r «*■ AND HIS CAVALR: 1662-1865 WHEELERS SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN 1898. ess* aasHsaas (^urttdl Itttueraitg Sjthranj Strata, SJeui fork THE JAMES VERNER SCAIFE COLLECTION CIVIL WAR LITERATURE THE GIFT OF JAMES VERNER SCAIFE CLASS OF 18S9 1919 E547.W5 C D6l" Un ' VerS,,yUbrary C !iBSBULZ!aSS-S« his cavatay.186 olin 3 1924 030 921 682 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030921682 LIEUT.-GENERAL JOSEPH WHEELER, AGED 28. MAJ.-GEN. JbSEPH WHEELER. CAMPAIGNS OF Wheeler and his cavalry 1862-1865 FROM MATERIAL FURNISHED BY Gen. Joseph Wheeler TO WHICH IS ADDED HIS CONCISE AND GRAPHIC ACCOUNT OF The Santiago Campaign OF 1898 PUBLISHED UNDER THE AUSPICESOF WHEELER'S CONFEDERATE CAVALRY ASSOCIATION AND Edited by W. C, DODSON, Historian atlanta, ga. Hodgins Publishing Company 1899 s Copyrighted by "W. O. DODSON. All Bights Reserved. Press of The Franklin Printing and Publishing Company, (Geo. W. Harrison, Manager J Atlanta, Ga,, U. S. A. TO THE MEMORY OF ©ur Comraoes wbo oteo witb Spurs on AND WHOSE BONES REST UNDER THE SOIL OF KENTUCKY, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA, THIS VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. PREFACE. The facts contained in this narrative of the operations of Wheeler and his Cavalry were furnished by General Wheeler, and compiled by Colonels William E. Wailes, E. S. Burford, W. S. Hawkins, M. G-. Hudson, and others of General Wheeler's staff, immediately after the close of the civil war. Earlier publication has been prevented by several causes, the most prominent of which being the modesty of General Wheeler himself. It is possible that publication would never have been made but for the importunities of the editor, who, as histo- rian of Wheeler's Confederate Cavalry Association, appealed to General Wheeler for assistance, explaining that it was a duty to the living as well as to the dead that a record be made of the achievements of Wheeler and his old command. In response to this appeal the manuscript for this volume was tendered to Colonel John S. Prather, as commander, and to the editor, as historian, of the Association. In consent- ing to the use of the manuscript, General Wheeler con- tended that it was entirely too personal to himself, and stip- ulated that this should be corrected, as he, having just been ordered to the Philippines, had not the time to make the revision he had intended. He insisted that the narrative should ' ' commend by name the officers and men of the command whose courage enabled it to accomplish what it did" ; and especially requested that the meritorious services of Colonel Prather, who commanded the Eighth Confederate Cavalry (of Wheeler's old brigade) , be given due prominence. None of these requests have been complied with, and for once at least we must plead guilty of disobedience to orders. Our reasons for this disregard of the instructions of our commander are : — VI WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. First. We do not think the public will agree with General Wheeler in believing the work at all too personal to himself, especially as the complimentary allusions to which he objects were in most instances made by his superior officers and others who had a right to speak. Second. We have no data except that contained in the offi- cial reports from which to mention by name officers and men distinguished for gallantry, and we have used these rec- ords wherever practicable. Hence we could not comply with this request if we would ; we do not know that we would if we could. The story of Wheeler cannot be told with- out also telling the story of his men, for it is inconceiva- ble that his magnificent achievements could have been ac- complished with troops other than as good as the best, by men as brave as the bravest. Following the lead of such a man was not work for the timid, and the hardships they en- dured, the privations they sustained, the dangers they en- countered, would have appalled any but the stoutest-hearted, and furnishes the best evidence of their fortitude, patriotism and valor. Third. Colonel Prather declines to have any exception made in favor of himself or his men, being content to share in common with others the honor which is the heritage of all, and of which there is enough for all. It would have been a melancholy pleasure to have meu- Jpned in fitting eulogy the names of the officers and men of this command, many of whom are sleeping their dreamless sleep in unknown graves, who by day and by night, in the skirmish, in the wild charge, in the daring raid, or dis- mounted in line of battle, gave up their lives for the com- mon cause. But as this is impracticable, we must be content to dedicate our book to them — to the brave men ' ' who died with spurs on " — over 2,000 of whom went down from Ken- tucky to the Carolinas. We are aware that newspaper reports and correspondence are not history, but they possess value as throwing sidelights on historical events, and often present details which official PREFACE. VII chroniclers have omitted. A large number of these have been placed at our disposal, some of which we use by append- ing them to chapters describing the events to which they relate, and others are inserted because they contain defense of General Wheeler from criticism and detraction which we do not feel authorized to notice in any other way. Mark Twain has said that the men wlo served in the Con> federate army " exhausted all human experiences." We be- lieve this to be true, especially as regards the cavalry, and so we have endeavored to enliven our story a little by the inter- spersion of anecdotes showing the ludicrous side of army life. These, for the most part, relate to actual occurrences which came under the immediate observation of the editor or his comrades. No effort at "fine writing" has been made, no literary ex- cellence has been aimed at or is claimed. We have tried to tell a soldier's story in the way a soldier would tell it, and if in some places it reads like a romance, it is the romance of reality and not of fiction. Careful effort has been made to exclude everything that would wound the feelings of the most sensitive ; no place has been given to jealousy or rivalry, and no criticism of superior officers, or the policy of commanders of the army with which General Wheeler operated, have been indulged. In fact the narrative is marked by rare conservatism throughout, and much labor has been expended in comparing the facts herein stated with the official records, in a desire tc make the work as nearly historically accurate as possible. It has always been contended by Wheeler and his men that they fought more, marched more, suffered more, cost their government less, and inflicted greater injury on the enemy than any other cavalry command in the Confederate army, and we believe this true story will sustain the claim. To even the best informed the magnitude and scope of the operations of Wheeler and his cavalry and the results accom- plished by them, will be a revelation, not the least surprising VIII WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. part of which will be the phenomenal modesty of a man who could " with such a record his silence keep." The work of preparing the manuscript for press has been arduous, but not tiresome. The editor was a participant, though in an humble capacity, in many of the events herein described, and reading of them has carried him back to the morning of his own life, and brushed from his memory the cobwebs which obscured many almost forgotten incidents and scenes. His task has been a labor of love, undertaken in be- half of his comrades, the few living, the many gone before. If the work meets the approval of the few, he will have received all the reward to which he has aspired. The Editor.* *Note. — If in the following pages the editor's signature appears oftener than seems modest, he begs that the reader will not ascribe it to egotism ; but merely to a desire to distinguish his work from that of others, and assume his share of responsibility. TABLE OF CONTENTS.. Introductory— Summary of Wheeler's Career from Washington (D. C.)> Chronicle. CHAPTER I. Youth — Education — Enters West Point — Devoted to military studies — Graduates with honor — At Carlisle as dragoon officer — In jNew Mexico — Wheeler's letter to his brother — Resigns and joins Confed- eracy — At Pensacola — Distinguished at Shiloh — Letter from Au- gusta ladies — Flag presented — Commands rear in retreat from Cor- inth — In command of cavalry — Successes in West Tennessee — Extracts from Wheeler's report — Anecdote: "Bet the doctor ten' dollars he wouldn't die." i-ii CHAPTER II. Kentucky Campaign — Bragg crosses the mountains — Wheeler guards flank with cavalry — Letters from General Hardee — Orders from Bragg and from Hardee — Wheeler enters Kentucky ; numerous engagements — Wheeler holds Buell at bay until Bragg has taken Mumfordsville — At Mammoth Cave — Covers retreat of Bragg to Bardstown — Battles of Woodsonville and Mumfordsville — Letter from General Wood, V. S. A. — Wheeler's guards approach from Louisville — Anecdote : " Captor and captive in same bed.."' 12-19) CHAPTER III. Buell's March from Louisville — Bragg's position — Wheeler opposes- Buell — Letters from Hardee to Wheeler — Wheeler's, engagements near Springfield and other points— Federal account of Buell's move- ment — Battle .of Perryville — Wheeler's gallantry — Covers Bragg's- movement to Harrodsburg — Letters from Bragg to Wheeler — Wheeler's continued successes — Complimented by Bragg — Ap- pointed chief of cavalry — Covers general retreat — Heavy fighting and great success in retarding Buell — Complimentary letters from General Bragg and General Smith — Anecdote : "Cavalry Cooking" 20-30* CHAPTER IV. Our Army Still Divided — Wheeler holds back Buell until junction of Polk's and Smith's column is effected — Letters from General Bragg — Wheeler continues fighting near Wild Cat and other points — Complimentary letter from Kirby Smith to Wheeler — Wheeler's orders to his troops— Official Federal account of General Buell's movement, which shows the effectiveness of Wheeler's dispositions — Extract from Wheeler's official report — Anecdote : " Curing the Cor- poral " 11-4* X WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. CHAPTER V. Battles around Nashville— General Wheeler in command of cav- alry in Middle Tennessee— Organizes and disciplines cavalry, creat- ing brigades and divisions — Bragg's order of November 20th — Dispatches from Bragg and Breckinridge — Letters from Bragg — Wheeler wounded at Lavergne— Extracts from newspapers — Letter from General Van Cleve, U. S. A.— Federal account of affair of De- cember 9th — Attack on enemy's camps — Anecdote: "A Practical Joke" 42-48 CHAPTER VI. PSaTTlE OF MuRFREESBORO — Wheeler's position December 26th — Op- poses Rosecrans's advance — Bragg's letter to Wheeler — Extract from Bragg's official report — Rosecrans's dispatches — Wheeler attacks Rosecrans's rear, capturing trains, prisoners, etc — Extract from Bragg's report — Extract from ' Appleton's Federal account — Bragg's dispatches to War Department — Bragg's position on the 30th — Battle of the 31st — Wheeler's successes — Captures batteries, wagons and prisoners — Wheeler's raid, January 1st, 1863 — Bragg's dispatch — Wheeler's fight at Coxe's Hill — Covers Bragg's retreat — Bragg's and Johnston's orders — Extract from General Wheeler's official report — Reminiscences of a private — Anecdote : ' ' Not accus- tomed to riding " 49-60 CHAPTER VII. Destruction of Gunboats and Stores — Bragg's order of January 7th — Wheeler strikes railroad in Rosecrans's rear — Receives thanks of Congress — Major-general commanding all cavalry — Extracts from newspapers — Bragg's dispatches — Wheeler returns to the Cumber- land—Attacks force at Dover, or Fort Donelson — Unfortunate result — Anecdote : ' ' The enemy Jackson feared " 61-74 CHAPTER VIII. Engagements around Murfreesboro — Wheeler guards front of Bragg's army — Cavalry divided between Wheeler and Van Dorn — Bragg's orders February 25th and March 16th— Orders regarding recruits for cavalry— Reasons for and the effect of such orders — Enemy adopt opposite course — Rosecrans's orders and letters asking for increased cavalry force— Bragg's letter of March nth— Wheeler's Cavalry Tactics— Trouble in Bragg's Infantry— General Jofanstont's orders— Wheeler recommends raid in Kentucky — Letters, from Gen- eral, Polk and from. General Bragg to Wheeler, commending his efforts at discipline — Extracts from newspapers — Hardships of Wheeler's Cavalry 75-84 TABLE OF CONTENTS. XI CHAPTER IX. Wheeler Covers Retreat from Tennessee— Bragg leaves Shelby- ville — Rosecrans's advance — Battle of Shelbyville — Wheeler's gal- lantry — Our wagon-trains saved — Extracts from newspapers — En- gagement of 28th. — Engagements near Marietta and Tullahoma — Letter from Bragg — Fight with Negley — Federal accounts — Letter from Polk — Orders from Bragg — Battles of New Church, Elk river bridge and of University Place — Death of Col. Webb, and heroic 1 devotion of Private Henderson — Wheeler meets and checks raid in Alabama — Wheeler sends scouts to enemy — Letter from Rosecrans — Graphic description of battle of Shelbyville by Dr. John A. Wyeth 85-103 CHAPTER X. Battle of Chickamauga — Rosecrans crosses the Tennessee River — Wheeler engages McCook and Stanley — Bragg's letters — Wheeler holds passes— Extract from Rosecrans's report — Bragg's orders Sep- tember 16th and 17th — Fight in McLemore's Cove — Fight at Owen's Ford, September 18th — Battles of 19th, 20th and 21st — Prisoners and guns captured — Wheeler's success — He drives enemy into Chat- tanooga and starts to cross the Tennessee River ; drives enemy from Lookout Mountain — Bragg orders that no recruit shall join cavalry — Extract from Wheeler's official report — The "Three Musketeers" 104-116 CHAPTER XI. IRaid in Tennessee— Other officers consider the expedition too dan- gerous-!— Letters from Bragg to Forrest — Letters from Generals For- rest and Armstrong stating bad condition of troops — Bragg's orders of September 29th and October 22d — Wheeler crosses the Tennes- see — Successful engagement at Anderson's Cross Roads ; wagons and prisoners captured — Statement of Captain May regarding strength of enemy — Effect of this success upon enemy at Chattanooga — Wheeler attacks and captures McMinnville — Letter from Colonel Thompson — Wheeler destroys railroad and railroad bridges in Ten- nessee—Captures number of depots of stores — Letter to General Davidson and dispatch from Davidson — Fight at Farmington — Re- crosses the Tennessee with troops and captured property — Result of raid — President Davis and General Bragg tender thanks to Wheeler — Extract from Wheeler's official report — Newspaper ac- counts of the raid — Editor's tribute to the men and women of Mid- dle Tennessee II7-I43 CHAPTER XII. IVheeler Starts to East Tennessee with Longstreet— Engage- ments at Maryville, at Little River and with General Saunders, near Knoxville— Siege of iKnoxville — Fights of the 20th and 22d— Repulse at Kingston on 24th— Telegram from General Bragg— XII WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. Wheeler hastens to Missionary Ridge — Covers retreat of our army — Battle of Ringgold — General Hood's report — Engagements of No- vember 28th and December 28th— Federal dispatches— Reconnais- sance of February 10, 1864 — General Thomas advances on Dalton February 22 — Opposed by Wheeler — Thomas's retreat — Newspaper accounts of movements — Praise of Wheeler's flying artillery from a Northern newspaper — Wheeler defeats a brigade of enemy's cav- alry — Note from General Johnston — Wheeler captures detachment of enemy April 3d — Difficult duties of cavalry — Extract from Gen- eral Wheeler's official report — Wheeler's devotion to improvement of his command — Complimented by General Johnston — Wheeler's Tactics adopted for the cavalry — Official report of Major-General Will T. Martin — Anecdote : ' ' The Texas Rangers' new uniforms ' ' 144-172- CHAPTER XIII. Sherman Begins his Grand Advance — Letters to General Grant — Strength of Sherman's army — Wheeler driven back to our infantry — Battle of Dug Gap — Letter from General Johnston — Fights near Varnell station — Covers retreat from Dalton to Resaca — Letters from General Johnston, General Hood and General Hardee — Battle of Resaca — Letter from General Walker — Covers General Johnston's retreat from Resaca — Engagements May 16th and 17th- — Sherman's letter to Thomas — Sherman's account — Fight with Garrard and Stoneman on the 18th — Sherman's orders to Garrard and Stoneman — Retreat across the Etowah — Anecdote : ' ' He swore like a trooper " 173-184. CHAPTER XIV. Battle of Cass Station — Letter from Major Messick — Wheeler cap- tures Sherman's train — Defeats enemy's cavalry — Battle at New Hope Church — Fight with Howard's corps — Enemy moves towards railroad — Wheeler engages 14th corps — Repulses enemy's assault — Diary of operations during month of June — Letters from Generals Johnston and Hood — Diary of operations during first part of July — Letters from Generals Johnston, Hood and Kelly — Accounts from newspapers — Anecdote : ' ' Marse Joe Wheeler and de yuther calvary hosses " 185-204. CHAPTER XV. Wheeler Fights Sherman's Advance on Juey 17TH— Wheeler driven back to Peachtree Creek on 18th, then opposes McPherson Letter from General Johnston— McPherson drives Wheeler from Decatur on 19th — Letters from General Hood — McPherson charges Wheeler's lines on the 20th^Wheeler holds his position — Letters from Generals Hood, Cheatham and G. W. Smith — Warm fighting on 21st— Enemy's heavy loss— Letters from General Hood — Wheel- er's success at Decatur on the 22d— <-He assists General Hardee—^ TABLE' OF CONTENTS. XIII Xetter to Hardee— Letters from Hood and Hardee— Garrard's raid — Press dispatches regarding' fights of 20th, 21st and 22d — General Hood's dispatch'of July 22d— General Sherman's report of fight of the 22d of July — Anecdote : "A monument of jugs " 205-216 CHAPTER XVI, "Wheeler Defeats Great Raids of Garrard, Stoneman and McCook — Sherman's position July 26th — Position of Hardee's • Corps — Wheeler relieves Hardee on the 27th — Garrard, Stoneman ■ and McCook commence raid on Hood's communications — Wheeler pursues the raiders — Letters from Hood* to Wheeler — Wheeler's • fight at Flat Shoals — He turns toward McCook's column— Fight at Flint River — Letter from W. H. Jackson and Wheeler's reply — Fight at Line Creek — Note from General Jackson — Wheeler con- tinues fighting McCook's rear — Battle of Newnan — Complete rout and defeat of General McCook — Extract from -Hood's report — Iverson's and Kelley's success — Result of Wheeler's operations — Force used by enemy — Wheeler's address to his command — Federal -accounts of these operations — Newspaper extracts — General Sher- man's report to General Halleck — McCook's report to General Sherman — Anecdote : "An eloquent private "..,..,.,.......,. .217-247 CHAPTER XVII. Wheeler's Command again in Enemy's Rear — Wheeler's orders — He strikes the enemy's railroad near Marietta — Captures beef cattle near Calhoun — Captures Dalton — Fight with Steadman — Destroys East Tennessee Railroad — Defeats the enemy at Stewart's Landing Fight near Kingston — Captures McMinnville and Lebanon — De- stroys railroad and blockhouses between Murfreesboro and Nash- ville — Fights Rousseau near Nashville — Destroys the Tennessee and Alabama Railroad and detiot'for recruits — Death of General Kelly at Franklin — Wheeler's letter to General Rousseau — Summary of -these" operations— Wheeler's address — Dispatches from- General Hood — Wheeler's disappointment at leaving Tennessee — Turns over . Tennessee regiments to Forrest — Hood's dispatches to War Depart- ment — Accounts from newspapers — Federal accounts from Apple- ton's Cyclopedia — Officers insist upon taking Nashville — Wheeler's noble reply — Extract from Wheeler's official report — Anecdote of " Uncle Joe Smith " 248-273 CHAPTER XVIII, "Wheeler Destroys