The National tribune., 1901-12-05

front of the column; three videtS were
Uosted at intervals of 100 yards between
ii and the column. Their duties were TO
transmit information and orders between
the column and the guard. and to reSu-
late the gait of the former, so that 1t
would not press too close on the latter
and also, to prevent any struggling be-
tween the two. Six Videts were thrown
out in front of the guard-four at inter
yals of 80 yards, and with another IN
terval Of the same distance from lne
fourth of these, two rode together IN the
extreme front. These two were conse-
quently at a distance of 80 yards in ad-
vance of the body of the guard. At first
these yidets were regularly relieved, but
it was afterward judged best to keep the
same men always on the same duty. Ihe
advance videts were required to examine
carefully on all sides. and report to the
officer Of the guard the slightest indlca-
ton that seemed suspicious. When they
came to byroads or crossroads, one Yidet,
or both, as the case might require, Imme-
diately galloped some two or three hun
dred yards down the roads, where they
remained until relieved by men sent for
that purpose from the head of the col
umn, when they returned to their proper
place. As soon as they notified the off,
Ger OF the guard, by calling to the vldets
next behind them, that they were about to
| leave their posts, he took measures to
supply their places. The two yidets next
TO them in the chain galloped to the front,
the other two also moved up, respect
| lively, 50 yards, and two men were sent
| from the guard to fill the places Of the
| last. When the videts regularly in ad-
vance returned, the original disposition
was resumed If an enemy was encoun-
tered. men were dispatched from the
guard to the assistance of the videts, or
| the latter fell back on the guard, as cir
cumstances dictated. II the enemy was
too strong to be driven by the advance,
the latter endeavored to hold him III
check, being reinforced, II necessary, un'
til the command could be formed for at
tack or defense. Scouting parties were
OF course, thrown out on the front and
tanks, as well as to the rear, but as these
parties were often miles away in search
of information, vigilant advance-guarC
was always necessary. During an en-
gagement the advance was generally kept
mounted and held in reserve"
On the march to Columbia. Col. DicB
Morgan's regiment, OF Dukes Brigade
constituted the adyance-guard.
AFFAIR AT COLUMBIA.
A detachment of Wolford's famous
cavalry, fighting Kentuckians, occupied
Columbia. AID, as it would be Greel
against Greek, the Confcderates did no
expect to easily drive Wolford's men from
the town. Notwithstanding their dispar
ity Of numbers, WOlford's cavalry yer.
calamity moved out of the town TO NEE
Col. Dick Morgan's regiment when
came In sight, in the afternoon. Th
slirmish that ensued was spirited, Col
Morgan losing several of his most gallan
men, wounded, among them being Capt
j. I. Cassell, shot in the thigh. He wa
, put into an ambulance and accompanied
l,bn nxnaJ;fiop n1p riding in tho m
bulance, throughout the raid, even escap
, ing capture at the 'wind-up" in Ohio
When wounded he was second in com
[ mand OF the advance-guard. Before Wol
? f0rd's men could be dispersed it becam
: necessary to order the I'd KY, Dukes oil
| regiment of regulars" to the support o
3 Col. Morgan. This settled the matter
? the Federals being quickly driven into tn
town, where for a brief time they tough
from the houses, finally rapidly retreatinl
I going on the road to Jimtown. Durin
8 the short time MorSan's men were in Cl
= lumbia some of them diSgracefully pluI
: dered one or two stores. Gen. Morgan
[ when advised of the marauders' culpabl
e conduct, Immediately had them arreste
: and punished, compelling the restitutio
: OF the goods.
= Moving on the road toward Campbell'
: vile, Gen. Morgan encamped that ever
!. ing six or eight miles from Columbi;
: Nothing could be done before morning
as Green River Bridge, a strong pos
: ton, defended by Col Moore, n gallan
: and singularly skillful officer, command
8 ing regiment of 'Michiganders," el
$ cellent soldiers, was q formidable bal
rier TO Morgan's further progress. A
q that bridge the road from Columbia t
Cnmpbellsyille and Lebanon crosses th
: river. There was a prospect that th
crossing Of Green River would be NOR