The National tribune., 1905-10-05

The Gallant 10Th Mich. Celebrated tn
Fourth OF July Mt His ExDense

Editor National Tribune: 1t is ex-
ceedlngIy refreshing to read the report
by CorpI William Cross, 18th KY. Cav,
Burnside, KY, regarding Col. Moore's
fight at Tebb's Bend. near Green River
Bridge, KY, which fight occurred on
July 4, 1863. The refreshing part of
Corpl Cross's statement is the fact that
in his efforts to write history he fails
to record single event correctly. For
instance. he says: But, alas, Col
Moore's ammunition was about ex-
hausted, and he must retreat. Take
this cannon, boys, to the river, dump
ii, spike it, fire the bridge and mount
your horses" CorpI Cross tells US
these orders were carried out and Col
Moore led his brave boys in good order
back to Lebanon, and he then adds that
NJ organ entered the works, passed on
to the bridge, extinguished the fire
and passed over the river, not seeking
another crossing.
In the beginning, permit me to say
that the command held by Col. Moore
consisted of about 200 footmen, or in
fantry, or ''Web-foot' boys, of the 25th
Mich, and I have exceeding great
doubts if Col. Moore told these infan-
trymen to mount their horses by rea-
son Of the fact that they had no horses
to mount. Furthermore, / am certain
that he did not give any orders to dump
their artillery into the river or spike it.
they did not have any artillery. And
Col. Moore did not order the bridge to
be fired, for the reason that the 200
boys Of the 25th Mich. held their posi-
ton against Morgan's 5000 horsemen,
and Col. Moore's own medical officer
attended to the wounded who were left
on the field by Morgan.
Gen. Morgan had not time to con-
tinue the fight, by reason of the fact,
which Morgan we'll knew, that Col
Frank Wolfords large brigade, COM
posed of the 1st KY. Cav. and the 7th
Ohio Cav. were almost within strik-
ing distance of Morgan's rear and were
coming up rapidly.
Gen. Basil Duke, second in command
of Gen. Morgans forces, in his report
says:
"Our loss in less than a half hours
fighting. and with not over 900 men
engaged, for only portions of the regi-
ments sent into the fight We're engaged.
was SO killed and 10 or 46 wounded.
The loss of the enemy, according to
the most authoritative account, was
nine killed and 26 wounded. Many fine
officers were included in our list of
casualties. Col. Chenault, Maj. Brent,
Capt Treble, Of the 18th Ky. Lieut..
Cowan, of the Sd KY, and Lieuts. Hol-
loway and Ferguson, of the 5th KY,
all very fine officers, were among the
killed. When Gen. Morgan learned
that no impression was being made on
the enemy, he ordered their Withdraw
al. Gen. Morgan believed that the po-
sition could have been eventually car
ried, but as the defenders We're resolute
it would have been at a cost of time
and life that he could not afford
Gen. Duke also states: Col. Moore
ought to have been able to defend his
position against the direct attacks of
an entire army. but this does not de-
tract from the credit of his defense.
His selection of ground showed admir-
able judgment. and In brief time he
fortified 1t with singular skill. He de-
liberately quilted strong stockade,
near the bridge, and assumed a far
better position, and his resolute defense
showed that he appreciated and meant
to hold it to the last.
Crossing the river at the same ford
that Cluke had previously crossed. the
division marched forward towards
Campbellsville. Our wounded and dead
were left under the charge Of Surgeons
sistance from Col Moore. who proved
himself to be as humane as he was
skillful and gallant"
Gen. Adam r.. Johnson. who also
commanded brigade under Morgan,
was engaged in this attack on Col.
Moore, and in his report says:
after close and careful examina-
ton, found a short and heavy earth
works thrown up around an abatis. with
a deep ravine on one side and precipi-
tous bluffs on the other. which pre-
vented any approach except by the di-
rect road. The distance between the
rayine and the bluff was not more than
$50 yards and was SO well and skill
fully fortified that I deemed it almost
impregnable against dismounted cav
airy. but believed we might use our
ARTILLERY to induce surrender. Bennett,
who had returned from the rear, was
sent to the right to q point where he