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

Besides the railroad route of tfaaapofta- tion, there was a sufficient wagon road available through Wil's valley. But while Longstreet held Lookout neither the railroad or the wagon road could be used for moment by the heseged ln- vader in Chattanooga. As these two roa6s skirted the river navigation was closed also to the beseiged. On the north side of the river, there was wagon road, through Sequatche valley and over Wal dens. Ridge, mountainous elevation. This road was 60 miles long, tortuous mar row and difficult of use for loaded traihs It connected Bridgeport with the iennes- see, opposite Chattanooga. and was the only road by which General Roseerans could receive a pound of rations for his army or a load of ammunition.
 Having assigned to .Bongstreet the part of blocking the near ways to the depot of supplies at Bridgeport the Confeder- ate commander appointed Wheeler to break up the already preearous and long wagon road communication through Se- quatchie valley and over Walden's Ridge These two enterprises, we'll sustained, he might bide results with most reasonable measure of confidence. Longstreet failed: Wheeler's success was among the pnc- nomena of the annals of war
 On September 27 Wheeler received his orders. At that very moment General Rosecrans artillery and cavalry horses, in Chattanooga, were dying for want of feed and his troops were barely able to subsist on their rations. He had not am- intuition for defense even. Wheeler, with familiar energy and eager anticipation, called in his regiments and announced himself ready, within "A hours, with Mar tins and Wharton's divisions. The dash ing young Kelby was left with about HOO men, with the main army.
 Forrest was in east Tennessee, active, of course driving in such detachments as Burnside might send out after President Lincoln's warning to watch any move ment of Braggs in direction of Cumber- land Gap. This wonderful soldier was thunderstruck to receive in the midst of his work an order from army headquar- ters to send immediately three of his best brigades to report to Wheeler. on the bank of the Tennessee, above Chattanoo- ga, and 200 horses Captain Hines had lately brought from Kentucky Profound ly incensed the great cavalry leader dic- tated to his adjutant a fiery letter to General Bragg in protest and denuncia- tion The three brigades, mere remnants, were ordered to Wheeler. This done For rest himself took the cars for General Bragg's quarters He found the com
 
 his desk. Forrest was accompanied by the surgeon of his corps, who it appears had no premonition of the storm about to break The general commanding rose as the two officers entered, and advancing offered Forrest his hand. The psoffered hand was refused; the enraged cavalry leader denounced his superior for the more recent injustice to him and for sev- eral acts of previous occasions, like unto it. declaring: You are unfit to command the army" etc. The commanding gen. eral never took notice of the outbreak of temper. In the midst of Forests ex- seat at his desk, and when the irate sol dier had finished what he had to say he staked out, mounted his horse and rode away.
 Wheeler found the re-enforcement from Forrest at the designated rendezvous. The saddles had not been removed from the backs of the weary horses in three days. As 8 whole, neither men or horses were in condition to begin a forced march across the state of Tennessee. Many of the animals were hobbling along for want of shoes. The men were very hungry. An inspection was made; those horses supposed to be equal to the work ahead were separated from those not able to undertake it, the result leaving some 150o of Forests three brigades for the raid. After this precaution General Wheeler was seriously disappointed to find the young and handsome ranking brigadier from Forrest, Frank C. Armstrong. unfit to go. Armstrong made the report in per son, offering to procure surgeons certii- cate. The command of the Forrest con- tingent then fell upon Brigadier General Davidson. The force under Wheeler, raa tn rph ba bered in full 3s37 effectives. (F'oot note: Ofiical War Records).
 Wheeler rode on, up the river to find a ford. General Rosecrans dispatched Brig Gen. George Crook, with cavalry, already on the northside protecting the wagon road first mentioned, to follow and pre- vent the crossing. Crook had as many men as Wheeler, Shat is about 1000. The hostile troopers marched along for miles, each flag on its own side of the stream. Wheeler at length resolved to force a crossing. In this he succeeded. Crook reported. 'f1t was impossible for me to resist their crossing. as there was no ford at the river where they crossed. until they made 1t last night Wheeler re- ported he crossed fighting a force larger than his and drove it several miles. l On the northsde the Confederates halted for the day and the force was there or ganized into three divisions, Martin, Wharton and Davidson, respectively, the division commanders, the last named from Forrest, in lieu of Armstrong, left behind sick, as we have seen.
 About dusk, in drenching rain, October 1, the bugle call, 'boots and saddles, ' put the column in motion Winding their way over the narrow mountain road, the general tn command leading the column, about 10 O clock, the darkness intense the general and his staff butted against 8 regiment of cavalry. Quick as thought he shouted back the order, Charger The astonished foe heard and scattered in all directions. | The second night out the command Martin and Wharton were called to the generals log fire. They were informed that six miles away, in the Seauatchie valley. the train that General Bragg wished captured was moving slowly. and that General Wheeler in person would lead a detachment to execute his orders. The gallant young Wharton protested. A divided small force, surrounded by heavy | forces. within the enemy's lines. was n venture, in war contrary to the maxims. T have my orders, gentlemen, and I will attempt the work. General Martin will accompany me; General Wharton will go on with the remainder of the command to the vicinity of McMinnville, where I will join him tomorrow night if I am alive" That was enough said from Wheeler.
 l At o'clock in the morning Wheeler at | the head of about 1500 of his best men