The National tribune., 1906-08-02
WASHINGTON, D. c.. THURSDAY, AUGUST q 1906


heard of Morgan's advance, and on the
night Of July 8 had made such prepara-
tions as he readily could for its defense.
The Green River at that point makes an
immense horseshoe sweep. with the
bridge at the toe Of the horseshoe, and
then winds back to form q peninsula or
neck scarcely 100 yards wide. and bend
ing again makes this neck very short.
At that time It was thickly covered with
trees and underground, and Col. Moore,
telling the heaviest timber, constructed
an abatis across the neck. In front the
ground was open and clear for some zoo
yards or more. The banks Of the river
were high and precipitous, making alto
gether position Of remarkable
strength, which, unfortunately for him
self. Morgan did not grasp when he
At $3.50 a. m, July 4, Morgan found
Col: Moore's force directly across his
path, and opened fire on the breast
works. after which rude salutation to
the morning he sent in q flag OF truce
demanding an immediate and uncondi-
tfonal surrender. Col. Moore promptly
replied that the Fourth Of July was no
sort Of day on which to entertain such
a proposition, and Morgan then attack
ed furiOusly with all the force he could
bring to bear. The battle ragged for
three and a half hours, and was led with
the greatest gallantry by Moore's lieu
tenants. At times the fight was almost
hand to hand over the timber which the
Union soldiers had felled in their front.
In the sharp struggle Morgan lost killed
Col. d. w. Chenault, one Of his most
valiant subordinates, two Majors, five
Captains, six Lieutenants and SO or
more men, with probably 200 wounded.
Morgan finally confessed defeat by
sending in flag OF truce, asking per-
mission to bury his dead, which Col.
Moore granted. proposing to deliver
them in front Of the lines. Col. Moore's
loss was six killed and % younded. Gen.
fight:
Basil Dukes Account.
"Col. Johnson. whose brigade was In
advance, Immediately dashed forward
with the Sd and 11th KY, to attack the
main position. Artillery could not be
used, for the guns could bear upon the
abatis only from the crest OF which !
have spoken. and II posted there the
cannoneers, at, the very short range.
would not have been able to serve their
pieces. The position could be won only
by direct assault. The men rushed up
to the fallen timber, but became en-
tangled in the network Of trunks and
branches, and were shot down while
them. I reinforced Johnson with a part
OF Smiths regiment, the 5th KY, but
the jam and confusion incident to NOV
ing in so circumscribed an area and
through the dense underground broke
the force Of the charge. The enemy
was quite numerous enough to defend a
line SO short and strong and perfectly
protected on both hanks. We had not
more than 900 men actually engaged,
and the fighting lasted not longer than
Is or 20 minutes. Our loss was about
90, nearly as many killed as wounded.
Afterward we learned that Col. Moore's
loss was six killed and % wounded.
When Gen. Morgan ordered the attack
he was not aware Of the strength Of the
position, nor had he anticipated q re-
sistance 80 spirited and 80 skillfully
planned. He reluctantly drew on with
out another assault, convinced that to
capture the &batis and its defenders
would cost him half Of his command
Among the killed were Col. D. w. Che
nault and Capt. Alexander Treble, OF
the 11th KY: Lieut.. Robert Cowan, Of
the Sd. and Maj. Thomas Y. Brent, Jr.,
and Lieuts. Holloway and Ferguson, Of
the 9Th. These officers were all killed
literally at the muzzles Of the rifles
Col. Moore's position might easily have