The National tribune., 1901-05-09
&lIhALlklTMs nn

Given an even start with Burbridge,
we could evidently cut him off by taking
the Hayter's Gap road, as he had no line
of retreat excepting by way Of the per-
pendicular and the base of the triangle.
Capt Bart Jenkins with a squadron of
cavalry had been sent to Jeffersonville to
guard our flank before the Federals reach
ed Gen. Bowen's plantation, at the base
of Clinch Mountain. jenkins was thus
cut off from our column when it was fall
ing back on Saltyille. Being an intrepid
officer and a military genius, Jenkins did
not remain idle. About the middle of the
afternoon of the battle he noisily attacked
Burbridge in the rear, which created di-
version in our favor, about 500 of the
enemy being withdrawn from our front to
face the unknown force in their rear.
Jenkins dash and mastery evolutions
mystified the Federals and amused us, al
though we were nearly as much surprised
by the attack in the rear as were the Fed
erals. However, we were aware that the
unexpected was liable to happen when
Jenkins was around.
A considerable part Of our force was
not in the battle at all. Gen. Cerro Gordo
Williamss own brigade, commanded by
Col. w. G. P. Breckenridge, had only one
battalion engaged and 300 or 400 of the
"old men and little boys" were in action
very brief time.
Just after dark Adjt.-Gen. Guerrant
and myself were riding along the lines
when we met the youthful Gen. Robert
son, who said he thought his men had
killed nearly all the negroes.
At this distant day i cannot remember
how many men we lost. Proportionately,
however, our casualties were not great.
| remember that Maj. Cox, of Trimble's
| battalion, was shot from his horse des-
perately wounded; Capt. John Honaker,
of the same battalion, was severely
wounded in the desperate conflict at the
| ford; Lieut.. James Crutchfeld, of the
10th KY. MID Rifles was killed; Lieut..
Crit Ireland, gallant young Abide Camp
on Giltner's staff, had his horse shot from
under him.
Gems. Breckinridge and Echols arrived
soon after dark, the former assuming
chief command. The small brigades OF
| Gems. Duke, Crosby and Vaughn also ar
rived sometime after nightfall.
The Federals built bright fires all along
their front, nearly a mile from the Salt
works. The illuminated Federal line ex-
cited a suspicion afterward verified, that
they would be gone before the dawn OF
another day.
The 4th Ky. relieved Trimbles batta.
liam at the ford. With our front guarded
by a strong skirrnish line, the clear, blue
Holston running between US and the
brightly burning fires indicating the Fed
eral lines, the sentinel stars having sci
| tnelr Wdtcn III Inc SKY, lHe COn1e0erates
slept peacefully and refreshingly until the
early dawn of Monday.
KILLING NEGROES.
1 awoke at the first faint light of the
new day and saw that, as usual, a dense
fog enveloped mountain and valley. AL
was quiet and impenetrably dark in front
The stars had gone to sleep. There was
nc longer illumination in the Fedora
camp. Presently heard a shot; then an
other and another until the firing alonl
our right front swelled to the volume Of
a fusillade. 1t indicated that the Fed
erals were still in our front. / had mount
ed my horse, resolved to investigate, an(
had started towards Gen. Robertson''
line, when met ian early bird" an ad
venturous young scout, who had alread!
been to the front. He confidently assured
me that the Federals were non est inuentus
; that they were all gone. But what diC
that firing mean? He simply laughed anC
said: ride down In the valley and see.'
Very few of our men along the center anC
left lines were astir. Guided by an occa
J sional pistol or rife shot, / cautiousl,
made my way through the fog until l hat
arrived at point considerably in ad
; vance and to the right of the position from
! which had started. / soon became awar
of the fact that / was In the front o
: Robertson's and Dibbrel's Brigades, an,
J the desultory firing was at once explaine,
: the Tsnnssseeans were killing negroes