The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-05-12
RIDING WITH SLOVENIAN.
Incessant Fighting on the Atlanta Campaign
Disaster at Macon-Escape to Marietta.


Disaster at Macon-Escape to Marietta.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The fol-
lowing is simple, unadorned story of the
movements of the list Ky. Cav, Gen.
Frank Wolford's old regiment, on the long
march from Nicholasville, Ky, to Macon,
Ga:
On this expedition Gen. Stoneman's
command was composed of the LIST and
18th Ky, 9Th and 9TH Ind, Sth Mich,
and 18th Ill. cavalry regiments, the LIST
lery. The 1st and 18th Ky. Cav, COM
manded by Wolford, constituted one OF
the three brigadeS, the other two brigades
being commanded by Coils. Biddle and
CaprOn.
We moved out from Nicholasville, April
30, 1864, and two days later reached Point
Burnside on the Cumberland River, re-
manning there until May 4. Then moving
rapidly southwark, we arrived at Kings
ton, Tenn, on the 9TH, having marched
no miles in three days. Leaving Kings
ton on the 9th We reached Cleveland on
the 10th. On the 11th we passed from
Tennessee into Georgia, and encamped
near Varnells Station, where Stoneman
relieved McCook.
Our pickets on the Cleveland and Dali
ton pike We're driven in by Whee.er's
cavalry on the 18th. Immediately there
after the enemy appeared in plain view,
and, after firing n few shots at the LIST
Ky, fiercely attacked the 18th Ky. That
regiment was forced back, but we soon
reestablished our line and drove the Con-
federates. Stoneman then marched To
Dalton, on the 18th, and, to cover Gen.
Howard's left, moved toward Resaca and
Tilton. On the following day Wolford
captured II wagons and 90 mules, his
command meeting with no misfortune
whatever On this same day the LIST Ky.
engaged in a hand to hand combat with a
body of Wheeler's cavalry, driving them
in confusion from the field On the 18th
the LIST Ky. encountered a body of cavalry
at Adairsville, and on the same day Stone
man sent the regiment to AllatOona to de-
stroy a section of railroad. The enemy,
however, in strong force, frustrated our
design. On the 18TH the 1st Ky. leading
StOneman drove the enemy into Cassville;
thence We marched to Cass Station.
On the Oath, Wheeler attacked Scho-
fields train, and burned many of the wag
ons. The 1st Ky, sent in pursuit, charged
the enterprising Confederates in an open
field, putting them to flight, not, however
until the 11th Ky. had sustained serious
loss. A trophy of the fight was pratt
cal looking black flag that the enemy had
abandoned on the field.
We were almost constantly marching
and fighting, but nothing notably serious
occurred until June 1. when Stoneman was
ordered to occupy Alatoona Pass. When
we approached the place the enemy were
seen upon Il hill, and We're driven from
it by the LIST Ky. We held the position
until June Z. On the 10th we moved out
and sharply engaged the enemy. There
was heavy cannOnadiDg along the lines Oh
the 14th, the Confederate Gen. Polk being
killed OH that day.
On the 18th. we were dismounted and
sent to Lost Mountain, Col. Adams at
xk.,& q, r. lux..-~
COnfederates abandoned Lost Mountain
ON the 18th, and on the next morning the
LIST Ky. was the first 10 move forward to
the deserted position.
On the 10Th my regiment moved to
Powder Springs and went into camp. A
cavalry force appeared on the 21st, but
with the aid of the 18th Ky. Inf. we drove
them back. We crossed Mud Greek on
the 18th, and, July the list Ky. was
sent on Il scout to the attahOochee. On
the 9TH we returned to Powder Springs,
where We remained until the 10Th. We
then marched out on the Sandtown road
and on the 10Th arrived at Sweetwater
Factory.
On the 9th, without breakfast. Stone
man was ordered to move toward Decatur,
accompanied by Gen. Garrard's cavalry
When We reached Decatur, Gen. Garrard
halted, but our division continued to
march. reaching Covington on the 18th.
w thVh W the IISnt UidECItU
To Monticello. going into camp near that
place On that day We had marched
nearly 40 miles. To prevent the enemy
from annoying our rear. we burned several
bridges that spanned the Ocmulgee River
Early i'm the morning of the Doth We
moved through Monticello and marched 10
Clinton, arriving there about shutdown
Several roads, all of them leading to
Macon, cOnverged at Clinton. When the
march was resumed our brigade moved
on the right hand road, going to Macon
and the other brisades marched OH tue left
hand road. their object being to strike the
railroad. Maj. Davidson, of the 18th ILL.,.
was sent with 123 men to the railroad.
near Gordon, to destroy it beyond the Geo
lee River.
While Ell route to Macon We learned
that large body of Confederate cavalry,
estimated to be from 1000 to 5000 strong.
were prepared to dispute our occupancy of
the city. The prospect was not al all ell
cOuragine, as our worn out cavalrymen
did not number more than 900. To max.
the situation worse, Wheeler was i'm our
rear. On Sunday, July 81, we attacked,