Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-08

war. i
/ have read his communication over
carefully several times. but have not been
able TO determine whether he intended to
write "a tale OF Action" a chapter OF Con-
federate history. or TO give prominence
10 personal heroism. His article opens
with this statement; "0n the 18th day OF
November, 1854. the ragged and fatigued
Confederate army under General Hood
marched into Columbia, Tenn, and wit
messed the blowing up OF a fort that stood
upon an elevation southwest OF the town.
u The enemy had Just fired ana
abandoned the fort and taken their posi-
ton on the opposite side Of the river
where they had communicable fort the
Confederates marched through the town
under cover OF the buildings"
II VIII be noted that comrade Cooper
asserts that the Federals evacuated Co
Iumbta on the 18th of November, which is
certainly not correct. The Confederate
army reached Columbia on November
26th and took position menacing the
town on the 9th our lines were extended
two miles 20 the right. so that our ex-
treme right rested on Duck river. On
the night Of the 9th the glare Of lights in
Columbia clearly indicated the prepare
tons being made by the Federals to -evac-
uate the town, which they did that night.
Columbia is located on a blum on the
south bank Of Duck river. On the 18th
/ entered the town and spent several hours
and was much interested in watching the
sharpshooters as they would seek and
utilize any advantage from their opposing
positions on the opposite bank OF the riv-
Ter. The Confederate sharpshooters were
protected by houses on the south bank,
while those Of the Federal army were un-
der cover OF trees on the north side. Back
OF the FEDERAL sharpshooters, a few hum
dred yards. could be plainly seen Fed
eral line Of battle.
As already stated. on the 9th and 18th
the Confederate line OF battle rested on
Duck river about two miles east Of Co
lumbia. Behind this line and about one.
mile farther up the river, on the day and
night Of the 18th. the Confederates placed
a pontoon bridge across the river. At sun
rise on the 18th Chatham's and Stewards
corps and Johnson's division Of Lees
corps were crossing the river. At the time
Cheatham was commanding Hardee's old
corps and General, John B. Brown, OF
Tennessee. was commanding Cheatham's
division. These troops, which constituted
a majority OF Hoods army. their move
ments concealed and protected by cavalry
and supported by artillery. made forced
march Of % miles across the country over
settlement roads for the purpose Of getting
possession Of the pike road leading from
Columbia to Nashville via Franklin, and
der Schofeid. who were still in the vicini-
u OF Columbia. We rested for the night
fl one nile Of Spring Hin, which Is on
the Nashville pike road. Is miles north of
Columbia. believe II is a chapter in the
history OF the Confederate war that Will
never be satisfactorily explained, why the
object OF our forced march was not real
lied. That some one was TO blame was
patent fact but a controversy after the
war between Hood, Cheatham and others
failed 10 settle the blame beyond a doubt.
During the night we could plainly. hear
the wagon train Of the enemy passing In
disorder up the pike. Had we covered the
pike and Ragged the federal forces still
below Spring Hill when we arrived on the
night OF November 18th. the carnage at
Franklin the next day would not have oc-
CURED. and Nashville could have been
easily captured.
II does not strain the imagination to
think what might have been but for
the Spring Hill blunder. due to somebody.
But we have lost Comrade Cooper. let US
20 back to Columbia and find him.
He says: HE had special orders TO
PASS over the river In one OF the FIRST boats
that passed over" one OF the small boats
used to .fioat the pontoon bridge con-
structed during the day (2sth). He says
It was late In the afternoon when the
army began to march over and take posi-
ton on the north side. When the passage
was complete 1T was quite dark. He
gives no Indication that he Knew the bulk
OF the army had crossed the river that
morning at sunrise three miles 10 the
east and was then at Spring Hin, Is miles
TO the north. He further says he was
hailed late at night by a courier to report
at once to General Cheatham to the
right up the line After stumbling over
great many sleeping soldiers he sud
denly butted up against sentry who
pointed out General Cheatham. doubled
up asleep at the root OF a. tree" Remem-
Der that this was Tate at night" and just
across the river from Columbia, 10 miles
below Spring Hill and 8 miles south Of
Franklin. Comrade Cooper walked the
general up and was commissioned Ito
pass beyond our plokets and advance on
the enemy and ascertain. their movements
and reconnoiter the fort" But he was
not willing to do all this himself. so re-
turned to his company and got a detail~of
one man TO accompany him on this peril
Gus venture. fa~
Then follows a detailed account of the
psrilous adventures of these. two valiant
soldiers during the remaining hours or this
memorable night. t.
1ney first-came upon Yankee fort. one
stood with arms ready 10 fire. while the
other moved cautiously up TO the fort
20 fushtthe game. but mot Yankee was
there"
They next bore down upon two-story
residence. AN was silent and dark as
death. They went TO the east front and
took hold Of the white door knob and
gave Il a vigorous shake. but no one walked
up. Then 70 the north front and gave the
door good shake. and stfll no responsive
sound Then 70 the west front and gave
this door a shake. heard asnoise within and
ordered the door opened. The answer
came back. II will as soon as i get my
clothes on" With fixed bayonets and
muskets cooked they waited for the door
70 open IL developed that the occupants
OF the house were some ladies. young
man. an old man and a negro. They were
All placed under guard. Comrade Cooper
continues this interesting narrative as fol-
lows
Just as day began to approach looked
across the field and going at a brisk rate
to the northeast was the old gentleman.
He had mysteriously eluded us and was
now well on his way 70 the enemy. At
this juncture we received orders 10 move
al once up tbs railroad and attack and
drive I'm all guards that were stationed
along its route
I viii add a few comments.
General Cheatham could not have been
hsleep at the root OF a tree just across
the river from Columbia on the night OF
November q, 1864. for he was with his
! corps near Spring Hin. Is miles north.
These two valiant soldiers by their brill
liant NIGHTS work seem 10 have got COM
pletely lost from that part OF Hoods army
which crossed Duck river at Columbus.