The National tribune., 1901-07-04
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What the Veterans Have TO Say
About Their Campaigns.
KILLED BY GEORGIANS.
The Battle of Carrick's Ford and Death Of
Gen. Garnett, July IS, 1861.


The Battle of Carricks Ford and Death of
Gen. Garnett, July IS, 1861.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Just 40
years ago brigade commanded by Gen.
Thomas Morris, composed of Indiana, Ohio
and West Virginia Volunteers, had been
| (after the Philipp affair of June -, quar-
tered on the hills around that town, but
on July 8 received orders to march to
Laurel Hill, about IA miles distant, where
the enemy, under Gen. Garnett, had
erected some breastworks, and was hold
ing the pass, with about $500 COnfed-
crates and three guns.
The brigade of Gen. Morris reached the
place in due time, and at once deployed
in line of battle, and by slow progress we
| reached the nights surrounding the
enemy's line. On the night of July II it
was my duty to be on outpost. During
the night we heard the continuous chOpping
of the trees by the enemy. We did not
know its meaning. The night was pitch
dark, but daylight revealed the fact that
the enemy had abandoned the strong
works in our front due to the affair that
ROsecrans had with another brigade of
the enemy at Rich Mountain, under COM
mand of Gen. Pegram.
Our brigade was soon in the enemy's
camp, anu NOW Tetuy 10 IOllOW, ana Dy
10 Il. m. we were on the road after them.
The rebels had now about II hours the
start of rs. The Confederate Gen. Gar
nett's intentions had been to join Pegram
at Beverly. His forces, united, would
make him about 6,000 strong; but finding
these troops defeated, demOralized and
part made prisoners, and conscious that
he would not be able to make any resis-
tance against the combined forces under
al "a hn Oh trl- ,fF
road, short distance from Leedville. and
retreated rapidly towards st. George, in
Tucker County.
Our brigade. under Gen. Morris, COM
posed of the 18th Ohio. Col Steedman:
the 9th Ind, Col. Milroy; the 7th Ind,
Col Dumont, and two pieces of Regular
artillery from Carlisle Barracks, the
same that were with us at PhilippD, total
about $500 men, by rapid and late march
ing gained and closed in upon the enemy.
After few hours rest in wet
meadow, we started early on the morning
of the 18th in a pitless storm. guided by
the baggage, tents, trunks, blankets, KNAPP
sacks, and clothing thrown away by the
enemy. The roads had been obstructed
by cutting and telling trees. guide now
led us by crossroad. and we rapidly
gained upon the retreating foe We kept
large squad of ax-men ahead of us to
clear the road. All of this in the midst
of a furious rain storm.
About noon Gen. Garnett had passed
Kahler's Ford, II miles from st. George
When our advance crossed the ford they
caught sight of the rear of the enemy, and
with renewed energy we followed the re-
treating SOutherners who were also ex-
cited, and increased their speed to get out
of our way, throwing away everything
that impeded their progress.
When Garnett came up to the fourth
crossing, known as Carrick's Ford, he had
some trouble to get his wagons through
the stream. Here he prepared to receive
his pursuers. On the left bank of the
river were level bottoms, cornfield and
meadows; on the right were high bluffs.
hedsed with laurel bushes, overlooking the
field; on the left. Here Garnett placed
his men and two guns to the north of the
wagon train and road. and one gun to the
south of the ford, and train. Little could
be seen Of the enemy. The wagon train
was left in the river crossing. and as our
advance was about to seize it they were
fired on by the enemy's artillery and in
fantry from the other side OF the river.
The 18th Ohio had the lead, and at once
replied. Our artillery was soon in action,
and the 9th Ind, which now came in
range, opened an Oblique fire. The 7th
Ind, under Dumont, entered the river to
cross and take position on high hill to
get on the enemy's flank and rear As
tie hill was steep, and Dumont always
ready to get close to the enemy, he filed
the head of his regiment around the base
of the hill and came close upon the
enemy's left. As soon as the Confederates
noticed Dumonts movement they broke
and fed. leaving their train and one gun
in our hands.
During this movement of the 7th Ind,
the 1Ith Ohio, the artillery and the 9Th
l-saV,t -. l.
Just as my company was entering the
river to cross, Mr.. Jonathan Gordon, q
former neighbor of mine, with whom had
been well acquainted (he lived at 1872
North Illinois street, and / at 1913 same
street in Indianapolis. and for four years
we saw each other almost daily, with a
fine private rifle in hand, and In civilian
dress, stepped to my side, and in my COM
pany crossed the river. AS we reached
regiment WAS somewhat broken, but In |
full run after the enemy we tried to per-
form a right wheel. This brought us to |
the north OF the road (the laurel bushes |
had somewhat separated the command). |
In this manner we ran about Ii quar-
ter of n mile, when we came upon two |
PROSTATE forms, one in the uniform of n |
with Federal shoulder |
straps. the other a private soldier in n |
Georgia Militia uniform. The General |
with Federal shoulder straps was still
Gordon remarked with sur
prise, after viewing the dying officer
why this is the rebel Gen. Garnett"
There were five in our squad present. |
who belonged to my company l noted |
this down before evening in my note book. |
giving their names. Vehaus, Williams, |
Cookie and Stout were with me. Mr..
Gordon did not belong to our regiment, but |
| learned afterwards that he was the Ser |
geant Major of the 9th Ind. (N1ilroy's regi- |
meno, and somewhat n privileged charac-
ter; hence he went where he pleased and |
joined the 7th Ind. in the run after the
enemy. He dressed as he pleased and
was permitted to carry a better but
smaller rifle, and no knapsack. We FIVE
Of Co. l. 7th Ind, left the dead with
Gordon, and followed In hot haste after
our regiment, which had gone about one
mile and half further on, turned in to
nn open field on the right hand of the
road, and rested.
Soon after this, Capt. Benham, of Gen.
Morris's staff, came up and ordered the
pursuit to cease. We had marched 26
miles since 10 a. m. on the 18th in most
furious storm. Dumont, always ready
with sarcasm, asked Benham if we were
% jubilate over the captured baggage, and
give the enemy chance to get away.
Dur regiment had captured about so Off
,ers and men belonging to q Georgia