The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-09

were consumed in destroying the army property at McMinvlle.
 By now news of the raiders had fallen upon all the posts from Chattanooga to
 Nashville. McCoolS and Mitchell were in the saddle in pursuit. General George
 Crook, somewhat beated, came upon the
 scene All rode as rapidly as they
 could. They could not head off the Con- federates, nor even overtake them with serious consequences. Twenty-Five thou | sand invaders were in pursuit.
 | From McMinville, Wheeler rode toward the field of his glory, months before, the battle ground of Murfreesboro. The town here was found to be strongly en- trenched and garrisoned. and he left it to
 one side, after capturing stockade ex- posed on the suburbs. Passing on he de- stroyed the railroad bridges over Stones
 river, in the direction of Nashville. Along
 the railroad, toward Nashville, he de- l stroyed track and bridges and captured stockades. He rode near Nashville and turned southward.
 | The raid was now completed. The enc my had defiected an overwhelming force of cavalry and infantry. The Confederate leader had executed his orders.
 Wheeler planned to reach the Tennessee
 at a ford at Mussels Shoals. Shelbyville layin the way. The garrison fled as he approached and the large depots of stores there were burned. Thirteen thousand troops were in close pursuit. The gar
 rison at Columbia hearing of the mat | ters, 50 miles away, burned the stores
 there and dispersed
 After leaving Shelbyville General
 Wheeler put his three divisions in camp for the night along Duck river, Davidson
 first in order, Martin next. with which he in person remained, and Wharton fartherest off with the wagon train. | About 10 O clock at night General Wheeler sent back to General Davidson word Of
 warning to extraordinary vigilance; lit | tie later he sent to that officer positive
 orders to break camp and move down the river to Martins camp, where the commanding general rested. Men and
 horses were fast asleep; men and horses, officers as well. were thoroughly wearied | to the point of exhaustion. General Dav- idson did not obey. The result put the
 entire command in great jeopardy. At dawn. Davidson was heavily attacked | from Shelbyville. He informed General Wheeler that he was in retreat down the
 river, pursued by force he could not
 successfully resist Wheeler dispatched to Wharton. lower down the river bank, the news, ordering him to rush the train
 on toward the Tennessee ford. He set | out at a trot in the lead of Martin to in-
  treating. and the pursuing foe. That was the only hope of saving Davidson | from capture or dispersion. Riding hard, wheeler in lead of Martins men, came | into the road to Mussel's Shoals at Farm ington, just in time to form across it to meet the advancing enemy before they
 might strike Davidson. Davidson rode on. A message was hurried on to him to halt and form across the Lewisburg pike Ia 40 xry11o MovffY
 dismounted. had received the enemy with
 volley, to charge. But Davidson did
 nothing of the kind. Wharton, by or
 ders, was on ahead with the train. The enemy saw Davidson still marching away
 They knew Wharton was out of reach with the train. They advanced with ut
 most confidence.
 Now, came the Tarmington fight, tho
 last of the many conflicts of the Se-
 ouatchie valley raid; a most brilliant fight. The enemy advanced on Martins thin line: the Confederates stood their
 ground as firmly as ever heroes did. For | twenty minutes the strife ragged. The en- il emy hesjtated. then wavered. Wheeler called to the men to mount and led then in full charge through the ranks or the fleeing foe Unmolested the Confederates
 went into camp that night on their way to the Mussels Shoals ford. Among the woundde left on the field was Capt. J. J.
 seawell of Company I. Fifty-f1rst Ala bana He was placed in farm house near tho field and his leg amputated. Tn course of time he recovered strength gained assistance from the country foik' crossed the river into Alabama ana mane his way on crutches to his home at Ma rion, Perry county, there to i've an in- fluentiai citizen, for many years. II General Wheeler's trains. were ferried across the Tennessee above the shoals in
 security. The enemy did not follow in force from Pennington. The cavalry l forded the river at Mussels Shoals and z went into camp in the vicinity of Court