The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-04-16

| The next morning before daylight, Cen
| Geary, unencumbered by his wagon train,
which was left with the other divisions,
marched through Madison under orders to
destroy the railroad and railroad bridge
across the Oconee River. He reached
! Buck Head Station about noon and here
encountered small body of rebel scouts,
with whom his advance exchanged shots.
! He now sent forward detachment in adj
vance to drive the enemy across the river
and to destroy the bridge: he also sent
another detachment several miles above
to destroy Il large mill and the ferry boats
across the Appalachee. Both parties were
| successful.
The railroad bridge across the Oconee,
l 200 feet long and 60 feet high from the
| water, with several hundred feet Of trestle
work at each end, was thoroughly de-
strOyed. i-a -7afh 81.
Gen. Geary halted at Blue Spring and
| camped on the plantation of Col. Lee JOr-
dan. He captured $50 bales of cotton and
1900 bushels of corn ste red for the rebel
Government. These ard five miles of the
railroad were destroyed.
4 small party sent out crossed the river
near the burned bridge. marched seven
, force through the town and took posses
sion of the place. Here these enterprising
soldiers remained for several hours, and by
their actions and conversation convinced
the Inhabitants that Sherman's great army
was close at hand and had designs upon
| Augusta. The news of all these opera
| tons soon spread, and detachment of
Confederates the next day began tearing
up the railroad track seven miles east of
Greensboro, obviously to prevent its use
| by Sherman's army.
On Nov. 20 the whole Left Wing Of the
| army was in motion. The Seventeenth
Corps. in advance, was marching steadily
tau md Garden Gon Gorca proScoH fhr,
Ocmulsee, the pOntOOE bridge was taken
mp and he started on his march Of 80 miles
with his division and its great caravan.
Gems. Smith. Woods and Hazen struggled
along the muddy roads toward Clinton. one
division going into camp near that place.
At noon Gen. Fitzpatrick marched out from
Clinton toward Macon in search of the
enemy, with Col. Atkins's Brigade in the
| advance. About four miles out the 92d
III. MID Inf, Lieut-Col. Van Buskirk,
commanding. encountered Brig. Gen. Chas.
G. Crews's Brigade behind barbados. A
part of the 92d III. was dismounted and
| attacked the enemy. Gen. Crews in re-
turn ordered charge on horseback
| Lfeut.-COl. Van Buskirk's men received
and repulsed this charge with great cool
ness, and as the enemy retired the 92d in
turn charged, when Gen. Crewss entire
brigade retreated, scattering through the
woods.
Col. Atkins then pushed on toward
Macon. At Walnut Creek, two miles from
Macon. the enemy was again encountered.
and the 92d Ill. was again dismounted
and moved forward to get possession of
the creek.
In the meantime Gen. Fitzpatrick
brought up some of his artillery and
opened fire. The enemy replied with nine
pieces of artillery. The 10th Ohio Cav.
was ordered to cross Walnut Creek and
charge the enemy's batteries. The regi-
ment crossed the creek and charged in
column Of fours up the road, and was sue
cessful in gaining possession of the outer
works and several pieces of artillery, but
"A sufficient force could not be thrown in
to hold the position. and SO the regiment
and gallant feat. The 9Th Ohio Cav. was
in reserve ready to reinforce the 10th, bit
was not moved to the assault.
In the forenoon of the same day. by
direction of Gen. Fitzpatrick, Col. Atkins
detached 100 picked men of the 9th Mich
Cav. under Capt Frederick S. Ladd, with
orders to seize Griswoldyille and destroy
the public buildings and railroad.
Capt. Lsdd found the enemy picketing
the roads. but, avoiding them. he marched
through the woods, reached Griswoldville,
charged into the town, drove the enemy
out. captured and burned locomotive and
train OF cars. burned the public buildings
ana DESTROYED portion of the railroad.
He captured Confederate soldier and re-
quired him TO guide his party out of town
on route TO avoid the enemy, who held
all the roads. This was n gallant feat,
and Capt. Ladd and his party are entitled
to the credit Of making the first break in
the Georgia Central Railroad east of
Macon.
Gen. Fitzpatrick now having driven the
enemy into their works in front of East
Macon, caused the 9th Ohio Cav. and part
Of the 9th and 10th Ohio Cav. to destroy
the railroad track. Gen. Fitzpatrick with
drew his force from the enemy's front near
East Macon and went into camp near
Griswoldville.
CTo be continued)