The National tribune., 1904-09-01

caught in a trap, but extricated his COM
mand after being cut off, the enemy at one
time being square across his path.
This expedition was a diversion in favor
of Gen. Rosecrans' little army that fought
the battle of Iuka the day before. 1t pre-
vented fDlepigue and Lowell from rein
forcing Price and Van Dorm.
While the battle of Corinth was raging
Gen. Grant was anxious about Rosecrans.
Gen. Hurlbnt was ordered to relieve
Rosecrans or perish" The order was i'm
perative. Ordinarily, it would seem that
we were too far away to reach the field i'll
time. as Hurlbut was at this time at
Bolivar, % miles away.
We marched Oct. 1. before sunset ~
miles. and carried three days ratiOns. 100
rounds of ammunition. Just before GO
ing into camp our cavalry brought in some
prisoners who proved to he of the enemy
that had been fighting at COrinth, and had
met defeat by Rosecrans. 1t was not long
before it became evident that we would
share in affairs. Before l had time for a
cup of coffee, | was detailed for picket.
and was posted upon the main road. upon
which the enemy WAS in full retreat
/ have a vivid recollection Of Col Hall.
who had command of the 14th H., as he
passed out by my picket post on the morn
ing of the 9th. He gave the command to
his regiment to Change front; forward on
first company" Then followed the 18th
ILL.,, and Bottoms battery. Col. Hall had
scarcely changed the formation before he
was against what appeared TO be the
whole rebel army. retreating from Corinth.
Soon the entire division had passed on by
this most important advance picket post
to engage force Of the enemy of at least
three 10 one. After we left Bolivar there
was an additional force forwarded to US,
consisting of, | think. the 18th Ohio. a
Michigan and Wisconsin regiment; but
do not think they We're seriously engaged
Col. Pngh, Of the 41st Ills. did not like
the post assigned him for the day, and he
said 10 Col. Logan. as we passed the regi-
ment: They are fighting like - down
there. and the 41st can't get a smell" |
had forgot 10 say the 41st was detailed TO
guard our supply train
1t IS the fate of some regiments to lose
heavily, while others may be more fortrI-
nate in the same battle. 1t was especially
SO here.
The Second Brigade. having the ad
vance. did as much fighting as the First
but their loss was small. The Sd Iowa
2Sth, 32d and SD H., composing Firsr
Brigade, We're brought up on the double
quick. under fire from the battery planted
on the opposite hill. That caused heavy
loss OF life. Before crossing the bridge We
pressed the enemy so close that several
hundred prisoners and a battery fell into
our hands.
Among the prisoners captured was a
cavalry regiment from Texas This regi
ment was n contribution to the Southern
Confederacy. and was equipped by JEFF
Weatherford from his private funds. The
Colonel of the captured cavalry regimen,
possessed a sword that was once the
property of Illinois. During the Mexican
War. at the battle Of Ruena Vista. fought
Feb. q. lSil: Col. John J. Hardin. Of
Jacksonville. Ill.,, was killed and was sue
ceeded in command by Lieut. Col. Rucl
Weatherford. The State of Illinois pre-
scented this handsome sword which cos
5000. tn Col. Weatherford for meritoriou
conduct. After the war with Mexico Col
Weatherford emigrated TO Texas Afte
his death the sword was beaueathed to I'M
brother. jeff. who was an ardent Seces
slonist. Ii was strange coincident tina
this sword. priced so highly by Illinois
after being transferred to Texas, then
through the medium of fate. became again
the property of the original owners. by IL
capture nj the battle Of Hatcllie. by Illinoi.
troops. | was i'm several close places dur
ing the war. but at no other time was g,
impressed with danger as at Hatchie Rive
Bridge. when my company was stoppe,
on the bridge. amid a shower of Crane an,
canister that was humping the bridge O,
ali sides. To cap the climax. our Captain
davidson. gave the order: Mark time =
There was a mass of troops on the marrow
ranseway: at the east abutment. and OF
either side. there We're acknowledgements o1
woods and vines. not easily penetrated
Whether we were i'm need of an exampI.
or not we certainly had one here. Gems
Ord. Hurlbut. Lauman and Veatch. nj
mounted. We're earnestly discussing the sit
nation, when Gen. Ord was wounded Gen
Hurlbut succeeded to the command, when
soon after. we charged up the hill and can
tured the battery
In the Autumn of 1863 Gen. Laumar