The National tribune., 1909-01-14

TIE NATIONAL TRIBUN
ground on either side. This, in turn,
Twas covered with heavy timber and
dense underground making 1t exceed
ingly difficult to advance troops.
| As soon as Lees men went into posi-
ton they set about making its natural
strength still more formidable by eat-
ting down pine trees to form an abatis.
Breastworks for the protection of the
infantry and emplacements for the guns
were also made during the night.
| Meade Advances.
Meade got up all of his forces at last
during the night of Nov 81. and
watched eagerly for the disclosures of
| the enemys dispositions which daylight
would make. He still hoped to be able
to push forward from Robertsons Tav-
ern and gain the country beyond Mine
Run. For this purpose he brought up
the Sixth Corps to strengthen the Sec
ond. He directed the Sixth Corps 8
march so as to take in the flank of the
enemy which had been confronting
Warren, but on arriving there it was
found that all the Confederates had
withdrawn beyond Mine Run. Then the
Sixth Corps went into line of battle to
\, march toward Mine Run, but, coming
to a crest which commanded a view of
the country in front, they saw the
whole Confederate army strongly posted
on the ridge beyond. The little run
which the corps would be compelled to
cross in any further advance was swol-
len by the recent rains until infantry
could make their way thru it only with
difficulty, while for artillery 1t was i'm
passable. ye
i The two divisions of the First Corps
had gone into line on the left of the
Second Corps, and marched forward,
| following the course of the turnpike.
The Third Corps marched toward
Rowe's Mill, and finally placed itself on
the left of the First. The army was
halted while Meade called a council of
war to consider what was best to be
done, and night came on while they
were engaged in this discussion, and
while Lee was personally exerting him.
self to see that nothing should be neg
llected to strengthen his defenses to the
utmost.
Warren Proposes a Plan.
1t was evident to all of the Generals
in council assembled that the po-
; sition which Lee had assumed
any assurance of a successful attack
and Gen. Warren urged that the
best hope lay in a movement to the
1eXtreme left to turn the enemy's flank
at the head of Mine Run. He Offered
to lead in the movement against the
enemys right, and deliver such blow
that even if he did not succeed in turn
ing it he would cause Lee to concen-
trate so heavily on that flank as tC
weaken his line in the center and left
Warren said that he would continue
this flank movement, even IL it took the
extension of his lines as far south a!
Fredericksburg.
Gen. Warren's plan was accepted, ant
in addition to the Second Corps he wa!
given Terry's Division of the Sixth
Four days rations were put in III,
mems haveFsacks and also extra allow
ances< of cartridges, since no wagons
were to be taken along and only thre,
batteries of artillery.
Gen. Warren's Account.
1.-THE night was dark and stormy, ant
our route, after going to the rear as ia
as Robertson's Tavern, lay thru wood
along bad roads. The cheerful tone O
my men as 1 began the move on Nov
20, the unsought expressions of opinion
from officers in all grades of my com
mand, told me plainly enough that thei
views-tried soldiers as they were--di
not differ from mine as to the imprac
ticability of an attack on the enem
WilGTS We tdu lSlL ouI dtCll W
the 29th was rapid and unobstructe6
until we reached (about 1890 p m.
1.-THE cavalry outposts of Gen, Gregg o.
the Plank road. Our march up to thi
lpoint was eight miles.
In company with Gen. Gregg I re
iconnoitered the enemy while my col
umn was closing up. Just behind tn
enemy's videts he pointed out line {
IintrenchmeDts, and SO 1t seemed to m
to be; it afterward proved to be tn
railroad embankment. l at once OF
dered up Gen. Caldwell's Division, TAX
ing care to conceal our movement, de
ployed the Irish Brigade to the right c
the Plank road and Col. Miles's Bsisad
to the left. The 300 cavalry unde
Capt. Schwartz was placed on the Plan
road and a battery Immediately in II
rear, the rest of the division to folio
closely as support, and the whole co
umn right after this. When all wa
ready (and no time was lost unnece:
sarily in preparing) the advance wa
ordered. This was about l p. M, an
notice was given to Gen. Prince. on IN
right
I'VE pushed on. and at the head {
Mine Run, having driven the enem
three miles, we found him in h
trenches. Col. Miles's Brigade espt
cially acquitted itself in this movemen
Time was necessary to bring up tn
three divisions in the rear to assault
and at the same instant staff officer
from Gen. Gregg reported that the enc
my had cut his command in two, an
called for reinforcements. I at ono
sent word to Gen. Terry to give Gel
Gregg all the assistance he requires
even to his whole division, but only or
brigade, Gen. Shaler's, was called for.
AT this time Col. Miles's Brigad
held the extreme left, and from ii
railroad around the right of the enem
He was. however, nearly two miles di
tant from the main force. Gen. CaiC
well was holding from the railroad
the Plank road, and had called for r.
Inducements from Gen. Webb, since II
enemy We're pushing skirmishers b
tween himself and Prince. Gen. Webb
Division had furnished one brigade
Gen. Caldwell, and this brigade ha
taken UP position on the right of Il
corps, and had placed itself in Il
front To take position in rear of CT
Miles. I was then force to take trool
of from the rear Of the column to suppo
he him.
ed 1.-The dispositions thus forced upt
ed me by the movements of the enemy
IL. front and rear lost me some thre
to quarters of an hour or more, and pr
lie, vented my taking advantage of daylig
IL to assault the right or push forward n
on left, as should have desired.
II MY troops came up rapidly and d
!c, plOyed, taking up positions which r