The National tribune., 1904-07-28
AT PHILADELPHIA, TENN.
A sanguinary. Stubborn. and Disastrous
Cavalry Fight.

Cavalry Fight.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: After many
days of hard marching and fighting on
the Morgan Raid. through Indiana and
Ohio, and return to Kentucky, we were
ordered to Somerset, Ky, to recruit ana
prepare for the move into East Tennessee.
While ut Somerset the 18th and 18th NY.
Cav and LIST Ky. Cav. were br gaded to-
gether, commanded by Col. Frank VOL
ford, of the LIST Ky. Cav. The LIST NY.
Cav. had recruited 10 some 500 men. Aug.
26, 1868 the command struck camp and
crossed Cumberland River at Point Burn
side and marched - miles 10 Sloan
Valley. After leaving Sloans Valley we
struck a wilderness that extended I'D miles.
Aug - we crossed Cumberland Noun
tans and marched 20 miles 10 Chltwood
Station. in Tennessee. where we lay over
till Aug 30. when we marched 80 miles
and on Aug. 80 reached Is ngston. Here
we found the rebels. The 1st Ky, taking
the lead, had sharp engagement, and the
rebels rapidly retreated. Sept. i We moved
out for Knoxville: reached there Sept. 5.
a bold dash by the LIST. 11th and Eth Ky,
capturing several engines and car, with
much rebel property. Sept. III the COM
mand crossed the Iloiston River i'll the
direction of Strawberry Plains. Sept. II
the march was resumed toward Loudon and
the Tennessee River Sept. 22 we marched
four miles up the river to Blaines Ford.
The river ut this place was wider and the
channel rocky. making 1t very dangerous
to ford. After crossing we marched four
miles on tie .ttEers road. and went into
camp. Sept. 2.} we passed through phlla-
delphia and Sweetwater and went into
camp at Cedar Springs, two miles south
of Athens, on the Cleveland road. Sept.
% the 1st and 1lth Ky. and 10Th Ohio
moved toward Cleveland. TO the lliawasSee
River. where we found the rebels In force.
A lively fight ensued ut long range with
but Little damage done. The rebel COM
mand was under y. Il. Forrest about
5000 strong We fell back until reinforce
ments could come up-the 112th Ill. and
44th Ohio-making the Union forces about
5000 strong. For two hours the fight went
on. when, being thanked on every side and
overpowercd. We fell back. leaving the dead
and wounded i'll the hands of the rebels.
We fell back to Athens. The Sth Mich.
being the rear-guard. suffered severely at
Athens. We made stand; artillery was
brought up and Il desperate battle followed.
The Union army slowly retreated TO
Sweetwater. Here we fed our horses and
ate a hasty meal. Soon the enemy made
his appearance, and We fell back to Phil
adelphia.
Sept. % the enemy withdrew in the
direction of Calhoun. and on Oct. | we re-
turned to Sweetwater Oct. > the LIST Ky.
Cav followed the rebels to Calhoun. At
this place we learned that Forrest had re-
turned TO CottOnport. Oct. i, we returned
to Messy Creek Station. and Oct. ) TO
Swcetwater. Thence Col. Byrd, with his
brigade, was ordered to his old station.
past Oak Spring. The 44th Ohio re-
that large force of the enemy was at
kincannon's Ferry, on the IEaWassee
River, and We also found that the enemy
was lowering around us.
On this day Notwithstanding woman came
into our lines from the direction of the
enemy, riding the frameworks of an old
horse. The commander was notified that
this comical old creature was q rebel spy.
Notice was given the guards to apprehend
her. | was stationed on the road leading
south. and about dusk the old lady made
her appearance. | brought my gun to
present and demanded a pass, which en-
ragged her greatly. She gave her horse a
savage dig with her heel and at the same
time jerked off her old bonnet and gave the
animal slap. and moved on. and grabbed
the bride. This was too much for the old
woman, and she gave me a rap over the
head with her bonnet, which fell out of her
hand. | gave the horse a vigorous yank,
and it went back On its hunkerS and the
old lass slid off to the ground. The guards
ran up and took her into custody. and oh.
how she rained blessings and threats of
revenge on us. Then she wilted. and shed
tears and pleaded-tO no good. Orders
were orders. and she was led to head
quarters, where important papers were
found on her.
Oct. II bodies of the enemy appeared
In our front and Oct. II we fell back to
Philadelphia. Oct. -. the enemy press
ing on. the wagons of the 45th Ohio were
taken by them. Col. Silas Adams. 1st Ky.
Cav, charged the rebels. and recaptured
the wagons. On the morning of Oct 20
news reached headquarters that the enemy
vas approaching in force. and the com
nand was hastily put into position. some
I,OOO strong. on a commanding elevation