Railroad near Dalton and Resaca Octo- ber 2D — Joins General Hood October 8th — Letters froom Hood — Reaches railroad near Resaca October 13th — Covers Hood's retreat ■from Dalton — Hood marches to the Coosa River, pursued by Sher- man — Letters from Hood to Wheeler^Hood starts his army toward -the Tennessee River — Wheeler dispatches to General Hood— Sher- XIV WHEELER, AND HIS CAVALRY. man starts with his army toward Atfenta— Wheeler moves in same direction— Telegrams from Generals Hood and Taylor — Extracts from newspapers — Anecdote : "Stampede of Texas horses "... .274-283. CHAPTER XIX. Wheeler Reaches Jonesboro — His telegrams to Hood, Cobb and Taylor — Learns Sherman's dispositions — Telegrams to Generals Bragg, Hood, Taylor, Hardee and Cobb — Sherman advances from Atlanta — Wheeler's telegrams regarding Sherman's movements— • Engagements with Sherman's advance — Telegrams from Generals. Taylor, Beauregard and Hood — Wheeler engages enemy near Macon — Successful defense of the city — Fight at Griswoldville— . Kilpatrick starts toward Augusta — Wheeler checks Kilpatrick's advance — Drives him from Waynesboro — Fight on Louisville Road, at Buckhead Church and Reynold's Farm — Extracts from news- papers—Anecdote : ' ' Getting even with Bully " 284-295 CHAPTER XX. Sherman's Left Wing and Cavalry again Move on Waynes- boro — Sherman gathers subsistence in Burke and Jefferson counties —Bragg and Hardee's instructions to Wheeler — Engagements at Rock Spring Church and at Thomas Station— Battle of Waynesboro — Letter from General Kilpatrick — Wheeler's reply — Dispatch from General Bragg — Fights on Savannah River and near Ebenezer Creek — Wheeler captures dispatch disclosing Sherman's plans — Fight on Middle Ground Road — Other operations of Wheeler's troops — Extracts from newspapers — Anecdote : ' ' Lost his shirt ' ' .296-30& CHAPTER XXI. Wheeler Crosses Savannah River — Letter from Commodore Hunter — Wheeler defends line of communication with army at Sa- vannah — Fights at Izzard's and near the Savannah — Letters from Hardee and Beauregard — Dispatches from General Jones — Success- ful evacuation of Savannah — Anecdote : "Old Sorrel " 307-312: CHAPTER XXII. Condition of Wheeler's Troops on Reaching South Carolina — Duties during preceding eight months — He places picket line around Savannah— Dispatches regarding burning of mills, etc. — Dispatch from General Cobb — Telegram to General Hardee — Sher- man moves upon Pocotaligo — Dispatches from General McLaws — Enemy, occupy Hardeeville — Wheeler opposes enemy's advance — Strength of Wheeler's command — He obstructs roads in front of Sherman — Extracts from 1 Sherman's report — Fights at McBride's. Bridge and Loper's Cross Roads— Letter from General Hill— Fights, at Rivers' and Beaufort's bridges, at Springtown and at Blackville — Letters from General Hardee — Enemy advance upon Augusta-*- TABLE OF CONTENTS. XV Wheeler again saves Augusta— Letter to General Hill— Battle of Aiken — Thanks of Governor of South Carolina — Anecdote: "Las- soed the Dutchman " 313-325- CHAPTER XXIII. Sherman Moves Toward Columbia — Wheeler's cavalry alone de- fends capital of South Carolina — Dispatch from General Beauregard — Wheeler passes through Columbia — Fight on Saluda River- Letter from Beauregard— Fight at Broad River bridge — Dispatch from General Stevenson — Fight near Columbia — Anecdote : ' ' Shot plum in two " 326-33 r. CHAPTER XXIV. Hampton Senior in Command — Dissatisfaction of Wheeler's men — Resolutions adopted by Humes's Division and indorsed by Wheeler's Corps — Criticism of Wheeler's men by author of "Hampton and His Cavalry" — Editor's reply — Attack on Kilpatrick's camp dis- cussed 332-341 CHAPTER XXV. Wheeler Witnesses the Burning of Columbia — Moves to Winns- boro — Marches to Chesterville — Crosses Catawba River, marching parallel with Sherman — Organizes scouting parties — Fights at Wil- son's Store'and at Hornsboro — Wheeler swims the Great Peedee — Fights with Kilpatrick and at Fayetteville — Success of Captain Lillard at Darlington — Fights on Cape Fear River and near Smith's Mill — Battle of Averysboro — Wheeler as Lieutenant-General — Letter from President Davis — Letters from Generals Johnston, Hardee and Hampton — Anecdote : "A grief -stricken soldier " 342-349 CHAPTER XXVI. Battle of BentonvillE— Wheeler engages the enemy on the 19th on Johnston's right — Shifts to the left and fights enemy on the 20th — Extracts from Sherman's report — Wheeler engages the Seventeenth Corps on the 21st— Extracts from Sherman's report— Wheeler covers General Johnston's retreat on the 22d— Fights at Black Creek bridge and in front of Smithfield — Anecdote : ' ' Free silver for Wheeler's cavalry " 35°-354- CHAPTER XXVII. Sherman's Advance upon Johnston — Wheeler's dispatches— Sher- man reaches Raleigh — Kilpatrick driven back by Wheeler— Fight at Morrisville — Lee's surrender — Truce with Sherman— Extract from Wheeler's official report — The closing scenes of the Confed- eracy — Johnston's surrender to Sherman — Wheeler's farewell ad- dress to his command — Organizes escort for Mr. Davis — Wheeler sent to prison with Mr. Davis — General Wheeler's own account of .XVI WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. his capture— Last Confederate troops with Mr. Davis were Wheel- er's cavalry — Summary of Wheeler's battles — List of officers who served on Wheeler's staff — Remarkable casualties 355~37 2 APPENDIX— CHAPTER I. "Wheeler's Exertions to Discipline and Drill his Troops — Beneficial results — Condition in which he found cavalry — His orders and their effect — His system of tactics — Letter commenting upon Wheeler's exertions — Weekly reports — Effects of drill on cavalry — His ranks kept full — Bragg's orders of March 3d, and September 30th, 1863 — General Pillow's illegal order — General Taylor's order-r Effect of their orders— Colonel Wade's order. 373~379 APPENDIX— CHAPTER II. Editor's Defense of Wheeler's Cavalry — General Wheeler's great respect and care for the property of citizens — Wheeler's orders and their effect — Deserters in Georgia claiming to be Wheeler's men — Hood's, Beauregard's, Bragg's, Hardee's and Hampton's •orders to destroy property — Wheeler's judicious course saves prop- erty for citizens — Dispatches to Generals Taylor, Cobb and Fry and their replies — Absentees from army at this time — Letters to Generals Cooper, Hardee and Beauregard — Hardee's dispatch to President Davis — Dispatches about details — Letter from D. H. Hill — Depredations committed by irregular troops, deserters, etc. , falsely claiming to be Wheeler's Cavalry 380-406 APPENDIX— INSPECTION REPORTS Of Wheeler's Corps by Colonels Henry, Jones and Port- lock — Complete vindication of Wheeler's Cavalry contained in these reports — Conclusion 407-431 JOSEPH WHEELER AS A LIEUTENANT'AT WEST POINT. INTRODUCTORY. One of the oldest members in service of the House of Repre- sentatives is General Joseph Wheeler, of Alabama, and as one term has succeeded another his popularity has increased. Always courteous and obliging, he is never more happy than when complying with requests from fellow members for infor- mation on topics with which his study and research have made him familiar, and he takes great pleasure in hunting up data upon a subject not familiar, thus adding to his well-stored fund •of knowledge. General Wheeler's career in Congress is on the same lines as his military methods. In reading the history of the war we see his kindness, courtesy, courage and intense devotion to duty •often referred to, Now, as then, what he attempts is done -studiously and thoroughly, and he may well be held up as a model to the youth of the country for his devotion to duty in whatever position he may have been placed. HIS MILITARY CAREER IN THE SOUTH. Though scarcely more than a boy at the outbreak of the rebellion, only a short time served to display his peculiar worth. At Shiloh he won more distinction than any other •officer of his rank. He was then placed in command of the ■cavalry, which he soon elevated so as to make that position second only in importance and responsibility to that of the army -commander. He commanded the vanguard of the army in ad- vance and the rear-guard in retreat during the entire war, and was distinguished in all the battles of the Western army, and •commanded in more than two hundred cavalry engagements. He enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his commanders, not alone for his skillful and hard fighting, but also for his good judgment in all matters pertaining to campaign and army move- ments, and few generals have ever possessed such ardent and unstinted devotion as was shown toward him by his officers and anen. The Federal cavalry opposed to him at the beginning of each XVIII WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. campaign was fully twice his number, but in almost daily com- bat was so successfully assailed that toward the elose of each campaign he had reduced them by capture and other casualties to about one half their original strength. A GLIMPSE THAT AROUSES SOLDIERLY ENTHUSIASM. One of the most noted of General Wheeler's military opera- tions was his destruction of Rosecrans's trains just after the battle of Chickamauga. Rosecrans's army at Chattanooga had been using two separate and distinct lines of communication. One, called a short line, ran for miles along the north bank of the Tennessee River, directly at the base of the mountains which confined it close to the river bank. After Rosecrans's defeat at Chickamauga, this line was commanded and easily controlled by the Confederate small arms and artillery, from the south side of the river. The other line ran directly north from Rosecrans's rear, and was protected by that sagacious officer with a large body of infantry and over 8,000 cavalry. To Gen- eral Wheeler was entrusted the hazardous undertaking of attacking this line, probably the most perilous and important duty ever assigned to a cavalry commander. On September 30, 1863, he crossed the Tennessee River in the face of a division of cavalry under the famous Gen. George Crook. He attacked and worsted Crook's division and then fell upon and defeated the troops which guarded the vast Federal trains of more than 6,000 mules and 1,000 wagons. The wagons were burned and the mules captured, together with 1 , 500 'prisoners. While he was thus engaged Rosecrans's entire cavalry, 8,000 strong, had concentrated and were constant and persistent in their attacks upon him. He charged and dispersed the Federal advance, attacked and captured the forts at McMinnville with 600 pris- oners and immense stores, captured the forts which guarded the bridges near Murfreesboro, and destroyed the bridges and rail- roads, together with locomotives, cars and supplies. In addition to the cavalry, he was now opposed by Hooker with the Eleventh and Twelfth corps, but Wheeler continued his successes, captur- ing Shelbyville and other important forts which guarded the bridges between Murfreesboro and Bridgeport. After ten days of constant battle, he recrossed the Tennessee River near Decatur, Alabama, These operations had destroyed Rosecrans's supplies and much of his transportation, and broken up his only INTRODUCTORY. XIX: line of communication. This reduced his army, horses and other animals almost to a condition of starvation, and the Fed- eral army was only saved from retreat by Rosecrans's brilliant stroke, by which he threw a large force on the south bank of the- river, attacked and defeated the Confederate infantry and artil- lery, thus opening the short line and securing for himself a perfect line of communication by which he was enabled to again, supply his army. ANOTHER NOTED EXPLOIT OF GENERAL WHEELER was the defeat of the McCook, Stoneman and Garrard raid- He first attacked and discomfited Garrard and Stoneman, driv- ing Garrard's division back upon the main army ; then sending a trusted officer to follow Stoneman, he fell upon and utterly defeated and routed the other column under McCook. The entire captures exceeded 3,000 men. In Rebellion Records, Serial No. 76, page 260, may be found Sherman's telegram to Halleck of July 26, saying he had dis- patched McCook, Stoneman and Garrard with 8,500 cavalry to destroy railroads in Hood's rear, and then release the 20,000 prisoners at Andersonville. Page 310, July 31, Sherman says: "Garrard is back. He was sent by Stoneman to Flat Rock where he was surrounded by Wheeler. ' ' On page 320, August 1, Sherman telegraphed to Gen. Halleck : "Col. Brownlow reports from Marietta that he reached there, having escaped from. a disaster that overtook General McCook's cavalry expedition at Newnan. He reports the expedition, reached the railroad, but was overtaken at Newnan by rebel 1 cavalry and infantry, and after a hard fight had to surrender, Col. Harrison killed." Two hours later Sherman telegraphed as follows : "Colonel Brownlow is here and reports that General McCook proceeded according to orders and reached the Macon railroad and destroyed twelve miles. Unfortunately, instead of com- pleting the circuit by the east and north, he then turned back and commenced breaking up the West Point road, about New- nan, when he was attacked by infantry and cavalry in over- whelming force, and Brownlow says all were killed or captured except such as cut their way out. Nearly 500 are now back in Marietta and he thinks more will get in. ' ' General Sherman's Memoirs, page 87, Vol. 2, states that the- XX WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. effective Federal cavalry which engaged in this raid was io,ooo ; McCook 3i500, Garrard 4,000 and Stoneman 2,500, General Hood in his official report states that General Wheeler — ^'routed and captured or destroyed the whole force, with their horses, equipments and artillery. Too much credit cannot be given General Wheeler for the energy and skill displayed. ' ' The force commanded by General Wheeler which gained these -victories was less than 4,000 men. As commander of the cavalry of an army, GENERAL WHEELER WON SPECIAL DISTINCTION, and during the entire war, in no instance when he was in charge of the cavalry of an army, was the flank which he was protecting ever turned by the enemy, nor was the army ever embarrassed by the enemy's cavalry breaking its line of communication, and •every such attempt was promptly met by him and the enemy's -column signally defeated. In no instance, when he was in com- mand of the cavalry, did the army meet a reverse. The only ■disasters which befell the Army of Tennessee occurred during his absence on other duty. When Bragg was driven from Missionary Ridge, Wheeler was in Fast Tennessee, but by a forced march reached General Bragg in time to successfully cover his retreat. When Atlanta was wrested from the Confederates, Wheeler was in Middle Tennessee, and during Hood's disastrous Franklin and Nash- ville campaign, Wheeler was fighting Sherman in Georgia. In all the operations connected with the battles of Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and the battles from Dalton to At- lanta, in which the Confederate troops gained the advantage, General Wheeler was in command of the cavalry and contributed largely to their success. During the numerous battles in which -General Wheeler engaged, eight of his staff-officers were killed, thirty- two wounded, sixteen horses were killed under him and "he was himself three times wounded. THE ESTIMATE OF HIS CONFRERES. General Basil W. Duke's History of Morgan's Command, pages 344 and 345, says : "General Wheeler possessed in an eminent degree all of the attributes of the gentleman. He was as brave as a Paladin, just, high-toned, and exceedingly courteous, full of fire and INTRODUCTORY. XXI'. enterprise, vigilant and energetic, thoroughly instructed in the duties of his profession and perfectly conversant with the elabo- rate details of organization and military business. ' ' General Duke also speaks of — "his eminent fitness as the commander of a large body of cav- alry, permanently attached to the army." Generals Chalmers, Withers and Bragg in their reports speak in the highest terms of his gallantry at Shiloh. Polk's, Kirby Smith's and Bragg' s reports speak of his very distinguished ser- vices at Perryville and in the Kentucky campaign, Bragg and Jefferson Davis of his services at Murfreesboro and Chickamauga, Generals Johnston, Hood and Hardee and President Davis of his- operations in the many battles of the Georgia and Carolina cam- paign ; and when it was proposed to transfer General Wheeler, General Johnston telegraphed to President Davis : "General Wheeler is necessary to the efficiency of the cavalry of the West." But to be brief, most of the hundred or more volumes of the official records of the war recently published by the government, are replete with mention of his valor, skill and successful oper- ations. General Chalmers' Report of Shiloh commends his gallantry in leading a charge and bearing the colors of his command. Major General Withers' Report says : "He proved himself worthy of all trust and confidence, a gal- lant commander and an accomplished soldier." Bragg's Report of Murfreesboro commends his skill and gal- lantry and says : "General Wheeler was pre-eminently distinguished throughout, the action as well as for a month previous, in many successful conflicts with the enemy." General Bragg also, recommended General Wheeler's promo- tion, and ascribed to his gallant lead the just enhancement of the reputation of the cavalry. General Hood in his "Advance and Retreat," page 202, says : "It becomes my duty as well as pleasure to make acknowl- edgments of. the valuable services of the cavalry of the Army of Tennessee during my operations in Georgia and Alabama. I am confident that when the history of our struggle is written, Gen- eral Wheeler and his command will occupy a high position." XXII WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. In referring to his military conduct during Sherman's march to the sea, President Davis's book, page 571, says that General Wheeler displayed — "a dash, activity, vigilance and consummate skill which justly •entitle him to a prominent place on the roll of great cavalry leaders. By his indomitable energy, operating on all sides of Sherman's columns, he was enabled to keep the Government and commanders of our troops advised of the enemy's movements, and, by preventing foraging parties from leaving the main body, he saved from spoliation all but a narrow tract of country, and from the torch millions' worth of property which would other- wise have been certainly consumed." And General Robert F. I,ee, in speaking of the most noted -commanders, said : ' 'The two ablest cavalry officers which the war developed were General Stuart of Virginia and General Joseph Wheeler of the Army of Tennessee. ' ' THE SAME DEVOTION TO DUTY that he displayed in war dominates his course in Congress. It is marvelous, with his constant work, how he finds time to store his mind with the immense amount of data on every public measure, for his correspondence is simply enormous, and every duty is thoroughly and most conscientiously performed, and to extend kindness and courtesy gives him pleasure. He is one of the broadest minded of our legislators, and he is quite as much of a favorite with the Federal veterans as with his own soldiers. He is regarded as a standard authority on ques- tions relating to the army and to tariff and currency legislation. SOME OF HIS CONGRESSIONAL SUCCESSES. His speech in favor of pensioning the Mexican war heroes was the strongest ever made on that subject, and the bill he intro- duced to grant them pensions became the law almost in the exact language in which he prepared it. In the next Congress he introduced the Indian war pension bill, and that, too, was finally reported and passed as he introduced it. For fifteen years unsuccessful efforts had been made to repair, by congressional action, the gross wrong and injustice upon General Fitz John Porter. This matter was finally placed in ■General Wheeler's hands. He introduced a