The National tribune., 1901-04-25

Gen. Gillem eagerly listened to the
young woman's story, and promptly
availed himself Of the valuable informa-
ton she gave him. He was alert, expe-
ditious and hopeful Of success. The cap
ture Of the famous wizard Of the sad
deed entitle him to a proud plume in his
cap. By II o'clock his column was en-
route to Morgan's camp.
At some po.-. on the road, I know moi
where, Gillem detached loo or 200 men
from the 18th Tenn. Cav, sending them
across the country to the Newport Road
with orders to make forced march, to
in which was located the Williams man.
sion, the object being, of course, to either
capture or kill Gen. Morgan.
The detachment of Tennesseeans was
admiralty adapted TO Gen. Gillem's pur-
pose. Being natives Of the locality, every
paths and acquainted with the town Of
GreenYille.
Gillem, with his main force, moved on
the main Bulls Gap road, intending to
make q feint on Bradford, engaging that
officers attention, while his detachment
was performing its mission in Greenville.
The plan succeeded beyond the Federal
Generals most sanguine expectations.
When the attack was made, Bradford's 8
Tennesseeans, even the pickets, were ap-
parently asleep, and what Gillem had in
tended as a feint proved to be rout to
the surprised Tennesseeans occupying the
center of Morgan's front.
CONFUSION IN THE CAMPS.
About 9 o'clock Sunday morning Gilt.
ners military family sat down to an elab-
sympathetic hostess. While leisurely eat
ing and discussing the probable coming
events" of the day, matchmaking the
rain and gloomy weather, we heard firing
across the country toward the camp of the
Tennesseeans on the Bulls Gap Road Be.
ing accustomed to hearing firing at unex.
pected times and places, we were not a,
first much startled. We thought some OF
Bradford's undisciplined men were firing
off their wet guns. That delusion was
soon dispelled, as the firing increased in
volume and seemed to be gradually ap.
preaching Greenville. Anxiously we
turned our eyes toward the town, expect.
ing the arrival of a staff officer with or.
ders. Again there was q furious yolley,
evidently at Greenvile. Giltner ordered
the bugle TO sound boots and saddles, ~
and then awaited orders from Gen. Nor
gan. Alssi we did not know. Gen. Nor.
gan had issued his last order. The sus.
pense was indescribably trying. Finally
Giltner quietly remarked to his officers:
going to move my brigade TO Greenville.' -
We had scarcely begun the movement
when breathless soldier dashed up and
delivered q verbal order, emanating from
he did not know whom, that we were
to march quickly to Greenville. The or
der was irregular, but 1t made nc differ
ence-we were going, anyway.
Stimulated by the firing in our front, we
were moving rapidly, when we met q
young officer who said he came from Col
ID. Howard Smith, who desired Giltner
to join him on the Jonesboro Road. The
messenger announced that the Federals
were in possession of Greenyille and that
Gen. Morgan was missing.
About this time we heard firing east OF
town, on the Jonesboro Road, indicating
that our troops there were retreating
Eyeritt and Cantrill, who had been en-,
camped between Giltner's Brigade and the
town, were gone-we knew not whittier.
Desiring to unite with Col. Smith, who
seemed to be in command, we impressed a
guide and ordered him to lead us by the
straightest, most practicable route across
| the country TO the Jonesboro Road. We
followed the guide q mile or more through
| fields, bushes and woodland, and then ht
skipped out" leaving us-lost. After
much tribulation we finally emerged from
"the, wilderness" striking the Jonesborc
Road, Just In rear Of Capt. Pete Eyeritt
| whose detachment constituted the real
guard of Smiths column, which was in
| full retreat.
! Everitt could give us little information
as to the fate Of Gen. Morgan. Nobody
seemed to know anything. Morgan wa.
missing, probably captured, possibly
killed; yet there was a chance that be
had escaped.
Everitt and CantriIl had exchanged q
| few shots with the enemy east Of Green
| vile, losing several soldiers. The FEEDER
ais, showing no disposition to follow, Gilt
ner ordered me to ride forward and In
form Col. Smith Of the fact. This did
and In return Col. Smith ordered me to al
| rect Col. Giltner to continue the retrea,
toward Rheatowp, as we had information
that the Federels were moving on ou,
right aank. Protesting against this ordel
Qiltneg sent ne back 70 Col. Smith. direct