The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-04-24
TULLAHOMA CAMPAIGN,
stanley's Cavalry and Its Operations Against
Wheeler.

Stanleys Cavalry and Its operations Against
Wheeler.
| EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: / have
| been q constant reader of your most ex-
cellent paper for more than is years, and
greatly enjoy the war stories that appear
from time TO time, and especially the one
from the gifted pen of Comrade l.. S.
Widney, Bath Ill. They are the more en-.
joyable because the regiment in which
had the honor of serving was in the old
| Army of the Cumberland, which never
! in its unity, gave up but one field TO the
enemy, and that bloody Chickamauga.
The article that i am going to ''call
down. appeared in the issue of Oct. 24
and relates to the Tullahoma campaign
or, rs some of the boys called IL, the wet
campaign" What l say is not TO criticise
but to correct an error, so that the read
ers of your paper and students of history
may not be miSled.
Comrade Widney says: Directly in front
of us is a range of abrupt hills which can
not be passed except through three gaps,
named Liberty, Bellbuckle and Hoover
TO the right of these gaps and in the
same range of hills is Guys Gap, equal
in Importance with the others. This was
the left wing of Bragg's army, and was
held by Folks Corps and Wheeler's cav
airy. The line of earthwOrks was a short
On June 90. 1863, the white tents of
Stanley's cavalry, which at that time was
near Triune, disappeared like frost before
an Autumn sun. The column moved out
the Eaglevile turnpike, with Campbelfs
First Brigade of Mitchell's Division in adj
vance. A short distance beyond Eagles
vile the advance guard began SkirmiShing
with the enemy, who fell back to Rover.
At this place, late in the afternoon, Camp
bells brigade had a short engagement with
part of Wheeler's cavalry. In this en-
gagement the LIST Tenn. Cav lost two
killed and several wounded, Col. Brown
lows horse being shot from under him.
The army marched short distance be-
yOnd Rover, where it bivOuacked for the
night. Early next morning Stanley moved
toward Middleton, and soon the pop.
pop" of the carbines of the advance gave
us warning that the enemy was still in
our front.
At Middleton Wheeler offered some re-
sistance, but was forced to retire with
some loss Here the men passed very
unpleasant night, as the clouds continued
to weep.
From this place Stanley moved to the
extreme right of the army. followed by
the Reserve Corps, under Granger. The
rain of the past few days had rendered
the dirt roads almost impossible.
On approaching Guys Gap, Stanley de-
plOyed his men, and sent forward strong
line of skirmishers, who soon became
warmly engaged. AS the lines advanced
the wheat and growing corn were trampled
down and entirely destroyed by the NOV
ing cavalry. After considerable skirmish-
Ing and a heavy artillery fire the whole
line was ordered forward. and in a short
time the gap was in our possession.
Stanley pushed ahead through the gap AMI
soon came upon the abandoned earth
works.
From Guys Gap to Shelbyvile is
seven miles, with a good turnpike the en-
tire distance. At many places the road
was straight, so that the rapidly march
ing column could be seen for some dis.
lance. r.
Wheeler made several attempts to use
his artillery at elevated points. but, be-
ing pressed so closely, fred but few shots
at his pursuers.
As Stanley approached Shelbyville hs
found that Wheeler was making a desper-
ate attempt TO hold him in check long
enough for his artillery and wagons to
cross Duck River. But nothing could
check the Union cavalry. and in n few
minutes the Confederate line gave way and
all made for the bridge which spanned
Duck River 1t was soon completely
D''htu viii artillery, wagons and horses,
Here four guns We're, captured and sew,
eral OF Wheeler's men killed and wound
ed. we took about 800 prisoners, and it
IS said that Wheeler escaped capture by
swimming Duck River.
hundreds of his men being cut off and
unable TO get over the crowded bridge.
plunged into the swollen stream. many be-
ing drowned
This does not take high rank with other
engagements, but was a serious blow to
Bragg's army.
After two days rest Stanley moved
across the country to Manchester. In a
few days the whole army was set in mo-
ton, TO find that Bragg had crossed the
mountain and was headed for Chatta
nooga. So after this short campaign of
about 10 days, Middle Tennessee was
free from the enemy
Stanley's cavalry was sent to Winches-
ter, where it remained in camp for about
two weeks. While here we heard the
glorious news Of the fall Of Vicksburg and
the victory at Gettysburg. in honor of
which a salute was frcd.-W. X. CARTER.
Isl Tenn. Cav, Knoxville, Tenn.