The National tribune., 1909-07-22
THE STONEafAN RAID.
Sioneman Brought Disaster by DisObedi-
; ence OF Orders.

ence OF Orders.
Editor National Tribune: In your
paper of June IL you give a pretty ac-
curate account of the Stoneman- Nc
Cook raid on the right of Atlanta. 1t
is true, as you state, that 'Stoneman
had shown far more startling incompe-
tence than he had upon his great raid
in the rear of Lee in the Chancellors-
Vile campaign" Had he followed Gen.
Sherman's orders as implicitly as Gen.
McCook did the expedition would have
been one of the most brilliant cavalry
exploits of the war 1t was Cen Sher-
mans explicit order that he form a
junction with McCook near Lorejoy
Station. This he was to do before Gen.
Sherman would consent to him making
an effort to take Macon and Anderson
vile. Had he done so he could have
accomplished his highest ambition and
placed himself high on the roll as a
cavalry leader; but he made no effort
to meet McCook, but struck boldly for
Macon, and left McCook to take care of
himself, so disaster overlook both of
them.
There is no doubt but that Gen Nc
Cook became panic-stricken when he
failed to hear anything from Stoneman,
and started to return to his place on
the plank, as ordered to do. 1t was
enough to cause grave apprehension in
any ltduer, however lDtTeplu ne DllSnt
be. There he was. in the rear of the
whole rebel army at Atlanta. with an
Inferior force. with about three brigades
of cavalry under strong leaders and
about 100 miles inside the enemys line
and q deep. swift river to cross. But
luckily he had some trained leaders
and seasoned men, and he was able to
extricate himself without much loss, all
things considered. AT Newman he found
| Wheeler, Roddey and Jackson sta
| toned Sqtarely across his route, besides
a. division of infantry that was halted
| there on its way to Atlanta. Here he
was forced to abandon his artillery and
cut his way out. If he made any mis-
take in the campaign. 1t Is thought it
was here. He suffered his command to
be divided. Croxton and Torrey broke
| thru the lines with their brigades, and
\ left the General on the field with Har-
| rison's Brigade. Had he followed them
out he could have crossed the river at
Morris Bridge, only about 10 miles dis
tapt, but after they got separated the
command crossed at three different
places. and returned to Marietta in de-
| tachments and squads. Gen McCoolS
| crossed the river at Philpot's Ferry with
| Harrison's Brigade. This brigade was
! composed of the Sth Ind. Cd KY, 4th
Tenn, 9th Ohio and 9Th Iowa Cav. He
reached the ferry about midnight, and
l tiie ti the ffSHl anu Until
about 10 o'clock next day was con-
sumed In getting the command over.
4 The 4th Tenn. Cav. covered the rear,
and did not arrive until about 4. O'clock
Lieut.. Smith, of Co. G, was Immediately
sent back to the foot of the hills with
a detachment of men to hold the rebels
| in check until the command could be
ferried over. Lieut.. Smith had no pro-
lection for his men, except a temporary
| barricade of rails and logs hastily
| thrown together. The enemy soon
made their appearance. He was sue
cessful in holding them back until the
last boatload was ferried over, ana, see.
| ing he was abandoned, took his men
and passed down ravine in the field
| to the river. where they constructed
| RATS of rails and succeeded in getting
across.
| Gen. McCook in his report says some
i men of the Sth Ind. Cav. took position
in the stockade covering the crossing,
and fought until their last cartridge
was exhausted, and then surrendered.
| He speaks very eloquently and pathet-
ically of the Sth Ind. Cav. but failed to
say one word about Lieut.. Smith and
his men behind their temporary barri-
cade. Now. it appears that Lieut.. Smith
and his men deserve as much credit
4 for the part they took in the affair as
the 8th Ind. All that is asked is that
| Justice be done to all parties in that
heroic. struggie,-AleXander Eckel, Co.
4 c, 4th Tenn. Cav, Knoxville, Tenn.