The National tribune., 1906-06-07

The old boy'--they addressed him so,
and lovingly--looked in modestly. but
when Kirby disappeared none could tell.
He had q cat-like habit of getting
away when there was nothing for him
to do. Thoms and Thompson, at the
foot Of the cot, flanking a little deal
table, dimly illumined by the feeble
glimmer Of a stearine dip, industrsousiy
worried out the pregnant ciphers. Tom
fed the cheerful fire In the CRATE; the
bright blaze was roaring pleasantly UP
the chimney; the telegraph fingers
were clicking merrily in the little room,
and Monsieur John produced his steam
ing toddy.
'ResuIt Of the Consultation.
Strange that nobody ever seemed
jealous of Thomas. But he was so
modest and unpretentious. When the
command Of the great Army Of the
Ohio was rendered him, you know he
declined that glittering recognition OF
his worth Monsieur Vault had in
stinctively timed the toddy. When the
glasses got to the corner. there was an
eager sentence or two, an acquiescing
nod on either side, and history was
| made. The Chief was jocose an instant,
but directly a glass went down upon
Garesche's table with a clang. Gar
esche looked up. surprised little, and
lounged back In his chair. Suddenly
the Chief-'We move Tomorrow. gen.
| tlemen! We shall begin TO skirmish,
probably, as soon as we pass the out
out OF their nests! Make them fight or
run! Strike hard and fast! Give
them no rest! Fight them! Fight
them! Fight, I say and his glittering
blue eyes flashed like a gleam OF light
ming, and the nervous right hand dashed
into the palm OF the scarified left, ring
ing as IL cymbals were changing
Thomas looked up with grim smile
Of approval; McCook's sharp eyes
twinkled with internal enjoyment; and
Crittenden Strengthened up his trim f1g-
ure with sort Of sven, as IL he had
heard the program exactly, and was
prepared to execute 1T. 1t was then ac-
cepted as a probability that the enemy
would make a stand at Stewards
Creek-five miles in the rear of La
vergne, going by the Murfreesboro
turnpike. s.
March to the Battlefield.
The morning of Friday, Dec. 26,
1852, dawned dark and lowering. with
frequent drenching showers, which
could not, however, dampen the spirits
of the men. They sprang up at the
sound of the bugle, growing like cocks
and yelling their pleasure at at last
starting upon what they hoped to be the
final test of strength with the rebel
lion. The older soldiers, who had been
vile. were full of confidence in them
selves and their officers, and this was
communicated to their comrades of the
newer regiments. The cf,aif in officers
and rank and file had been winnowed
out by year OF hard marching and
fighting. Those that remained were of
pure metal There were singularly few
stragglers. -
There was a hasty hut bountifuI
breakfast, and McCook's Corps started
promptly at 6 o'clock, with jeff c. Da-
vis's Division taking the lead, on the
Edmondson Pike. Stanley with his
Reserve Cavalry was In front, deployed
over the country to beat up the game
and develop the enemy. The orders
were to move to Prim's Blacksmith
Shop and thence on NOlensyille and
Triune. Thomas with the Center was
to move on the right OF the army by
the Franklin Pike until he reached the
Wilson road, when he was to bear to
the left to strike Hardee's fank, Ii he
should, as was expected, make a stand
at Nolensville or Triune. It was mat
ter of doubt whether Bragg would
stand on the right or the left for bat
tie, and Rosecrans's plans were admir-
able for either contingency. There was
to be no repetition of the blunders at
Perryville, and Thomas was to move in
such way as to afford immediate help
to either Crittenden on the left or Me-
Cook on the right, should they meet
the enemy in force. Therefore, Gen.
moved on the direct road to Nolens-
Vile. while the Left Wing. under Gen.
Crittenden, was to take the Murfrees-
boro Pike and guard the railroad az it
advanced.
The Country.
r'.s, country between Nashville and
Mu reesboro sweeps in great, rude bill
lows. At the crest of these are thick
forests of white oak and red cedar: on
the more level slopes are large culti-
waited fields, with houses and barns,
and at the edge of these the land falls
precfpitately toward the creeks, which
cut deep gorges through the limestone.
The sides of these gorges and the
rougher portions of thes.lafd are COW
cred with dense thickets OF red cedar.
This contour OF the country afforded
admirable facilities for defense by
Bragg's outlying parties. They were
posted in unknown numbers behind
these creeks and gorges, screened by the
heavy growths of cedar, and whenever
they opened fire their coverts had to
be carefully examined az 20 the strength
OF the force that might be lurking
there
Through this country run many fine
pixies which afforded easy transporta-
tion for the marching men and the
tions between these We're by mud roads
Which the rain was fast converting into
quagmres.
The March.
So close was the touch ,Of the two
armies that 1t was hardly two miles
from the Union pickets before spiteful
musketry announced the presence of
the enemy. Gen. Thomas moved his
column, 1895 effectives.s With Negley
In front followed by Rousseau Coils.
Kennett and Zahm with u1e cavalry
searched the roads i'm ADVANCE for the
presence of the enemy. Thomas reached
Brentwood and turned Oft into the Will
son Pike without incident more than a
few struggling shots.
McCook was the first to feel the
enemy in force. and met quite a heavy
volley within two miles OF the picket
line. Co. b, 36th ILL.,. Capt. Sherer,
mounted as cavalry for escort duty, took
cross road to bring 1t on the enemy's
flank. while p. Sidney Post noyed his
brigade up for front attack. The
enemy retired without waiting for this,
and was next encountered about a mile
from Nolensville. where the cavalry
reported the rebels to be; in strong
force. Posts Brigade was thrown into
line OF battle and directed to advance