Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1912-02-16
destroy a newly completed bridge over
Green river IohnSon'S Union rdHad

destroy a newly completed bridge over
Green river. Johnson's Union brigade
had recently occupied the region and
was preparing to advance southwark.
The pickets at the bridge belonged to
the Thirty-second Indiana. They were
on the enemy'S side of Green river.
while their reserves were on the other.
Forward and back over the plain the
infantry pickets and mounted rangers
skirmished, the pickets finally retiring
upon the line Of the whole regiment,
which had been formed across the
bridge. Meantime two regiments Of,
Confederate infantry had taken posi-
ton facing the river. the rangers be
hind 1t, out of view. The l~ndianians
attacked the line and drove it back.
In order to cover the retreat the dash
ing Anglers once more swept forward,
yelling like Comanches. until they were
within fifteen PAGES OF their enemy.
AS the lines met there was a crash OF
carbine and musket at close range,
and when the smoke cleared the
rangers were speeding away. In these
maneuvers Company G Of the Indian
ians had become separated and gone
a Ill auNduCC u IL lCAAtiuihS WIN
panies. It's gallant ca ptatn challenged
the rangers to combat in open field. He
was killed. and ten men fell with him.
The commander of the Thirty second at
that time was Lieutenant Colonel Won
Treba. He found the odds against him
heavily increased when the Confeder-
ates opened with a battery from a
ridge some distance back and rear
ranged his line for defense.
The Hollow Square "to Resist Cav
airy"
Three companies were deployed as
administers, n a fourth. Company G..
placed in rear Of the center as sup
port. Scarcely had The new line zee
formed when the rangers dashed down
again, striking the center company and
gaining its rear. The broker company
rallied and fell behind Company G..
The latter. adopting old continental
tactics, which were popular on the drill
ground in 1861, formed IL square to
resist cavalry. About 200 nSer
threw themselves against the square
at one corner. The lndianians held
their fire until the Texans closed In,
then gave them a whitening vo1ey.
The plucky rangers rallied and tried
to break through another angle. but
the same result awaited them. al
though they advanced until sabers and
bayonets crossed. A third and last
time the horSemen drew back. then.
taking Roadway. galloped madly upon
the unhroken square. The leader, Colo
ne Terry, fell close to the Serried line,
and his men scattered never to reform
that day. The killed in this desperate
affair numbered. on both sides. more
than half the wounded. Colonel vii
lich a been absent at general head
quarters when the attack was sprung
upon his line. but he reached the scene
at Rowlett's Station In time to give the
enemy a parting shot.
The immediate object Of this move
ment by the Confederates at the cross
fngs of Green river was to break up
the Federal railroad communications
southwark. Morgan's Confederate cay
airy had previously destroyed the old
railroad bridge at that point. The dar-
ing tactics of Colonel Terry we're to
decoy his enemy uphill. where his re-
serve infantry and artillery could open
upon them with deadly effect But
there was a deeper purpose behind this
chance combat The Federal general.
Don Carlos Buell.. commander OF the
Kentucky and Tennessee line. was pre-
pairing for a grand movement south
ward.
Accommodations of Federal troops
from the states north Of the Ohio riv-
er, with stores Of a vast army. had
been going on all the fall. On the part
Of the Confederates the same course
was pursued. BY the 1st of December
the Federal troops in Kentucky were
estimated at 10000. of which there
were nine regiments from Illinois, six
teen from Indiana. seventeen from
Ohio, three from Pennsylvania. one
from Michigan. three from Wisconsin.
msMMM~