The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-07-19
Personal Experiences the United States and the Confederate
States Armies

States Armies.

army in motion. I hoped by a rapid
march to get in rear. of Schofields
forces, then at Pulaski, before they
were able to reach Duck River. That
night headquarters were established at
Rawhide, IL miles north of Florence,
on the WaynesborO road.
The march was resumed on the 22d
and continued till the 9th, upon which
date the troops, having taken advan-
tage of every available road, reached
Columbia via Mount Pleasant Forrest
operated in our front against the enc
my's cavalry. which he easily drove
from one position to another.
The Federais at Pulaski became
alarmed, and by forced marches day
and night reached Columbia, upon
Duck River, just in time to prevent our
troops from cutting them off. Van
the Cumberland, thus mentions their
narrow escape:
At Columbia, Tenn.
Gen. Hoods rapid advance had been
Schofield from Columbia, and barely
failed in this object. as the National
troops gained the place by a night
march," (Van Horne's Army Of the
Cumberland. Vol. II, page 1872
The enemy having formed line OF
battle around Columbia. Lees Corps
filed into position with it's right upon
the Mount Pleasant pike; Stewards
formed on Lees right. his own right
flank extending to the Pulaski pike, and
Cheatham established his left on the
latter pike, with his right resting on
Duck River. Army headquarters were
established at the residence Of Mrs. War
field, about three miles south Of CO.
lumbia.
The two armies lay opposite each
other during the 27th. The Federals
being intrenched, / determined not to
attack them in their breastworks IL I
could possibly avoid it, but to permit
them to cross undisturbed to the north
bank of Duck River that night. as
supposed they would do; to hasten prep
arations, and endeayor to place the
main body of the Confederate army al
Spring Hill, IL miles directly in the
enemy's rear, and about midway upon
the only pike leading to Franklin; to
attack as the Federals retreated, and
put to rout and capture, II possible,
their army, which was the sole obstacle
between our forces and Nashville-in
truth. the only barrier to the success Of
the campaign.
was confident that after Schofield
had crossed the river and placed that
obstruction between our respective
armies, he would feel In security, and
WOufQ remain IN HiS pOSlt1On- dL iedSI a
sufficient length Of time to allow me to
throw pontoons across the river about
three miles above his left flank. and.
by bold and rapid. march, together
with heavy demonstrations in his front,
gain his rear: before he was fully ap-
prised Of my object.
The situation presented an occasion
for one of those interesting and beauti-
fui moves upon the chessboard Of war.
to perform which / had often desired
an opportunity. AS stated in letter to
Gen. Longstreet, I urgently appealed
for authority to turn the Federal left
at Round Top Mountain. | had beheld
with admiration the noble deeds and
grand results achieved by the immortal
Jackson in similar maneuvers; l had
, seen his corps made equal to 10 times
its number by sudden attack on the
enemy's rear. and / hoped In this In
stance to be able to profit by the teach
ing Of my illustriOus cOuntryman. AS ]
apprehended unnecessary and fatal de-
| lay might be occasioned by the appear
ance OF the enemy on the line OF march