bill for Porter's relief and his speech in its advocacy made the case so clear to INTRODUCTORY. XXIII Congress that, although the bill was bitterly opposed by the most prominent men of the nation, both in and out of Congress, in- cluding such able men as General I,ogan, yet Wheeler was sup- ported by Republicans as well as Democrats, and the bill became a law in the exact language in which he introduced it. CHARACTER OF HIS SPEECHES. Regarding his speeches — which for data are most excellent text-books for his party — some of them have been printed by the Executive Committee by the hundred thousands and distributed in every State of the Union ; among them his speech upon tariff of May, 1888, and his speeches upon finance and silver in the late Congresses. His speeches in advocacy of the improvements of •our rivers and harbors have made a very favorable impression, and he has been able to secure appropriations of nearly $3,000,000 for the Tennessee River. A. prominent man, long a resident of Washington, eminent as 3. writer, student of public affairs and a statesman, in referring to General Wheeler's speeches, said: "On great public measures his speeches, prepared with infinite care, have proved profound, concise, and like propositions iu mathematics, unanswerable. Some of them would do credit to John C. Calhoun, or any other master of debate. His speech on the infamous Lodge bill was superior to any delivered on that question so momentous to Southern civilization and prosperity. General Wheeler has done great work, worthy of the highest recognition. For this, in my judgment, the people of his dis- trict owe him a debt of gratitude. They are represented by a Democrat on principle, a man of courage, great influence and ability to serve them. ' ' HIS SPEECH ON THE FORCE BILL attracted great attention, and was commended by the Democratic press throughout the United States, as well as by the greatest constitutional lawyers of this country, as the strongest and most profound argument ever made on the question of expediency as well as of the constitutional right of Congress to enact a bill similar to that being considered. General Benjamin F. Butler discussed the speech in an article which appeared in the New York World shortly after it was de- livered, and the distinguished Senator McDonald, of Indiana, discussed it in the New York Herald about the same time. These XXIV WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. eminent constitutional lawyers commended the speech in very high terms. During this and the last Congress, he has always been selected to open the debates for the Democrats in reply to the distin- guished premier of the House, Mr. Dingley, and his speeches have fully met the expectation of his party. The Congressional Directory says : Joseph Wheeler, of Alabama, was born in Augusta, Ga. , Sep- tember io, 1836; graduated at West Point, 1859; was lieutenant of cavalry and served in New Mexico; resigned in 1861 ; was lieutenant of artilery in the Confederate army ; was successively promoted to the command of a regiment, brigade, division, and army corps, and in 1862 was assigned to the command of the army corps of cavalry of the Western Army, continuing in that position till the war closed ; by joint resolution of the Confeder- ate Congress, received the thanks of that body for successful military operations, and for the defense of the city of Aiken, received the thanks of the State of South Carolina ; May 1 1 , 1864, became the senior Cavalry General of the Confederate Army ; was appointed Professor of Philosophy, Louisiana State Seminary in 1866, which he declined ; was lawyer and planter ; was elected as a Democrat to Congress. — -Washington Chronicle, February 5, 1898. > Ul _l _l < > UJ X O I- < a Ul CO Z < cc h- Z o C5 < CO lb z < cc o Ul CO o cc C3 z >- o cc 1- co HI o > cc _1 < > < o CO cc 111 _1 ul ul I 5 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. CHAPTER I. YOUTH — EDUCATION — ENTERS WEST POINT-r-GRADUATES WITH HONOR — IN NEW MEXICO — RESIGNS AND . JOINS CON- FEDERACY — DISTINGUISHED AT SHILOH — COMMANDS REAR IN RETREAT FROM CORINTH — IN COMMAND OF CAVALRY — SUCCESSES IN WEST TENNESSEE. Joseph Wheeler, second son of Joseph Wheeler, one of the oldest citizens of Augusta, Georgia, was born in that city on the ioth of September, 1836. His youth was spent in the first schools of the country. He gave evidence of great genius, which at so early an age of his manhood was destined to shine forth and give him a commanding position in his country's history. Early in life he chose the profession of arms, despite the wishes and instructions of a good father and mother. He was appointed to West Point in 1854, and was one of the first to graduate under the five-year rule. His career there developed the fact that he was one of the few who are born 5 CI.ASS NO. 21. The President of the United States, having been pleased to appoint Joseph Wheeler, Jr., a cadet in the service of the United States, he is to be received as such and entitled to all the considerations attached to said appointment. This appointment to take effect from the 30th day of June, 1854. Given at the war office of the United States, this 23d day of January, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, and the seventy- ninth year of the independence of said States. Jefferson Davis, Secretary of War, 1 w ■2 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. for the profession he had chosen. While others were passing their leisure moments in sport, and reading the romances of the day, young Wheeler could be found in the library, poring with the deepest interest over volumes which spoke of cam- paigns and battles, both ancient and modern, and examining military maps and plans of battle of distinguished generals. His classmates all speak of this peculiar trait of his charac- ter ; and so diligently did he apply himself to this study, and to that of the organization and administration of armies, and so familir did he become with these subjects, that they re- garded his decision as final upon any disputed point. In October, 1859, he was ordered to the Cavalry School at •Carlisle, Pa., and remained on duty there during the winter. In the spring of i860, we find him in New Mexico, stationed respectively at Forts Union, Craig and Fillmore, and engaging in several important scouts against the hostile Indians. Early in March, 1861, seeing the storm-cloud gathering over his country, he at once decided his course, and when his native State seceded from the Union forwarded his resignation and returned to Georgia. In leaving the army of the United States, and casting his lot with the South, young Wheeler was actuated by the same pa- triotic motives which animated General Lee and others who adopted a similar course. In a letter to his brother (the much loved and respected Wm. H. Wheeler, who organized the first company given by Georgia to the service of the Confederacy, and whose life was a sacrifice to the hardships of a winter •campaign in Virginia), Lieut. Wheeler wrote: "Much as I love the Union, and much as I am attached to my profession, all will be given up when my State, by its action, shows that such a course is necessary and proper. If Georgia with- draws, and becomes a separate State, I cannot, with propriety and justice to my people, hesitate in resigning my com- mission." On his arrival in Augusta, he was commissioned First Lieu- tenant of Artillery in the Confederate regular army, and as- signed to duty at Pensacola, Florida. Here he labored, as only CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 3 the true soldier will, and manifested not only untiring energy and zeal, but a capacity far beyond his years, receiving the special commendation of his commander, Colonel Bragg. The attention of the President of the Confederacy having been called to the worth of so excellent an officer, he commissioned him Colonel, and assigned him to the command of the 19th Ala- bama regiment of infantry. Here was a wider sphere, and he entered upon it with the vigor of a superior mind. . BATTLE OF SHILOH. When the great leader, Albert Sidney Johnston, began to collect his army at Corinth, Mississippi, Colonel Wheeler's regiment was among the first to arrive. By constant drill and discipline, he soon made it a command of the very first order. During the battle of Shiloh his regiment was in the foremost rank, and right bravely did Colonel Wheeler maneuver it throughout the memorable engagement. He was always found with his regiment in the thickest of the battle, urging his brave troops upon the serried ranks of the enemy, several times leading in successful charges and bearing his regimen- After the evacuation of Nashville, the Confederate forces in the West were concentrated near Corinth, Miss., under command of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston. The Federal forces under General Grant reached Pittsburg Land- ing about April 1st, where he was to be joined by General Buell, their object heing to cut off the Confederates' communication in Western Tennessee. To ■orevent this General Johnston moved out from Corinth, and attacked the Federal forces at Shiloh, on the morning of April 6th, his purpose being to crush General Grant's army before Buell could reinforce him. In the first day's battle, which raged furiously for about twelve hours, the Confederates were signally successful, driving the enemy in confusion from every position, and at 6 o'clock p. m., were in possession of his every encampment but one; had captured nearly all of his artillery, about 30 stands of colors and 3,000 prisoners, including a major-general. The failure to continue the fight, and capture the one position alluded to, however, proved fatal to the success of the Confederates, this probably owing to the death of General Johnston, who was killed about half past two in the afternoon. The battle continued with unabated fury on the second day ( 7th), but as Grant had been reinforced by Buell, it was against too great odds, and the Confederates were forced to retreat — falling back to Tupelo, The death of General Johnston left Gen- eral Beauregard next in rank, but he being in poor health, General Braggwas assigned to permanent command of the Western Army. — (Editor.) . 4 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. tal colors in his own hands. He was highly complimented on the field by many of the most distinguished generals who. bore brave parte in that memorable struggle. General Bragg, in his official report, after speaking of the demoralized condition of the army on the second day, said : "Colonel Joseph Wheeler, with his excellent regiment, did good service till the close of the action." General Withers, his Division Commander, in his official report, speaking of the withdrawal of our troops from the field, testifies to his valor and skill in the following words : "The remainder of the troops were left under command of Colonel Wheeler, who throughout the fight had proved him- self worthy of all trust and confidence — a gallant commander and an accomplished soldier." The official report of Brigadier-General James R. Chalmers,, in recounting the operations of the second day, thus refers to^ him: "Colonel Wheeler, of the 19th Alabama Regiment,, was, with a small remnant of the regiment, at this time fight- ing with the small remnant of Mississippians, and bearing the colors of his command in this last charge so gallantly made." He had two horses shot under him, and so conspicuous was kis gallantry that he was recommended by his commanding general for promotion to brigadier-general. Notwithstanding the double service he had performed,. General Bragg requested him, in person, to remain with his brigade near the field of battle, and prevent an advance of the enemy until the wounded soldiers and the captured property could be removed to Corinth. General Wheeler was always careful to do justice to the brave men he commanded, and in concluding his report of the part he took in this battle he says: "The gallant and heroic conduct of the field and staff — Lieutenant-Colonel E. K. Tracy, Major S. K. McSpadden and Adjutant Clifton Walker — was conspicuous. Adjutant Walker was wounded on the 6th and retired from the field. Lieutenant-Colonel Tracy had his horse shot under him on Monday, and during the entire CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 5 two days exhibited marked coolness and noble bearing. He, together with Major McSpadden, remained with the regiment from the beginning of the engagement Sunday morning until its termination Monday evening: Lieutenants Johnson, Pal- mer, R. H. Hagood, J. N. Barry, J. E. Nabers, D. C. Hodo, W. H. Anderson and B. L,. Porter and Sergeant-Major J. L,. Griffiths also remained with the regiment through the entire two day's, and displayed commendable fortitude and manly courage." Immediately after the battle of Shiloh the ladies of Wheel- er's native city presented him with a beautiful battle-flag, accompanied by the following complimentary note : The heart of woman is ever prompt to honor and delight in the brave, and it is this feeling, fre^h and sincere, that would offer Colonel Wheeler a banner, with fervent prayers that God will especially bless him. Let Colonel Wheeler be assured that he is ever named with praise and gratitude, and Augusta claims him proudly as her son. Miss Julia Poster, Miss Gairdner, Miss Mary G. Gairdner, Miss Lizzie Gairdner, Miss Montgomery, Miss Rose Montgomery, Miss Anna Montgomery, Miss D'Antignac, Miss Clara Lou D'Antignac, Miss Evans, Miss Cummings, Miss Rhind, Miss Lillie Rhind, Miss Adams, Miss Eva Eve, Miss Sophie Caster, Miss Jenkins, Miss Sallie Ford. This was mentioned by the Augusta papers, as follows : We learn that a number of our young ladies are preparing a battle-flag to be presented to Colonel Wheeler of Bragg's army. The flag is to be borne on the sword, and is light and neat. The regimental flag is sometimes too heavy to be comfortably carried by the officer leading the charge, and this little battle-flag is a neat and appropriate substitute. It can be seen at Messrs. McLaughlin & Fish's, on Mcintosh street." In the many conflicts, including the engagement at Farm- ington, by which the advance of a powerful force of the enemy upon Corinth was contested, the brigade Colonel "Wheeler commanded bore a prominent part. Twice during that time young Wheeler was called upon to take command- of the advance composed of other brigades than his own, to re-establish broken lines, and to retake lost ground which less 6 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. vigilant commanders had allowed the enemy to wrest from them. General Bragg often remarked, "I never feel easy unless my brave little hero, Wheeler, is on our front." Two days before the evacuation of Corinth the enemy drove in our pickets on the Monterey road to our main works. General Bragg immediately ordered Wheeler to attack them with his brigade, adding : " Tell Wheeler the enemy must be driven across the creek and kept there at any cost. The safety of the army and success of the evacuation depends upon it." This was enough for Wheeler: he moved out promptly, and after a most terrific fight, lasting two hours, the enemy were beaten and driven in disorder beyond the point designated, where, by continued fighting, they were held, notwithstanding their repeated efforts to advance. Upon the evacuation of Corinth, General Beauregard directed that the best brigade of the army should be selected as the rear guard. The brigade commanded by Colonel Wheeler was chosen, and the numerous engagements with and charges made upon the pursuing enemy, at Bridge Creek and other points, tell how well he executed so responsible a trust. Wheeler had been in actual command of the outposts on the Monterey and Farmington roads for some days before the evacuation, and after the engagement on the 27th he remained with his command close up to the works occupied by the enemy under Major-General Pope. On the evening of the 29th he attacked their skirmish lines, and drove them in confusion from their rail and timber barricades back into the earthworks occupied by the main army; causing the enemy to fear a general attack from Beauregard's entire army. The following orders were issued by General Bragg : (Confidential.) Headquarters— a. m. Corinth, May 29, 1862. 1st — At sundown light batteries to be withdrawn to one mile from trenches. 2d — At 8 P. M. heavy guns to be removed to cars without noise and sent to. depot. 3d — At 10 p. M. retrograde movement to commence as already indicated. 4th — At 12 P. M. rear guard to follow the movement. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 7 5th — Outposts will be called in at g p. m., their places to be supplied by- cavalry. 6th — Three rockets at 3 a. m. (30th instant) to be sent up by the cavalry.. Camp fires will be kept up. By command of Generai, Bragg : George G. Garner, Ass't Adj't Gen. To Coi<. J. Wheei Much of the success of the Southern arms, especially in the early part of the war, was due to the fact that nearly all of our soldiers were experienced horsemen, and familiar with the use of fire-arms from previous habits ; whereas there were many men in the Northern army who, before their enlist- ment, had never mounted a horse or fired a gun in their lives. This was amusingly illustrated in the raids we have just described. Among the prisoners we captured at I,avergne was one who evidently belonged to the infantry. Most of the prisoners were paroled at once, but, for some reason, this fellow was placed on a horse from which the rider had been shot (poor Reuben Costly of 51st Alabama) and carried along for some distance. Now, this horse (or old mare, rather) happened to be about the roughest gaited " critter " there was in the regiment, and, while the rest of the horses were in an easy lope, she was going in a long, swinging trot. The poor "Yank " couldn't keep his feet in the stirrups, and as he clung as if for dear life to the pommel of the saddle, while the old mare bounced him about six inches at every jump, he pre- sented a spectacle about as ludicrous as can be imagined. Noticing that he seemed in great distress, the writer rode up 6o CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. to his side, and remarked : ''My friend, it seems that you are not accustomed to riding." "Yes — I've rode — in a buggy— and in — a carriage — but I never -. — rode like this — before." — (Editor.) CHAPTER VII. DESTRUCTION OF GUNBOATS AND STORES — WHEELER STRIKES RAILROAD IN ROSECRANS' REAR — RECEIVES. THANKS OF CONGRESS — MAJOR-GENERAL COMMANDING ALL CAVALRY — ATTACKS FORCE AT DOVER, OR FORT DONELSON — UNFORTUNATE RESULT — COMPLIMENTS TO "WHEELER FROM SOUTHERN PAPERS ANECDOTE, "THE ENEMY JACKSON FEARED." Immediately after the battle of Murfreesboro, Generals Wheeler, Forrest and Morgan were each ordered to operate upon the enemy's lines of communication. General Mor- gan, having just returned from Kentucky, was unable to go, and General Forrest's command was too much worn out to attempt immediate movement. Circular.] