The Washington herald., 1914-11-29
MIDNIGHT ATTACK ON
FEDERAL CAVALRY.
November rs.
NoVembeF 70.

| NoNempeI 20.
Fifty years ago today a body OF Fed
eral cavalry from ShermAn's army, under
Gen. Judson Fitzpatrick, who had march
ed to Waynesboro, thirty miles south OF
Augusta, Ga. was attacked at mid
night by a superior force of Confederates
under Gen. Joseph Wheeler.
Fitzpatrick had left the main army
under Gen. Sherman. which was march
ing across Georgia from Atlanta TO the
sea. and had swung OF to the northwest.
threatening Augusta. There were scarce
ly 5000 Confederates in the city at that
time. and Gen. Wheeler's cavalry was
miles to the south. in front OF Sherman s
army. endeavoring TO impede its march.
1t was Kilpatrick's intention to destroy
the railroad south OF Augusta, near
Waynesboro. and then to turn south
upon the prison stockade at Millen
where 1t was believed a large number
Of Federal prisoners were confined. He
did not intend to attack Augusta. but
pretended to be making for that city in
order to throw the Confederates of the
Hcent.
Leaving Milledgevill-. the State capi-
tai. on November "A, the command took
the main road toward Augusta. and on
the night of the 18th bivouacked near the
shoals Of the Ogeechee River. On the
18th the troopers continued their way
suddenly turning OF to the right away
from Augusta and toward waynesboro
That night the brigade OF Gen. Eli H.
Murray. which was In the rear, en-
camped at Sylvan Grove.
In the meantime Gen. Wheeler had
learned Of KiIpatrick's movement, and
fearing for the safety OF Augusta, had
abandoned his attempt against Sherman's
main force and hurried after the Fed
eral cavalrymen.
He came up with Fitzpatrick in the
night OF November IS. and launched n
heavy attack upon the Eighth Indiana
and Second Kentucky regiments, which
formed Murray's rear guard. They we're
driven in upon the main body. which
held its own until daylight, when 1t re-
sumed the march.
Gen. Wheeler hung upon Kilpatrick's
rear. and caused the Federals to ac-
Celerats their movements In the after
noon Of November q the command struck
the Augusta and Savannah Railroad
few miles above Waynesboro. and moved
south along II. tearing UP the track and
burning the ties as it progressed.
Fight In the Dark.
Passing through the town and burning
a large quantity OF stores, and. accord
ing to Confederate reports. considerable
private property as well. the Federals
halted for the night a mile and a half
to the south.
Their experience OF the previous night
caused them to prepare for an attack by
throwing up rough barricades and rife
pits. and q close watch was maintained
Tor Wheeler's command. which had been
left behind in the DAYS march.
a
driven in, and within an hour the Com
federates had brought their entire force
TO bear upon Kilpatrick's positions Be
Tore midnight they had completely en-
veioped our line and made a charge
upon our works" wrote Col Murray in
his offlcial report
From that time until dawn six diff
ferent and distinct charges were made
upon our lines. six differen. times did
they meet with bloody repulses "I
The enemy. by reason OF the darkness
or the night. were able to ascertain our
position only by the volIeys they re-
reived from our Spencer rifles and car
bines.
AT times they rushed within thirty
Yards Of our barricades. with loud huzzas
N Go for them Well show YOU how
to desolate our homes and burn our
towns"
Lieut.. e. W. Stetson. Tenth Wisconsin
with four guns, did effective
work In holding the Confederates at
bay. Throughout the fight a detachment
of the Federals were engaged in de-
Stroyins the railroad in the rear OF the
lines.
At dawn Fitzpatrick withdrew in spite
If Wheeler's continued attacks upon his
ear. The brigades OF Col. Murray and
'ol. Smith D. Atkins alternately occupied |
he danger post, and repulsed the Con-
'ederate assaults with small loss to |
themselves.
On reaching the crossing Of Buck Head |
Creek. ten miles south Of waynesboro, |
he bridge was partly burned. and the
Tederals fell back to Reynolds planta-
ion. midway between Waynesboro and !
Hillen. There Fitzpatrick learned THAI
he prisoners had been removed from |
he stockade, so. after spending the night
,ehind strong barricades. he withdrew
he next day toward Louisville to meet
'herman's army. which was within a
lays march of that place
While Fitzpatrick was away. the in
antry columns had been making good
'rogress on their way to Savannah. The
light wing. under Gen. o. o. Howard
lad crossed the Oconee River at Balls
Ferry, about forty-five miles east Of Ma
on, and fifty years ago today its head Of
olumn was at Irwins Cross Roads, ten
niles beyond the ferry.
The left wing. under Gen. II. 8. SIo-
um, which Sherman accompanied. had
moved east from MilledgevilIe, over roads
bout fifteen miles north OF Howard's line
march. Passing through SandefSville.
he Twentieth Corps reached the Geor-
ia Central Railroad at Tenni1le. sixteen
niles east of the Oconee and moved
long II toward Dayisboro, tearing up
he track as Il marched. The Fourteenth
orps, which formed the left OF the army,
amped at Davisboro.
Sherman now had progressed about 10
liles from Atlanta, Just halfway to
his goal