, evidently somewhat scared,
met us. He inquired of us if we were not
afraid of the enemy, who had just passed the
other side of the river and marched in the
same direction that we were going. After
many questions Lieut.. Fout said:
OeOlSe, leu us iOilOW tHcIH. w Ucil
we reached the ford, a German shoemaker,
who lived on the bank came towads US. He
was greatly excited, and mOtioned us not to
come. We, however, advanced. Lieut.. Fout
asked him many questions. The shoemaker
pointed to the clouds of dust still visible
over the tops of the trees, indicating the
marching column of the enemy
| would have vetoed a forward movement,
but, being Cadet, did not want to show any
fear Lieut.. Fout said:
We will follow them; perhaps they will
turn on the River road, and we will go to
Taswell.n The shoemaker was the most
astonished and | the most scared at this
plunge of two of US against battalion of the
enemy.
We entered the river, which was about two
feet deep. On reaching the upside crossing
Lieut.. Fout gave me one of his revOlvers and
he drew his sabrr, and we followed the
enemy. Fout instructed me that when we
came upon the enemy to commence shooting,
and he would give the command to charge,
and make the enemy believe that we were
leading a large force Thus, in gallop, we
followed; but, happily, at the parting of the
roads, the enemy had taken the River road
and we turned toward Taswell.
After advancing about mile we discovered
our yIdetS, and they c0mmeSced nrlnS at Us.
We dismounted and advanced. The Ser
geant and his men would not believe that
we were Union troopers until we showed our
papers.
Three miles farther we came on column
of our cavalry. The officer in command was
informed of the march of the enemy, and he
directed movements that brought in the most
of the enemy's troops that night as prisoners
to Taswell.
We endeavored to secure quarters to remain
over night in Taswell, but did not succeed,
and therefore moved ON to Cumberland Gap
Within mile or SO of the Gap we found
quarters in farmhouse having gone that
day about SO or 90 miles. Two days more
riding brought US to Nicholsvile Here
Lieut. FOut and I parted and / have not
seen him since, but am informed that he
lives in st. Louis, Mo.-GEORGE COLLINS,
18th Ind. battery; Co. B, 25th N. Y. Cav;
Battery /, 1st Pa. Art, and Add Pa, Bishop,
Cal.