The National tribune., 1903-08-06
Gen. Mccook had Ia Oranges and

federate force, and expected to capture
the entire command; but the willy Confed-
crates learned Of the movement against
them, and made their escape, leaving, how
ever, one piece Of artillery, with its cais-
son.
Pursuit was Mt once made and the en-
emy driven from the country, with con-
siderable loss. But Gen. Lyon was able
by great activity to lead the chase and
inflict serious damage on the country. He
burnt the Court Houses ut Hopkinsville,
Cadz, Princeton. Madisonville, Hartford,
Elizabethtown. Berksville, and Camp
bellvil!e; he destroyed the barracks At Ed
dyville, a large depot of supplies at Eliza
bethtown, the bridge over Green River at
of cars, and the blockhouse and
bridge at Nolin River. Gen. Lyon,
as he states in his report, took from
the bank at Hopkinsville, Ky, n
small sum of Federal money, which | nave
turned over TO the Quarternaster TO be
used in defraying the expenses of the ex-
petition"
This short campaign was conducted dur
ing cold Winter weather, and the soldiers
of both sides suffered greatly. Gen. Lyon
retarded pursuit by destroying all bridges
which he crossed. Gen. McCook did ey-
erything that any one could have done in
such an emergency. and at last Col. La
Grange commanding the Second Brigade.
did oyertake Lyons force at Green River.
while they were crossing the river, killed
~ and captured seven prisoners and sew
eral wagons. La Grange overlook Lyon
again near Elizabethtown, when he cap
tured four officers and 20 men and drove
the enemy from the railroad.
In this expedition Col. La Grange
marched his brigade 416 miles. while Gen.
4, aI wit ha irI Brio do
325 miles. Both commands subs sted off
of the country. Gen. Lyon conscripted 400
men while in Kentucky. He made his es-
cape, but after crossing the Tennessee at
Gunter's Landing he was attacked by a
Union cavalry force from Decatur and
lost 60 prisoners and his artillery. The
conscripts all deserted. but Gen. Lyon,
with a small force made his way finally
to Tuscaloosa, Ala.
While Gen. Lyons raid created a great
disturbance in Kentucky and the destruc-
ton of much property. the object of the
expedition was not attained. Clarksville
was not captured, not a mill was started
to grinding, and the Louisville Il Nash
vile Railroad was not disturbed in the
running of trains for 24 hours.
INVESTMENT OF MURFHEEsBoRo.
On Dec Gen. Forrest started to Muir
freesboro with Buford's and Jacksnn's Di-
visions of Cavalry, followed by Sears $
and Palmer's Brigades of Infantry. At
La Vergne, 10 miles south of Nashville,
Gen. Forrest ordered Gen. Jackson to
move on the right of the town and invest
the fort on the hill, while he with Buford's
Division moved against blOckhOuse No. l..
Demands were made under flags of truce
for the surrender of those places, and the
garrsons surrendered.
The garrison on the hill consisted Of sc
officers and men, two pieces of artillery,
several wagons and considerable sup
ply of stores. The blockhouse and num-
Der of buildings were burned.
Four miles south of La Nergne Gen.
Forrest formed a junction with Gen. Bate,
who had been ordered to report to him for
the purpose of operating against Muir
freesboro. Gen. Hood attached so much
importance to the capture made at La
Vergne that he announced to his army
in orders this success of Gen. Forrest.
Gen. Forests combined forces now moved
on Murfreesboro.
Gen. Jackson sent one of his brigades
over to the Wilkinson pike to march down
by that route, while the main body moved
on the direct road. the cavalry in the ad-
vance. Late in the day the Union pickets
were encountered and driven in. Gen. For
out pickets to the Lebanon pike, on the
left. and to the Salem pike. on the right.
Gen. Bate arrived with his division on
the morning of the 9th, and was put in
line of battle. The contending forces skir-
mished for two hours or more. but Gen.
Bate did not assault the works.
Gen. Forrest exhibited his usual audac-
ity and activity; he demonstrated against
Fortress Rosccrans at all points. as well
as against the town. On the evening of
the 9th Sears's and Palmer's Brigades ar
rived. Gen. Forrest row had two divisions
of cavalry, one division and two brigades
of infantry and a proper complement of
artillery All of these troops were. of
course. taken from the main body in front
of Nashville. They had done effective
work in the destruction of the railroad
and had completely cut off railroad and tel
egraphic communication between Muir
freesbOro and Nashville.
Gen. Rousseau. commander of the forces
at Murfreesboro, had every confidence in
being able to hold the place against any
assault that Gen. Forrest might make.
Fortress Rosecrans was considered im-
pregnable to assault when held by such a
fighting force as now garriSOned it.
Gen. Rousseau became satisfied that
Gen. Forrest would not order an assault.
He therefore decided to give the enemy
battle outside of his works. He sent Gen.
MiIroy with seven regiments and bat
terry on the Salem pike, with directions to
swing around to the right. returning par
allel to the works along the line of the
woods west and northwest of the fortif-
cations.
Gen. Milroy made a temporary organi-
zation of his force into two brigades. The
First Brigade. Col Minor 7. Thomas,
commanding. was composed of the Sth
Mimi. Maj. G. A. Camp; 61st ILL.,, Lieut.
Col Daniel Grass; 174th Ohio, Col. John
S. Jones; 1S1st Ohio. Lieut.-COl. John
O'Dowd, and 18th n. Y. Art. six guns,
Capt. Henry Bundy, commanding. The
Second Brigade. Col Edward Anderson,
commanding, was composed of the 11Ith
Ohio, Col A. II. Wilcox; 17Sth Ohio, Col.
J. A. Stafford; 18th Ind. Cav. I'd smount-
edD, Lieut-Col Alfred Reed. The 4th and
9TH Tenn. Cav. Lieut.-Col. William j.
Cliff, reported to Col G. NJ. L. johnson,
18th Ind. Cav, commanding cavalry, un-
der Gen. Milroy.
The movement of Gen. Milroy from the
fortress was observed by Gen. Forrest
from the position of Col. Palmer's Bri-
gade. Gen. Forrest at once selected n
good position on the Wilkinson pike and
hurriedIy constructed barricade of logs
and rails, behind which his men were post
cd Gen. Milroy's skirmishers developed
the enemy.
FURIOUS ASSAULT ON FORESTS LINE.
The artillery of both forces kept up n
rapid fire for some so minutes. Not sat
isfied with his positions, Gen. Milroy with
drew his command to a woods in the rear,