The National tribune., 1902-10-02

On July %, 1861, while the battle of
Atlanta was being fought, Maj.-Gen.
Lowell III. Rousseau arrived at Marietta.
Ga. with about 2.300 cavalry. He had
Just completed Il raid against the enemys
railroads in Alabama. On his arrival at
Marietta, Gen. Rousseau reported the fact
by telegraph to Gen. Sherman.
This expedition was undertaken under
orders issued directly by Gen. Sherman.
Gen. Rousseau was in command Mt Nash
vile, and might have sent subordinate
officer to command the troops, but he pre-
.ferred to go himself. The troops for the
expedition were to be assembled at Deca-
tur. Ala, and make the start from that
point. ~--s.
GEN. sHERMAN's INSTRUCTIONS.
The instructions of Gen. Sherman for
This raid were brief. clear and specific,
and show that he had 4 complete knowl-
eGge of the Southern country and of the
art of war Following were the instruc-
tions:
''Near kenesaw, June 80, 1864.
f'Maj.-Gen. l.. III. Rousseau, Nashville.
1.-The movement that l want you to
study and be prepared for is contingent
on the fact that Gen. A. J. Smith defeats
Forrest or holds him well in check, and
after | succeed in making Johnston pass
the Chattahoochee with his army, when
I want you in person, or to send some good
officer, with 2,50O good cavalry, well
armed, and a sufficient number of pack
mules. loaded with ammunition, salt, su-
gar and coffee, and some bread or flour.
depending on the country for forage, meat
and cOrnmeal. The party might take two
light Rodman guns, with orders, in case
of very rapid movements, to cut the
wheels. burn the carriages, taking sledges
along to break off the trunions and wedg-
ing them in the muzzle.
The expedition should start from Deca-
tur, move slowly to BlOuntsville and Ash
vile, and, if the way is clear, to cross the
Ccosa at the Ten Islands or the railroad
bridge, destroying it after their passage,
then move rapidly for Talladega or OK
ford. and then. for the nearest ford or
bridge over the Tallapoosa. That passed.
the expedition should move with rapidity
On the railroad between Tuskegee and
Opelika, breaking up the road and twisting
the. bars of iron. They should work on
that road night and day, doing all the
damage toward and including Opelika. II
no serious opposition offers, they should
threaten Columbus, Ga, and then turn up
the Chattahoochee to join me between
Marietta and Atlanta, doing all the mis-
.Rhief possible.
No infantry or position should be at
Hacked, and the party should avoid all
fighting possible, bearing in mind. for their
own safety, that Pensacola. Rome, the
Etowah, and my army, are all in our
hands. II compelled to make Pensacola,
they should leave their horses. embark for
New Orleans, and come round to Nash
vile again. Study this well, and be pre-
pared to act on order when the time comes.
Selma, though important, is more easily
defended than the route l have named.
''W. Z. SHERMAN, Major-General."
"Near Chattaoochee, July Z, 1864: p. m.
maj Gen. l.. III. Rousseau, Nashville or
Decatur:
81 have no new instructions or informa-
ton to convey to you, but expect you to
leave Decatur on the 9th. If Roddey be
about Tuscumbia. you might send a small
infantry force down to Waterloo to
amuse him by threatening to cross (and)
to burn the Bear Greek bridge, eight miles
back from Eastport and about five miles
east of Iuka. You may give out that you
are going to Selma. but be sure to go to
0pelika, and break up railroad between it
and Montgomery. There is but single
road there. which unites the Mississippi
road with the Alabama roads. l am con-
WINGED Gen. A. J. Smith will give full en-
ployment to Forrest, and will Keep John
ston fully employed. and Maj Candy
will look out for the Mobile garrison
When You reach the road, do your work
well; burn the ties in piles, heat the iron
in the middle, and when red-hot let the
men pull the ends SO as to give twist to
the rails. II simply bent, the rails may
be used, but if they are twisted or wrench
ed they cannot be used again. In return
ing you should take the back track, and,
if pursued, turn for me or for Rome or
Kingston or Allatoona. Be sure to take
M Uau htIf mack led ht.vspS
Travel early and late in the day, but rest
at midday and midnight. Spare your
horses for the first week, and keep the
horses ready for the return trip. l think
the only force in your route is Pillows s,
about Oxford or Jacksonville or Gadsden.
We are down to the Chattahoochee and
will soon be across. All is well with US.
wv. Z. SHERMAN, Major-General."
Gen Rousseau's force consisted Of de-
tachments from the Sth Ind. Cav, com
manded by Col. Thomas J. Harrison; 2d
Ky. Cav. commanded by Col. Elijah S.
Watts: 4th Tenn. Cav, commanded by
Col. Meshack Stephens, and the 9th Ohio
Cav. commanded by Lieut.-Col. Matthew.
son T. Patrick. Lieut.. Leonard Wight
man commanded section Of the 1st Mich
Art, with 10-pounder Parrot guns. TIE
command was organized with two bri
gades, Col. Harrison commanding the
First and Lieut.-Col. Patrick the Second
Brigade. The troops all reached Decatur
on the evening OF July 8, but were moi
ready to take the road until the next day
at l o'clock.
RoUssEAU's DIRECTIVE POINT.
The objective point of this expedition
was Opelika, Ala, an important small
city, situated 125 miles southeast Of De
catur and IS miles southwest Of Atlanta
the object being to destroy the railroad II
Alabama which connected with the Atlantis
and West Point Railroad, and thus breal
up one of the important lines of cOmmuni
cation held by the Confederate forces
Gen. Sherman's opinion was that a small
force well led would be able to do tn,
work, and would probably meet with bu
slight opposition. Gen. Rousseau directed
his march through Somerville, over San,
Mountain, through Blountsville, owe
Straight Mountain, to Asheville, whicl
place he reached with his advance Oh tn
evening of July u. Here he found plent,
of corn, and also quantity of commissar
stores, which were issued to the troops.
1t must be understood that the column
was moving without wagons, the onl
wheels in the expedition being the arti
lery, so they had to rely upon these pac
trains and the country for supplies.
The column reached the Coosa River a