The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-05-10

miles to reach Munfordville, while
Buell. had to march I05 miles around
the circle. Sept. Is Gen. Chalmers
leading Bragg's army, reached Mum
fordville, which was defended by Col
John I. Wilder, with the 61th and 89tf
Ind. and some miscellaneous troops and
recruits, numbering altogether 2.12f
men Gen. Chalmers promptly attacked
with six regiments. but was badly re.
pulsed. He then sent in a flag of truce
demanding surrender and saying that
ne was being strongly reinforced. vii.
der declined, saying that the only way
10 stop "the useless effusion Of blood
was TO keep out of the range of his
guns.
The next day another attack was
made which was also repulsed. In the
meanwhile Rraggs whole army was
coming up and surrounding the place
Other attacks We're made and repulsed
during the next two days. when Bragg
arrived in person, and sent in word tc
Wilder that he was surrounded by 25,-
900 men, with 45 cannon, and must
surrender. After some parley, Wilder
was permitted to satisfy himself by per-
sonal inspection as to this number and
then, finding that Buell. was no nearer
than Bowling Green, he surrendered on
the morning of Sept. IL, having gained
two precious days for Buell. by his
his army to surround the place. as a
few days before Lee had done the same
thing to capture Harper's Ferry, but
Buell. was In no shape TO take advaI,-
tage of this.
Gen. Bragg granted the garrison al
the honors of war, permitted them to
march out with side arms, private prop
erty and four days rations There was
policy in this. as Bragg did not want
Il waste time or men in an assault nor
siege. He merely wanted the garri-
son out of his way to Louisville on as
easy terms as possible.
Buell. was severely blamed for not at
thcking Bragg while he had his army
nn both sides Of the Green River. He
had, however, moved forward so eau
uousiy that he was not within striking
distance of Muhfordville for at leas,
a day after the garrison had surrender
ed. Most of the real blame Of the catas-
t, trcphe would seem to be due to c. G.
! Gilbert, in command at Louisville, and
who, having done very well as a Cap
tain, had been suddenly jumped to the
rank Of Major-General, for which he
vas TO SHOW his utter unfitness in the
most lamentabie manner during the
critical events of the next few weeks
! Gilbert should have either entirely
withdrawn the garrison or reinforced
il so as To make a more prolonged de-
4 Ii
sent in only aggravated the disaster II
| il was necessary to sacrifice a brig. de
, in order To gain lime. those original;
with Col. Wilder were enough for the
purpose. By capturing Munfordville
Gen. Bragg placed the Green River be-
tween him and Buell.. 50 that the latter
! could only attack him at Il disadyan.
] tagc.
! On both sides the men We're eager fol
. battle. In Bragg's army were thou.
sands Of those who in the previou:
march had been Withdrawn by Alber,
Sidney Johnston from Bowling Gree.
and the country through which tney
/ were now operating. They were high
j ly stimulated by return to the scene:
! OF their former camps. The victory O.
Munfordville greatly encouraged them
| and they were anxious TO try final con
| cluslons with the Yankee army Or
the other hand. Buelrs men were deep
i ly mortified by the racing back o"er tn,
country which they had conquered
1 They could see no satisfactory reason
for this, and from Corporal to Major
/ General were greatly dissatisfied will
Buell. for not bringing on n battle will
the enemy, which was daily marchinl
in sight OF them.
Fer two or three days Bragg acte'
: as IL he were going to deliver battle
and Buell. hastened up Thomas. VIII
joined him Sept. 20. Possibly tn
! made Bragg less inclined to fight, an
} he even abandoned with nothing NOR
than slight skirmishing the formidabl
/ position made by the deep, precipitou
!. gorge Of Salt River. This. 1t will b
remembered, was the line OF defens
, Of Louisville assumed by the militia an,
Home Guards at the time Of Buckner'