The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-02-17
DR.. cANN0N'S STORY
"reminiscences Suggested by
the Reading Of Inside of
RebeldeM."
WITH THE 7th OHIO CAV.
Capt. Rankin Says He Confronted DIR. j. p.
Cannon Several Times.

Capt. Rankin Says He Confronted DR.. J. p.
Cannon Several Times.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: While am
always interested in what veterans have to
say about the war of the rebellion, l am most
interested in reading that Of which | know
most about Among the latter class of nara
tives is that of DR.. j. p. Cannon. i have no
criticism to make, but, on the other hand,
must say that his is free from prejudice and
boastfulness, so common to writers from the
other side of the line.
was with Sherman on the campaign to
Atlanta, Ga, and at Jonesboro and Lovejoy' IS
Station; came back to Nashville, Tenn, by
rail, dismOunted and disarmed, reaching
Nashville Nov. IS.
My Colonel, Israel Garrard, of the 7th Ohio
Cav, was placed in command of two regi-
ments, and started to the front on the morning
Of the 26th. Lieut.. Col. Miner was ordered
to cross the river and take command of dis
mounted cavalry camp at Edgefeld, and
was placed in command of the 7th Ohio Cav,
with orders to mount, equip and move in "a
hours to the front.
In doing so / met the enemy at Duck River
and got into q fight at once with Forests
cavalry Nov. %, and the next day with others
prevented Forrest from turning Schofeld s
left flank as he faced south and getting in his
rear, and so on back to Nashville So l con-
fronted the Doctor again.
On the morning of the 14th of December l
took the regiment across to the south side of
the Cumberland River and put it into position
| in cornfield below Nashville, the right rest
ing on the river, preparatory to going into the
fight on the morning OF the 18th, when Col.
Ben Harrison relieved Col Garrard of the
command of the brigade, and he {Garrard)
relieved me of the regiment, when was placed
in command of the 1st battalion.
We were in Johnson's Division, and there
were but two regiments mounted (the 9Th Iowa
Cav and the 18th Ohio Cav) In front was
Chalmerss Division, which we drove back six
miles the first day and IL miles the second.
On the third days fighting, on the 18th, the
18th Ohio Cav. had the advance. We crossed
the Harpeth River four miles below Franklin
On reaching the town we saw Hoods Unfair
try moving off in three lines we at once
charged them, mounted
This was the first infantry that we had en-
countered in the Nashville fight, but it was
nothing but infantry up to and including the
25th (Christmas); SO again the Doctor and /
were close together at Franklin.
Mr.. Editor, pardon me but don't you
think it would have been but justice to the
little band that Gen. johnson described as
crossing the Harpeth River while it was rising
rapidly when he came to Franklin, that he
was cut off from retreat, yet attacked Hood IS
whole army with his little band-that he
should have told the readers what regiments
they were? As he did not, will name them.
They were the 5th Iowa Cav, the 18th Ohio
Cav, and the 4th U. S. battery, not to exceed
] 200 men all told.
Comrade d. 3. Spencer, of the 7th H. Cav,
is correct when he says: 1--WE had fighting
every day until the 25th but he is off when
he says he met Harrison's Brigade coming
back on Christmas morning Harrison $
Brigade took the advance on our road, the 9Th
Iowa the advance They drove Hoods infan-
try through Pulaski, and charged into them
at the bridge beyond the town, but were re-
pulsed and driven back, leaving First Ser
geant killed at the mouth Of the bridge.
The enemy set fire to the bridge on both