The National tribune., 1909-09-02

5oin McCook or communicate with MIN
as agreed upon, but marched direct 10
Macon. leaving McCoo!s to fight Wheel
er's Cavalry which consisted OF the d.
visions of Armstrong, Jackson ana
Roddy.
Stoneman's Disobedience.
Stoneman's disobedience of orders
caused considerable loss in McCook's s Dl-
vision. and nothing but stubborn light
ing and the brave conduct OF the oM-
GERS and men saved it from capture
Why a West Pointer like Stoneman
would overlook so important an order
Is a mystery.
Possibly all officers and men of Nc
Cooks Division felt the same interest
and were just as anxious to aid In the
release of their comrades at the two
prisons, but couiu Hct afford to disobey
orders McCook carried out the orders
given him and arrived at Lovejoy on
time, and at once began the destruction
of the track and the burning of depot
and cars.
While waiting for Stoneman McCook's s
men were kept busy destroying the
track and fighting the enemy. This de-
lay gave Wheeler time to concentrate
his entire force, and when McCook
started to return he found his division
almost surrounded
Let us now turn and follow the move
ments OF McCook, and see how well he
executed his orders. This small divl-
sion was composed of the brigades OF
Crexton (Pirst). Torrey tSecond), and
Harrison CThird) and two guns of LII
Tvs 18th Ind. Battery. CroXtons Bri-
zade was composed of the 4th KY. Mtd
Inf, sth Iowa and 1st Tenn. Cav.
McCook's Movements.
On July 81 McCook left his position
at Masons Church, and marched to
Smiths Ferry, on the Chattahoochee
River. where his command crossed on a
pontoon bridge, after which IT was tax
en- up and sent back to Marietta. Aftel
crossing McCook moved rapidly TOWARD
Palmetto Station, on the West POM
Railroad, with the Second Brigade II
advance, and about two miles from the
river Croxton's Brigade took right
hand road, with the 1st Tenn. in ad
vance Croxton met with but little re
sistance, and about srndown reached
Palmetto simultaneously with the Sec
ond Brigade.
Two hours were spent in destroying
the track. telegraph line. depot ant
cars. after which the command wa.
pushed on to Fayetteville. which wa
reached about daylight on the 18th
Near this place large wagon tran
was destroyed. Aiong with TINS trali
were Quartern1asters, CommisSarles ant
Paymasters. with chests fun of Confed
crate money, all of which s4sFe de
atroyed.
Enough of good horses were captured
to furnish remounts for McCook's s men
Left early in the morning for LoveJoy
with the Ist Tenn. Cav. in advance ant
about four miles from Fayetteville TN
advance Of the regiment found tn,
bridge over Flint River on hre- Col
BroWnloT- charged across the burnini
bridge, captured the guard. and save'
IL for the rear guard to burn
Reached Lovejoy about Z a. m. AM
at once began TO destroy the track
From this time until p. IN. McCook
men were busy fighting and destroyini
the track of the Atlanta & kiacon Road
This was the meeting point of the tw
commands. McDonough is only shor
distance from Lovejoy, and if Stoncma
had united with McCook. as he was or
dered to do the two divisions coul
have whipped Wheeler and capture
Macon and Andersonville and releases
the prisoners.
The Retreat.
The time lost at this place waitin
Sor Stoneman to come up was Wisel
1mproyed upon by Wheeler, so by tn
time McCook started on his return h
found a large force in his rear. M
Cook hearing nothing from Stonemai
decided 10 return by way OF Newnal
Cronton,s Brigade covered the rear, an
about two miles from Loveloy Jackson
Division got between Croxton ana MI
Cook and a sharp engagement TOO
place. Croxton cut his way out, b'
lost a good many officers and men.
1t was in this engagement that Fir
Lieut.. John Roberts, Co. c, 1st Tenn
fell. After considerable hard fightir
Croxton managed to Withdraw his bI
gade and overtake the division. III
Second Brigade was placed in the ref
until Flint River was reached. 1t W;
now dark, and as soon as the res
Don't like your gray mus ouI@u
ks6he p Then make IL O DOOu