The National tribune., 1901-12-26

Gen. Morgan feared, too, that if the
attacking party should be rcpulsed, it
would fall back in disorder possibly in
panic, seriously affecting the entire divi-
sion. He determined, therefore. to defer
the attack until early dawn, when he
would instantly begin the crossing. trust
ing that ii would be effected rapidly and
before any additional troops should ar
rive. By abandoning the long train of
wagons, and ambulances containing the
sick and wounded, and the artillery, q
crossing might have been made without
much difficulty at deeper fords which we
could have reached by rapid march be-
fore the enemy came near them: but Gen
Morgan was determined. after having al
ready haZarded so much to save all if
possible, ar the risk of losing all. He d.
rected me TO place two regiments of my
brigade in position as near the earthwOrk
as l thought proper, and attack il at day
break. Accordingly selected the 9th Ky.
and the 9th KY, and formed them about
400 yards from the work, or from the
point where l judged it to be located.
Lieut.. Lawrence was also directed to
place his Parrot guns upon n tongue of
land projecting northward from range
of hills running parallel with the river.
1t would be his duty to assist the assault
ing regiments, if for any reason artillery
should be needed. During the night un-
successful efforts were made TO find other
fords.
TIE EARTHwoRK ABANDONED.
''As soon as; day dawned moved
against the work, but found it unoccu-
pied, the enemy having marched out of it
sometime in the night. Had our scouts
posted to observe it, exercised their usual
vigilance, and had this evacuation been
discovered and reported, we could have
gotten almost the entire command across
the river before the arrival Of the troops
from POmeroy. The guns in the work
had been dismounted and rolled over the
bluff. | Immediately sent Gen. Morgan
information of the evacuation of the work.
and instructed Col. ID. Howard Smith
to take command of the two regiments
and move some 400 or 800 yards farther
on the Pomeroy road. by which | sup
posed the recent occupants Of the earth
work had retreated. In a few minutes /
heard the rattle of musketry in the dircc-
ton that the two regiments had moved,
ard riding forward 10 ascertain the oc-
casi0n OF it found that Col. Smith had
encountered a Federal force advancing
upon that road. Smith promptly engaged
the enemy, captured 40 or 80 killed and
wounded several of them and dispersed
the remainder. This force was Gen. Ju-
dahS advances guard, the prisoners assert
.
strong, not far AWAY. Among the wound
ed WIS Il member of Gen. Judahs staff
and among the prisoners was his Adju-
tantItieneral.
Having directed Col. Smith to bring
his regiments back to the ground where
they had been formed to attack the earth
work, i rode away to consult Gen Nor
gan and receive orders. He Instructed me
10 hold Judah III check, and call for such
troops as | might need for that purpose
The valley, which we had entered the
night before, was about a mile long and
perhaps 800 yards wide at the southern
extremity, gradually narrowing toward the
other end, until the ridge which is its
western boundary, runs to the river, which
here runs nearly north and south This
| ridge is parallel with the river ut the
southern end of the valley, but Il few
hundred yards farther 10 the nurthward
both river and ridge incline toward each
| other. About half way Of the valley. equ-
! distant from either end, the road 10y which
we had marched from Chester comes in.
| Col. Smith had posted his men, in accord
! ance with directions given him. at the
southern extremity of the valley, with
the ridge on his right flank. / should
also state that the ridge at this point
bends almost at right angles to the west
/ ward.
THE MELEr At BURLINGTON.
Returning from consultation with Gen.
| Morgan. l found both of the regiments
under Col. Smith in full retreat When
the main body of Judal's forces. now
close upon us, appeared some one issued
an order TO rally to horses While do
! ing this the line was charged by the en-
cmy's cavalry, of which they had three
regiments; two of them, the Tth and Sth
Mich, were very fine ones. \ detach-
mcnt Of the 9th Ind, led 10y Lieut.. O'NeiI,
u very gallant officer, headed this charge.
! The men rallied and turned, when called
/ on To do 50. and had no difficulty i'll driy-
! ing back the cavalry. but portion of
! the 9th ky. was cut off by this charge
and were unable to participate in the sue
cceding conflict Smiths two regiments,
not more than 30 strong each. were again
dIsmounted and formed across the valley
The Parrot guns were in the hands OF the
| enemy.
| Il sent several couriers to Gen. Nor