The National tribune., 1904-09-08
At PHILADELPHIA, Tenn.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: have been
prompted many times to write to The Ma
tional Tribune, and always my object was
70 correct errors which from time to time
crept into the columns by the various
writer's.
| saw a series Of articles by Mr.. Mos
grove. concerning Morgan and His Men,"
to which l have answered with several
pages refuting many things in which he is
much in error.
nv comrade, John G. Weedes. Co. r, LIST
Ky. Cav. 1 cannot agree with him in his
variations Of the fight at Sweetwater and
Philadelphia. Tenn. In the first place, in
order to identify myself, wish to say that
belonged to Co. II, 18th Ky. Cav.
1t is true that the 18th KY, LIST KY, and
18th Ky. were brigaded at Somerset, KY.
but, cOmrade, don't you think the 18th
Mich. Cav. and 4th Ind. Cav. were also in
Frank Wolforfs Brigade at that time?
However, this does not matter. He says
the 1st, 18th and 10Th Ky. Cav. made a
charge in or around Knoxville and cap
tured several cars, engines, and much rebel
property.
place was occupied by Buckner, C. 8. A.
With the aid of infantry and our cavalry,
Buckner evacuated. The cavalry aided in
the reduction of Knoxville; but don't re-
member the capture of engines, cars, nor
rebel supplies. l hope it was; if so, my
memory is so blunted that l feel ashamed
of myself.
My reasons for thinking that you are in
error, comrade, are these: The Cumber-
land and Smoky Mountains lie east of
Knoxville; our line of march was through
Cumberland Gap and Crab Orchard. When
we approached Knoxville, and while yet on
the summit of the Cumberland and Smoky
Mountains, we could see Knoxville in a
lonr dnparo fhn hox, &c he
Holston River, its prominent buildings
and church spires showing like small specks
TO our field glasses. Had Buckner's SOL
diers been large enough, We would have
been able to see them, for Buckner was
there. 1t was the plan of the Federal Army
to drive Buckner out of East Tennessee,
and secure the territory north of Knox
vile, to Bristol, Va, and to occupy East
Tennessee; and for that reason Col. Frank
WolfOrd and his brigade, with others, were
sent there to reduce the city and take the
Knoxville and Chattanooga Railroad.
l wish to state that it was. not n. B.
Forrest whom we fought at Philadelphia,
street, who was after Burnside's scalp, then
at Knoxville No, had it been Forrest our
Cavalry Brigade would not have had to re-
treat seven miles to Loudon, and be cut up
the way we were. Forrest was no match
for Wolford's men.
The battle at Philadelphia began about
6 80 o'clock a. m. The night before the
battle. scouts were sent out, q long dis
lance, to ascertain where the enemy was.
They came back and reported no enemy in
sight. Longstreet had been repulsed at
Chattanooga. and he was making north to
dislodge Burnside at Knoxville. He met
us ~ miles south Of Knoxville, and gave
us battle, but we were outnumbered five to
one. l should judge.
The first shot fired in that battle was by
one of Longstreet's smoothbores, "a
FOUNDER. Our Cavalry Brigade was cook
ing coffee in our split canteens, and some
had small tin cups our fires were from
pine knots found in the grove in which the
,st KY w. 18th n, KY fyi 3 18th KY 18th 18th Ohio
Cav. were encamped. After Longstreet
fired the first gun he let loose with a salyo
of many guns. Cattle corralled by us Gum
known to LOngstreet) were SO frightened
that they stampeded, and some of them ac-
tually gored some of Wolford's cavalry
horses.
The brigade was called out of the pine
grove by Boots and saddles" and double
quick" and were formed in the open
field. south of Philadelphia-maybe a mile
The brigade was mounted when brought
into line. Longstreets cannons at first
could not reach us, but soon he got the ele
walton. We expostulated with our officers
iLSI CNpOoiuS SutdiIts luOuHtcU, uuucT
artillery fire. and there followed a general
order to dismount, every fourth man to hold
horses.
The line of battle as it then opened up
was, as near as l can remember: 1st Ky.
Cav. left wing and north of railroad; 10Th
Ky. to right of LIST Ky; 45th Ohio M't'd
Inf, right of 18th Ky; all north of rail-
road. Laws Battery in rear of 45th Ohio,
supported by 45th Ohio; 18th KY. left
wing. The disposition of Gen. Byrd's
forces ! do not know.
The battle ragged to and fro: Longstreet
closing in on us all around. We were en-
tirely surrounded. Charge after charge
was made, both on foot and mounted. The
cannons belched with awful rapidity, and
still the enemy met our charges. Not many
maneuvers were made, each side holding
tenaciously to the ground they had. If "a
change of front to gain vantage was pro-
posed. it was found as bad as the front we
left. and nntenable.
The battle raced from about 8 40 a. M.