The National tribune., 1899-05-04
FIGHTING THEWoVER
What the Veterans Have to Say
About Their Campaigns.
CONFRONTING HOOD.
Tho Nashville Battle, and Some Other EI-
citing Events.

Well, when Hood began his memorable
march north, which ended SO dsas;rousy to
his army, the Tooth U. S. c. l.. was guard
ing the liue of the Nashville & Northweste. n
Railroad, connecting Nashville with John
sonville, on the Tennessee River, q distance
of about 50 miles. The United States Gov
ernment had built strong blockhOuses at all
the bridges and trestles on this line for the
protection of the same against the guerrillas
and marauding parties that infested this
country.
/ was in command OF one company (A),
stationed at section 81, where was located one
of these long and high trestle bridges. Gen.
Forrest, who commanded Hoods cavalry,
made his first appearance at Johnsonvile
Nov. 4, 1854, and from the opposite side OF
the river opened his batteries against the
garrison at Johnsonville.
Johnsonvile was defended by the 10Th U.
S. C. l., 43d Wis, and the Il 1th Tenn. Cav,
all under Col Charles II. Thompson, of the
10Th.
Col Thompson. on Nov. ], telegraphed
Maj. Collin Ford, who was in command of my
regiment, to bring all of his regiment that
could be spared to JOhnsonville, as Forrest
was likely to attack at any moment
~ have but 81 men left," he said, ito
garrison and hold this post. Bushwhackers
and rebel bands reported moving toward
JohnsOnville."
Or Nov. 3 telegram was received from
Johnsonville to be ready to relieve Capt.
Spurgin, who was in command of train and
guard, proceed to Nashville, and return to-
morrow with train to Johnsonville.
We arrived at Johnsonville Nov. 3 at 1 p
m, without any mishaps, where we found
everything quiet, but in the evening, Forrest,
having planted his artillery, began to shell
our position, doing considerable damage.
Four gunboats were disabled and burned,
also several transports, and large amount
of Government property.
At dark l was sent in command OF 100
men to assist in saving Quartermaster's stores
near the landing. Worked all night, not
witlstanding the enemy's pickets kept firing
across the river all night.
On the morning of Nov. the enemy OPEN
ed their batteries, keeping up a steady fire
for about an hour, when they Withdrew.
Gen. J. ID. Cox, in his Campaigns of the
Civil War;" says that Forrest by this attack
caused panic in the garrison, and the troops
fled toward Nashville This l know is a
mistake, for when arrived at Johnsonrille
there was no sign Of n panic, our men and
officers being confident of their ability to
hold the place, and keep Forrest from cross
in the river.
Col. Thompson was reinforced on the 5th
by about 500 or 1000 men. Just at this
stage Of the game my leave of absence,
which had been going the round of "army
red tape" returned approved, with permis-
sion to leave the Department for 90 days.
When the Major commanding the regiment
handed me this document, he advised ME to
take the first train for home, as all danger ut
this point was over. So what happened for
90 days after this is blank to me- l took
of this leave, and visited home
and friends, returning in time to participate
in the battle of Nashville.
joined my regiment, on the line Of the
N. & N. w. Railroad, and in few days we
received orders to break camp and follow the
last train in the direction of Nashville. We
marched all day, and shortly after crossing
the Harpeth River went into camp.
About 2 or 3 o'clock next morning we
were aroused on the arrival of courier from
Nashville, who informed us that we had
been cut off by Hoods cavalry; so we had to
recross the river and march to Clarksville,
where we crossed the Cumberland, and
without any further trouble We in due time
arrived at Nashville, where we were assigned
to Gen. J. B. Steedman, who commanded the
left of Gen. Thomas's line.
After the battle of Franklin, Gen. Thomas
concentrated his army about the city Of
Nashville, and as early as Dec 6 gave orders
to be ready to move at moments notice;
but on the 9Th the weather, which had been
good for a week or SO, suddenly changed, and
a freezing storm of snow and sleet covered
the ground, and for days the hills about
Nashville were covered with ice making all
movements impracticaLle.
/ remember l was sent out as officer of the
pcket-line in our front, and on account of
this condition was not relieved for 4S hours;
but on the 18th the sun came out, melted
the ice, and on the morning of the 18th the
army moved to the front, obscured by
heavy fog; but owing to the depth Of the
mud our progress was slow.
Our brigade moved out and past Fort
Negly, and soon drove the enemy out of
their breastworks. These works had been
thrown up by Gen. Thomas weeks before,
but had been abandoned. We soon found
out, after occupying these works, that Hoods
farther in the rear, enfiladed this
line, compelling us to build traverses.
We had scarcely gained a lodgment in
these works, when | was ordered to take two
move over to the left, and close
up gap. AS l passed out of our works, /
had to 20 over an open field in plain view of
the enemy's batteries, but succeeded in gain
ing our position without the loss of a man.
We held our position on the line until our
was exhausted, when we were
relieved by other troops
/ retired to point where my men refilled
their cartridge-boxes When l started to
rejoin my regiment, was compelled to cross
over the same ground we did before, when
we were greeted by terrible shower
gained my place on the line-ofbattle with
only one man slightly wounded. This was
at p. m. The artillery fire was kept up
until dark, during which time we had several
men seriously wounded.
During the night we worked necessarily,
our works that were to keep of
the entilading fire of the enemy. These were
finished by daylight next morning, at which
Time we expected to be aroused by the BOOM
ing of rebel cannon; but daylight came with
out shot being fired, nor was there sign
Of life along the rebel line.
At sunrise general advance was ordered,
and skirmishers sent forward to reconnoiter.
Hood mad fallen back and occupied new
line farther to the rear
was now ordered to take two companies,
ieploy as skirmishers, and cover the advance
Df the brigade. AS was about to gain the
summit OF high hill in my front, staff
officer galloped up with the intelligence that
must keep my eyes open when l arrived at
the top Of this hill, for as soon as 1 passed