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OT TENNESSEE, WINCHESTER, January 7, 1863. General Wheeler, -with such of his cavalry as he can take, including all of Morgan's command, will proceed immediately to operate on the enemy's flank and rear. By command of General Bragg : George Wm. Brent, A. A. G. To Gen. Wheeler, Chief of Cavalry. The weather was bitter cold, and rain, snow or sleet was falling almost incessantly. The command was without tents, and many of the men thinly clad, which caused them to suf- fer intensely. Under these conditions they had been fighting daily, almost hourly, for the past fortnight. Notwithstanding all this, General Wheeler collected about 600 men, and amid snow and ice commenced the march. A locomotive and train of cars were first destroyed on the Nash- ville & Chattanooga railroad, and the bridge over Mill Creek cut away and burned. Previous to this time Wheeler's cavalry had fought as '62 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. mounted infantry, charged as cavalry with sabres and re- volvers, dismounted they had fought in line of battle as infantry, and performed all the duties of soldiers in the sev- eral branches of the service. They were, however, to make a still greater innovation, and, after engaging the enemy in every way on land, were now to attack him on water. The Cumberland river, just becoming navigable, was Gen- eral Rosecrans' chief resource for maintaining his army, the •depredations of Wheeler on his railroad and wagon trains having already reduced it to short rations. In Nashville a fleet of transports had been constructed, together with a gun- boat to convoy them. With his "navy" no doubt "Old P^osy " felt quite secure, not dreaming that Wheeler's men were amphibious as well as versatile. In this he was doomed to another disappointment, as the sequel will show. A rapid march brought Wheeler's " horse marines " to the river. The lofty bluffs, alternating with lowlands, of this narrow stream, afforded opportunity for skillful distribution •of troops which was not lost upon so consummate a strategist as Wheeler. Following the course of the river, on the 14th they fired into the Charter and another transport, richly laden with commissary and quartermaster stores. After cap- turing the guards and paroling them, they set fire to the boats and destroyed them and their rich cargoes. The next day were encountered the three steamers Trio, Parthenia and Hastings (the latter with several hundred in- fantry aboard), convoyed by the iron-clad gunboat N. H. "Sidell. The transports were soon forced to surrender, with all on board. The prisoners were paroled, and the boats, with their cargoes, burned. During this time the Sidell was making a stout effort at -resistance, and was pouring forth shot and shell at every revolution of her machinery. But Wheeler's force was so posted that the sharpshooters could pick off the gunners, and our battery, placed on a high bluff, had a plunging fire into ber upper works, and rendered her iron-clad sides of mo avail. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 63 This could not last long, and soon a flag of truce appeared, and a moment later the stars and stripes were hauled down, amid a mighty shout from the shore. The crew were paroled and released, the torch applied to the steamer, and soon all that was left of the formidable Sidell was a blackened hulk on the water. A number of other steamboats, which were aground on Harpeth Shoals, and guarded by gunboats, took fright, threw their valuable cargoes of army supplies into the muddy Cum- berland, and steamed for. safer quarters and deeper water. At Ashland, on the north bank of the river, the enemy had collected immense supplies of subsistence for his entire army. Although the Cumberland, much swollen by recent rains, in- tervened, Wheeler's dauntless cavaliers swam across the icy water, drove away the guards, composed of a regiment of in- fantry, and destroyed the great stores, covering several acres of ground. The number of prisoners captured on this expedition was four hundred and fifty. The amount and value of the stores destroyed at Ashland, on the transports, and in the wagon trains during the battle of Murfreesboro was immense — so great, indeed, that it is generally conceded to be the chief cause of the delay for a period of six months, in the second advance of the enemy. Pursuant to orders from army headquarters, Gen. Wheeler returned to the army, not, however, without striking a blow on his return march, by which he destroyed a locomotive and long train of cars, and on which were taken one hundred and fifty prisoners. Before reaching the army, he received from the President a telegram announcing his promotion to Major-General ; and Congress passed a resolution of thanks to him for his daring conduct and brilliant achievements. On January 23d, in the House of Representatives, Mr. Foster offered a resolution of thanks in relation to Gen. Wheeler, saying: "The brilliant exploits which he has per- 64 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. formed, and the valuable services he has recently rendered our cause, entitles him to a nation's thanks." A resolution was adopted, " that Congress appreciates with no ordinary feelings the bold and daring attack of General Wheeler and his command upon the enemy on Cumberland river, and that for their brilliant success they are eminently entitled to the thanks of Congress." Up to this time General Wheeler had been acting as Chief of Calvary. He was now re-assigned by the following order : General Order No. 6.~] Headquarters Army op Tennessee, January 22, 1863. Major- General Wheeler is assigned to the command of all cavalry in. Middle Tennessee. By command of General Bragg: GEORGE Wm. Brent, A. A. G. To Major-General Wheeler, Chief of Cavalry. The following dispatches and correspondence to the New York Herald, and other Northern papers, thus refer to these operations : "THE REBELS IN TENNESSEE CAPTURE A NUMBER OF STEAMBOATS. " Nashville, January 14. — Wheeler's rebel cavalry, with a battery of artillery, attacked three or four boats at Harpeth Shoals yesterday. One, with two hundred sick and wounded, was captured and the men paroled. The others also taken were burned. One gunboat also surrendered. Her guns were thrown overboard and the boat burned." " MOVEMENTS OF THE REBEL CAVALRY. "MurFreesboro, Tenn., January 26, 1863. — General Rosecrans hopes the Cincinnati, Louisville, and other news- papers, will desist from the practice of publishing reports of shipments of supplies to the Department of the Cumberland. This is substantially a notification to the rebels to prepare their forces for the capture of such supplies. It is under- stood, however, that newspapers would not make such publi- cations if quartermasters and commissaries did not furnish the items. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 65 " Wheeler's cavalry made a dash at a train of cars on Sun- day, on the railway between Nashville and Franklin, and succeeded in destroying several cars, but were frightened away before they destroyed the balance of the train. A con- valescent killed one of the rebels. One Federal sergeant was badly wounded. Brigadier-General D. S. Stanley followed the rebels sharply, but they had too much the start of him. He rode fifty-two miles in twenty hours. " Rebel cavalry in considerable bodies constantly hover on our flanks, watching our communications. The government ought to reinforce the cavalry arm of this department, and supply horses to mount infantry regiments to pursue the rebels. " The rebel General Wheeler has been made a Major-Gen- eral, and is in command of all the rebel cavalry in Ten- OPERATIONS OE THE REBELS ON THE CUMBERLAND RIVER. "Nashville, Saturday, Jan. 17, 1863. — The Confederate army is reported in a pitiable, condition, their wounded — many of whom were removed by them — dying daily by scores for want of medicine and proper food. The conscripts, par- ticularly those from Tennessee, are dissatisfied and are daily deserting, and the whole army is destitute of tents, shoes and comfortable clothing. The contrast between our troops and these ragged conscripts, who are daily coming here, is great indeed — scarcely any of the latter having anything heavier than a cotton jacket to protect them from the weather. Overcoats are 'played out' in the Confederacy, as a soldier remarked to me the other day. " Notwithstanding the ill-fed and poorly clothed condition of the rebels, it is an undoubted fact that they display an amount of daring and energy not approached by our soldiers. "While the battle was being fought at Stone River, their cavalry were actively engaged in cutting off our supply trains. And since then Wheeler's cavalry has made a dash on the newly repaired railroad to Murfreesboro and destroyed a con- struction train. "Following the course of the Cumberland, they sent out a part of Wheeler's division to attempt the capture of some of the boats engaged in bringing supplies to Rosecrans' army from Harpeth Shoals. On Tuesday, the 14th inst., they fired into the transport Charter, laden with commissary and quar- 66 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. termaster stores, and after capturing the guards, some fifteen men, and paroling them, set fire to and destroyed boat and freight. "The next attack was made on Wednesday afternoon. The rebels, being securely posted upon the high bluffs of the river, placed their guns (four in number) in such position as to bring to or sink any boat which should attempt to pass. The three steamers, Trio, Parthenia and Hastings — the latter with two hundred wounded on board — under convoy of the Nashville gunboat, the N. H. Sidell, left here early on Wednesday morning, and by afternoon had reached the upper end of Harpeth Shoals. The Trio was first fired into and captured, and the Parthenia next treated in like manner. The Hastings, after her surrender, was boarded by the rebels, who immediately paroled all the sick and wounded on board, and after transferring them to the Trio, the Hastings and Parthenia were burned. During this time the Sidell, armed with three six-pound guns, was replying to the shots of the enemy, but as the boat was so constructed that her guns could not be loaded without exposing the gunners to the fire of the rebel sharpshooters, and having had several men dis- abled by their fire, it was determined by the commander, Lieutenant W. Van Dorn of the Sixty-ninth Ohio Infantry, to surrender. Accordingly her colors were ordered to be struck, and a sergeant in the execution of the order was killed by a shot from the rebels. Soon, however, the Lieu- tenant made known his intention of quietly giving up the boat, aided no doubt by the pilot and engineer, both of whom were selected for their respective positions with a due regard to their 'Southern sympathies.' The crew were paroled and released. Lieutenant Van Dorn, however, was retained by the rebels, and the crew reported that they will surely hang him in retaliation for the destruction of several houses burnt by his orders last week. The Sidell was then destroyed. "Thus perished the entire ' navy ' of the port of Nashville, on Cumberland river. The Sidell was constructed here dur- ing the past season, and was intended to convoy boats be- tween Nashville and the shoals at a low stage of water. She was covered with sheet-iron, and was thought by some to be a ' big thing,' but the sequel has proved that she could not cope with the artillery of the rebels. The commanding General, hearing of the loss of the Charter, sent a force under General Stanley to attack the rebels, but- unfortunately the CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 6 J troops were unable to cross Harpeth river on account of the rise, and were obliged to return. The rebel force is believed to be on the south side of the Cumberland, and are some/our thousand (?) strong, with two batteries. It is probable that they will attack our boats as they ascend the river, and as their position is such that but few shots from gunboats can reach them, it will no doubt become necessary to send an attacking party by laud to dislodge them." General Bragg dispatched as follows regarding these opera- tions : TuLLAHOMA, January 17. To Gen. S. B. Bxtckner : General Wheeler, with a portion of his cavalry brigade, after burning the railroad bridge in the enemy's rear, pushed for the Cumberland River, where he intercepted and captured four large transports, destroying three with all the supplies, and bonded one to carry off the four hundred paroled prison- ers. He was hotly pursued by a gunboat, which he attacked, captured and destroyed with her whole armament. (Signed) Braxton Bragg, General. (By Associated Press.) Richmond, January 22. — The following dispatch has been received at the War Department : Tullahoma, January 21.— After the capture of the transports and gun- boat, our cavalry made a dash for a large fleet of transports' that lay just below Harpeth Shoals. They threw overboard their cargoes, consisting of subsistence, ordnance and quartermaster's stores in immense quantities, and then escaped by a hasty retreat. Our troops, in the midst of snow and ice, crossed to the north side of the Cumberland, much swollen by recent rains, by swimming their horses through the angry torrent. They routed the guard, and captured and de- stroyed an immense collection of subsistence, that had just been landed for transportation to Nashville by wagons. (Signed) Braxton Bragg, General. Tullahoma, January 22 (via Richmond). Major Holman, of Wheeler's cavalry, has since last report captured and destroyed another Federal transport on the Cumberland river, loaded with subsistence. The army has made no show of an advance from Murfreesboro. (Signed) Braxton Bragg, General. To Gen. S. Cooper. 68 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. The Richmond papers published the following dispatches : Chattanooga, January 14th. — Official information has been received here that Rosecrans has been strongly rein- forced, and is repairing the road from here to Nashville. General Wheeler is in his rear, and has destroyed the railroad bridge just finished at Mill Creek, nine miles south of Nash- ville. The Federals are ten miles this side of Murfreesboro. The Jackson Mississippian said that Major-General Wheeler furnishes one of the most remarkable instances of merited promotion of the war. He is only twenty-six years old, and yet in the short space of two years has risen from a lieutenant to a full-fledged major-general. This rapid promotion has been the result of shining merit alone, his extreme youth having always been an obstacle in his way. Shemyvhu, Tenn., January 24, 1863. From the Daily Rebel Banner : The promotion of the Chief of Cavalry of this army to a major-generalship will be hailed with a wide acclaim of approval. Untiring in his own efforts, constantly on the alert, he has been on more than one occasion the protector of the army in the retrograde movements deemed necessary. Remarkable for his coolness and self-possession on the field, sagacious in the selection of his staff officers, beloved by all his devoted command, his. evident merit has now received another official sanction — a sanction which will be promptly re-echoed by his comrades- in-arms and in his honors, and by the officers and soldiers of the Army of Tennessee. From the Atlanta Commonwealth : We believe there were seven or eight, perhaps more, cities of Greece, each of which claimed Homer as its own. In something of the same spirit our neighbor at the other end of the Georgia Railroad, the very beautiful city of Augusta, is inclined to take on airs and to hold its municipal nose a little higher than other folks T claiming General Wheeler as belonging to Augusta. Fvery town and county of the State disputes the claim of Augusta, and is indignant at her presumption. The " Bayard " of the army sans peur et sans reproche belongs to no one city, but to the whole State of Georgia. From the Richmond Dispatch: Wheeler, with his "horse marines," has again pitched into the enemy's transports on the Cumberland River, and destroyed five of them with good CAMPAIGNS OV WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 69 effect ; they contained a great amount of valuable stores. This new feature of the war — the triumphs of cavalry on the water — is conferring as much pleasure upon the people of the South as it is favor upon General Wheeler. Men begin to suspect that he fights with iron-clad horses. He is giving the enemy a deal of trouble. ATTACK ON DOVER, OR FORT DONEDSON. The latter part of January, General Wheeler was again ordered to the Cumberland. Accordingly, he directed Gen- eral Martin's and a portion of General Forrest's commands to proceed to the most favorable position on the river to inter- rupt navigation as far as possible. General Wheeler followed, overtook the command after it had passed Franklin, and hastened on to the river to ascertain the most favorable field of action. Here he learned that the enemy, being apprised of his pres- ence, had abandoned navigation of the river for the time, and had decided to send 110 boats up or down while we remained in position to attack them. The scarcity of forage made it impracticable for the command to remain long on the south side of the Cumberland, and all the ferry-boats above Dover had been destroyed. This left no alternative but to remain idle or attack the force at Dover.* General Forrest is said to have opposed the movement, alleging that our scarcity of ammunition and the bittef cold weather to which the men were exposed, made the expedition extremely hazardous. But it was not in the nature of Wheeler to remain idle, or retire without fighting from a position unless forced to do so. Therefore, after maturely considering the situation, he de- cided that nothing could be lost by the attack, and from infor- mation he had received from spies, citizens and other sources, he concluded he had good reason to believe the garrison could be easily captured. He accordingly marched rapidly upon the place by two *Dover was the real position fortified and held by the Federals, and not the site of Fort Donelson. JO CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. roads, arrived in position about 3 P. M., February 3d, and commenced the attack — Forrest, assailing on the east and Wharton on the south and southwest sides. General Wheeler marched to the ground with General Forrest's command, and after getting it in position, moved rapidly to General Wharton's brigade, which was the largest, in order to hasten it into action. The ground was favorable to our artillery, as, posted on a ridge, it commanded from all points the town below, and enfiladed two sides of the enemy's rifle pits, besides having a plunging fire into all parts of the works, which enabled it to be used with excellent effect. After making the necessary details to protect his rear, and sending the 8th Texas to guard the approaches from Fort Henry, General Wheeler ordered that the men should be dis- mounted and the assault made on foot, as the fortifications with ramparts and ditches could not be successfully charged by cavalry mounted, and were difficult and dangerous even for footmen. Just as Wheeler left Forrest to assist Wharton, the former, thinking the enemy were retreating, and being anxious to rush in quickly, remounted his men and charged the posi- tion in his front. The fire from the enemy's musketry and artillery was so strong that Forrest was compelled to retire. He then dis- mounted his men and advanced on foot, took and occupied the houses on the eastern part of town, and poured a heavy fire of musketry on the enemy. At this juncture the enemy commenced running out to- ward the river, and our men seeing this and thinking it was a movement to attack our held horses, abandoned their favora- ble position and rushed back to protect them. But for this accident, the garrison would have surrendered in a few min- utes. After this General Forrest withdrew and discontinued the action. On the left, assisted by Wheeler in person, Wharton's command, consisting of portions of the nth Texas, 2d Geor- CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 7 1 gia and 4th Tennessee regiments, charged dismounted, and easily drove the Federals into their works, overrunning a fine battery which was engaging us, killing and wounding many of the enemy, and capturing a number of prisoners, small arms, wagons and other munitions and stores. The enemy had cut the harness and stampeded the horses, which pre- vented us from bringing off the entire battery. We succeeded, however, in bringing out a very fine twelve-pound brass rifled gun, but the others were necessarily left. Early in the engagement several of the regimental com- manders reported to General Wheeler that they were out of ammunition, and soon all were in the same condition. Not- withstanding this difficulty, we had by nightfall, succeeded in occupying the west side of the town