The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1912-01-30

Copyright by Review Of Reviews company.
GENERAL G. B. cRITTENDEN, q. S. A., con-
FEDERATE LEADER AT MILL SPRINGS.
ates. led by Generals George B. Crit
tenden and F. X. Zollicoffer. sailed
out 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 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. Me-
Cooks brigade. the Tenth Indiana and
Fourth Kentucky of Colonel Mahlon
d. Manson's brigade. Kenny's and Wet
more's Ohio batteries, battalion of
Michigan engineers and Colonel Frank
Wolford's First Kentucy cavalry.
Crttenden ordered the movement to-
begin at 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 and section Of
artillery. An Alabama regiment and
two cavalry regiments, intended as 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 cayalrymen, after firing,
fell back on their reserve. consisting
of two companies of the Tenth Indi-
ana, and with them made determin-
ed stand. In which they were promptly
supported by Wolford 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 bril-
gade and to report to General Thomas.
On his way he notified Colonel Van
Cleye 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
to crawl out of their tents to roll call.
Forming them rapidly. Fry led them
at double quick in the direction of the
firing. Having no superior to direct
him, on coming in sight of the enemy
he 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 Zollicoffer's Confederates were
advancing from the shelter Of wood
land on the opposite side. A ravine
ran through the open field parallel 50
Fry's front, heading near the road on
his right. with steep sides III his front.
but slipping gradually beyond his left.
Before Frys arrival ZolIicoffer had
deployed his brigade and had forced
Wolford and the Tenth Indiana TO fall
back. almost capturing the horses OF
Nvolford's men. who were lighting on
foot. a portion Of Wolford's com
mand under his immediate charge and
Vanardsall's company Of the Tenth
Indiana rallied on the Fourth Ken
tucky. when II appeared. the remain
der of the Tenth falling back to its en-
campment. where It reformed its lines
Fry Was at once subjected to severe
attack The enemy In his front era wi
ed up under shelter Of the ravine t.