The National tribune., 1903-05-07

to Sandersville. Here the fleeing Confed-
crates rallied upon their main force, and
Gen. Wheeler's troopers made the air too
hot for the 9th III. This regiment with
drew in good ORDER and awaited the ar
rival of the infantry. Upon coming up,
Col. Carman threw forward six companies
of the 18th n. J. as skirmishers, with four
companies in reserve, with the 9th LII.
Mid Inf. on the TANKS.
Col. Carman now advanced on the
enemy and drove them through and a mile
beyond the town.
the same time by different roads, and were
halted by Gen. Sherman until he could
hear from the Right Wing. The First and
Second Divisions of the Twentieth Corps
were, however, sent down to Tennille to
Seize and destroy the railroad. Gen.
Hardee took timely warning of the APP
proach of the Union forces, and left Ten
mile for Savannah.
On Nov. %. after retiring from Sanders
vile before the advance of the Twentieth
and Fourteenth Corps, which were near
at hand, Gen. Wheeler learned from his
pickets stationed near Ogeechee Shoals
that Gen. Fitzpatrick with a large cavalry
force had crossed the Ogeechee at the
Shoals and was marching on Augusta.
This information was substantially cor
rect. Gen. Fitzpatrick, on the left of the
entire army, marched rapidly away from
Milledgeville on Nov. q. and on the night
OF the 18th camped only one and a half
miles west of the Ogeechee. The next
morning the river was crossed and the
march resumed. On the 26th the column,
headed toward the Augusta Railroad.
marched % miles. The First Brigade went
into camp two and a half miles south of
Sylvan Grove. the Second Brigade some
distance in advance.
Ell
/. Gen. Wheeler decided to pursue and
overtake this cavalry column, believing
their destination to be Augusta. He started
out northeast and marched with all posi-
tle speed. In due time he struck the trail,
and then kept up hot pursuit. During
the night he came up with the First Br-
gade, commanded by Col. Murray, and
attacked the camp OF the Sth Ind. and ID
Ky. Cav. These two regiments occupied
almost the entire night defending them
selves from the constant attacks of the
enemy. Col. Murray becoming convinced
that he was attacked in force took up
position and erected barricades for his
whole command.
AT the approach of daylight Gen. Kill
patrick gave orders to resume the march,
The withdrawal of the Sth Ind and ID
Ky. was made under heavy fire. Gen.
Wheeler attempted to follow, but was
checked by the barricade of the 9th Ky.
Cav. and Lieut.. Stetson with his artillery
AT the time Col Murray withdrew from
this position the enemy were in line in
sight with large force, but after the
sudden check given by the troops behind
the barbados, they forbore further at
tack.
FITZPATRICK AND WHEELER NOW FACE TO
FACE.
Fitzpatrick and Wheeler, both intrepid
cavalry leaders, We're now face to face
again with their veteran troops. Wheeler
Offered battle, but Fitzpatrick, intent upon
the execution of his important mission.
namely, the relief of Union prisoners al
Aiillen, declined the fight, and marched
away.
Wheeler pursued with vigor, and all day
long on Nov. q Col. Atkins's Brigade,
which had the rear of Kilpatrick's column,
was logged persistently, and continually
attacked.
The 32d Ill. M't'd Inf Lieut.. Col. Van
Buskirk commanding, assisted by the 9th
Mich. Cav. Col. Geo. S. Acker, command
Eng, covered the rear. The 92d was armed
with Spencer repeating rifles, and had one
piece of rifled field artillery. These troops
Were able to keep the Confederate cav
airy at bay, so the march of the column
was not seriously interrupted.
Late in the afternoon Gen. Fitzpatrick
STRUCK tne savannah ana Augusta Rall-
road at Waynesboro, town situated 80
miles south of Augusta and 20 miles north
of Milien. The advance, under Capt
Iewellyn G. Estes, Assistant Adjutant-
General, made n break in the railroad the
day before and partially destroyed the
bridge over Brier Creek. The column
passed through Waynesboro and encamped
three miles south of town in line of bat
tie. One battalion from each regiment
was detailed to destroy the railroad, which
was done effectively.
During the night Col. Murray was re-
peatedly attacked by Gen. Wheeler's CON-
mand.
Col. Murray had strong position Of
Two barricaded lines, the Sd Ky, Sth Ind.
and 9th Ky. Cav. regiments in the front
line and the 9th Pa. and I'd Ky. Cav. regi-
ments in the second line. The right pro-
tected by the railroad and the left by
large pond.
Before II o'clock the pickets and skir-
mish line were driven in, and within an hour
Gen. Wheeler's troops had completely en-
Eeloped Col. Murray's line and had made
q charge upon his works, but his men held
Their position and repuIsed' the enemy
lais fight continued all night. The Con-