The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-06-05
PICKET SHOTS
Prom Alert Comrades Along the Whole
Line.
THE DEFENSE OF KNOXVILLE.


| ]. @. Weddle, Co. f, 1st Ky. Cav, Fau-
vile began Nov. II, 1868, when all the
infantry regiments went into works con-
structed around that city. Our cavalry
was withdrawn inside the defenses after
the death OF Gen. Sanders. Col. Craw-
ford, LIST Ky. Cav, was in command of
the First Cavalry Division. Lieut. Col.
Adams commanded the list Ky. Cav.
From our position inside the works, We
could see the enemy taking up advantage
Gus positions upon the hills on the north
side of the river. Heavy details from the
Union regiments were at work day and
night on the Notifications. Many loyal
citizens assisted in the work. On first en-
tering the city, the LIST Ky. Cav. camped
in depression near the top of a hill. We
had to ascend only a few steps to secure
a view of the open valley between us and
the enemy's lines on the ridge beyond. On
Nov. 10 We moved beyond Second Greek,
and took up position that was in an ex-
act line with the missiles that oyershot
Fort Sanders. On the Odd Wolford's Cav
airy Division crossed the Holston and
took position on the south side of the
| river. The line of defenses commenced at
a point on the river and ran north at
ri.,ht-angles with the river to a fort on
tbs hill north of the Kingston road: thence
crossed First Creek to Mabry's HILL We
occupied four prominent hills. The Ninth
Corps, Gen. Potter commanding, occupied
| the line from Holston to Second Greek !;
| Gen. Hartranft's line was between First
and Second Creeks; Chapin's Bridge ex-
tended from Second Greek over Temper
ance Hill to near Bells House, and the
brigades of Col. Haskins and Easement
extended from this point to the river. The
interior line was occupied by some loyal
I FInTa
positions on the south side of the river
were occupied by Shackelford's Cavalry
and Cameron's Brigade of Hascall's Divi-
sion. Reillys Brigade was held in re-
serve, and used during the siege to rein
force lines on both sides of the river. Our
force in Knoxville was about $1,000; the
enemy's was about 10000. On the 23d
an assault was made on the enemy by
the I'd Mich. They were driven back with
loss of six killed and many wounded.
On the 25th division of the enemy made
fierce assault on our position south of
the river. The 103d Ohio went into line.
The infantry regiment of new troops fell
back. The list Ky. Cav. came to the aid
of the Union forces, and drove tie enemy
back with heavy loss. Our rations now
became small and of inferior quality The
water in the Holston was our only supply.
On the 2Sth the weather became very cold
Our men in the bitches were greatly ex-
posed. In the mean time our forage had
been exhausted, and our own rations
had dwindled down to almost nothing. All
day Of the 9th heavy firing continued
On the night of the 2Sth our men in
the bitches stood alert. Early in the
morning terrible fire was opened upon
Fort Sanders. Although the 1st Ky.
Cav. had been eyewitness of many en-
gagements, they had never witnessed any
thing like it before. The whole country
for miles around was lit up like day.
Across the railroad, up the slope, the
rebels came, while our guns We're making
havoc in their ranks. The stumps that
the wires were attached to are reached
and down they fall amid charges of grape
and canister, while the steady fire of the
infantry from the adjoining rifie-pits do
not stop them. They filled the ditch and
every foot Of ground showed their cour-
age Lighted shells with short fuses and
hand grenades were thrown over in the
ditch. Through the light we discovered
columns of rebels; masses rushing on with
wells would disappear from view. This
slaughter lasted some 80 minutes Then
everything was as still as if nothing had
happened. On the Doth / went over the
battle-ground. l never again want to wit
ness such scene. The estimate at that
time of killed and captured of Longstreet's
forces was 1000. Dec. it was an
nounced that Longstreet had withdrawn
his men from around Knoxville"
GEN. NEAL DOW at PORT HUDSON.
]. w. Banks, Co. f, 9th Mich, Fenton.
Mich, writes: "In the issue of The Ma
tional Tribune of May 8 Comrade J. T..
Douglas. 10Th Conn, writing of Port Hud-
son, SAYS that Gen. Neal Dow lost a limb
May y, 1863. COmrade Douglas is mis-
taken. Gen. Thos. w. Sherman was in
command of our division, 9th Mich, ID
DURYEA'S Zouaves, 12Sth and 147th n.
Y. 10th Conn. 21st Ind. and ID Vt. Bat
teries; Gen. Dow in command of our bri-
gade. Soon after the attack Gen. Sher-
man was wounded in the thigh Cater leg
amputated). Gen. Dow then took COM
mand. straightway changed tactics TO
moral suasion; advanced alone. waving his
hand, shouting: Boys. you're wrong:
you're wrong They evidently did not be-
lieve a word Of it, and fired on him. His
horse brought him back on a double-Ouck.
He received flesh wound in the thigh
Col. Clark, 9th Mich. then took command
of brigade. Gen. Dow rested at his head
quarters When he became able to ride
his horse he found very nice family n
mile or more outside picket line, stayed to
dinner, and accepted an invitation for
like event at certain following day, and
was promptly on hand When time came
to return he left the mansion, followed by
Orderly. The house was back some dis
lance from main road and when he reach
ed the road three gentlemen, apparently