The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-05-08

Sc0rniDR SaOrcS and carbiutS they car
ricd from two TO four revoyers, aud in
charging would scarcely ever fire a
shot until within fifty yards of the
enemy, and go unerring was their aim
that nearly every bullet found its
mark. There were probably some
things in heaven or earth of which
they were afraid, but all fear Of men
with blue uniforms on, no matter what
the number, had long since passed
away from them.
And now, even at the risk of spoil
ing popular illusion, that the best
soldiers are the most moral and obcdi-
cnt ones, | must admit that these men
were impatient Of restraint and past
masters in the art Of foraging, and in
such scenes as have been describing
they were in their glory. In over
hauling the suffer wagons they came
across Gin addition to few bottles of
"make happy come" and other things)
some fine broadcloth dress coats and
paper collars. Being ever ready for
fight or frolic, they at once "shuck-
ed their gray jackets and proceeded
to adorn themselves with the new fin
cry. Arraycd in swallow. tailed coats
and high standing collars over shirts
which had not been washed in weeks,
and pants with rents at the knees and
conspicuous abrasions made by long
contact with the saddle, .hcsc original
rough riders presented il spectacle
about rs ludicrous as can be imagined.
While destroying the wagon train in
Scquachcc Valley Wheeler sent off
most of his c0r,nand with the captur-
ed mules, horses, wagons etc, only
retaining Il snail force to protect him
should new enemy approach. While
Withdrawing this rear guard late in the
afternoon he was attacked by an over
whclmiDg force from two directions,
which he resisted as he fell back until
dark. BY 10 o'clock next morning
he had travelled 40 miles a. was lead
ing the column which had passed di.
rectly over Cumberland Mountains, in
an attack on the Notifications at Nc
Minnvillc.
After short fight these works were
clrricd, and an immense depot Of sup
plies, 250 horses, train of wagons, a
locomotive and largo train Of cars, and
587 prisoners fell into our hands. The
bridges over Hurricane Creek and
Collins River were also destroyed.
From McMinnville the command
moved toward the Nashville and Chat
tauooga railroad, intending to attack
Murfreesboro, but the Notifications
being too strong for our small force,
stockade and garrison in the suburbs
were captured and the railroad bridge
over Stone river destroyed.
| Tearing up the track as he went,
Wheeler moved on Wartrace, Chris
tiaua and Fosterville, capturing stock
AIDES and garrisons and burning
bridges. Thence he marched on Shell
byville, whore he captured largo
quantity of stores, the garrison having
beaten hasty retvcat the night pre-
vious. The garrison at Columbia also
retrcatcd rapidly toward Nashville
after destroying their stores.
AT Shelbyvillc there were number
OF stores we'll filled with dry goods,
shoes and miscellaneous merchandise.
AS these were operated By Northern
memo Southern man being allowed
to cngags in business without taking
the oath OF allcgiance-thcy were con-
sidered cOntraband of war and their
contents emptied into the streets.
Calicoes, flannels, shoes, etc.. were
freely distributed to the ladies', who
had everywhere greeted our men with
their smiles and waving handkcrchicfs;
and some of tho boys exchanged
calico for kisses and "g ,ods were de-
livcred" freely by both parties, if not
without bushes on tho part of the
| ladies'.
AS may be imagined, Wheeler had
by this time raised hornets nest,
and Stanley's corps, consisting of the
commands of Generals George Crook.
Mitchell and McCook, were fighting
our rear. but with little damage TO the
Confcderates, and frequently with
considerable loss to themselves. The
design of the expedition having been
fully accomplished beyond the expec
tation of the most eanguinc. Wheeler
commenced his return toward the Ten
nessee River, followed by an over
whelming force Of Federal cavalry.
a part Vt the latter under General
Crook surprised and defeated General
| Davidson Capttlrinu pumhar of pric