Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-02-05
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oldlerS Of the Union armies aoouho
with interesting matter. Here are a
few moro relating to the operations o.
the Western troops in the Armies OF
the Tennessee and Cumberland.
In the battle Of Shelbyville, Tenn,
the right wing Of Gen. Rosecrans'
army had driven the left wing OF the
Confederate army, commanded by Gen.
Joseph Wheeler, into the town OF
~Shelbyville. The Confederate force
which numbered 5000, formed a line
Just at the outskirts Of the town TO
defend their stores. A battery OF foul
guns pointed north commanded the
principal turnpike. This battery was
we'll supported by dismounted cavalry
on the right and left. Gen. Rosecrans
decided to attack the center and, II
possible, ride right over the battery.
The Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry and
the Fourth United States Cavalry
were selected for the assault. h
pike was so narrow that it was neces-
sary to make the charge in columns OF
, four. Mai. Cas-. c.. Davis of the Sew
enth Pennsylvania would have proper
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| squadron, but he volunteered to lead
the charge, and his offer was accepted.
He took his place in the fropt OF the
leading column Of tours. 4 volley from
the Federal cannon was to be the sig
nal for the charge, and when all vas
in readiness Maj. Davis raised his
sword aloft, the cannon doomed, and at
the instant the gallant troops dashed
forward, Maj. Davis In the lead, the
beau ideal Of a magnificent trooper.
The Confederate guns belched forth,
but their deadly missiles did not stop
the rush of the courageous cavalry
men. Again they doomed, and one of
the shells, striking the center Of the on
rushing horsemen, sent two men and
three horses to the ground in a heap.
The Federals, with the valiant Davis
still In the van, were now close upon
the breastworks; it was too late for
another volley, and the Confederates
fell ba ok in terror. Right over the
breastworks the cavalry went, and soon
were dealing death to the panlc-stricken
rebels. The C~onfederates could not
stand the onslaught, and made signs
Of surrender. Three hundred of them
and the battery complete were taken.
Gems. Wheeler and Martin escaped by
swimming the river, many Of their
troops following their example, the
rest scattering in all directions, getting
away as best they could. The number
of Union cavalry in this charge was
80, and in ~gallantry and success it is
entitled to rank with any charge of
the war.
At the battle o. Stone River, the
Confederates had caused a stampede In
one wing Of Gen. Thomas army, and
the Brigade Of the Cumberland was
ordered forward by Gen. Thomas to
hold a position until the broken line
could be reformed. The brigade was
successful in stopping the advance Of
the enemy, and the broker troops were
rallied and soon again presented a solid
front. The desired object having been
accomplished, the Brigade of the Cum
berland was withdrawn. As it retired
from 1.-THE cedars" and started across
an open field, the Confederates dis
charged a volley. Col. Henry Douglas,
U. S. A., who commanded the First
Battalion, was struck by a shell, and
with a cry he sank to the ground. Maj.
H. B. Freeman Of he Eighteenth Cav
airy saw his brother officer fall, and
running to him, under IRE Of the
enemy, who were not more than $50
yards away, raised him up, and sup
porting him in his arms, carried him to
4 place Of safety.
First Sergt. F. w. Judge Of Company
&, Seventy-ninth Regiment Of New
landers,'' performed a thrilling act of
bravery during the assault on Fort
Saunders, Tenn. The rebels, under
Gen. Longstreet, assaulted the fort with
a view to the capture of Knoxville.
The garrison Of the fort consisted Of
the Se~venty-ninth New York Volun-
teers and B~enjamin's battery. Long
streets force was vastly superior, and
the assault was made with vigor and
determination. The rebels had
passed all the distractions and OBJ
stacles In front OF the fort, were
showering shot and shell into the forti-
pcations, and for a Federal to show his
head meant a perfect storm of bullets.
A rebel colorIbearer, followed by about
ofty men of the color guard, had
crossed the ditch In front Of the fort
and planted his colors on the side Of
the works. The rebel yell rang out.
Sergt. Judge saw the waving emblem
Of the enemy, heard the shout Of
triumph, and his blood boiled with
age. Springing up from his position
where he had been comparatively pro-
tected while firing his piece, he leaped
upon the parapet, and running along
| where the flag had been planted, while
shot and shell split the air around him,
he seized the color and returned with
it in safety to the fort. A mighty
| cheer went up from his comrades,
many of whom embraced him in their
admiration Of his courage and the ex-
uberance of their Joy v his safety.
| 1t was not long after that the heroic
young sergeant received his commission
rs a captain.
When the Union troops, numbering
| 2 5000, started for the assault on Mis-
sionary, the whole length Of this great
line, extending for over two and a half
miles, being visible and the bright sun
shine making their bayonets simmer
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