The National tribune., 1902-05-15

trust, a lasting friendship. This much for
ourselves; now for the enemy.
1.-THE Ugion people in Ringgold inform
ed me that the army retreated through
that town in 4 disorganiZed and democrat
lied condition, about one-third of them
without arms, having thrown them away;
One-third with arms, but herded together
like cattle, and in the residue only had
their officers been able to preserve any
thing like company and regimental forma-
ton, and all the rank and file swearing
that they would not serve the damned
Confederacy any longer"
When Gen. Grant ordered Gen. Sher-
man to Knoxville, he suspended the fur
Their pursuit of Gen. BTagg's army, direct
ing Gen. Hooker to hold his position and
take such steps as to protect Sherman's
rear.
Gen. Palmer's Divisions were soon sent
back to Chattanooga, but Osterhaus's Di-
vision Of the Fifteenth Corps remained
with Gen. Hooker.
Gen. Sherman upon receiving his orders
at once put his command in motion toward
Knoxville, sending an officer with direc-
tions for his cavalry to join him at Athens.
On the first day the army crossed the H
awassee River and marched 10 miles to
Athens. Gen. Granger was directed to
change his route and report with his force
at Philadelphia. On Dee. 2 the army
marched 20 miles toward London. The
cavalry passing 10 the head of the column
in the forenoon, was ordered on to London
to save the pontoon bridge, known to be
in use across the Tennessee River at that
place, but Gen. Vaughn had a strong
! force behind earthworks, with cannon,
which could not be taken by a cavalry
dash; but Gen. Howard was pushing for
ward, and reached London after dark
Gen. Vaughn abandoned the place dur-
ing the night, but he destroyed the pom
tOon bridge and ran three locomotives and
As cars into the river; but Gen. Towards
force captured four cannon and a large
quantity of provisions.
The destruction Of the bridge at LOudon
necessarily changed the direction of Gen.
Sherman's march, and would delay his ar
rival at Knoxville.
COL. ELI LONG TO THE RESCUE.
The General therefore determined to
communicate with Gen. Burnside by the
use Of the cavalry. Col. Eli Long, who
had performed such gallant services in the
early part of the movement, was in com
mand of the Cavalry Brigade, and was
ready for any military enterprise
Capt. Audenreid, Of Gen. Sherman's
staff, was intrusted with instructions to
Col Long, and was directed to accompany
the expedition. Col Long was directed to
communicate with Gen. Burnside at what
ever cost of life and horseflesh, and inform
him Of the approach Of the relief column.
The distance was 40 miles, and the Little
Tennessee was TO be forded
Before day Col. Long was off, and at
daylight the Fifteenth Corps had turned
from Philadelphia for the Little Tennessee
at MOrgantOn.
Arriving here, it was found that the riy-
er was too deep for the artillery and men
TO ford, and the water was freezing cold
Horses could ford, but the artillery and
men could not. A bridge was indispensa-
BILE.
Gen. Wilson undertook to build the
bridge. The stream was $40 feet wide
With crib work and trestles made of tim
Der from the houses of Morganton the
bridge was completed so that troops and
animals passed over on the night of
| Dec. 4.
BY daylight of Dec. > Gen. Frank P.
Blair, commanding the Fifteenth Corps,
had passed over with his troops and
marched out on the road to Maryville, five
miles away, TO be followed by Gen. Grang-
er and Gen. Davis. In the early morning.
while these movements were being made,
| Gen. Sherman had ridden forward and
stopped at house where the roads fork
lth' Nuth lhtSStIiStT TOue bringing n
| letter from Gen. Burnside dated Dec 4.
announcing the fact that Col. Long had
arrived at Knoxville with his cavalry, and
/ that all was we'll.
Longstreet still lay before the place, but
there were symptoms of his speedy depar-
ture. Sherman felt great relief at the
news, but did not abate in energy TO hurry
| his troops forward.
Gen. Howard had marched to the river
TO point seven miles below Morganton,
and had made a bridge of wagons left by
Gen. Vaughn at Loudon. on which he
passed his men across the river. Gen
| Howard marched by Uniiia and Louisville.
All tho heads OF columns were directed
toward Maryville, where they communi-
Gated on the night of Dec 5.
Maj. Van Buren,, of Gen. Burnside's
staff. joined Gen. Sherman at Maryville.
and informed him that on the night of