The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-06-19
WITH THE 9Th IND CAV.
Operations Against Morgan, and Fighting
Around Bristol, Tenn.

| Around Bristol, Tenn.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Thanks
to Comrade G. W. Miller. Of Co. G., 5th
Ind. Cav, for the best version Of the bat
tie. defeat and capture Of most Of Gen.
| Morgan's command at Burlington Island,
giving credit to Gen. Judah's Brigade,
made up OF the 9Th Ind. Cav, 14th Ill.
Cav. and LIST Ky. Cav, with Michigan
battery Of four guns, in numbers about
1900 men (Mosgrovs gave him 5000.
When Gen. Morgan gathered his men
south Of the Cumberland River in lower
Kentucky. Gen. Judah's army was on the
opposite side below Glasgow, and would
have prevented Gen. Morgan crossing the
river at Burksville, but was hindered by
high waters in the Kentucky River and
again at Green River. With this start
Gen. Morgan got well under way toward
the Ohio River. Seeing he could not head
him off. Gen. Judah struck for Louisville
partly by rail. but was too late to head
off Morgan in Indiana; then took boat for
! Cincinnati, but was again too late, as Gen.
Morgan had passed on east through Ohio.
Our next move was by boat to Gallipolis.
On the eve of the 18th Gen. Judah placed
his men across Morgan's track, but the
rebel General declined battle, lodged and
marched all night and Friday, and arrived
at Burlington late Saturday evening. with
4
to six miles.
Saturday morning Gen. Judah started
for Burlington; arrived there without rest
Sunday morning. July 10. with Co. c. 9Th
Ind, in the lead as advance and escort to
the Commanding General and staff. with
a section of the Michigan battery. This
advance and escort entered the valley from
| the hill by a .brushwood road barely wide
enough to allow the passing of wagon.
| On the right of the road was a field with
corn about head high. in which was an
ambnscade Of Alorgan's men, who permit
| ted the advance to come abreast Of them,
then raised and fired, capturing most of
the escort and battery. All this happened
before sunup Sunday morning
Now was Gen. Alorgan's opportunity to
| follow the success of the morning with an
| assault on Gen. Judah's column, which
was still in the brush and could only ad-
| vance two ut time. Nor was Morgan's
| army surprised; they were in line within
easy reach. Morgan's men seemed salts
! ned with their capture, and turned our
guns against us. Judah's army had been
in the saddle for "A hours without rations
or rest, and were exhausted and unpre-
| pared for an assault. However, as soon
| as the remaining artillery could be brought
to the front, with Co. B. 9th Ind. CAY, in
the lead. we marched to the field to the
left of the lane. and took position in
wheatfield and opened fire on the rebel
lines, drawing all the rebel fire at easy
! range. At this time the gunboats on the
| river began random fire that hurt no
body. the shots going over our heads and
landing short of the rebels. Co. B. 9th
Ind. Cav 81 strong, commanded by
Lieut.-Col. Butler Geo. W. Miller SAYS
Co. I. led by Col. O'NieD led the charge
against the rebel center. pierced and broke
their lines. recaptured the Michigan guns,
released the prisoners and captured most
of the rebel artillery. We put the whole
column to rout. and during the day gath
cred in over 300 rebel prisoners. These
facts know. as l was there at the head
of Go. Il. | do not think we lost man
in this famous charge; famous because Of
the few who made it and the great results
of it. 1t was now near 8 o'clock A white
flag was displayed from hill to the rear
Upon investigation it was found to be
from Gen. Hobson GUnion) inquiring what
was up and if we needed help. None was
needed. for at this timo there We're no
rebels in the State of Ohio. except a few
hundred that escaped with their leader.
All might have been taken had the Ken
tucky Union troops been more alert.
ten. Judah lost but few men, either
killed or wounded. Gen. Morgan's men
were forced into the brush, and would
come in i'll companies and squads and
give themselves up to the first blue-coat
they would meet. / lined up score or
two NEAR n cabin in the brush with
spring at the foot of the hill. Perhaps
some living men of the gray may remem-
Der it. A Chaplain. in particular, think,
If he sees this, will remember how I set
him to care for some of their wounded.
Gen. Judah returned to Gallipolis, and
took boat for Louisville. Ky After few
days rest he started for Tennessee, and
arrived at Knoxville Sept l.
Perhaps Comrade G.. ". Miller remem-
bers the east Tennessee campaign, particu-
larry the battle over the village of Blount-
vile. west of Bristol: the charge Of the
9Th Ind Cav. under Col. Graham. through
burning streets. About eight men of Co.
and Co. G, think. led the charge, quite
distance in advance Of the army We
captured train of wounded and their
guards, leaving two of our number t. hold
them. The other six charged on, taking a
section of artillery with artillerymen. I
distinctly remember galloping I'D, firing
Mt the men on the box, riding to the off
wheel horse. shooting the man off the near
horse, approaching the second set and
serving them the same way, also the two
on the leaders, and then drove the leaders
into the fence row and brought the whole
to halt. Leaving men to hold these a
Co. q man and myself took the lead. He
soon took prisoner and stayed with him.
two mounted men and they surrendered.
babe them stand, as wanted to capture
more. 1t was now about 10 O'Clock and
moonlight. / was nearing Bristol. where
the rebel army was going Halt or I
hre, | called to rebel in front of me-
He did not halt. / raised my pistol
snapped at him: no load. had forgotten
to reload. Then the incest chase you ever
saw commenced. 1 ran him to the rear of
a retreating company; got up beside him
with pistol above his head, turned him
back and brought him off the field almost
in sight of Bristol. He was Mai Dunn.
of Gen. Williams's East Tennessee army.
His first words We're: What regiment do
YOU commando" | answered. 18th Ind.
Cav He looked about. and said, Where
is your regimentT l answered, Right
here on this horse" He looked astonished.
Returning l met the head of our army
about where | left my first two prisoners.
l was halted and brought up, and told
Col. Graham l had driven the rebels into
Bristol. He said they had captured two
prisoners. | said / guessed they were
mine, as l had left two there When v,s
came to them, they We're refusing to go,
saying the man to whom they surrendered
was not present. rode up with my Ma
jor. and they said. There is the man.
and both rode out to me. l delivered my
three men and horses as prisoners to the
guard. My Captain Ueeson) was with
the Colonel when first met him, and he
rode nm tn Mai nupp 6ap,anda5 he