The National tribune., 1903-07-02

The cavalry, under Gen. Wilson, con-
sisting of Hatch's Division. 1000 men;
Croxton's Brigade, of the First Division,
300 men. and Caprons Brigade, of the
Sixth Division, ! 800 men, were concen-
trated ut Columbia on the oath, and was
Immediately stationed on the north side
of Duck River between Columbia and the
Lewisburg pike, to watch the movements
of the enemy.
Gen. Forrest concentrated his Cavalry
Corps in front of Columbia on the after
noon of the 9th and invested the place
from Duck River below the town to the
extreme north. He held his position.
keeping up an active demonstration until
the arrival of the infantry, when he was
relieved.
INVESTMENT OF COLUMBIA.
Gen Schofield found that his position
was too extended for the number OF
troops present He selected and fortified
an interior line, but held on to the outer
works, hoping that Gen. A. J. Smith
would soon arrive with reinforcementS.
On the 23th, realizing that the enemy
was near at hand in largely superior force,
and that he might without difficulty effect
a crossing of the river above Columbia, he
sent Gen. Cox with two brigades of his
division across the river to check any such
his troops across the river to the railroad
bridge to construct and occupy bridge
head to defend that point. He also with
drew two of Gen Stanley's Divisions to
the interior line.
Gen. Woods Division and one brigade
of Gen. Cox's Division We're left on the eX-
terror line, and the picket line was kept
in its original position.
On this day Nov. p, Gen. Hood ar
rived at Mount Pleasant. Gen. Lees
Corps having the advance camped beyond
the town on the Columbia road, Gen.
Cheatham's five miles south of town, and
Gen. Stewart at Henryville.
The next day Gen. Hood established his
headquarters at the house of Col. Andrew
J. Polk. five miles south of Columbia. Gen.
Lee continued his march on the 18th on
the Columbia pike, going into position near
Columbia, his right resting or the pike.
Gen Cheatham followed Lee, and camped
near army headquarters. between the
Mount Pleasant and Pulaski pixies. Gen.
Stewart camped two miles southwest of
Mount Pleasant, on the Columbia pike.
Gen. Hood now had his entire army well
in hand near Columbia.
On Nov q Gen. Hood shifted his head
quarters over to the Pulaski pike to Mrs.
Warfield's. three miles south of Columbia.
Gen. Lees Corps remained in the position
taken the night before; Gen. Cheatham
conducted his corps eastward and took a
position with his right resting on Duck
River above Columbia and his left reach
ing to the Pulaski pike.
Gen, Stewart brought his corps forward
and took position between Lees and
Cheatham's Corps, his right on the Pulaski
pike and his left on the Mount Pleasant
and Columbia pike. Thus it will he seen
that early in the afternoon Of Nov. q
Gen. Hood had completed the investment
of Columbia south of Duck River with
his infantry leaving Gen. Forrest with
his cavalry corps free to operate as he
might be ordered. No assault was made
upon the Union intrenchments this day.
1t was the Sabbath, dark and dreary.
There was no pause on account of the
day; military preparations went steadily
on.
GEN. sCHoFIELD wITHDRAws FROM CO.
LUMEA.
Gen. Schofield decided to abandon Co
lumbia and take up position on the north
side of the river. He had already caused
his pOntoon bridge to be foated down
from Columbia to the railroad bridge and
put in condition for use. The pOntOOn
bridge was at this point under cover of
the Union intrenchments and forces on
both sides of the river. The transpOrta-
ton of the Union army and the reserve
artillery were passed to the north bank
of the river during the day.
At ) p. m. the artillery was withdrawn
| from the outer line and sent across the
| river. . ..
The Fourth Corps, which now occupied
| all the works in front Of Columbia, began
to withdraw from the line at p. m. The
Third Division, commanded by Brig Gen
Wood, led the way, followed by the First
and then the Second Division. The with
drawal to the north side Of Duck River
was made very successfully. The pickets
were ordered to remain in position for hall
an hour after the Third Division com
menced to withdraw, then to retire quiet
| ly to the outer line of works, and to re
main there for an hour, then to move tC
| the interior line, and remain in that posi-
| ton till midnight or later if there was any
delay in the passage of the troops across
| the pontoon bridge.
The movement was accomplished with
out any delay, and without interruption
| by the enemy. After the troops mac
crossed the bridges were all destroyed. AT
ter crossing the river the corps halted ant
bivouacked till daylight.
On the morning of the 28th the Fourth
Corps moved up the river and took posi-
ton in reserve on the Franklin pike
ready to meet the enemy should he attemp
to force crossing at any point near Go
lumbia, and threw up intrenchments.
Gen. Ruger still held the position a
the railroad bridge, and Gen. Cox occu
pied our intrenched position in front o
Columbia. These positions were held dur
ing the 2Sth.
At daybreak on the 2sth Gen. Steven
sons Division of Lees Corps occupied tn
town, lined the bank of the river will
skirmishers and sharpshooters, and opene,
a lively FIRE.
| Several batteries Of artillery were pu
in position, and opened fire upon the Uniol
line across the river The rebel batterie
had the advantage of higher ground, bu
Gen. Cox's men in their rifle pits held thei
positions and the rifled guns Of Cock
rill's and Harvey's batteries proved al
over match for the rebel artillery. Al
day long this conflict went On.
(To be continued.)