The National tribune., 1903-03-12

crate forces were moved into position COW
ering the redOubt occupied by Col. John
sons forces. This work was short dis
! lance west of town, and near the position
occupied by Col. Laiboldt against Gen.
Wheeler in August: but both of these posi-
tons are commanded by higher ground
on the east and north, which was now Oc-
cupled by Confederate infantry and artil-
| lery.
A second demand for surrender was
made and refused. This is what Col.
Johnson says followed his second refusal
to surrender:
"Skirmishng was resumed, and soon
very long and dense line of infantry, about
two miles in length, reaching from the
| Tunnel Hill to the lower Spring Place
| roads, and several batteries, could be OBJ
served from my redOubt. Cannonadins
was also heard above, near BuzZard ROost
Gap, and was informed that division of
cavalry occupied the Cleveland road, and
! that the railroad north of Dalton was
| burning, the guard at the first bridge north
of Dalton captured. and that the rebels
were then Smelling the blockhOuse at the
second bridge north of Dalton. In short
We We're surrounded.
Capt. Nelly, of the eth Ky. Cav, now
came in and reported that he had ridden
the entire line of the enemy; that l must
thes Ha't bth thVuSh W
eat us up as he expressed himself.
Il saw myself that there was Il large
force of the enemy, and judged from the
disposition of the troops that they intend
ed Il determined attack.
Fully aware that in the position which
l occupied, and which could not afford
sufficient shelter and protection to repel
the attack of any raiding party, l could
hold out but very short time against
the batteries of an army and the assault
of infantry, as my redOubt is command
ed by two points, | sent Lieut.. Web
ster, 44th u. S. Colored Inf: Capt. Nc
Nicely, 9TH Ky. Cav. and Capt. Holmes.
44th U. $. Coiored Inf. under a flag of
truce to Gen. Hood, with instructions to
demand permission to inspect the rebel
force. and if after an inspection they We're
satisfied that there were more than 10000
infantry and one battery Of artillery, l
proposed TO evacuate the place. provided
safe conduct to the next military post
would be granted.
The permission to see the force was
refused to them. but Maj. EuStiS, Assis-
tant Adjutant- General, and Isham G.
Harris, Volunteer Aid-deCamp on Gen.
Hoods staff tand then Governor of Ten
messed, assured me that the force there
in front of Dalton was far more numerous
than what they proposed to inspect; that
two corps-Chcatham's Hardee's old
coTpS) ana SteWdTt S-WeTe III the 1nlIlie-
date front of Dalton, and that another
corps, S. d. Lees was in supporting dis
lance, and that they were determined to
take the place, cost what it might; that no
quarter would be given, etc.
while this flag was out l noticed that
they We're getting everything in position,
and saw more than 20 pieces of artillery,
and 4 line of men which must have NUM-
bered nearly $4,000. l was now notified
that Gen. Hood desired to see me. and
went out. accompanied by Capt. Il. L.
Kirby. 44th U. S. Colored Inf l saw
Gen. Hood, and lie repeated what his staff
officers had told my Lieutenant-Colo
and the other officers. and showed me at
least $4,000 men and so pieces of artillery.
which were then in position bearing upon
my work. One of the batteries consisted
of 20 guns, and was placed upon a hill
within 500 yards southeast of my fort.
which is at least 80 feet higher than the
one l occupied, and commands it entirely
The other battery Of 10 guns was in posi-
ton in the graveyard west of town. and
also commanded my redoubt. Gen. Hood
told me that must decide at once; that
l had already occupied too much of his
time, and when / protested against the
barbaric measures which he threa tened in |
his summons, he said that lie could not
restrain his men, and would not if he
could; that l could choose between sur
justified in sacrificing the lives of nearly |
500 men, l consulted with Lieut-Col. Web
ster. Capt. McNeely and Capt. Holmes,
and was by them advised to surrender. |
and deeming it my duty as a soldier to do |
so under the circumstances, l surrend- |
cred the command as prisoners of war be-
tween ) and 4 p. M
Our total loss by capture at Construc-
ton Camp. Tilton and Dalton numbered
about l. 80 officers and men.
Col. johnson and his command marched
away with their Confederate captors, but
on the morning of the 18th Gen. Cheatham
to Col. johnson that he would
parole his white officers and men. They
were all paroled at ) p. M, and arrived
at Dalton about Q p. m. the same day.
Col. JOhnson's report was made to Brig.
Gen. William ID. Whipple, Assistant Adj
jutant- General, Department of the Cnm-
berland, who informed Col johnson that