The National tribune., 1901-02-21
GEN. WILLIAM PRESTON.

Seeing me standing at attention" he or
dered me to sit down and eat breakfast-a
command which l promptly obeyed, the
behest reminding HE of the language Of
Roderick Dhu:
, Enough, enough; sit down and share
A soldiers couch, a soldiers fare"
We saw no active service under Pres
ton, as, within a month or two, he was
transferred to Bragg's army in time to
greatly distinguish himself at Chicka
mauga, where, according to the CORE
spondent of the London Times, "Prestons
bearing would rank in history with that of
Dessaix recovering the lost battle of
Marengo."
IN EAST TENNESSEE.
Hark! bark, comrades, Federal drum!
And see! invading squadrons come!
From the time when Gen Burnside took
possession of Knoxville, early in the Au-
tumn of 1868, our Kentucky Cavalry Bri-
gade saw little rest until after Appomat-
toX.
The most important events of the war
during the Fall of 1868 occurred in East
Tennessee and Georgia-the battle of
Chlckamauga, the siege of Chattanooga,
the decisive battle of Missionary Ridge,
and Longstreet's desperate assault upon
Fort Sanders, at Knoxville. From Chat
tanooga TO the Virginia line was one vast
battlefield, the fighting being fierce and
continuous.
East Tennessee, noted for its adherence
to the Union, is said to have had $1,000
soldiers in the Federal army, besides the
bushwhackers who infested the noun
tains. Here was the home of Andrew
johnson, uncomprOmisingly for the Union,
afterward President of the United States;
of Horace Maynard, Parson Brownlow,
Thomas A. X. Nelson and others, Union
men of national fame. Nelson was of
counsel for johnson in the noted impeach-
ment trial. / was often at his home, a
commOdiOus residence, some distance east
Of Knoxville, where / became intimately
acquainted with Mrs. Nelson and family,
excepting, ot course, her husband, who
was never at home when Confederates
were in that vicinity. Mrs. Nelson was a
plain, sensible, refined lady, whom / hold
in grateful remembrance for liberal hos
pitality and gentle, considerate kindness
shown me.
Having occupied Knoxville, Gen. Burn
side sent the Tooth Ohio on a reconnois-
sance, by rail, up the East Tennessee and
Virginia Railroad.
Col. Giltner, commanding the 4th KY.
Cav. and Schoolfields little battery"
was temporarily reporting to Gen. Jack
son, native of East Tennessee, in COM
mand of few detached, ineffective troops.
Our Kentucky boys facetously called
jackson Gen. Mudwall," in contradistinc-
tion to the immortal "Stonewall."
IIIl6 Ine OllO
regiment at Telford Station, probably 20
piles east of Knoxville, Sept. 8, 1863. The
Federals, leaving their train, deployed in
advance, the left of their line finding good
cover along the embankments of the rail-
road, and their center and right, although
In an open field, could not generally be seen
by US, as they lay down in the tall sage
grass. common to that country. Holding
the line of rail fence with a woodland
behind us, we had a good position, being
Ignorant, however, of the strength Of the
enemy in front. A brief but spirited en-
Eagement immediately ensued, soon con-
Flnclng us that We were lighting brave
troops, good marksmen, well handled.
Protected by the fence and trees, our
casualties were not noticeable until the
Federal commander adroitly threw a com
pany on our left flank. Before we were
aware of their location, their enfilading
hre killed and wounded number of our
men, the fence and trees no longer afford
ing protection, except from the lively
tusilade in front. By a counter movement
We soon corrected the undesirable presence
IF the ianking party, and, ordering up the
Artillery, under cover of which to charge,
we moved forward, only to find that the
fnemy had withdrawn to the waiting train
which ran to Limestone, the next station
below. We supposed the object of the re-
cennoissance had been accomplished and
that the detachment would return TO
huOANliie. Dy one or
two small detachments of infantry and a
section of Lowry's efficient battery, we
slowly followed along the line of the rail
road to Limestone, where we found the
enemy awaiting us, evidently ready for an
other fight. They were in and around a
blockhouse, an Insignificant fortifcation
against artillery. When we had reached a
plateau overlooking their position, Gen.
"Mudwalf' waFeringly began preparations
TO attack them in front. Just then Capt.
Bart w. Jenkins, formerly Aid-de-C Camp
TO Gen. Marshall, now a free lance, dashed
up to the General and rapidly and impul-
siVely, his eyes blazing with the genius of
battle, suggested that the artillery, with
small support, should engage the enemy's
attention in front, while the 4th Ky. Cav,
under cover of woodland TO the right,
shodld attempt to gain their rear.
i was much impressed by Capt. Jen-
kins's manner while unfolding his plan,
born of the inspiration Of the moment, and
much amused at the readiness with which
the General nodded assent to the dashing
Captains proposition. 1t was an instance
OF slow, yacillating mind being over
shadowed and controlled by one inspired
by the genius of war.
CAPTURE OF THE TOOTH OHIO.
Accompanied by Capt. jenkins, the 4th
Ky. Cav. successfully gained the enemy's
rear, not, however, in time to capture the
train, which steamed away from harm.
The enemy, deployed in the woodland and
IN the open fields along the railroad, fought
desperately TO break through the Gordon
drawn between them and their line of re-
treat. 1t was a hot, close fight, men fall
ing rapidly on both sides. Our artillery
and support remained inactive on the pla-
teau, where we had left them, while we,
by fighting desperately, gradually drove
the gallant Federals to their only refuge
the blockhOuse. Then came Lowry's op-
portunity. A well-directed shot or two
from his artillery made the blockhouse un-
tenable, and forthwith the Eederals hoisted
the flag of surrender.
The detachment of Ohioans captured at
Limestone were brave men, whom the for
tunes Of war permitted to be entrapped
and overcome-the result of being caught
too far from base.
The Kentuckians appropriated to their
pwn use the new Enfield rifles carried by
the Federals, abandoning forever the cut
OFF, muskets, shotguns and other monde
script arms which they had previously
used. The Enfield, being a light, long
range and accurate gun, was a favorite
weapon with our cavalry, which usually
fought dismounted.
This engagement with Burnside's recon
aoitering party was the initial fight to