The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-01-21

shall, who was absolutely fearless in,
short-range work, and tho regiment by
Col. Harry Pickands, as full Of mettle as
any ono that ever commanded men. The
regiment was what was left of the 103d
Ohio. They bad been so cut up and re-
duced in numbers during the Atlanta CAM
paign that they were detailed as Gen.
6choield's headquarters guard, and were
tho irst troops to reach Spring Hill, ar
irving there with the train between 10
and IL o'clock in the morning. Gen. Full
lerton, OF Stanley's staff, saw them there
when he arrived, and ordered them in line
to support the battery. As Stanley's re-
port does net mention their presence, even,
it would seem proper to here note the
part they took in the ngagement. Brad
ley's men as they, fell back rushed by
them On either side, but they remained
to support the battery. The officers had
broken open boxes Of ammunition and
built little parapet of cartridges in front
of the men, from which they loaded: and
q rapid, whitening fire was poured into
the advancing lines doing terrible execu-
were handled by Lieut.. Bills will, won.
derful rapidity. This furious, driving
storm Of lead and iron had never been
surpassed. and rarely equalled, by the
Same quality and number of arms. Cheat
hams troops, encountering at this point
such ferce opposition. and believing they
halted. fell back, and commenced building
a line Of earthworks. OF course, it is not
Drvbable, nsr is it claimed, that a small
regiment Of infantry, no matter with how
nuch bravery they fought. could, under
the Same circumstances, hold in check q
line that a well-tried and splendid brigade
had retreated from; but the situation here
was such that the rebel General command
ing was deceived as to the fierce con-
frented. At the same time, the little
band is entitled to the credit of staying
where it. was put. If the men Of the 1O2d
Ohio had fallen back with the brigade,
Cleburne would have crossed the pike,
Brown would have followed him, we
would have lost possession of the road.
our army would have been cut in two. aud
the result might have been different.
The officers OF the 103d Ohio tried 70
check the fleeing troops, and .aunted their
officers with the bad example they were
geant grabbed one officer that was tearing
past him, who shouted For Gods sake,
don't stop me! I'm a Chaplainv' Addi-
tioRal troops coming up, the rebels pushed
out some to feel Wagnar's left flank, but
position. 4 ~.
The officers commanding the regiment
and battery were old friends, and had not
met for years, but during the fight there
had not been time for even nod or q
hanlshake: but when the engagement was
over. Marshall came forward to the in
fantry line, which was only few yards
in advance. and greeted his friend in a
modest manner, with the remark: "Well,
this was q warm receptionp'
| An eyewitness said that he had noticed
the artillery oficer in action, and he was
holding his men and handling the guns
| stood talking with the Colonel his face
was still flushed. the big veins were bulg>
| ing on his temples, and perspiration and
smoke had streaked his face. but In other
ways he appeared 30 serene and smiling
| az Though nothing had happened.
| COL Picaads showed q hearty pride in
the action Of his men, with whom he
| naagled frsm beginning to end, steadying
| and encouraging them, and the last one
| would have died for their Colonel, for they
fairly wOrshiped him. Their duty having
been we'll done during this emergency.
| they were led back to their train.
Darkness was now approaching, and
Stewards Corps OF four divisions arrived.
and t0geth.. with Cheatham's command
went into bivouac for the night.
THAT TRYING NIGHT MARCH
About this time Gen. Cox's Division,
which had been under heavy artillery
| fire all day from Hoods guns stationed
in and near Columbia, started for Spring
| Hill, leaving Wood and Kimball, who had
| been ordered to follow soon after This
night march was a very rapid one, and,
with the exception of halt Mt Ruther-
| ford Creek to help out some artillery and
teams that were there clogged, the dis
| lance to Spring Hill, about - miles, was
made at the rate of four miles an hour.
The rear-guards were ordered positively
| to use the bayonet ON fence-corner strag-
glers, and the orders were in several in
| stances obeyed. When the General and
staff reached Spring Fill we were stopped
on the road by Col George Northrup, Of
i a Kentucky regiment of infantry. He
cautioned US. Hist" with finger to his