Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-09

Copyright By Review OF Reviews company.
CENTRAL G. Il. cRITTENDEN, C. S. L., con-
FEoERATE LEADER Al MILL SPRINGS.
ates. led by Generals George r. Crit
tenden and +. X. Zollicoffer, sailed
ont OF their intrenchments on the
night OF the 18th, bent upon attacking
Thomas advance columns, which lay
west OF Fishing creek and separated
from the reserves by that stream. The
only chance for u satisfactory issue
for the Confederates was to rush the
attack before Thomas could concen-
trate. Thomas advance column com
prised the Ninth Ohio and Second
Minnesota of Colonel Robert L. Nc
Cooks brigade. the Tenth Indiana and
Fourth Kentucky of Colonel MahiOn
-. Mansions brigade, KenDy's and Wet
more'S Ohio batteries. battalion of
Michigan engineers and Colonel Frank
WClfo"d's First Eentucy cavalry.
Crittcnden ordered the movement to
begin az midnight on Jan. is in the
following order: General Zollicoffer's
brigade. consisting Of two cavalry
companies. Mississippi regiment.
three Tennessee regiments and bat
terry in front: next. the brigade OF
General Carroll. composed Of three
Tennessee regiments aud a section Of
artillery. An Alabama regiment and
two cavalry regiments. intended rs a
reserve, closed the column. After
march OF nine miles over muddy roads
and through the rain, his cavalry
about daylight encountered Wolford's
pickets. The cavslrymen. after firing.
fell back on their reserve. consisting
of two companies OF the Tenth Indi-
ana, and with them made a determin-
ed stand. in which they were promptly
supported by Woford with the rest
OF his battalion, and soon after by
the rest OF the Tenth Indiana. ordered
up by Manson, who had been advised
by courier from Wolford Of the at
tack. Colonel Manson proceeded in
person to order forward the Fourth
Kentucky and the battery OF his bri-
gsde and TO report to General Thomas
On his way he notified Colonel Van
Cleve Of the Second Minnesota.
Double Quick Into Battle.
AS Manson dashed through the camp
OF the Fourth Kentucky, shouting for
its commander. Colonel Speed S. Fry.
and giving warning OF the attack, the
men. wearied with the muddy march
OF the day before. were Just beginning
90 crawl out OF their tents to roll call
Forming them rapidly. Fry led them
Mt double quick IN the direction OF the
firing. Having no superior TO direct
him, on coming IN sight OF the enemy
be took position along a fence In the
edge OF the woods. with his right rest
ing near the Mill Springs road. In
front OF him was an open field, across
which Zollicoter's ConfeSerates were
advancing from the shelter OF wood
land on the opposite side. A ravine
ran through the open feld parallel to
Fry's front, heading near the road on
his right, with steep sides IN his front,
but sloping gradually beyond his left
Before Fry's arrival ZollicOffer had
deployed his brigade and had forced
Wolford and the Tenth Indiana to fall
back. almost capturing the horses Of
Wolford's men. who were fighting on
foot. A po-tion OF wolford's com
mand under his immediate charge and
Vanardsalfs company OF the Tenth
Indiana rallied on the Fourth Ken
lucky. when IL appeared, the remain
der Of the Tenth falling back to its en-.
eampment, where It reformed its lines.
Fry was at once subjected to a severe
attack. The enemy In bis front crawl
id up under shelter of the ravine 70