The National tribune., 1906-01-11

turesome, crossing right in our teeth
and our pickets had considerable trou-
bic from the enemyS skirmisherS. Their
annoyance was SO great that Gen. Coz
determined TO drive them into the river
and sent word to his inspecting Officer
that the troops should charge them with
the bayonet. and demonstrate right
there whether the iron candlesticks they
were carrying around with them could
be turned to any other use as imple-
mentS of war or not. The attempt
failed, because the men were too well
covered by the skirmishers on the OPP
posite bank.
The Momentous Night March.
Col. Lyman Bridges, Chief of Artl-
lery of the Fourth Corps. had charge
of and posted the batteries on the left
Assistant Chief of Artillery, had charge
of the batteries on the right, which
were handled SO admirably against the
assaulting lines of Cheatham's Corps
Darkness was now approaching, and
Stewards Corps of four divisions ar
command. went into bivouac for the
night.
About this time Gen. Coxs Division
which had been under heavy artil-
lery fire all day from Hoods guns sta
toned in and near Columbia, started
for Spring Hill, leaving Wood and Kim
ball, who had been ordered to follow
soon after. This night march was a
very rapid one. and, with the exception
of a halt at Rutherford Creek to help
out some artillery and teams that were
there clogged. the distance to Spring
HILL about IL miles. was made at the
rate of four miles an hour. The rear
guards were ordered positively to use
the bayonet on fence-corner stragglers,
and the orders were in several instances
obeyed. When the General and staff
reached Spring Hill we were stopped
on the road by Col. George Northrup,
Of Kentucky regiment of infantry.
He cautioned US, Hist!"-with finger
to his lips--not to speak above a whis-
per. and pointed to the campfires with
in sight Of the road. We could plainly
see that soldiers standing there were
Johnnies, and in the quiet of the night
could hear their voices. An officer was
left to repeat the caution to the ad-
vancfng column.
A little further along on the road we
found Gen. Stanley at his headquarters.
from whom we learned the whole sit
uation. We waited for Gen. Schofield
to come back from Thompson's Sta
ton, where he had gone with one Of
Ruger's brigades, on report that the
enemy had reached the road there.
Orders were again given at midnight
siHssTsand Gen. Cox's Division to
lead 1f6s advance. Keeping UP the
long, steady stride Of four miles an
hour. I'm the clear starlight. without
meeting a soul on the road. we reached
Franklin about o'clock in the morn
ing, awoke Col. Carter, and made head
quarters at his little brick cottage the
last house in the southern suburbs of
the town, on the Columbia pike.
While sitting out in front Of the
house. waiting for the head of column
to arrive. everything was as still as the
grave, and there was time to ponder
on what the following day would bring
forth. Very few, perhaps anticipated
the dreadful and bloody outcome, but
rather looked for another flank move
ment, as at Columbia Presently the
tramp of horses in the distance and
the rattle of tincups against bayonets
told us that the troops were coming
They were marching by the left flank.
and the Third Division of the Twenty
third Corps was led into position in
that order on the east side of the pike
Stiles, commanding Hendersons Bri-
gade, first. Easement next, and Reilly
lest. all facing south. Gen. Cox was
placed in command of the two divi-
sions. his own and Ruger's, and was
instructed. as soon as the troops could