The National tribune., 1906-07-26
VAN Dorm. Raid ON HOLLY Springs.

Azra Thrall, Co. d, goth Ohio, Della
ware, o., sends this account of the raid:
AT Lagrange, 20 miles from Holly
Springs, there was a large supply of
cho1ce medicines, and to get these was
Van Dorn's chief object in coming to
Lagrange, If he could get there. About
one mile east from Lagrange was Wolf
Creek, and a mill there called Davis's
Mill. About $50 Union soldiers were
guarding the mill and the bridge over
Wolf Creek. Early in the afternoon
news was received that Van Dorm was
on the way north, and to reach La
grange must cross the bridge at Wolf
Creek. The men on duty at the mill
went to work taking up the planks.
which they carried and piled on the
west side of the river. AS there were
cotton bales handy, they piled one on
top of another, then placed a stick IF
wood on. these two bales, then another
bale on top of the wood. This made a
hole to shoot from. Twenty places of
defense like this were made within easy
range of the bridge The mill was also
placed in condition to make strong
defense. Mai. Darrow, who command
ed the soldiers at the mill, got from
Swarts's Battery two six-pound cannon
and placed them in direct range of the
road that Van Dorm would use in COM
pital packed up the choicest medicines
in coffins. which they buried in the
cemetery as they would soldier, whi,e
what was left WAS taken Into the GU
pola of the hospital. The next morning
as daylight began to show in the east
Van Dorm, with 1900 men, halted his
command on the hill, and learning that
the plankS had been taken up, called
for volunteers to go and replace them.
One hundred of his bravest men dis
mounted and marched to the bridge,
many of them to death. The sharp
shooters behind the cotton-bales on the
west side of the river hit every time the
men aimed. Many were wounded and
fell into the river. AS soon as the noise
of the firing was heard at Lagrange,
Swarts, with four siX-pound guns, linn
bered up and started on the run. He
soon got in range, and opened on the
men on the opposite hill, who were
waiting for the planks to be replaced.
Van Dorm hurried on to Jackson, leav-
ing his men at the river to be taken
prisoners. 1t was reported that he lost
in killed, wounded and prisoners 100 of
his best soldiers On the Union side
only three wounded that l ever heard
of
Sherman Mt Chickamnnga Creek.
Nelson Hendrick, Co. c, 1st Ohio Bat
terry, Davis, w. Va, does not doubt the
claim of the Wisconsin comrades that
their battery guarded Sherman's Cross
ing of Chickamauga Creek, but does
claim that his battery was there also.
On Nov. % his battery was moved up
the river, as he supposed, to guard that
crossing, and on the Gath moved TO the
river and was placed in battery. The
bridge was not quite completed, ard
the steamer Dunbar had been taking
the men across. When the bridge was
finished. and the cavalry had poured
across. they went back to town, and on
the 21th back to their camp. He does
not remember seeing any other battery
at the crossing, but thinks there We're
light works there, as If some one had
been before them. He thinks the other
battery was probably there. while the
men were ferried over before the bridge
was built.
Brother Served With Hood.
J. D. Travis, Montpelier. O., writes
that his brother, J. p. Travis. is sup
posed to have served in Gen. J. B.
Hoods command. C. s. A.. but has not
been heard from directly since the
Spring of 1861. ]. P. Travis was born
in 1888; was man of fine appearance,
about five feet II inches tall. and at the
breaking out of the war weighed about
200 pounds. He had previously served
FIVE years in the 1st U. S. Dragons. He
enlisted at Galveston, Tex, probably in
the 1st Tex. and was known to have
been with Gen. Hoods command. Com
rade Travis would like to hear from
anyone who knows his brother.
Regimentnl Histories.
Charles H. Jones, GAINESVILLE, O.,
thinks that an injustice is being done
in the regimentaI histories by not CIV
Ing the numbers in the different organ
izations, which would make their losses
show a different ratio. Some of the
Ohio regiments had less than 1000 men,
while others had 1900. so that the re-
ports of losses do not give the proper
proportion.
The wirz Monument.
VIM. B. Stark, Co. K, 34th Mass.
Vassar. Mich, was not only surprised
and panied, but actually Mortified TO
read of the proposed monument to Wirz,
and thinks If the project is carried
through the very stones will cry out in
| protest. He also sees no reason why
the daughters of ex-Confederates should
| be allowed to flaunt the rebel flag in
the faces of loyal people.
J. r. Cressinger, John W. Bucher and
L. ID. Moore, OF Lieut. William A. Brun-
| er Post, G. A. r., Sunbury, Pa, have
| sent us copy of resolutions adopted by
| The Post protestingsagainst the proposed
movement of the Daughters of the Con-
| federacy for the erection of monu-
ment to WirZ. In so honoring a man
| of whose record no Confederate could
possibly be proud they heap dishonor
on their chief idols-Lee and Davis.
That Barrel of Persimmons.
| L. NJ. Bottom, Co. d, 11th Mich. Cav
Toledo, o., thinks he has the ''persim-
mons" on all other comrades claiming
credit for the youngest soldier" He
was only IA at the time he enlisted
| having been born Jan. 23, 1849, and
enlisting Aug. 80. 1863. He says: "So
please hand that barrel of persimmons
i this way until some other kid soldier
can show a better line of dates"
Youngest Pennsylvania Soldier.
John S. Caldwell, Co. G, 203d Pa.
Pigeon, Pa. claims to be. the younges
Pennsylvania soldier that ever carried 6
rife. He first enlisted as sharpshoot.
er. He was born April 27, 1S49, an6
Is years end five months at time of en-
| listment.
| The Stars md Stripes.
S. Get.ig. Co. D. 12Sth Ind, Nortf
Liberty, Ind, says: Without any ami
mostly or Ill feeling against our brave
comrades late in the gray. l do objec
and protest to the carrying of any flag
North or South at anv place nr an an,