The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1905-12-07

I am to give my personal recollection
of an engagement known as the figh,
at Thompson Station, or Spring Hill
Tenn, occurring March s, 1863.
Early in February the corps com.
manded by Gen. Gordon Granger. three
divisions. $4,000 strong, reached Nash
Vile by steamers from Louisville. The
First Division was commanded by that
genial and much-loved commander
Gen. Absalom Baird; the Second and
Third by Gems. Gilbert and Crook
Changers headquarters were at Nash
vile: Baird and Crook encamped near
there, and Gilbert at Franklin.
The Third Brigade Of Gen. Baird's
Division, commanded by Col. John CO.
burn, of Indiana, was temporarily as
signed to Gilbert's command, and post
ed at Brentwood, midway between
Nashville and Franklin.
The rebel forces, under command OF
Maj.-Gen. Earl Van Dorm, consisting OF
four brigades OF Is regiments and four
batteries Of artillery with Gems Forrest
Cosby, Armstrong, Martin and Col
Whitfield as commanders, crossed Duck
River early in February, and soon after
encamped near Thompson Station.
Van Dorn's pickets, thrown well for
those of Gen. Gilbert in front Of Frank
lin.
On the Sd Of March the following
order was received by Gen. Gilbert
from Murfreesboro:
'The General commanding directs that
you send brigade and a sufficient cav
airy force tomorrow on the Columbia
party from there toward Columbia and
one through to Raleigh Springs on the
Lewisburg pike. A cavalry force from
here will communicate with your party
at that place some time during the day
after tomorrow. We desire to know
what is in your front. Take forage
train along.
"(Signed) J. A. Garfield, Brigadier-
General and Chief of Staff"
Gen. Gilbert's Division was comfort
ably quartered at Franklin, and he evil
IDENTIFY believed it to be expedient and
the part of good generalship to bring
Coburn's Brigade from Brentwood and
send 1t on this expedition. A copy Of
the order was given Col. Coburn. with
direction that it be obeyed. BY its terms
no discretion was left him I'm the event
OF meeting superior force, until he
had engaged the enemy, tested their
strength and demonstrated his own fn-
ability to comply with the Instructions.
CSburn's Brigade.
Coburn's Brigade, 1,S45 strong, con-
sisted OF his own regiment, $50 Ind,
Lieut.-Col. Henderson; 85th Ind, Col.
Baird; 22d Wis, Col. Utley; and 18th
Mich, Col. Gilbert. OF the latter regi-
smenf the writer was member.
Detachments OF the 4th KY, I'd Mich.
and eth Pa. Cav, 600 strong, under
command of Col. Jordan, Of the last
mentioned regiment, together with the
18th Ohio Battery, Capt. Alshire, were
added to the brigade, making the total
strength 2,837 officers and men.
On the morning of the 4th of March,
remembered well as bright, cool day,
the column moved out of Franklin.
Ale~t to every opportunity to secure
forIge for his animals, Gen. Gilbert sent
100 wagons under guard OF the 124th
Ohio.
simultaneously with our movement,
Van Dorm made a reconnaissance to-
ward Franklin, encountering our forces
about four miles out; lines Of battle
were formed, the enemy occupying a
range Of hills crossing the turnpike at
right angles. The face Of the country
hereabouts was much broken, undu-
lating. presenting to the eye long swells
and ridges, in many places quite steep
and precipitous; thus the view Of the
country was circumscribed, except in
the direction along the turnpike. Our
guns. posted on slight elevation, had