The National tribune., 1899-08-31

ing place for Wheeler's men. OF course,
Campbell thought of Joe Wheeler, and so
understood it. A Confederate brigade
commander on the occasion has told me
since the war that the Wheeler with Forrest
was a Lieut.-Col. Wheeler, who had COM
mand of one of Forests regiments. Camp
bell returned to the fort at Athens and order
ed the flag to be lowered, and surrendered.
About the time this order was given the
102d Ohio came upon the field and heroic
ally made an assault for the purpose OF
rescuing the men in the fort. 1t was too
late, for the fort had surrendered, and the
1O2d Ohio suffered fearfully. Our COM
mand, with Col. Prosser, had been ordered
to Decatur Junction as soon as we got out,
for what purpose have never known, and
was there when Campbell surrendered.
The main part of the Sd Tenn. had been
ordered out on reconnaissance as Forrest
approached the Tennessee River. While
out Forrest went into Athens, and finding
himself thus cut off, Col. John B. MINIS,
who was in command, opened skirmish
with the enemy, and gradually retired
, until he reached Sulphur Trestle. There
he reported to Col. Lathrop, and the latter
ordered him to enter the fort for the de-
fense. 1t was done.
The Notifications at Sulphur Trestle had
been unfortunately engineered and To-
Gated. There were some five points around
the fort that were higher than the one on
which this fort was built. These high
points were occupied by the artillery Of
Forrest, and poured the shot down in muir
derous yolleys on the brave men inside.
! Col. Lathrop fell dead. Col. MINIS, being
the next in rank, assumed command, and
| in a short time he was knocked senSelesS
| by an artillery-shot glan2ing his side.
Thereupon Maj. Ben Cunningham, of the
Sd Tenn. Cav, assumed command. 1t
was but a moment until he was shot
through the shoulder and disabled. By
this time Col Minnis had revived sufficient
ly to again assume command.
! The demand for surrender was made,
and finding that the ammunition was
about exhausted, and the dead piled all
around the Notifications, further resistance
was useless; the demand was acceded to,
and the brave boys were made prisoners.
The officers were taken to Enterprise, Miss,
while the enlisted men were taken to Ca
haba, Ala. When Col. Lathrop fell ASST
Surg Wagner, of the Sd Tenn, ran to give
him assistance, but just as he stopped
over the fallen body a shot pierced him
also, and he fell dead by the side of Col.
Lathrop.
The boys of the Sd and Of the 1O2d Ohio
were held for many months in the prison
at Cahaba, and were then about to be ex-
changed TO come to their homes, and while
on their way up the Mississippi River on
the ill-fated Sultana the boat was blown
up, and many went to the bottom of the
Mississippi on April 81, 1865.
Col. Minnis suffered all the time since
his service from trouble Of what was
thought to be a pleural affection of
the lungs. He was treated by skillful
physicians, but received no permanent
help. Something over year ago he made
up his mind to have a surgical operation,
as he was declining, and evidently the only
hope was in surgery. He went to hos
pital in Chicago, and there underwent a
severe operation. His side was opened,
and it was found that his rib had been
crushed by the blow received at Sulphur
Trestle, and the broken parts were piercing
the flesh and producing inflammation to
} such an extent that few months more
would undoubtedly have ended his days.
He has now fully recovered and enjoys
! good health, and is a prosperous merchant
in the city of Knoxville.
Quite number of our boys succeeded in
making their escape in many ways that
were thrilling and amusing.