and had a secure position not further than 90 yards from the main rifle-pits of the enemy. General Wheeler, therefore, secured his men from the enemy's fire, and remained in the captured works until dark, removing or destroying the captured artillery and stores. He also captured and burnt a transport heavily laden with a valuable cargo. Federal Major-General Granger, with 6,000 men and a fleet of gunboats, had now arrived to relieve the fort. A brigade of the enemy, marching from Fort Henry for the same purpose, had been checked but four miles distant. Wheeler, therefore, quietly withdrew, bringing off a section of the captured battery, together with his prisoners and cap- tured property. The enemy did not follow outside of their works. Wheeler's entire attacking force, including Forrest's brigade, was about eleven hundred men. His loss was 36 killed and 114 wounded. We captured from the enemy one hundred prisoners , and their loss in killed and wounded was much less than ours. The annual report of General-in-Chief Halleck, dated November 15, 1863, says their loss was thirteen killed and fifty-one wounded, making their entire loss, as stated by 72 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. themselves, one hundred and sixty-four in killed, wounded and prisoners. Greeley's History, page 284, says that General Harding, the Federal commander in the fort, reports his loss at 16 killed, 60 wounded and 50 taken prisoners. The following appeared as an editorial in the Rebel Ban- ner, and was copied in many Southern papers : ' ' But our chief strength was our cavalry — those mounted gladiators — whose prowess stretched in all directions, whose artful reconnaissance taught us daily concerning the move- ments of the enemy." — (Sallust, Jugurthine War.) Neither the days of Sallust, nor those of Murat — brilliant as history, song and story make them — can hold a candle to the days of the cavaliers of the Confederate States. This fact may be set down as conclusive, that no mounted men of the world have ever equalled the cavalry service of the Army of the West, to say nothing of the Virginia line. We have before us an astonishing array of statistics, by which, if an historical library were near at hand, we are able to prove the point. The magnificent dash upon Murf reesboro , the splendid movement of Van Dorn upon Holly Springs with its gigantic fruits ; the ' ' grand entry ' ' and tour of observation, which Morgan made into and over the " dark and bloody ground" ; and lastly, the late achievements of Wheeler upon the Cumberland. Nothing in the annals of war to equal those exploits. Nothing in the records of horsemanship to compare with them. They stand alone, unparalleled, rivaled only by each other. The cavalry of the West, unlike the ancient system, has not confined its operations to the legitimate business belong- ing to that peculiar branch of military service. It has stormed and taken batteries ; it has invested and carried fortified camps and towns ; it has charged solid columns of infantry, and scattered them like spray ; and on more than one occasion it has opposed the stockade, armed and mounted. In the West, too, our prisoners are numbered by thousands, our trophies by millions of dollars. We read often in the Richmond papers of the return of Stuart, with what would be considered out here as a mere handful of the spoils of war. Stuart, with all his dash, spirit and brilliancy, is not to be mentioned in the same breath with young Wheeler, if actual deeds and results are considered, and none will dis- CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 73 pute the superiority of Forrest, Morgan and Van Dorn. Figures show this and so do indomitable facts. (From the Winchester Bulletin.) It is with pleasure we chronicle as official the cheering news that General Wheeler's forces on the right captured and destroyed two trains, one on the Nashville and Chattanooga railroad between Murfreesboro and Nashville, the other on the Louisville railroad between Nashville and Bowling Green. Both trains were destroyed, a large number of prisoners taken, and the roads materially damaged. This is a check to the reinforcements coming to Rosecrans, and we again caution " Rosy " as to his rear, and not to expect too much from the gunboats which Grant is sending to his relief. Those rebel " horse marines " are daring fellows, and with Van Dorn on our left, and Wheeler on our right, gunboats and Yankees will have to be very sly in their thieving. Wheeler, in his dash upon the trains between Murfrees- boro and Nashville, captured $30,000 in Federal " green- backs," and a lot of officers, three of whom belonged to Rose- crans' staff. Every day we read accounts and receive communications of the most thrilling and soul-stirring character, which record the deeds of the mounted men of the West. The many and signal detours of Wheeler at Murfreesboro were unquestionably evidences of the finest genius and skill. Our cavalrymen have performed every species of service. They have charged batteries, sabering the gunners at their guns, and turning their pieces on their wonder-stricken com- rades. They have invested and taken towns and fortified camps. They have borne down whole regiments of infantry, and scattered columns bristling with bayonets. Above all, they have destroyed millions of property, and seized millions of stores, munitions and clothing for our use. We can, and on some occasions will, present an array of figures of startling significance, showing the actual extent of the work performed by our Western cavalry. It will waken up the Virginia boys, and open the eyes of the Eastern editors. The Enemy Jackson Feared. General Wheeler, in common with other commanders, was sometimes given trouble by the foe Stonewall Jackson said 74 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. he feared more than he did the Federal army. On one occa- sion, in Middle Tennessee, Wheeler applied Jackson's rem- edy, and ordered a number of distilleries burned. General , who was not averse to taking a " nip" once in a while, protested against this. "Why," asked General Wheeler, "should they not be burned? You know, General, I am averse to the destruction of private property, but these abominations are demoralizing the men and impairing the discipline of the command." "Yes," replied General , "but you should not apply so harsh a remedy ; you ought to order them to make better whisky. — (Editor.) CHAPTER VIII. ENGAGEMENTS AROUND . MURFREESBORO FEBRUARY 15TH" TO JUNE I5TH — WHEELER. GUARDS FRONT OF BRAGG'S- ARMY — CAVALRY DIVIDED BETWEEN WHEELER AND VAN DORN — ORDERS REGARDING RECRUITS FOR CAVALRY REASONS FOR AND THE EFFECT OF SUCH ORDERS — EN- EMY ADOPT OPPOSITE COURSE — WHEELER'S CAVALRY TACTICS — TROUBLE IN BRAGG'S INFANTRY — WHEELER RECOMMENDS RAID IN KENTUCKY. During the next four months we find Wheeler and his command occupied in picketing close up to the enemy's main army, covering a front of seventy miles, and engaged in pro- tecting trains of supplies for our army from the enemy's rear and from Kentucky. During this whole time not a single wagon was lost. Whenever any part of his command could be spared from the front, he would make rapid incursions into the lines of the enemy. On one of these, a short t me prior to the retreat from Middle Tennessee, he succeeded in destroying two immense and valuable railroad trains, one on the Louisville and Nashville and the other on the Nashville and Murfreesboro railroad. With one of these he captured a large number of Federal officers, including two colonels. On the arrival of General Van Dorn he was assigned to a separate corps, which he commanded until his death. The orders given below show the organization of the corps of Van Dorn and of Wheeler : Special Order No. 50 .] Headquarters Army of Tennessee, February 25, 1863. ********* IV. The cavalry command of Major-General Van Dorn, reinforced by Forrest's brigade, 'will constitute a separate division of this army. The brigades of Wharton, Morgan and Hagan will constitute a separate division under Major-General Wheeler. By command of General Bragg: Kinloch FavunER, A. A. G. To Major-Generai, Wheei-ER, Chief of Cavalry. 76 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. ■Special Order No. 69.] Headquarters Army of Tennessee, March 16, 1863. The cavalry division of this command, having become so large, will be hereafter designated as corps, and will be known by the names of their respective commanders, viz. : Van Dorn'-s and Wheeler's. The corps will be organized into divisions and brigades by their respective •commanders. By command of General Bragg: GEORGE W. BRENT, A. A. G. To Major-General WHEELER, Chief of Cavalry. Headquarters Army of Tennessee, Tullahoma, Tenn., March II, 1863. •General : The General commanding is gratified at the efforts you have made to -discipline and regulate your command. The Chief of Ordnance can furnish several thousand sabres. I am, General, with high respect, your obedient servant, JMajor-General Wheeler, K. Falconer, a. a. G. Commanding Cavalry. The brilliant achievements of our cavalry had given it an >6clat which naturally created in young men then entering the army a great desire to join that branch of the service. In- fantry officers, becoming dissatisfied at their inability to re- plenish their rank and file, persuaded General Bragg to issue orders prohibiting recruits or conscripts joining the cavalry, .as is shown by the following order : ■Circular.'] HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE, March 3, 1863. Hereafter no recruit or conscript will be allowed to attach himself to a •cavalry command. By command of General Bragg: KlNLOCH FALCONER, A. A. G. 'To Major-General Wheeler, Chief of Cavalry. This showed a marked contrast with the course pursued by the enemy who, seeing the great value of our cavalry arm, •devoted their attention to increasingthe numbers and efficiency of their mounted corps, as is shown by General Rosecrans' ■General Order No. 19, of February 14th, 1863, and the fol- lowing letters from Rosecrans to the War Department. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 77/ It is interesting to observe that while Rosecrans was com- plaining of the superior numbers of the cavalry opposed to- him, it was in fact less than his own. In his letter to Quar- termaster General Meigs, dated May 10th, 1863, he says : " It is a fact that, up to the 1st instant, our total supply of cavalry horses was : " Cavalry horses on hand 6,537 Mounted infantry on hand 1.938 Escorts, Orderlies, etc _ 3,003 ",478" Rosecrans had just received some 5,000 horses, making his- force, according to his own account, 16,478. Major-General Halleck, in his annual report, says r "Rose- crans had complained of an inadequate cavalry force, but the stables of his depots were overcrowded with animals." Rosecrans stated before the Committee on Conduct of War : ' ' The reason we could not command adequate supplies of for- age for our animals was because our cavalry was too weak to< go and get it." MurjfrEESBoro, January 14, 1863. Major-General Hai,i,eck: I must have cavalry or mounted infantry. With mounted Infantry I cam drive the rebel cavalry to the wall. Not so now. I must have some bullet- proof light-draught transports for the Cumberland. W. S'. Rosecrans, Major-General. February 1st, 1863. To Major-Generai, Halleck : We must hurry down all the cavalry available and add to it by mounting a brigade of infantry for backing and expeditionary purposes. If you will back me up, I am determined to command the country, instead of giving it up to the enemy. No economy can compare with that of furnishing revolving arms. I am about to establish an elite battalion in each brigade, composed of the soldiers' from each company, one commissioned and five non-commissioned officers from each regiment, and one field officer for the brigade, to be selected for superior and soldierly bearing in battle and on duty. I promise them the best arms, and will mount them for rapid movement like flying artillery. We must create military order. W. S. Rosecrans, Major-General* 78 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. February 2, 1863. .Major-Generai, Hai/ceck: : Why should the rebels command the country which, with its resources, "belong to our army. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major-General. February 2, 1863. -Hon. E. M. Stanton: I telegraphed the General-in-Chief that 2,000 carbines or revolving rifles were required to arm our cavalry. He replied as though he thought it a complaint. One rebel cavalryman takes on an average three of our infantry to watch our communications, while our progress is made slow and cautious, and we •command the forage of the country only by sending large train guards. It is of prime necessity, in every point of view, to master their cavalry. I propose to do this, first, by so arming our cavalry as to give it its maximum .strength. Second, by having animals and saddles temporarily to mount .infantry brigades for marches and enterprises. W. S. Rosecrans, Major- General. Dispatch of Rosecrans to Halleck : March 29th, 1863. General Rosseau would undertake to raise 8,000 or 10,000 mounted infantry. I recommend that he be charged with raising these men. .Hon. E. M. Stanton, April 24, 1863. Secretary of War i Cavalry horses are indispensable to our success here. We have always been without control of the country, except for a short distance beyond our -infantry lines, and all the forage horses the country could furnish have thus 'i ar fallen into the hands of the enemy. W. S. Rosecrans, Major- General. Letters to Halleck and Stanton, July 26, 1863, are long, .and urge increase of cavalry force. EXTRACTS FROM NORTHERN PAPERS. The following extracts from Northern papers indicate dam- age inflicted upon the enemy and it is scarcely to be supposed that they exaggerated it : THE REBELS IN TENNESSEE. Nashville, February 26th. — General Wheeler's whole force, four brigades of cavalry, is this side of Columbia, Tenn- nessee, and reported to be carrying off all able-bodied contra- bands to the South. A portion of this force was within four CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 79 miles of Franklin last night. The Federal lines are at Franklin. There is a large force under General Gilbert at that place. General Wheeler, on the 13th, captured two trains between Nashville and Murfreesboro, together with $30,000 ; also a number of prisoners, including two majors, three captains and three of Rosecrans' staff. Murfreesboro, May 8. — Wheeler's rebel cavalry have removed from their position on our left, and advanced in force to Livingston, with the evident intention of capturing Carter, who is reported in the vicinity of Jamestown. It is a very formidable force, and the movement is looked on as serious. Philadelphia, May 13th. — A special dispatch from Cin- cinnati to the Bulletin says that the rebel cavalry in front of Murfreesboro are constantly changing their position. The rebel generals, Wheeler and Morgan, with 5,000 cav- alry, are at Liberty and Alexandria. It is supposed they are meditating an attack on Nashville. FIGHT AT BRENTWOOD, TENN. — UNION PRISONERS CAPTURED. The Nashville Dispatch of March 26th contains the follow- ing particulars of the late fight at Brentwood : " During yesterday the city was in a considerable state of excitement in consequence of rumors of a battle raging at Brentwood, about nine miles from Nashville. From all we can gather upon the subject, it appears that a large force of Confederate cavalry, supposed to be commanded by Generals Forrest, Wheeler and Wharton, crossed Harpeth River, about six miles above Franklin, and proceeded toward Brent- wood, where they encountered a Federal force under Lieu- tenant-Colonel Bloodgood, consisting of parts of the Thirty- third Indiana and Twenty-second and Nineteenth Wisconsin — in all about 400 men. A sharp contest ensued, in which the Federals lost one killed and four wounded, when they yielded to superior numbers. All the government property was also captured." Besides engaging almost daily in conflicts with the enemy, General Wheeler earnestly devoted himself to the instruction and discipline of his command. The condition of the cav- alry at this time rendered this very difficult, but still much 80 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. was accomplished. Frequent inspections and drills, when practicable, were exacted, and both theoretical and practical instruction given to all regimental officers. General Wheeler had, with great care, compiled a new and most excellent system of cavalry tactics, which, being adopted by General Johnston, added to the efficiency of our entire force of mounted troops. This -work was referred to by the Augusta Constitutionalist as follows : " WHEELER'S CAVALRY TACTICS. " The achievements of our young Augustan, Major-General Wheeler, has shed a luster upon his name, family and city which cannot soon be extinguished ; and we take pleasure in acknowledging the receipt, from the author, of the above valuable work. It is almost incredible that, in the midst of the exciting scenes of so active a branch of the service as the cavalry, an officer having the largest command in the Confederate service could find the leisure and have the additional energy necessary to prepare so extensive and elaborate a work. Several valuable elementary works, by good cavalry offi- cers, have been brought out, but none previous to ' Wheeler's Cavalry Tactics ' have been published, giving the entire cavalry drill. General Wheeler has, by the most careful study and com- parison of all the valuable cavalry tactics published in Europe and America, been able to furnish for the use of the .Confed- erate army a system of tactics which are equal to any European and superior to any American work. There are several very important points in which it dif- fers, and is superior to any other cavalry tactics published in this country : i st. The main feature is the ' Single Rank Formation,' which is very clearly demonstrated to be the only correct and efficient method of maneuvering cavalry. 2d. It presents a most perfect and complete system for the drill of cavalry in the school of the soldier, platoon, squad- ron, battalion and brigade. The plates are numerous and make clear every important evolution. 3d. The music is prepared with the greatest care, and is the same as that adopted by the best cavalry of Europe. AN ICE-CLAD PICKET. -Pages CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 8l These three points are a few which meet our attention upon limited examination. As an evidence of the value of the work we are informed that it has been adopted as the standard in the cavalry of Major-General Stephen D. L,ee, General Forrest, and in most of the cavalry of our service. Its pop- ularity and acceptance by the military has induced the pub- lishers to issue a third edition. We commend this work to the favorable attention of all officers and soldiers of the cavalry who desire to make them- selves thorough tacticians in that very useful arm of the ser- vice, the cavalry. The execution and style of the printing of the work bestows much credit upon the industry and energy of our Southern publishing interests, which the Messrs. Goetzel & Company have done so much to advance and improve." General Order No. 22.] Headquarters Army of Tennessee, DAI.TON, Ga., Feb. 17, 1864. The system of cavalry tactics prepared by Major-General Joseph. Wheeler is adopted for the use of the cavalry of the Army of Tennessee. By command of General Johnston: K. Fatxoner, A.A.O. At this time an unfortunate state of affairs existed in the infantry . A few of the highest infantry officers engaged in dis- cussions censuring General Bragg, and by using other means to effect his removal from the army, caused the confidence of the country in Bragg as a commander to become somewhat impaired. These officers were, however, rebuked by General Johnston, in the following : General Order No. 5.] Chattanooga, Tenn., Feb. 28, 1863. Deliberations or discussions among any class of military men, having the object of conveying praise or censure, or any mark of disapprobation toward their superiors, or others in the military service; the use of contemptuous and disrespectful language respecting superior officers, or the publication of anything calculated to lessen confidence in them, or weaken their authority , are to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, are prohibited by the Army Regulations, and are contrary to the Articles of War. All who thus offend, whatever their rank, render themselves liable to trial and punishment by court-martial. 