The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-29
UNITED DAUGHTERS
 OF THE COMFEDERACY
omcisI orsas AIaAama 0lvl.les.

mM1mD DinM hA lha1 1hI ll ll ll lH H N H 1lV Tullahoma offered nc, o,topographicai sd- vantage which might induce a smalisr 70 cope successfuiiy with a larger torce, It was known that Bragg could aes n's nola s this point against the avail to retreat would precipitate the dam ger and probably the disaster of . pitched battle. It was at his perfious
 time that Morgan was looked to as the chief hope of extricating the army. If
 by one of his bold raids in the rear of the enemy he could divert attention,
 call on Tn pursuit part at least or the Federal cavalry which would other
 wise have been used destructively against Bragg when he began his re- treat. prevent the Federal garrfsons rom concentrating with the main army in one grand offensive movement. then might we hope that Bragg could safely reach and cross Tennessee River and upon ground If his own choosing accept or offer battle. How we'll this
 was done let history tell. Morgan gath cred his forces. The raid began. The Federal cavalry pursued. The garri- sons were kept on the alert for their own saiety, for no one knew when or where Morgan would strike Bragg fell back without hazard, selected his own
 vantage ground. and as a result there was no prouder field for Southern arms
 no brighter victory ever cheered the Southern heart than on the day of bat tie when the best blood of our country reddened the tide of Ohickamaugo
 On the banks of the Upper Cumber- land opposite the village of Burks- ville Ky. the battalions were ordered to center. It was a royal sight to one who, in his love Nfor the South, knew no divided heart. Each man was radiant with hope and eager for mi nd Jnh n ovl led, respectively the 1st and 2nd bri- gades of the cava1cade of 2,600 men. A finer body of soldiers could not be found in all the circuit of the sun. They were in the main young men. trained to the saddle, skDled in horse manship, and familiar with the use of weapons from youth. There was want ing, of course, the pomp and richness of an oriental array. There were no silken banners to unfold, no glittering weapons to reflect the radiance of the sun. no strappings of burnished gold that sterner stuff of which armies are made and by which victories are won. Instead of tinsel and glitter. there was the cold blue steel of weapons of truer aim than any previous war had ever known Instead of troops hired to swell gaudy pageant there was a band of volunteers who owed hom- age only to their sweethearts and wives. and loyalty only to their homes and the land of their birth. But since your letter to me calls only for ms personal reminiscences." from which understand that you desire a few incidents which I observed or in which participated, I trust to be pardoned the apparent egotism which would. otherwise. mar this narrative.
 On Wednesday, the first day of July, 1882, late in the afternoon. re- cceived, an order from the regimental adjutant of the 9th Kentucky to take o'clock that night. move northwardly arsh develop the enemy known to be in force on the north bank. I obeyed the order; this was the beginning Of the raid. A little after midnight, nov Ing slowly and cautiously, having pro- ceeded only about four miles, I dis covered one hundred yards ahead a small body of cavalry but obviously greater in number than my own squad We mutually hailed. The officer in charge refused to tell his name or where he belonged. I was equally guarded. After short barley we agreed to tell the truth. At this he shouted, "Who are you. then?' I an- swered, There are more of you than there are of us: you answer first" He replied: T am Lieutenant Pace, 11th Kentucky Johnson's Brigade, Nor gan's Cavalry" q am Lieutenant Saufiey, 6th Kentucky. Dukes Bri- gade. Morgans Cavalry" The .solu- ton was that he had been sent out as an advance scout from Johnson's brigade, encamped four miles down the river, as had been from Dukes bri- gade. We united forces. and soon en- countered in the darkness a large body of the enemy. We had a little scrap and sent courier for endorsements. The first lieutenant (Coffey) Of my company came up in the course of two hours with fifteen men. By this time 1t was daylight. Coffey immediately attacked and was killed in five minutes. The command then devolved on me. With Faces force I then had about forty-five men pitted against about 150. It is drawing it mildly to say that the boys in blue" handled us roughly. But just as they were giving us what seemed to be the coup de grace, Gen. eral Morgan himself came at full Speed at the head of the balance of my com pany, and the way he lit into those fellows who had shown so little re- spect for his scouts was good for sore eyes"
 I have read much of General For rests individual prowess in battle, and. my admiration of both his genius and personal heroism is almost without limit. But I thought that day. when tsAoi 6dus WlIh uldWH SWOTu. uaSneu into that body of brave Federal sol diers, that Richard at the Castle of Torquilstone did not display knight Her courage.
 He drove this force back on their reserves, and the reserves several miles further, then opened the way to Columbia. Ky, where on the next day we encountered another large force and routed it in half hours engage ment.
 I will digress at this point to tell you of the most pathetic Incident con- nected with my whole war career Associated as it is with the sorrow of a refined and beautiful Union girl, know 1t will possess for you a ten- der interest. We were encamped on the banks of the Cumberland about two weeks before starting on the raid. While there gentleman of the neigh borhood by some chance heard that a person of my name was with Morgan. -~---------------------