The National tribune., 1901-10-24

was shown by either side to advance, anG
finally subsidized.
Late in the afternoon our regiment wa:
posted on the picket line, and during the
night orders were given US to prepare
for an immediate advance, which were
afterwards countermanded so far as oul
brigade was concerned, but the remainder
of our division moved away.
While our portion of the army made nc
aggressive movement during the day, ow'
ing to our advanced position and the pos
sibility of concentrated attack by the ell
envy, the corps of Thomas and Critten-
den flOundered all day through mud and
water toward Fairfield and Manchester.
presenting battle front of FIVE miles
and skirmishing heavily with a sullen but
retiring foe.
Rain fell in frequent heavy showers,
| deepening the mud and swelling streams
already well nigh impossible.
THoMAs's LINE THREATENED.
The danger of attack appeared so i'm
minent that we passed the night of June
% on the picket line in almost sleepless
| vigilance, which proved to be unnecessary,
as the enemy had stolen quietly away
| from his position in our front to cOncen-
| trate in front of Thomas, who was threat
ening his flank.
As soon as the enemys absence was dis
covered our regiment was withdrawn from
the picket line and joined our division and
corps on the march to support Thomas.
Our route lay across the country, east,
through Millersburg, over roads and
through fields impossible to loaded wag-
ons. The weight of saturated clothing
and mud adhering to our feet and legs
impeded our march and taxed our en-
dura;lcs to the utmost.
At noon we were delighted to reach the
Manchester Pike, which was in good con-
ditiOn. We followed it to Beech Grove,
where We found our baggage wagons, and
for one night we enjoyed the luxury of
tents to protect us from the frequent
rains.
We learned that Wilder's Brigade had
dashed into Manchester and that Rose
Grams had established his headquarters
there.
A rest of half a day was allowed us,
but when we moved out of camp about
noon June % it was in the midst of
heavy shower, and for the next u hours
we floundered through rain and mud as
far as Duck River, near Manchester. 1t
was midnight when we broke ranks.
1t was my good fortune, with a COM
rade to find shelter in the kitchen of
house near by, where we slowed our
selves under a table on the bare floor to
"
comfort and security.
During the day Minty's Cavalry Bri-
gade, supported by Mitchell's Division, at
tackled Wheeler's cavalry at Selbyville,
capturing his artillery and 500 prisoners
Wheeler escaped by swimming Duck
River with the remainder of his COM
mand.
June % we remained in camp. We
found ourselves in rear of Thomas's
Corps, near Manchester, town of about |
80 houses, badly scattered.
Our cavalry approached within two |
miles Of Tullahoma during the day.
BATTLING AGAINST THE ELEMENTS.
June 30, while our division remained |
inactive except to battle with an almost |
incessant rain, we watched with painful |
interest the prodigious efforts of the va
rious other divisions to reach positions
designated by Gen. Rosecrans, for COM
bined movement upon Tulahoma
The roads were swimming with mud
and growing rapidly worse, while artil-
lery and ammunition wagons were being
dragged to the front. A lot of pontoons
On wagons, so necessary in crossing
streams, were apparently hopelessly stalled
here. Baggage wagons were all consigned
10 the rear as luxuries not needed in this
campaign. Three elements are indispensa-