82 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. Commanding officers will promptly apply the proper remedy for checking practices so very pernicious and mischievous in their tendencies where they prevail. By command of General Johnston: Benj. S. EwELL, A. A. O. General Wheeler continued Ms operations, striking the enemy at every opportunity, and early in March, learning that the garrison at Louisville had been reduced, he urged the plan of his making a raid upon that place, as shown by the following communication addressed to the commanding general : Headquarters Wheeler's Cavalry Division, McMinnvtllE, March 7, 1863. Captain: The enemy at Carthage came out to Rome yesterday, arresting citizens and foraging. Our troops at Liberty were too far off to know of the move- ment until it was too late to trouble them. Until Stone River falls a little we can only menace the enemy by sending out small parties. If we learn from Ellsworth's* operations that General Rosecrans is not ready to advance, we might make a successful raid into Kentucky. By preparing some boats we could leave Gainesboro and be in Louisville in five days, and if necessary be back to this point in ten days more. We could bring out a great quantity of provisions and other stores. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Jos. WHEELER. To Captain Kinloch Falconer, A. A. G. General Wheeler's application was returned with the fol- lowing indorsement : Headquarters Army of Tennessee, Tullahoma, March 8, 1863. Respectfully returned ; until satisfied the enemy will not advance, detach- ments cannot be made, but as soon as the force can be spared, it will be placed at your disposal. By command of General Bragg: Kinlock Falconer, A. A. 0. The enemy now commenced a series of demonstrations, pressing reconnoitering parties to our lines, but the skillful management of General Wheeler prevented them from effect- ing anything by their movements. During May and June, they became so frequent as to require Wheeler's constant attention, but their numerous attempts to break through our *An expert telegraph operator attached to Morgan's command. CAMPAIGNS OE WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 83 picket line, or capture our outposts, were without avail. Wheeler's line of pickets, as before stated, extended over a front of seventy miles, the entire length of which he visited, and, and by personal examination, so arranged as to take advantage of all topographical features. The following characteristic letter from the lamented Lieutenant-General Polk explains itself : Headquarters Polk's Corps, Shelbyville, March. 8, 1863, 7 p. m. General: Your dispatch of this date received. It is a pleasant thing to hear from you, as your statements are always so directly to the point. The forward movement reported by Colonel Smith is so like that made all along my front on Wednesday and Thursday that it reminds me of the young bird trying his wings before he finally leaves the nest. He seems to be feeling us all along our front, and I suppose we shall know before many days what his purposes are. I thank you for the reports of the enemy's corps commanders; they tell the whole story as satisfactorily as we could desire, considering it comes from the other side. Yours truly, To Major-Gen. Wheeler. Polk, Lt.-Gen. Headquarters Army of Tennessee, Tullahoma April 2, 1863. General: At the suggestion of the general, I write to say that Colonel Grenfell has forwarded many Inspection Reports of your command, which have afforded the general much gratification. I am, Very truly your friend, George William Brent, A. A. 6. To Major-Gen. Joseph Wheeler. Headquarters Army of Tennessee, Tullahoma, Tenn., April 23, 1863. General: The commanding General directs a concentration of your forces further south, and as nearly as possible on the line of the cavalry in our front. With the cavalry in front, you will connect your left. General Hardee's corps is now at Wartrace, in connection with this place. You will press the enemy back sufficiently to cover the McMinnville rail- way. Respectfully, your obedient servant, (596) W. W. Mackall, To Major-Gen. Joseph Wheeler. Chief of Staff. Headquarters Army of Tennessee, June 6 1863. General: General Bragg directs me to say that he telegraphed you this morning in 84 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. regard to the disposition of troops to be made, and that so soon as you have made the necessary arrangements for executing the order, he would like to- have you with him. Yours respectfully, Towson Eiais, A. D. C. To Major-Gen. "Wheeler, McMinnville. After the battle of Murfreesboro Bragg's army went into winter quarters at Tullahoma, but the quarters of Wheeler and his cavalry were literally "in the saddle." Whatever may be said of General Bragg (and his critics have been more numerous than kind), no one can truthfully say that he did not know how to use his cavalry and get out of them all the service of which they were capable. The infantry of our army were the most severe critics of the cavalry, but it was criticism born of sheer ignorance and prejudice. They did not know of, hence could not appre- ciate, the many miles of cavalry pickets by which they were surrounded, and which rendered their security possible while they remained comparatively idle for weeks or months at a time. While they had rations, though scant, issued to them with some degree of regularity, the cavalry rarely knew after eating one meal whence or when the next would come. Again, while the infantry had shelter of some kind, or could improvise it, the cavalry had early to learn to take the weather as it came, and to adopt the Indian's philosophy, " if rain come wet me, sun come dry me." Unfortunately, the sun did not always come until the rain had turned to sleet,, covering the horseman with an icy armor, while the icicles dangling from his horse's mane and tail would rattle like- beads. Appalling as all this would seem, it was not, however, with- out its uses, for it inured the men to hardships and taught them a contempt for personal comfort which enabled Wheeler's cavalry to do efficient service under conditions- where other troops could scarcely have existed. — (Editor.) CHAPTER IX. WHEELER COVERS RETREAT FROM TENNESSEE — ROSE- CRANS' ADVANCE — BATTLE OF SHELBYVILLE — WHEELER'S GALLANTRY — OUR WAGON TRAINS SAVED — ENGAGEMENT NEAR MARIETTA, 28TH — ENGAGEMENT NEAR TULLAHOMA, 29TH AND 30TH — EIGHT WITH NEGLEY — DEATH OF COLO- NEL WEBB — BATTLES OF NEW CHURCH AND OF UNIVER- SITY PLACE — WHEELER MEETS AND CHECKS RAID IN ALABAMA — ARTICLE BY DR. JOHN A. WYETH. Again this heroic soldier is called upon to cover the retreat of our army, as it left the fertile lands of that most hospitable and patriotic people of Middle Tennessee, and sought the line of the Tennessee river at Chattanooga. During this retreat occurred the desperate encounter at Shelbyville. Although his character for the most dashing bravery and the amiable traits of a noble officer had shone forth upon many a well-contested field, and in his intercourse with all those who came near him, with a full luster, it remained for this occasion to show to his generals, officers and soldiers, not only that the soul of the patriot beat in every movement he made, but that his generosity and nobleness of character could only seek the good of his country and people, despising self-aggrandize- ment. About the 21st of June, Rosecrans' movements and prepa- rations convinced General Wheeler that a forward movement was about to begin. Wharton was on picket in front of Shelbyville, extending to the right. Forrest was at Spring Hill with 3,000 men, to which place General Bragg had or- dered Brigadier-General Martin, with a force numbering nine hundred and thirty men. The intention was for Wheeler to take a portion of the troops at Spring Hill, and by a dash around Rosecrans' rear, capture his trains and create a diversion. 86 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. WHEELER EN ROUTE TO SPRING HILL. General Wheeler, with a detachment, skirted along the enemy's lines, engaging and driving back a division of their cavalry. He engaged them on the 22d, 23d and 24th on the Shelbyville Pike at Middletown, Unionville, Rover and Eagleville. Becoming assured during these engagements that Rose- crans' entire army was in motion, he hastened to Spring Hill, explained the situation to Forrest and Martin, the latter hav- ing only reached that place on the 24th with horses much jaded by travel over roads made difficult by recent rains. Orders were given to Generals Forrest and Martin to start with their commands early on the 25th, and make all possi- ble speed to Shelbyville. After seeing their columns in motion, General Wheeler dis- patched scouts to penetrate the enemy's picket-line and report the result to him in front of Shelbyville. He also awaited the arrival of scouts which had been directed to bring him information at Spring Hill. Then by riding rapidly, he reached General Bragg's headquarters about noon on the 26th. Chattanooga, Rosecrans' objective point, is less than thirty miles south of Shelbyville, while it is more than sixty miles to the east of that point, and as Rosecrans' most westerly column was on the pike leading directly from Murfreesboro to Shelbyville, General Wheeler argued that while engaging Bragg at that point, Rosecrans would throw his left wing upon our line of retreat to Chattanooga. Bragg's infantry was ordered to concentrate at Tullahoma, and the protection of these columns and the vast trains, as they struggled over a single and very bad road, was entrusted to General Wheeler and his command. Martin's troops had been heard from in camp as near the town as they could conveniently procure forage, and it was confidently expected that General Forrest with his command of three thousand men, most of whom had rested for some weeks, would, in compliance with orders, be at Shelbyville dur- CAMPAIGNS OP WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 87 ing the day, or at farthest during the night of the 26th. General Wheeler, therefore, placed Wharton at Wartrace to protect our right flank, directed Martin with his worn force of nine hundred men to reinforce Colonel Malone on the Murfreesboro pike, and sent orders to General Forrest to hasten with all speed possible, explaining to him the situa- tion, and reiterating that the enemy's cavalry corps, supported by infantry, was pressing down heavily on our front. A large portion of General Bragg's wagon trains had just left the town, and the roads blocked up by stalled and broken- down wagons, made their movement so slow that every effort to retard this dangerous column became necessary. General Wheeler reported the force as ten thousand cavalry, supported by a division of infantry. We see in vol. 10, Putman's Rebellion Record, page 319- that General Garfield, Rosecrans' Chief of Staff, officially stated the cavalry on June nth, including the 1,200 of the 1st Wis, consin Regiment, was 13,613 effective men. About noon on the 27th, General Martin, with one thou- sand men arrived at Shelbyville, after a severe march, in a drenching rain, which had damaged his ammunition, and most of his guns had become too wet to be fired. On the approach of the enemy from Murfreesboro, with 12,000 cavalry, supported by infantry under Generals Stanley and Granger, of which movement General Wheeler was fully advised, General Martin moved out and took position at the breastworks. General Wheeler soon joined him, but only in time to hear that two hundred of Martin's men, stationed about one mile to his left, had been run over and captured by a large force of the enemy. Two hundred more men stationed to our right, seeing the enemy between them and their main command, moved off on a by-road without engaging the enemy. Wheeler immediately assumed personal command of the remaining six hundred, and ordered their withdrawal to the town, which he deter- mined to hold, notwithstanding the condition of his guns and 88 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVAERY. ammunition, as above stated, until the arrival of General For- rest, which was momentarily expected. Not hearing from Forrest, General Wheeler dispatched Lieutenants L,owry and Harris, of his staff, to meet and ap- prise Forrest of the critical state of affairs, and urge the im_ portance of his prompt movement. Both these officers found General Forrest at a halt, but received assurance from him that he would move rapidly in the direction of the firing (which was then very loud and incessant), and would either join him on the pike, or, as suggested by Wheeler's message, he could make a warm attack upon the flank of the force Wheeler was so warmly engaging. General Forrest added: "Tell General Wheeler to, at all hazards, hold the town until I arrive, or I will be cut off, as the Shelbyville bridge is my only means of crossing Duck River." This flank attack could have been easily accomplished by taking a short cut by a cross-road, three miles shorter than by Shelbyville. General Forrest's wagons had, by General Wheeler's direc- tions, been sent by a southerly route to Tullahoma, so there was nothing to impede his movements, and while we were fighting this ponderous force of both infantry and cavalry, our brave little band were nerved with the conviction that each movement would bring to view the head of Forrest's column, which since early morning had been every minute expected. About eleven o'clock, Colonel Malone, with a heavy picket, was driven from his position by an overwhelming force of Federals ; but nothing daunted, we met, charged and hurled back the exultant enemy. This bold dash gave us a respite, and by the prompt use of such obstacles as we could com- mand, a successful resistance was maintained for some hours. The rear of General Polk's wagon train had just left Shel- byville entirely unguarded, while the greater part of the train was bogged up or broken down struggling over the almost impassable roads at a distance of less than five miles of the enemy. The vital importance of checking this column was fully appreciated by General Wheeler, and he fought with de- CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 89 termined courage. On reaching the town, the enemy charged with a large force three separate times upon its brave defend, ers, but the heroic Wheeler, leading his troops in person, most gallantly countercharged and checked their ponderous columns. Two hours were spent with varied fighting, the enemy deploying their forces as they came up until more than five thousand deployed troops faced Wheeler's small force of one-tenth that number. Having felt Wheeler's prowess al- ready too often, they hesitated to risk another charge. Wheeler seeing this, and feeling that Forrest would not come, determined to withdraw across Duck River, and thus extri- cate himself from so dangerous a position. This was nearly accomplished, when a body of some ten men, consisting of staff officers and commissary details from General Forrest, rode up to General Wheeler and begged him to return, saying that they had left General Forrest but a few minutes before, and that he was then but a few hundred yards up the road moving rapidly to his assistance. Wheeler, calling for volun- teers, immediately returned and placed his troops in position. This movement was observed by the enemy, and appearances of activity on their part were unmistakable. General Wheeler formed his command in front of the court- house and fought them heroically. Finally a column was seen moving rapidly down the road upon which Forrest was expected. Suddenly, as the column drew near, it was dis- covered they were Federals instead of friends. Three other heavy columns were pressing upon him. One of them had charged a portion of his forces and driven them over the Tullahoma bridge. Finding himself so completely sur- rounded, this gallant officer started the remainder of his command out of town, and remained with his escort and checked one column which threatened their destruction. •Charge after charge was made, and sabres flashed over the heads of many an invader. When entirely surrounded, Wheeler charged through a column which held his line of retreat, and might have him- self retired without further danger. He then saw that a 90 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. portion of his forces had been cut off, and the enemy held the' bridge over Duck river, which, if permitted without further resistance, would have enabled them to have pursued and overtaken the army trains. Regardless of his own life, he quickly gathered some fifty or sixty brave spirits, and hurled . himself upon the enemy's flank, driving them back into the town in utter confusion, opening the road for the escape of his command, and placing the wagon train out of danger- ■ The enemy rallied and charged again and again, but Wheeler met them with volleys of pistol shots and the clatter of sabres and repulsed them. The boldness and gallantry displayed in these charges have not been surpassed in the history of this Revolution, and counterbalanced the paucity of numbers. It was now sundown. The enemy, though victorious, had' been several times in full flight before Wheeler and his men. Everything but this little band was across Duck river safely, and the trains had been hurried on beyond the reach of dan- ger. Wheeler seeing an advancing column, was just about to charge again, when a staff officer caught his arm and pointed to his rear, where the Federals had surrounded him with another column. Wheeling quickly, he charged through it and plunged head-long into the river, then swollen to a mighty torrent, and, amid a shower of bullets, making the water fairly foam, he clambered up the opposite bank.' Of the sixty who formed this "forlorn hope," but thirteen escaped, and three of these were badly wounded. His first thought after crossing the river was to send to General Forrest, by a circuitous route, and explain how he could move out in safety. It was afterwards proved that Forrest never came nearer Shelbyville than the breastworks, from which place he sent in a scout and awaited its return. On hearing that the enemy were fighting General Martin's command, and thinking he could be of no service, he turned back and crossed the river some miles below town. General Wheeler was dressed in full uniform, and citizens and prisoners, taken early in the fight, described him so that the enemy easily recognized him and called to their men to CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. gi catch him. They afterwards told trie citizens of Shelbvville that they "had whipped "Wheeler that day, but that he was the bravest man in the world.' 