The National tribune., 1901-07-04
AGAINST HEAVY ODDS.
A Little Band Of 30 Withstand
An Attack of Five Hundred.
BY W. H. IbsEEy. 9TH ILL.

which L belonged was stationed at Ds-
catur, Ala, we having participated in its
Gen. Sherman was, arranging for his At
lanta campaign brigade Of New York
troops, which had seen hard service on
the Potomac, was brought in for garrison
duty, in order that the force of which we
were n part might be relieved to take
part in that movement. Our regiment of
mounted infantry had been much in the
saddle during the Winter and Spring, but
the rest of the brigade had done little
marching, and was IN hne shape Tor Tie
Spring campaign.
The addition of nearly 1000 men to the
force at Decatur, which was far out on
the right flank of Sherman's army, did
not fail to attract the attention OF the
Confederates, especially as it seemed to
presage a flank movement, for which
Sherman was noted. 1t was but few
days, therefore, till force of infantry
and cavalry was brought to some point
within easy striking distance, and feints,
or attacks in some force, upon our lines
became of almost daily occurrence. so
frequent were they that We were in con-
slant state of expectancy, and but few
shots would be fired until every man
would be armed and equipped, and every
horse saddIed, ready for rush to the
point of attack, Il skirnish and a chase,
till the attacking party, which had no IN
tention of bringing on general engage
ment, was driven off.
The object of these attacks was to de-
velope the strength of the garrison as re-
inforced. and to watch for any possible
movement which might threaten the left
flank of Gen. Johnston's army, which con-
fronted Sherman. Subsequent events also
showed this to be part OF a concerted
movement which eliminated in the cap
ture of Fort Pillow and an advance into
western Tennessee and Kentucky.
So frequent and annoying did these
attacks become that it was deemed wise
to locate the force making them, and dis
cover it's strength. Especially was this
necessary because of the danger or these
feints developing into an attack in force,
so breaking our lines and threatening the
rear of Gen. Dodge, who was at Athens.
Hence, on the afternoon OF March 70,
Gen. Stevenson sent for Col. Phllips, OF
nv regiment, to report at Headquarters
Immediately. This Officer was one Of the
bravest and most daring scouters in the
Department, and had been sent on many
expeditions requiring alertness, skill and
courage.
A pERILoUs UNDERTAKING.
"Col Philips" said the General, es soon
as that officer entered, Il have task fcr
you of special Importance. Scouts have
brought in reports of a force estimated at
from 1000 to 5,000 located at various
poiuts within easy striking distance of our
lines, chiefly in the neighborhood of Moui-
ton. 1t is important tAat we should learn
their exact position and strength as soon
as possible. YouLwill take only the most
effective men of your regiment, and move
ont on the Sommerville road. Use every
precaution to guard against surprise, but
scour the country carefully, to point not
less than 20 miles distant. II you hnd
the way clear, you Will then turn west
ward and approach Mpulton. Do not at
tempt an engagement but, if possible, de-
yelope the location and the strength OF
the force at that point. IT Will be neces-
sary that you move quickly, and that you
return by a different road from that taken
in Going out, as the enemy's cavalry is Of
such strength to endahger your capture.
How soon can you start, and with what
force"
Il can start within an hour, and with
about 80 men," 80 ,,5, g..
You should have more. Where are
they?" ,oo 6. .o-
duty; but the hard riding Of the last lO
days has told on our horses until not more
than the number mentioned are ht 1or
such an expedition"
.Very WE'LL take such as you have, but
move ct once and ride hard. Good day,
sir"
Saluting, Col. Philips withdrew and
dashed away to camp. An order was sent
to company officers to prepare to move at
once with two days ratiOns and 60 ROUNDS
of ammunition. They were cautioned to
take only such men as were well mounted
and fit for the hardest riding.
About 4 o'clock boots and saddles" was
sounded and the regiment, numbering a
few more than $50, soon swung into the
road at brisk trot.
During the afternoon and evening we
rode away to the southwark without strik-
ing the enemy, but learned from contra
bands that scouting parties had been over
the road that day. Late at night we
halted for brief rest, but the early morn
ing found us again in the saddle, now
turning our course to the westward, to-
ward the city Of Moulton. We had not
gone far until we learned that large
force was located near that point.
By 10 o'clock we encountered smail
outpost, which was driven in, but which
contested our advance so stubbornly that
our company was deployed as sklrmlshers
and, for several miles, We pressed them
through field and forest, now advancing,
now being checked by their sharp firing
At last the town was reached and the
enemy driven beyond it, still, without dis
covering the main body. Enough had been
learned, however, to indicate that it was
near at hand. Leaving tho rest of the
regiment on q hill top at the outskirts OF
the village, Col. Phillips took Cos. d.
commanded by Lieut.. Cyrus II. Gilmore,
and /, with Capt. J. FL. Robinson in COM
mand, for a further advance, leaving
the rest of the regiment, in command
of Mai. Kuhn, as reserve. Call
ing these officers to him the Colonel gave
his orders for the advance.
"You will deploy your companies In
skirmish line," said he, "and move. for
ward, mounted, being careful to keep In
close center touch. While. driving any
guard against an ambush, and do not
draw the fire of the main body IL dis
covered. If the camp is found, and you
are not attacked in force, take time to
examine it with care, in order to learn
the number and character of its forces" "
APPROACHING THE ENEMY's CAMP.
As we wheeled into line every man
filed the magazine of his Spencer, and
threw an extra into the barrel, thus giving
him eight shots without reloading. Steadi,
ly forward we rode. each firmly seated and
watching carefully for the slightest sign
of hidden foe. A short distance out q
| picket post was discovered, which a few
set the blood to tingling in every mans
veins. Testing ceased, teeth became set,
rifles were poised for instant use, and the
noise of tramping horses was only broken
by an occasional Steady, boys" as some
would impatiently urge their horses be-
yond the moving line. Boots and sad
dies" came echoing through the forest,