The National tribune., 1903-09-17
WITH THE
WESTERN ARMY.
tcontiuued from first paee.)

the batteries of the corps advanced with
Division. Gen. Beatty. captured hve pieces
of artillery, making IA pieces captured by
the corps during the day.
The entire corps pressed forward in pur-
suit of the enemy for several miles. and
until darkness made it necessary to halt
for the night. The corps bivOuacked for
the night eight miles south Of Nashville,
and within mile of the Brentwood Pass,
| which was covered by the Union guns.
In their fight many of the Confederate
troops had relieved themselves of all i'm
pediments; the ground along their route
was strewn with muskets, bayonets. car
| tridge-bOxes knapsacks blankets and other
material, all attesting the completeness of
the victory. Shortly after midnight Gen.
Wood received orders from Gen. Thomas
to move the Fourth Corps as early as
possible down the Franklin pike in pur-
suit of the enemy. Gen. Wilson's troops
| being on the right of the army, and hold
ing the Granny White pike. undertook to
intercept Gen. Hoods retreating forces.
Gen. CrOxton was hurried from his posi-
! ton on the Hillsboro pike toward Brent
| wood. but could not reach that point be.
fore dark.
Gems. Hatch and Knipe were ordered
to mount their commands. push down the
Granny White pike. and if possible reach
the Franklin that night.
There was some delay in bringing the
horses and the dismonnted cavalrymen to-
gether. The ground over which Wilson $
men fought during the day was so rough
and so covered with underground that
they were forced to fight on foot. so they
| were some distance from their horses
when the hour for pursuit arrived. Gen.
Hatch had not advanced more than a mile
down the pike when he encountered Chal-
mers's Division of Confederate cavalry
strongly posted across the road. behind
barricade of logs and rails ready to dis
pute his passage. Col. Coon's Brigade was
in front. Col. Spalding with the 18th Tenn
Cav. had the advance.
When the enemy was developed. imme-
date steps were taken to attack. The 9th
Iii. Cav, Capt. Joseph w. Harper COM
manding. was dism0unted and deplOyed
on each side of the pike. At the command
Forward" the 18th Tenn. and 9th Ill.
rushed forward at Il charge. driving the
enemy before them. The 18th Tenn, the
9th H.. and the 9Th ILL.,. Lieut.-Col. John
Lynch commanding, followed Gen Chal-
merss retreating forces, and within half
mile came upon them again behind n
barricade. Here spirited engagement
took place, continuing an hour after dark.
The troops were closely engaged. when a
hand-to-hand fight took place Brig. Gen
tucker, commanding brigade, was in the
thickest of the fight. He and Capt. Jo-
seph G. BOzer, 18th Tenn, fought with
swords. Boxer disarmed the General
who in turn rushed upon Boxer, wrenched
his sword from his hand. and was in the
act of dispatching the Captain. when he
received a shot in the arm which disabled
him, and he surrendered.
1t was in this night fight that the Two
18th Tenn. Cavalry regiments--Federal
and COnfederate-met and fought des-
perately. Amidst the fray Maj. John 5.
Kirwan and Maj. Jason A. Bradshaw. of
the 18th Tenn. CUniOn) charged through
the Confederate lines and returned to their
own command by announcing that they be-
lOnged to the 18th Tenn. Cav, and were
anxious to meet the Yankees. The Con-
federates were driven from this position.
Rain had now set in, and the night was
too dark for intelligent military operations
in the face of determined enemy. So
Gems. Hatch. Knipe and Croxton. with
their commands. bivouacked for the night
on the Granny White pike. eight miles
south of Nashville. while Gen. Johnson
halted on the Hillsboro pike, near the
Harpeth River.
Gen. Wilson had his entire command
well in hand, ready to renew the pursuit
the next morning.
The Sixteenth Corps. Gen. A. J. Smith
commanding, pursued the enemy along and
on both sides Of the Granny White pike
until the hills in the rear of the enemy's
line We're secured, when, night coming on,
the corps bivouacked in line of battle.
The Twenty-third Corps advancing east
ward toward the turnpike, met the troops
of Smiths Corps, which were moving
south. To avoid confusion. Gen. Scho-
field ordered a halt, and his corps re-
manned on the field until morning.
1t is proper to state that after ) o'clock
on the afternoon of Dec. 16 Gen. Chal-
mer's cavalry command was the only
organized body of Gen. Hoods army that
made a stand and offered any resistance
whatever to Gen. Thomas's pursuing
army.
But for the repeated stands made by
Gen. Chalmers, there is no doubt but that
Gen. Wilson would have reached the
Franklin pike with his cavalry. and would
have thrown his well-organized and vic
torious troopers in front of Gen. Hoods
retreating forces. If this had occurred.
the larger part of that army would no
doubt have been captured.
(To be continued.)