The National tribune., 1899-03-30
THE LIEe0LNITE.
Seadfast Loyalty of East Tennesseeans Under Terrible
Rebel Prosecutions


an Orderly from Gen. Motifs Headquarter:
handed me telegram. 1t was from Gen
Burnside 1t directed me to report to him
at the Burnett House, in Cincinnati, and t.
start on the first train. told the Major tt
return the troops to their quarters; that
! had special matter to look after. gal
lopcd TO my Headquarters, informed my
wife, and instructed her to say nothing.
1t was then nearly train time. On arriving
at Cincinnati / took a cab for the Burnett
House. On entering Gen. Burnside's room,
1 introduced myself, and apologized for my
then dilapidated appearance. lie arose to
his feet and said: Colonel, 1 have the
pleasure of presenting TO you commission
as the Colonel of the Sth regiment oil
East Tennessee Cavalry. You will take the
| first train in the morning, and report to Gen.
Motifs Headquarters at Camp Nelson, where
you will be regularly mustered into the
United States army"
took the morning train for Camp Nelson.
When l arrived there presented my papers,
and was mustered into the United States
service. kept right on drilling the men
and officers of the regiment, and soon they
thoroughly understood any necessary move
ment in this branch of the service.
A startling telegram came from Gen. Hart
suff, at Cincinnati, to Gen. Mott, to the
effect that large force of rebel cavalry,
under Gen. Scott, was marching on Lexingg-
ton to destroy our Government stores at that
place; that there were no troops there to
protect them, and to take every available
man and proceed on double-quick to Lex
ington.
At the time, Gen. Mott was sick. was
the next officer in rank at Camp Nelson. He
ordered me to take charge of the expedition.
There were in camp the odds and ends of a
great many regiments, in all some 5000 or
1900 men able for duty, together with two
batteries of artillery. l, without delay, had
the men in line on the public road to Lexing-
ton. We marched in dOuble-guck, and in
good time arrived there. Everything was in
an uproar, as the citizens were expecting
every moment that Scott and his cavalry
would loot the city. At first it was not
known who we were, and they expected to
see US begin the destruction of the Govern
ment stores. There had been only few
soldiers left there to look after them.
We received orders by telegram to move
out on the Richmond pike to Ashland, there
form line-of-battle, and hold the rebels in
check at all hazards, until reinforcements
would arrive This we did, having every
thing in order by sundown.
This was the home Of Henry Clay, the
great orator and statesman, known to history
as the Mill Boy of the Slashes l had
great veneration for the place. His widow,
Mrs. Clay, was then living there in her fine
She was terrified by so many SOL
diers at her place, and sent request to me
10 send detachment to guard her home.
This l did, and no harm came to her or her
property.
We lay on onr arms all night We had
little skirmishing far out in the front, but !
Gen. Scott did not press an engagement. |
During the night We were largely reinforced. |
Among many distinguished officers, Gen.
sanders had arrived, who Immediately tooa
Command Of all tie forces.
We then, under his leadership started out
o hunt Scott. We struck him at Winches-
er, a little east of Lexington, and had short
Engagement and defeated him. capturing
lumber Of his men. Scott, with what was