The National tribune., 1903-11-26
WITH THE CAVALRY.
Fights at Buck Head Greek, Miller's Grove
and Reynolds Plantation.

u.
ting loose from Wkeeler's boys fcz a spell:
Having had about five hor.s fighting and
charging, we Wee ready for a breathing
spell. Gen. Fitzpatrick rode forward to
select n place to form his division and
ordered Col Jones. with his Sth Ind. Cav
to. If possible, hold the enemy in check.
Wheeler seemed to have a particular iik-
ing for the Sth Ind. Cav, and wanted us
to go with him, but we declined. After
the I'd Ky Cav. had built q barricade
across the WaynesbOro road, behind
which they were posted, we resumed our
course, Our friendsa following closely.
The rebs seemed devoid of fear, for.
on approaching the barricades, they would
ride mp the rail incline. and as they passed
the center would topple over into the
midst of the Kentucky boys, and hand
to-hand fight would follow. resulting in
the withdrawing of our boys! Twas said.
and | believe truthfully, that mixture of
whisky and gunpowder had been issued
to them, for certainly their every action
indicated it.
Col. Spencer was ordered to protect the
bridge across Buckhead Greek. Accord
ingly, the 9Th Ohio Cav. was sent forward
on n gallop, with instructions to hold the
bridge until all the troops had passed over,
then destroy it. Co ID. of the 9TH Ohio
Cav, was given the task, supported by
the remainder of the regiment, with the
mountain bowitzers so placed as to rake
the bridge. if necessary. The rebels fol-
lowed up the rear, skirmishing until the
bridge was crossed.
A barricade had been built across the
road some distance from the bridge, be-
hind which portion of the guards had
lined up after crossing.
Taking his division to Reynolds planta-
ton, Gen. Fitzpatrick put about 100
negroes to work, and, with the assistance
of the cavalry, a barricade was built
along the brow of a hill about a mile in
length, with open fields in front and fanks
turned well to the rear; behind which were
placed the guns of the 10th Wis Battery.
loaded with grape. The cavalry was dis
posed along the barricade, except two regi-
ments of sharpshOOters, one on either
flank, the 9Th Ohio Cav, with two noun
tain hOwitZers at the bridge, and the Sth
Ind. Cav. held mounted for the purpose
of charging should the occasion present.
During this time me refreshed ourselves
with n substantial meal of coffee and
hardtack, not forgetting to feed our
horses.
About this time the enemy, who had
followed to the bridge, suddenly disap-
peared, and although the artillery shelled
whereabouts. What was Wheeler up to
now! was the unanswered query. All
the troops having passed over the bridge.
it was destroyed. and Co. ID, 9TH Ohio
Cav, was ordered to escort the artillery
back to the main line, distance of about
one and half miles. The horses were
started on the run.
When the rebels discovered that they
could not cross the bridges they divided.
and finding a ford above and one below
the bridge, crossed, coming up on both
nanks of the Ohio boys in an attempt to
capture them. They failed. and run
ming fight was kept up until the works
were reached.
When Wheeler discovered the barri-
cades he dismounted a portion of his com
mand, which moved forward to charge
our position. this line to be followed by
a mounted line, expecting repetition of
the affairs of the morning.
They came on, meeting no resistance
until it seemed to us, who were watching
As they neared our lines Capt. Foot ex-
claimed, They are here. My God, they
will come over the works.
o. But, the rails being parted, eight pieces
of artillery belched into the midst of the
advancing line and with the boom and
roar of the cannon mingled the rattle of
thousands of carbines, until the surround
ing hills shook from the reyerbera tiOns, as
vOlley after volley was poured into the
reeling rebels, who were compelled to seek
the shelter of the woods in order to save
the command from annihilation. and who,
falling back, left over 600 killed and
wounded in our front.
When they reached the woods they re-
formed and an attempt was made to turn
both our flanks; but our Spencers ad-
monished them of their fOolhardiness.
Wheeler having been repulsed in our
front, attempted to gain our rear. The
command left the barricades, taking the
road toward Louisville, Ga. The rebels
seemed somewhat discouraged. Although
they followed us they kept at respectful
distance, while the Sth Ind. Cav, bring
ing up the rear, would blaze away when
the rebels came within range OF their
Spencers.
In the vicinity of Louisville we went
into camp in the swamp, tired and
hungry, but strongly barricading, prepar-
ing for any move of the enemy. The in
fantry, hearing our cannon, surmised that
We were hard pressed and started for our
relief, arriving ON the opposite side OF the
creek the following morning, when we
joined them near Louisville and / can
assure you we were not sorry.
The command went into camp on the
banks Of Lambert Creek, where we took
few days rest, the first since we started
from Atlanta.
BY Dec. /, the wagon train having ar
rived, being supplied with rations and
plenty of ammunition, the column was
put in motion toward Waynesboro, Col.
Baldwin, with the 5th Ky. Cav, moving
in front of Gen. Baird's Division.
1t was not long before the 9th Ky. and
1st Ala. Cav. found themselves in a
wasp's nest of rebels. The 1st battalion
of the Sth Ind Cav had been sent to the
right as iankers. When Gen. Fitzpatrick
received report of the condition of the
two regiments, he ordered Col. Jones to
proceed with the Sth Ind. Cav. to their
relief, and the I'd and 3d battalions went
at the rebels on the left Of the road. push
ing them back. The 1st battalion pushed
forward through the woods about half
mile to the main road ut Miller's Grove,
across which the enemy had retreated,
when We found ourselves confronted by
a Kentucky rebel brigade, 'dismounted and
deployed. They opened by heavy vol
ley, but we pushed ahead, delivering shot
for shot. until we were in the woods and
near their horses, but, finding ourselves
flanked and subjected to hot crossfire,
were compelled TO fall back. Being re-
lieved. the rebels had chance to mount
their horses and were after us.
As we crossed the road we saw the 9th