1 '' It was a poor triumph to at- tain so small a result — after fighting for four hours, twelve thousand against six hundred. But for the desperate resis- tance they met, many of our trains would have been lost. The troops engaged at Shelbyville having obtained fresh supplies of ammunition, fully revenged themselves in the many brilliant and successful fights in which General Wheeler engaged the enemy in front of Tullahoma, at Allisonia Bridge, New Church, Elk River Bridge, University Place, and many Others, during that hazardous but successful retreat. The New York Tribune, in briefly alluding to this fight,, says : ' ' The Tribune's special dispatch from Manchester, Ten- nessee, of the 30th June, says General Thomas's Corps is in position four miles from Tullahoma. Details of the fight at Shelbyville, before our occupation of the place, show that the rebels were driven into the river, and over 100 were drowned." A Federal account from " Annals of the Army of the Cum- berland," page 449, says : " Meanwhile Generals Stanley and Granger marched on and took possession of Shelbyville, meet- ing with opposition from retiring rebel skirmishers, and are reported as having captured several pieces of cannon and some three hundred prisoners, among the latter a colonel and a lieutenant-colonel." The following from the correspondent of a Southern news- paper contains an interesting description of this engagement,, and also relates a touching incident, illustrating the devotion of Wheeler's men to their commander : " It is the opinion of many that in a volunteer body of men, like the Confederate Army, an officer who is a rigid discipli- narian will never be loved by his men. He may be admired for his bravery in battle, and respected for his qualities as a gentleman, but not loved. This is a great error. An officer can make himself odious with his men by taking advantage of his authority to oppress them, but as for discipline, there was never an officer in any army more of a martinet than. General Pat Cleburne, the ' meteor General,' who was ani- <92 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. ■versally loved by his men ; and General Wheeler was also .a strict disciplinarian, and his soldiers were enthusiastically devoted to him. I will give an instance of this devotion, which occurred at the fiercely contested cavalry battle of ■Shelbyville, Tennessee, fought on the 27th of June, 1863 : Previous to Bragg' s retreat from Tullahoma, he dispatched "Wheeler on an expedition through the Union portion of Middle Tennessee to subdue the band of bushwhackers which infested that section and, if possible, to capture the stronghold of Franklin (the place where Hood afterwards fought his memorable battle in the winter of 1864). Before Wheeler had executed his purpose his orders were counter- manded, and he was instructed to make all possible haste to Shelbyville and cover the rear of the infantry, which was then retreating. He divided his force, and sending one divi- sion by the way of Wartrace, pushed on with the remainder to Shelbyville. Hardly had he reached that place before he was attacked by an overwhelming force of Stanley's cavalry -and a division of mounted infantry under General McPherson. Wheeler's force numbered less than 1,800, and had been marching and fighting three days and nights, under a drench- ing rain nearly the whole time ; thus not less than half of the firearms were unfit for use; and the enemy's force num- bered 12,000, as they did not hesitate to admit after the fight. There was no alternative for Wheeler, however great ■this disparity of force, but to fight. The deep and rapid Duck River ran directly in his rear, only one small bridge spanning it, and it was impossible to cross his force under the heavy attack that was then being made upon him with- out having his men cut to pieces. His resolution was soon taken; his little force was drawn up a short distance in front of the town, and two regiments dismounted to check .the fierce charge which was immediately made by the Fed- eral cavalry. They held their ground gallantly for more than an hour, when a, brigade of Federals broke through the ranks of the dismounted regiment on the left and, pene- trating to the rear, necessitated the retreat of the other regi- ment. They were forced to stop, however, before they had -gone far, and fell back before the desperate charge of Wheeler, at the head of the 8th Confederate and 3d Alabama regiments, who cut to pieces the 4th Regulars and the 7th Michigan regiments. Wheeler here took advantage of his temporary •success to send three pieces of his artillery across the river CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 93, and all of his cavalry except about 400 men, detachments of the 51st Alabama Partisan Rangers and the two regiments, above mentioned. He rightly'concluded that an overwhelm- ing attack would be immediately made upon him which he could not resist successfully, and he did not wish to lose more men than was necessary. He picked out these 400 men, tell- ing them at the time that they would, in all probability, be- all killed or captured; that he selected them for the 'forlorn hope, ' and would stay with them himself, but gave each man the liberty of drawing out if he chose to do so. But none of them were made of that kind of stuff. Giving three cheers for the ' little bee hunter,' as Wheeler was familiarly called, by his soldiers, they declared themselves ready to stand by him to the last. The expected charge came ; Wheeler met it with a countercharge, and for the space of near a half hour one of the fiercest hand-to-hand combats of the war took place — sabres, pistols and the butt-end of carbines being freely used. Wheeler raged from right to left like a lion, cheering and encouraging his men, who nobly responded to his- appeals. Numbers at last began to prevail, however, and the enemy, recognizing Wheeler by his bright uniform, leveled their guns at him, with shouts of 'That's him!' 'Shoot, him ! ' etc. At this critical period, when the life of the gallant young hero hung in the balance, his little remnant of men, which now numbered only about fifty, rushed in front of their loved chief and received in their bodies the bullets intended for him. Their ammunition had given out long ago, they were too weak to charge, but they could and did save him by many of them dying themselves. What proof could be more positive than this of the reverence in which he was held by his men? Wheeler and those of his men not killed, wounded or taken prisoners jumped their horses off a bluff twenty feet high into the river, and swimming across, reached the other bank in safety, amid a perfect storm of bullets from the baffled and enraged Federals, who were grievously disap- pointed in not killing or capturing the redoubtable young cavalry leader who had beaten them on many hard-fought fields. Although in this fight Wheeler was penned up, as itwere,. with a river in his rear and an overwhelming force in his- front ten times the number of his own, and fighting under many other disadvantages* his loss was- only 380 killed,. 94 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. wounded and taken prisoners, while that of the enemy was over 500. This was the first time the Federal cavalry had forced Wheeler to fall back before them, and they were therefore highly elated. They imagined that they had forever broken his power, and had only to cross the river and pursue and bag him and the remainder of his men. Accordingly, after sacking the town, they crossed the river and rode all night in hot pursuit. But they were terribly mistaken as to the tem- per of their vigilant adversary. Having been reinforced by about five hundred Georgia and Tennessee cavalry, and his exhausted troopers having taken a little rest, the ever-active Wheeler, at daybreak the next morning, fell with desperate fierceness and earnestness on the straggling columns of the astonished Federals, who thought him flying for life, and sweeping them back to the river, lined its banks with their dead bodies. Thus did he repair his temporary reverse." — H. P. G. in Sunday Telegraph. The desperate encounter Wheeler sustained with the enemy at Shelbyville not only had the effect to check their advance on the day of the fight, but so thoroughly stunned this col- umn as to enable General Wheeler easily to hold them back on the 28th. During these engagements, Rosecrans was rapidly pushing heavy infantry columns toward Manchester ; thus turning Bragg's right flank. Wheeler hastened to oppose these col- umns, successfully fighting and checking their progress on the 28th near Manchester, and on the morning of the 29th near Tullahoma. In the latter engagement the brave Colo- nel Stearns, commanding one of Wheeler's brigades, was killed. Headquarters, 4 p. m., June 29, 1863 General Wheeler: It is of the very first importance that we should have positive information of the movements and extension of the enemy on our right. General Bragg urges you to ascertain where their left rests to-night, what kind of force and to observe it during the night so that it cannot make any movement more to our left that will not be reported from hour to hour, or, better, the moment it occurs. W. W. Mackall, Chief of Staff. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVAtRY. 95 Toward evening of the 29th the entire corps of General Thomas advanced upon Tullahoma, but the warmth of Wheeler's resistance soon brought them to a stand. Wheeler and his command continued to fight gallantly on the 30th, keeping Rosecrans' entire army from Bragg's po- sition at Tullahoma. At night Bragg withdrew his army to Elk River, leaving Wheeler to cover the retreat and check the advancing enemy. At noon Rosecrans advanced, driving back Wheeler, who finally was obliged to yield the town and forts at Tulla- homa. General Thomas, chagrined at Bragg's escape, pressed for- ward with great vigor, in the hope that his trains and artillery could be overtaken and captoed at Elk River bridge. In this engagement Lieutenant-Colonel Webb, of the 51st Ala- bama Partisan Rangers, fell, mortally wounded. An incident connected with the death of this gallant officer and Christian gentleman is well worthy of record here, if for no other rea- son than to show that an officer does not necessarily sacrifice the affections of his men by holding them to strict discipline. Company K of Colonel Webb's regiment had been recruited from various sources, and was largely composed of a decidedly tough element. These men were generally in front when a fight was on, but in camp they were impatient of restraint. Colonel Webb had apparently incurred the bitter resentment of almost the entire company by his efforts to reduce them to proper discipline, and they were frequently loud in their com- plaints. Yet, strange to say, when he received his mortal wound, who should it be but a member of K company to first reach his Colonel's side, remaining with him, tenderly nursing - ' June 29, 1863, 4:15 p. m. Generai, Wheei.ee. : The important question to us now is what progress the enemy is making to pass our right and interrupt our communications. The General does not so much feel anxiety about the troops marching on Hillsboro road to this place as on the Hillsboro road to Estelle Spring. Try and get it soon and accurate. W. W. Mackau,, Chief of Staff. 96 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. him until he died. This was Private John Money Henderson, now (1899) a respected citizen of Tampa, Fla. Negley's entire division was deployed, and with heavy sup- porting columns and with flanks covered with cavalry, they pressed forward with great vigor. By skillfully selecting his position, General Wheeler fought stubbornly at every availa- ble point, at one time charging over their skirmish line, and at dusk engaged Negley so warmly that he fell back from the field. General Bragg's infantry, artillery and trains were now south of the river, and at dark Wheeler withdrew, and dur- ing the night thoroughly destroyed the bridge, and placed guards at all the crossings of the river. 'This virtually terminated the danger attending Bragg's position, and completely defeated Rosecrans in his attempt to strike his flank or line of retreat, or press him to an une- qual battle in crossing either the Elk or the Tennessee. Every wagon and all material had been removed, and since leaving Hoover's Gap, Bragg's infantry had never been nearer than within five miles of the enemy. Page 119, the Annual Cyclopedia for 1863, says : "General Thomas moved rapidly to strike the enemy. The resistance of General Wheeler was so stubborn that General Negley was delayed until the trains of the enemy had crossed Elk River. They crossed the reserve artillery, consisting of 26 pieces. July 2, 12:30 A. M. General: General Bragg directs me to send the following dispatch, through Gen- eral Hardee to you ; to save time I send it direct. You will, I expect, however, receive it from General Hardee also. The order is as follows : Give the following order from General Bragg to General Wheeler : Cross your cavalry at once to this side of the river by the Sillisonia bridge. So soon as your cavalry are across, destroy the bridge yourself if it is not destroyed by General Cheatham. You will report the destruction of the bridge to General Hardee promptly. Very respectfully, I,. Polk, Major-Gen. Wheeler, Lt.-Gen. Com'dg. Commanding Cavalry. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVAERY. 97 The next day Rosecrans, after a sharp fight, succeeded in forcing a crossing, and commenced an advance, vigorously op- posed by Wheeler. At New Church their cavalry attempted to push ahead of their infantry, which Wheeler attacked and totally defeated. On the 3d, we again fought successfully, and on the 4th, our army having crossed the mountain, General Wheeler attacked and drove back the enemy at University Place, de- feating them so completely as to cause them to discontinue their pursuit, thus enabling General Bragg to cross the Ten- nessee river without molestation. In these movements General Wheeler seldom received any orders, except general directions to cover the retreat of our army and to keep the infantry commanders informed regard- ing the enemy, the manner of conducting this great work being ieft to his judgment and discretion. The admiration of every student of this campaign must be elicited when he considers that every attempt of the en- emy to strike Bragg's flank, or otherwise come into contact with the main army, was baffled by Wheeler and his cavalry, July 2, 1863, 1 : 30 p. M. Orders.'] Polk's corps will move to Cowan ; Hardee's corps on the road to Brake- field Point. The movement will commence at daylight this morning ; Har- dee will send a brigade to Brakefield Point and halt the main body at the junction of his route of march with the road leading from Deckard to Brake- field Point until the communications between Cowan and Brakefield Point are examined. 2d. The reserve under Buckner will precede Polk's corps to Cowan. 3d! Wheeler's corps will observe the Elk, dispute the passage if attempted, cover the rear of the army until the corps are in position, then move to enemy's right and harass his march. He will send troops to destroy the road leading from Winchester and Stevenson, and defend the railway against any attempt on the part of the enemy. By order of General Bragg: ■ W. W MiCUW, 3 Chief of Staff. The three Generals will keep each other and the General-in-Chief fully informed from time to time of their progress and dispositions. W. W. MaCkaw-, Chief of Staff. 98 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. although the army was eight days in marching a distance of but forty miles. A Federal account taken from the "Annals of the Army of the Cumberland," page 447, says: "Thomas moved rapidly, in hopes of striking the enemy, moving nearly direct east to get to the military road built by Bragg, par allel with and about five miles east of the railroad. The division of General Negley encountered the enemy at a point four miles north of Elk River, and skirmished all day. The enemy's rear-guard under Wheeler made a stubborn resist- ance, delaying Negley so that the rebel trains got beyond the river. During the night, by great exertion, Bragg escaped with his reserve of artillery, 26 pieces, across Elk River at Estelle Springs, and reached the mountain. The enemy burnt the bridges, and the rear-guard took up positions in hastily built works on the opposite side of the river." Much had been expected of this great flank movement of Rosecrans. The Federal Government calculated with confi- dence that Bragg would be forced to battle north of the Ten- nessee, and it will be seen that, had Rosecrans marched five miles a day, this result would have been accomplished. That this large force of Federal infantry, nearly 100,000 strong, supported as it was by over 13,000 cavalry, failed to move with sufficient rapidity to accomplish this or any other object, was due to the skillful manner in which the retreat was covered and the enemy retarded by our cavalry under General Wheeler, and his so bravely fighting the leading col- umns of the enemy at every favorable position as they ad- vanced. To this must be added his thoroughly acquainting himself with the topography of the country, so that no point was left unguarded. Bridges were held and preserved so long as they served us a purpose, and then invariably destroyed before they could be seized and made available by the enemy. General Howard, in an article upon the campaign in 1863, in accounting for their difficulties in making progress, said : "Wheeler was everywhere," and certainly Rosecrans can in the same manner account for his failure in this campaign. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEFLFR AND HIS CAVALRY. 99 Van Horn's History of the Army of the Cumberland, page 307, says : " After our army had reached Chattanooga, the enemy started a large cavalry raid into Alabama. General Wheeler frustrated this raid by meeting it at the Tennessee River. After many vain attempts to effect a crossing, the enemy was compelled to abandon the expedition." Our army being now withdrawn to the south side of the Tennessee, and concentrated at Chattanooga, General Wheeler was assigned to guarding the river from Chattanooga to the Mississippi line, while General Forrest was directed to guard the river above Chattanooga. During this time Rosecrans was moving toward Chatta- nooga. Being detained on other duty, General Wheeler sent his scouts under Colonel Dick McCann, Colonel William S. Hawkins and Captain Carter to operate on Rosecrans's communications in Tennessee. They continually harassed the enemy, capturing considerable property and numbers of Special Order No. 179.} Headquarters Army oe Tennessee, July 7, 1863. II. Major-General Wheeler will guard the Tennessee River below Kelley's Ford, and Brigadier-General Forrest above that ford. By command of General Bragg: To Major-Gen. Wheeler, H. H. Walter, a. a. G. Commanding Cavalry Corps. Special Order No. 194.} Headquarters Army of Tennessee, July 22, 1863. IV. General Wheeler is assigned to the command of all cavalry west of the Atlanta and Chattanooga railroad, so as to include the command of Col- onel Roddy. He will proceed at once to establish his headquarters at Gadsden, and take measures to intercept all raids. By command of General Bragg: H. W. WALTER, A. A. G. To Major-Gen. Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry Corps. IOO CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. prisoners. In reply to a letter to General Rosecrans, Colonel Hawkins received the following : Headquarters U. S. Forces, Nashville, Tenn., July 28, 1863. Colonel W. S. Hawkins, Commanding Scouts Wheeler's Corps: Colonel: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communi- cation sent to me by prisoners paroled by you. The following is the General's reply: Headquarters Dept. op the Cumberland, July 25, 1863. The General commanding directs that in view of the courteous and hon- orable manner in which Colonel Hawkins, commanding Wheeler's scouts, has borne himself, an equal number of Confederate prisoners (those lie named) may be paroled and sent through the lines. Signed: J. A. Garfield, Brig. -Gen. and Chief of Staff. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. S. Granger, Brig.