The National tribune., 1901-03-07


manding elevation beyond Big Greek, q
broad, deep and rapid stream. No halt
was made until we were within the en-
emy's lines. The Fedcrals fought valiant
ly under discouraging circumstances, the
4th Ky. having to fight desperately for
probably half hour before capturing the
section Of battery.
About 800 prisoners were captured when
the artillery surrendered. The most of the
prisoners belonged to the I'd Tenn. M'td
Inf, the majority of the 7th Ohio Cav,
with them Col. Garrard, having escaped
at the ford. We captured in all about 600
one Major, seven Captains, one Adju-
tant-General and many minor officers. The
captured Adjutant-General was Theodore
+. Allen, who recently in THE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE pleasantly told the story of how
at Cynthiana, KY, he got revenge for his
mishap at Big Creek-or, as he calls it,
Rogersyille.
Immediately after the unconditional sur
render our boys scattered over the field,
looking for spoils, and found in profusion
blankets, guns, pistols, saberS, clothing,
camp eQuipage, etc. Two or three dis
abled caissons and some wagons were
burned. We lost only three men killed
and four or five wounded. The enemy
lost about 10 killed and 80 wounded. Some
Of their men were drowned in attempting
to cross the river. Adj't-Gen. Guerrant
and Serg't-Maj. Frank Harrison paroled
| the wounded. There were, as usual, sad
scenes after the battlefield and wound
ed neglected, horses shot dead at hitch
! ing posts or rolling in sgonies of death,
drink. When we started back to our base
nearly every soldier was leading q horse,
some were leading two.
Having marched on the straight and
shorter route we got there" and finished
the Job before Gen. Jones had time TO
/ ,Intn Il wv
way. However the 9Th Va. Cav, a splen-
did regiment OF his brigade, Intercepted
about 200 fugitives, making total of
800 prisoners. Verify Col. Garrard was
| right-discretion was the better part of
valor. With twice his numbers we had
long way from his base. He who fights
and runs away may live to fight another
day" Col Garrard and the 7th Ohio Cav.
| did some absolutely necessary fighting be
fore running away to live until the rosy
morn Of d June day, seven months hence,
when, in turn, they stol a march on us at
| Cynthiana, "eyerlastingly salivating''
Morgan's weary and defenselcss ''rOugh
riders" Gen. Ransom ''tumbled" from
his lofty pedestal, falling in love with the
| "buttermilk rangers" Vide the following
complimentary address:
| Headquarters Department Southwest Vir-
ginia and East Tennessee,
| Blountyllle, Nov. ~, 1865.
General Orders, No. 10J
1t is with pleasure that the Ma jor.
| General commanding announces TO the
troops the successful attack of our cav
airy upon the enemy at Rogersvillc Tenn,
on the 9th inst, resulting in the capture
Of 800 prisoners, four pieces of artillery,
| four stands of colors 80 wagons, O00
horses and mules, small-arms, ammunition
and other valuable stores, with loss OF
only three killed and four or five wounded
The Major-General commanding offers
his heartfelt thanks to the officers and
men engaged, and hopes that this bril-
liant exploit will be the earnest of con
ture.
BY command Of
MAJ.-GEN. RANSOM.
F. ROWLAND, A. A. G.
Capt. Theodore L. Allen, Of the It'll
Ohio Cav, then Adjutant- General of Gar
rard's Brigade, afterwards Brevet- Colone
of U. s. Volunteers, wounded and cap
tured in this fight at Rogersville, in ar
interesting letter addressed to me through
the columns Of the Coyington CKy.) Com
monwealth, relates the manner OF his es
cape from our endearing % clutches. Be
ing satisfied that his experience" will bC
of interest 10 his comrades. nearly all OF
whom read THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE,
take the liberty of interpolating portion.
of his letter here:
Cincinnati, O., Nov. G, 1895.
Mr.. Geo. Dallas Mosgrove.
My Dear Sir: Thirty-two years ago to
day, when ! was Adjutant- General of Cav
airy Brigade, / was a prisoner in You
hands at ROgersville, Tenn, and th
seems TO be an appropriate time TO sa!
that have just completed the reading o
your very Interesting book, "KentuclS.
Cavaliers in Dixie"
It was my misfortune TO lead a small
portion Of the 7th Ohio Cav. against a de
tachment Of your brigade at Rogersville
or, as you call it, Big Creek. We receive,
heavy fire from your men. which brough