The National tribune., 1904-04-07

native State. resolved to withdraw from
the Union. l had gone to Kentucky to re-
side. temporarily, with relatives. When
l returned to my home in the Sequatchie
Valley. many of my friends and associates
had enlisted in the rebel army. My Union
sentiments were well known. No man
could remain neutral. Some of my neigh
bors declined to extend me friendly greet
ing: others avowed their enmity. A few
urged me to leave the State. As an in
ducement for me to enlist with his grand
son in q company of rebel cavalry. an old
gentleman offered ME fine horse and
equipments.
AN EXILE FROM HOME.
I realized very soon that if should re-
main on my native heath and refuse TO
renounce my allegiance to the Union death
or Imprisonment would be my fate. Learn
ing that Federal troops were being enlisted
and organized at Camp Dick Robinson, in
Kentucky, / determined to go thther and
volunteer. Other Tennesseans, refugees,
were going the same way. The roads were
guarded by detachments of rebel soldiers,
making it difficult and dangerous for refu-
gees to 60 northward. Leaving my young
wife and the home of my boyhood. stole
away under cover of night. When
reached the mountain pass on the border,
Twas halted by Bledsoes cavalry. Giving
eyasive replies to their questions, l was
permitted to resume my journey. James
Roberts, my half-brother, was shot from
ambush while plotting party OF Union
refugees over Waldon's Ridge, the men who
killed him being rebel citizens of the val
ley.
woLFoRD'S CAVALRY.
When arrived at Camp Dick Robinson,
early in August, 1861, / enlisted in the
list Ky. Cav, commanded by Col. Frank
iWolfOrd. This regiment and its Colonel,
afterwards General. became famous. 1t is
not my intention, however, to write III de-
tail the story of Wolford's command. It's
long hard marches and innumerable en-
gagements were exploits that have been
written in history. With the exception of
a term of imprisonment, of which l shall
say more hereafter, / served in the list
Ky. Cav. until the close of the war.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
Soon after 1 joined Wolfords Cavalry,
Senator Andrew Johnson, subsequently
President, visited Camp Dick Robinson to
confer with the Tennessee refugees, some
400 or 500, who had assembled there. In
the course of a patriotic speech he said
he fully appreciated the sentiment that
had prompted them to leave their homes
with the intention of fighting for the SUI
premacy of the Union. AT the close of his
speech he opened a canvas bag containing
silver. and to each of us he gave five sill
yer half-dollars. At that time he was the
only Senator from any of the seeding
States serving in the Congress of the
United States.
THE BATTLE OF MILL SPRING.
Early in January, 1862, Gen. Thomas
moved southwark from Lebanon, KY, to
attack Gen. Zollicoffer. who held a strong
position at the mouth of Fishing Greek.
on the north bank of the Cumberland
River.
When Thomas began his movement VOL
ford's Cavalry, then stationed above Meats
burg, on Green River, was ordered TO join
him at Webb's Crossroads. We then
marched some three or four miles in adj
vance of the main army, and went into
camp at I1ogan's Old Fie3ds, about seven
miles from Zollicoffer's position, where we
remained nearly two days, waiting for the
infantry to come up. a woman named
Celia Weaver came into our camp Ostensi
bly, to sell pies and milk. but really to learn
our strength and position. Ignorant of
the approaching force under Thomas. she
hurried to the Confederate camp and re-
ported to Gen. Zollicoffer that no other
troops than a regiment of cavalry was in
his front at Logan's Old Fields.
Zollicoffer knew, or thought he knew,
that two Federal regiments We're at SOmer-
set, IL miles distant, and that Fishing
Creek, intervening, was so swollen that
they could not cross it without great diff
Guilty, If at all. Thomas, he supposed, was
still at Lebanon. Reasoning from false
premises, he concluded that he could march
out and easily capture or disperse the cav
airy regiment at Logan's Old Fields.
Making a night march. the rebels at
tackled our outposts before daylight, Jan.
10. Instantly there was commotion in our
camp, bugle calls. and much hurrying to
and fro. Capt. Carr, having succeeded in
forming his company sooner than the 9th
ers, obtained permission TO lead his men
into action at once. Galloping to the front
we passed our picEets, who informed us
that the enemy were in force short dis
lance beyond. The day was dawning, and
we had not proceeded much further when
We confronted rebel line of battle coming
steadily on. Just then regiment On our
left flank fired volley that admonished us
to fall back on the regiment, which was
rapidly forming in battle line in our rear.
COL Wolford boldly engaged the COnfed-
crates, and held them in check until
Thomas arrived with the 4th Ky. and a
regiment each from the States of Indiana.
sSfinnesota. and Ohio. With the rising of
the sun the most holly contested battle that
had vet been fought in the Mississippi Val
ley began. As this was our first general
engagement. l was Mt first SO nervous that
my gun wabbled somewhat. making it diff
cult for me take deliberate aim. After a
time. however. when / had become more
accustomed TO the roar of battle, my agita-
ti0n decreased, but whenever a bullet Zip
ped' close to my head lodged lust lit
tie bit"
When the battle opened in earnest. VOL
ford's regiment, dismounted. formed in line
with the infantry, facing the enemy's CEN
ter, but before the battle was over our regi-
ment constituted the extreme left of the
line. the other troops having been so dis
posed as TO extend the line to our right.
Just before the firing ceased, saw Gen.
Zollicoffer and his staff a knoll not
more than % yards distant from where
stood. Soon after he appeared on the knoll
| saw him wave his hand and heard him
shout the command
stop shooting over there, Colonel. You
are killing our own menu
What regiment is that I'm shooting
at" he was asked.
''The 10Th Miss" he replied.
SWELL. they are the men want to Kill"
said the Colonel
A moment afterward. / heard a pistol
shot. and. although l did not see Gen. Zol-
licofer fall. am sure that Col. Speed Fry,
commanding the 4th KY, fired that pistol,
and that the shot killed the rebel General.
The death Of Zollc0ffer discouraged his
soldiers When the I'd MINI. charged their
thov taI t.