The National tribune., 1903-12-10

Chenau!ts regiments, and Stoner's bat
talion-in all numbering about 800 men.
HansOn's infantry was encamped at
Baird's Mills. Here the infantry, 700
strong, and Cobb's battery joined us.
Quirk's scouts and other scouting parties
were sent to reconnoiter in the direction of
Hartsville, to watch the enemy at Casta-
lian Springs, the fords of the river, and to
picket the Nashville and Lebanon pike.
The combined forces left Baird. Mills
about IL a. m, and passed through y4eb-
anon about p. M, taking the Lebanon
and Hartsville pike. The snow lay upon
the ground and the cold was intense
The infantry had been promised that
they should ride a part of the way, and,
accordingly, few miles beyond Lebanon
portion Of the cavalry gave up their
horses to them. This, however, vas an in
judicious arrangement The infantry had
gotten their feet wet In trudging through
the snow, and, after riding q short time,
they were nearly frozen and clamored to
dismOunt. The cayalrymen's feet had now
also become saturated, and when they re-
mounted suffered greatly in their turn.
There was some trouble, too, in returning
the horses to the proper parties, this last
exchange being made after dark, and the
infantrymen damned the cavalry service
with all the resources Of n soldiers yo-
cabulary.
'The infantry and Cobb's Battery
reached the ferry, where it was intended
they should cross, about 10 o'clock at
night, and were put across the river in
two small, leaky boats, difficult and te-
dious job. When 1 reached the ford at
which / was to cross. found that the
river had risen so much since the last
reconnaissance that it was past fording at
that point, and l had to seek a crossing
further down. The ford where finally
decided TO cross was difficult to approach
and the operation Of crossing was made
very slow, as the men could reach the
river bank only by a narrow bride path
which admitted only one man at time.
They were then compelled to make their
horses leap into the river, over bluff
four feet high. Horse and nan would
generally be submerged by the plunge-a
cold bath. very unpleasant in such
weather. The ascent on the other side
WAS nearly as difficult. In little while
the passage Of the horses rendered the ap-
proach to the river even more difficult.
The ford was not often used, and the un-
beaten path became cut up and muddy.
growing worse aud worse. After the duck.
ing in the river, the men suffered from
the cold terribly. Those who got across
first built fires and partially warmed
themselves, while the others were cross
ing. Only -, however, were so badly
frozen that they had to be left
Finding, as the night wore on, that day
would app n before all would get across,
and fearing that wOnld detain Morgan,
moved with those already on the northern
bank, leaving great part of my column
on the southern side of the river. 1t was
now 3 O'Clock. l had about five miles to
march to rejoin Morgan, and found him
ft.<y nst.t 1uI 4
miles from Hartsville. Fearing that in
formation would be taken TO Castalian
Springs, where some 5000 or 5000 Fed
eral troops were encamped. and he him
self would be attacked, he decided not to
wait for the remainder OF the cavalry.
We, therefore, moved forward at once.
Just at daybFeak the cavalry, marching
III front, came upon n strong picket force,
about half mile from the encampment.
who fired and retreated. We were thus
prevented from surprising the enemy be-
fore they formed.
DISPOSITION FOR THE ATTACK.
"Bennett's regiment was Immediately
sent around the encampment, and into the
town Of Hartsville. Morgan ordered me
to form Cluke's and Chenault's regiments
opposite the right flank of the line the
enemy were establishing, and partially out
~. he cutlny WIS eUcdulpeu In
wooded ground, slightly elevated above the
surrounding fields, the left flank of the
line they formed resting upon open ground
near the river. Opposite their right flank
and center was large meadow, between
which and the woods was slight depres.
sion, which gradually deepened toward the
southward, until from valley it became
ravine, and when 1t approa ched the
river was perhaps 10 feet deep, its banks
being almost precipitous. Morgan had in.
tended to let the infantry of his command
form in this ravine and attack from it.
but the enemy's line was established SO
near to it that this was not attempted.
When we came in sight of the ene-
my and saw them forming, it was mt once
plain that the force there was much
stronger than it had been represented to
be. Instead of 1 800 men, as Morgan had
estimated it to be from the reports of his
secret service emissaries,' the force was.
apparently, at least $500 strong. 1 said
to him, 'you have more work cut out for
you than you bargained for Yes he an
swered, you gentlemen must whip and
catch these fellows, and cross the river
within two hours and half, or we'll have
5000 more Oh our backs
1Cluke's and Chenault's regiments, after
deducting the horse-holdehs. numbered