-Gen. Commanding Post. Under date of July 29, 1863, the Macon (Ga.) Confederate pays the following just tribute to the ability of General Wheeler, and refers to the peculiarly arduous services our cavalry were compelled to perform : ' ' Among the many gallant men who have reflected honor upon Georgia by their noble daring in the field, none are more deserving of praise and admiration than Major-General Wheeler. At an age — for he is but twenty-six — when mdst men are just beginning life, he has attained by his sword and his talents a position among the leaders of our army of which Georgia may be justly proud. ' ' The duties and hazards of the cavalry service have never been fully appreciated by the people. On the watchfulness, courage and endurance of that branch of the service the safety of the entire army depends. Always between our forces and the enemy, they know no peace and enjoy no rest. Compelled to picket the entire front of the army, to guard every road to its approach, to reconnoitre andjfe^ the enemy, they are engaged in a constant series of skirmishes, and com- pelled continually to shift their position. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. IOI "To overlook and direct these constant movements, ex- tending necessarily over a large extent of country, demands vigilance, activity and discretion. These qualities General Wheeler possesses in an eminent degree. He has an old head on young shoulders. No gay knight errant of the mid- dle ages is he, rushing into danger merely to show how he can fight out of it, and leading his followers into brilliant but useless dashes on the foe, but a wise, brave and vigilant offi- cer of the nineteenth century, capable of leading an army and conducting a campaign ; preserving amid the roar of cannon and the clash of steel an heroical calmness which is never disturbed, and which gives tone and confidence to the enthu- siasm of his troops. The services he has rendered to the Army of Tennessee are invaluable; General Bragg and his lieutenants know how to appreciate him. " In manner, General Wheeler is quiet but affable. Unlike many, officers, he is courteous to soldier or civilian, and never so far forgets his own dignity as to be guilty of the weakness of 'putting on airs.' In short, besides being an officer of high and distinguished ability, he is an accomplished and thorough gentleman. Such is Major-General Joseph Wheeler of Georgia. Well may the State be proud of her gallant son." Dr. John A. Wyeth, son of Hon. Louis Wyeth, so long be- loved and honored as one of Alabama's best judges, was at that time a private in Wheeler's cavalry, and in an article in Harper's Weekly of June 18th, 1898, gives such a graphic de- scription of this battle that one can almost hear the rattle of the carbines and see the rush and conflict of opposing forces. An extract from his pen, as bright and incisive as the surgical instrument he wields with so much skill, will not be out of place here : " Of about a score of such ' scraps,' some of which of larger growth have passed to a place on the bloodiest pages of his- tory, the writer does not recall a contest which, for downright pluck in giving and taking heavy knocks through several hours, surpasses this Shelbyville 'affair.' The carbines and rifles were flashing and banging away at times, and scatter- ing shots, when the game was at long range, and then, when a charge came on and the work grew hot, the spiteful sharp explosions swelled into a crackling roar like that of a cane- I02 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. brake on fire, when, in a single minute, hundreds of the boiler-like joints have burst asunder. Add to all the whiz- zing, angry whirl of countless leaden missiles which split the air about you, the hoarse, unnatural shouts of command — for in battle all sounds of the human voice seem out of pitch and tone ; the wild, defiant yells and the answering huzzas of the opposing lines ; the plunging and rearing of frightened horses, the charges here and there of companies or squadrons which seem to be shot out from the main body as flames shoot out of a house on fire ; here and there the sharp, quick cry from some unfortunate trooper who did not hear one leaden mes- senger — for only those are heard which have passed by ; the heavy, soggy striking of the helpless body against the ground ; the scurrying runaway of the frightened horse, as often into danger as out of it, whose empty saddle tells the foe that there is one rifle less to fear. All these sights and sounds go to make up the confusing medley of a battle-field. So for nearly three hours passed this little fight. " The enemy were repulsed in the attack on the center of the Confederate line. Time and again they assaulted the plucky little band, each time to be driven back in confusion. General Wheeler was everywhere, encouraging and animating the men to stand firm. His reputation for ubiquity, for dash, for ' bull-dog obstinacy,' and for ' nerves of steel ' was never so well earned as on that day when he ,saved the wagon trains of Bragg's army and rescued Forrest from disaster. About 5 o'clock in the afternoon, when there was a comparative lull in the attack, General Wheeler, leaving where they were Colonel A. A. Russell's Fourth Alabama Cavalry, consisting of about 200 men, with orders to ' stand until they were ridden down, and then for every man to take care of himself,' withdrew the rest of his command to the south bank of the river. " The last wagon had crossed the bridge, the cavalry and artillery were all safely over the river, and the bridge was about to be fired, when Major Rambeau, of General Forrest's staff, rode up and informed General Wheeler that General Forrest, with two brigades, was within two miles of Shelby- ville and coming at a rapid rate to cross the river. General Wheeler at once appreciated the danger in which General Forrest was placed. Although the enemy was already in strong force in the outskirts of the town, General Wheeler, calling for volunteers to follow him, with the gallant General CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. IO3 Martin and 500 men of his division and with two pieces of artillery, recrossed the river to charge the enemy and drive them back and hold the bridge until Forrest could cross. " It was a generous and a daring deed, and characteristic of the impetuous and self-sacrificing man he has ever been. " Although he and Martin charged the enemy with great intrepidity, and for a while drove them back, the odds were too great. The Union cavalry rallied and charged them in turn, riding through and over them. The two pieces of artil- lery — having nothing but solid shot — were of but little use. The enemy sabred the gunners, and passing on took posses- sion of the bridge. Adopting the narrative of the old trooper before mentioned, a regiment of the enemy came down the river in our rear and took possession of a little island in the middle of the river above the bridge. They also formed a line of battle parallel with the river and seemed satisfied that they had Wheeler hemmed in with no possibility of escape. When the General saw this he gave the words : ' Every man take care of himself the best he can. ' With sabre drawn, myself by his side, cutting his way through the enemy, he made for the bank of the river. Fortunately the stream was swollen. Shot at with carbines and pistols and cut at with sabres, he put spurs to his horse and plunged down the steep bank into the river, I following him as best I could, the en- emy shooting at us from flank and rear, from island and from river bank. Undaunted, the General swam right on to the opposite bank and rallied his men on the other side. I was less fortunate, getting no further than the island, where I was captured. " General Wheeler, sword in hand, hat off, charging through the enemy's line and leaping down the precipitous river bank, presented a picturesque sight rarely witnessed in battle. It is estimated that about fifty men were lost in this daring attempt to escape. This movement of General Wheeler, in recrossing the river, was not necessary to save General Bragg's wagon train ; that had already been accomplished ; but it was done on a grand impulse to save from disaster Gen- eral Forrest, an officer who, with all his magnificent genius and brilliant success when commanding alone, was a little restive under the orders of his superiors. There is in all his- tory no nobler or more chivalrous act than was performed by this young cavalry leader on this eventful day." CHAPTER X. BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA — ROSECRANS CROSSES THE TEN- NESSEE RIVER — WHEELER FIGHTS M'COOK AND STANLEY — FIGHT IN M'LEMORE'S COVE, SEPTEMBER 17TH AND AT OWEN'S FORD, SEPTEMBER 18TH — BATTLES OF I9TH AND 20TH — PRISONERS AND GUNS CAPTURED — BATTLE OF 2 1ST — WHEELER'S SUCCESS — HE DRIVES ENEMY INTO CHATTANOOGA — WHEELER STARTS TO CROSS THE TEN- NESSEE RIVER — DRIVES ENEMY FROM LOOKOUT MOUN- TAIN — THE ' ' THREE MUSKETEERS. ' ' On the 29th of August Rosecrans commenced crossing the Tennessee with his army ten miles below Bridgeport. Wheeler concentrated his troops to oppose the enemy's advance. McCook's corps and Stanley's cavalry moved into Wills Valley ; Thomas's corps into McLemore's Cove, while Crittenden's corps moved up toward Chattanooga. After considerable fighting with Wheeler's command, McCook and (No. 1) Headquarters Army in the Field, Near Snow Hill, Sept. 8, 1863, 11:30 p. m. General : Concentrate your main force at once on Lafayette, leaving sufficient guards for the passes. Yhe enemy is over the mountain in McLemore's Cove; we will concentrate to-morrow within five miles of Lafayette. Send trusty messengers with General Bragg's order to General Forrest to move his whole force at once upon Lafayette. I am, General, Very respectfully, Major-Gen. Wheeler, George W. Brent, A. A. G. Summerville. (No. 2) Headquarters Army of Tennessee, Lafayette, Sept. 12, 1863, 10 a. m. General: The General commanding directs that you bring up one-half of your command to this place, examining well the passes on your left as you come up. The other half you will send to Villanow. I am, very respectfully, To Major-Gen. Wheeler, George W. Brent, A. A. Q. On Summerville Road. WHEELER'S FAMOUS LEAP, NEAR SHELBYVILLE, TENN. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. I05 Stanley forced their way over Lookout Mountain to Alpine. On the 30th General Stanley started with his entire corps, pursuant to Rosecrans's orders, to destroy our railroad com- munication. Wheeler attacked, defeated and drove him back upon McCook's command. Fighting continued daily until the 17th, when, pursuant to orders, Wheeler pushed through Dug and Catlett's Gaps, and making a vigorous attack, captured a number of prisoners. On the 18th, Wheeler hada severe engagement near Owen's Ford, in which he overcame a large force of the enemy, cap- turing both prisoners and property. Besides guarding all the mountain passes by which the enemy could turn our (No. 3) Special Orders 24S.J Headquarters Army of Tennessee, In the Field, Lafayette, Ga., Sept. 11, 1863. * ********* * X. "Wheeler's cavalry, leaving a small force to observe the roads south, will pass through Dug and Catlett's Gaps, press the enemy, secure some prison- ers if possible, and join our flank near Grass Mills. By command of General Bragg : George W. Brent, A. A. G. {No. 4) lN TH E FiEi,d, Leet's Tan Yard, September 17, J863. GEnerai,: The General desires that you will relieve at night the infantry pickets at Blue Bird, Dug and Catlett's Gaps, and as soon as the infantry of Lieutenant- General Hill shall return, which will be in the morning, you will cover well with your cavalry our rear and left flank. You will maintain your pickets at Catlett's Gap as long as you deem them safe. I am, General, Your obedient servant, George W. Brent, A. A. Q, Major-Gen. Wheeler, Dug Gap. (N 0- 5 ) Headquarters Army of Tennessee, Tedford's Ford, Sept. 17, 1863, 8:15 a. m. General: The General desires that you will move forward without delay and develop the enemy. I am, General, Your obedient servant, George W. Brent, A. A. O. To Major-Gen. Wheeler, Commanding Corps. 106 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. flank, General Wheeler with his command bore a prominent part on the battle-field of Chickamauga, being hotly engaged during both days of the battle, as well as for several days preceding and succeeding that eventful struggle, making fre- quent charges upon the enemy's lines with telling effect. During the 19th and 20th of September, his command cap- tured about 2,000 prisoners, a large train of wagons and ambulances, large stipplies of medical stores, several stands of colors, a fine battery, and other valuable property. On the 19th, Wheeler with his main force took position on the immediate left of our army. With most of his com- mand dismounted, he fought the enemy's infantry with great success. Towards evening he forced the passage of Chicka- mauga Creek, warmly attacking the enemy, driving him from two positions, and securing a number of prisoners. (No. 6) Headquarters Army of Tennessee, In the Field, LEET's Tan Yard, Sept. 18, 1863, 11 p. m. General : The enemy have crossed at Owen's Ferry in force. Place yourself across their line of march and retard their movement, covering General Hill until the movement on our right flank is completed in the morning. I am, General, Very respectfully, To Major-Gen. Wheeler, Kjnloch Falconer, A. A. Q. Commanding Cavalry Corps. (No. 7) Headquarters Army Tennessee, Tedford's Ford, Sept. 19, 1863. General : General Bragg directs that you immediately remove your command to- near this place. Very respectfully, Kinloch Falconer, A. A. O. To Major-Gen. Wheeler, Commanding Corps. (No. 8) Headquarters Army Tennessee, Tedford's Ford, Sept. 19, 1863. General: General Breckinridge has been withdrawn from his position in front of Lee and Gordon's Mills, and the General commanding desires that you will closely observe this point. You will send a sufficient force for this purpose^ Respectfully, Major-Gen. Wheeler. George W. Brent, A. A. G. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 10 J On the morning of the 20th, the fight was renewed, Wheeler again forcing a crossing of the creek, and attack- ing a division of the enemy with his dismounted men. He drove the enemy from their works, and, taking advantage of the -confusion of their retreat, charged over them with his cavalry, capturing many prisoners, horses, wagons and other property, and driving them in confusion to within a few hun- dred yards of Rosecrans's headquarters at Crawfish Spring. This bold and dashing movement so disconcerted the enemy as to have a decided effect upon the fortunes of the day ; they considering the attack more formidable than it really was, hastily sent reinforcements to their retreating troops, thus weakening other important points of their line. This attack appears to have been attributed to Iyongstreet, as in describing the operations of the 20th, many of the Fed- eral newspaper correspondents stated in letters written just after the battle that "at eleven o'clock Longstreet with a large force flanked their right at Crawfish Spring." The general tenor of the movements of our army were toward the front and right, which soon brought Wheeler to Gordon's Mill, where he attacked a new and apparently fresh body of infantry, cavalry and artillery, which, yielding one position after another, was soon forced into a hasty and disorderly retreat, our troops capturing prisoners, wagons,, horses, small arms and guns, as the enemy were driven from successive positions. Wheeler continued pressing them until darkness prevented further pursuit. In three hours he had driven the enemy five miles, and captured over twelve hun- (No. 9) Headquarters Army in the Field, September 20, 1863, 5 p. m. General: Your dispatch No. 66 just received. The tidings from all parts of the field cheering. Enemy has been driven back from all parts. "We have twenty- two pieces of artillery from the enemy. I/angstreet is now engaged warmly on the left, pressing the enemy back. We dispatched you about two o'clock to attack the enemy at Gordon's Mills. His force there must be repulsed. Respectfully, To Major-Gen. Wheeler. George W. Brent, A. A. G. I08 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. dred prisoners, a battery and several hundred wagons and horses. WHEELER'S VICTORY AT CHATTANOOGA VALLEY. At daylight on the morning of the aist General Wheeler pushed forward with part of his troops and found the enemy fortified in a gorge of the mountain or ridge which separated Chattanooga valley from the battle-field of the preceding day. Deeming it imprudent to attack this position, he moved rapidly to a pass some two miles below, crossed over into the valley and marched up toward Chattanooga, thus placing himself directly in rear of Rosecrans's right flank. This being discovered by the enemy, had the effect to hasten their retreat from the gorges before mentioned. Wheeler was now in a narrow valley close to the enemy's main forces, and entirely separated from our troops. A heavy column of cavalry moved out of Chattanooga to attack him. At the same time another large force approached, marching up the valley toward Rosecrans's main position. Wheeler immediately attacked the first column, defeated and drove it in disorder back toward Chattanooga. Then leaving his own escort and one regiment (Eighth Texas Rangers) to hold this defeated column in check, provided they should again attempt to advance, he moved with the remainder of his force, thus reduced to scarcely a thousand men, upon the other column, which proved to be a brigade of five regiments of cavalry, numbering not less than 2,000 men, guarding a large and rich train of wagons. He skillfully disposed his troops, and placing himself at the head of his com- mand, charged with such vigor that the enemy's lines were broken, and the whole mass swept down the valley. Away they went, with our gallant cavalier in hot pursuit, keeping up a running fight for seven miles, killing and wounding large numbers. Four hundred and fifty prisoners were taken, and the remainder of the command completely routed and dispersed, many of whom were picked up on the following day. The entire train of wagons fell into our hands, and the CAMPAIGNS OP WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 109 Federal commander escaped with only about seventy-five men, half of whom were dismounted. During this and the previous day's fighting eighteen stands of colors were cap- tured by Wheeler and his cavalry. On the 2 2d General Wheeler again engaged the enemy, driving them into Chattanooga, and fighting them from their fortifications near the town. While he was fighting in this position General Mcl,aws, with a division of infantry, was pressing the enemy's left. During the fight Wheeler received the following dispatches from General Bragg : Headquarters Army of Tennessee, Near Red House Ford, September 22, 1863. General: Trie General commanding desires me to say that we are closely pressing the enemy on our right. He wishes you to push him closely and vigorously on our left. I am, Very respectfully, Kinloch Falconer, A. A. G. Major-Gen. Wheeler. Headquarters Army op Tennessee, Red House, Sept. 22, 1863, 6:30 p. m. General: You had better press the enemy hotly and vigorously as long as he re- mains this side of the river. I am, General, Very respectfully, George W. Brent, A. A. G. To Major-Gen. Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry Corps. Headquarters Army oe Tennessee, Red House, Sept. 22, 1863. General: The General commanding directs that you will at once cross the Ten- nessee River and press the enemy, intercept and break up all his lines of communication and retreat. I am, General, Very respectfully, George W. Brent, A. A. G. To General Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry Corps, P. S. Major-General McLaws has reported that the enemy are crossing the river on their pontoons. Brigadier-General Forrest has also been ordered to cross the Tennessee. Forrest will cross on the right ; you had better get into the mountains and cross on the left, if practicable. Press the enemy ' hotly. Yours, etc., George W. Brent, A. A. G. IIO CAMPAIGN'S" OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. Headquarters Army of Tennessee, Near Chattanooga, Sept. 23, 1863. General: The commanding General directs that, before crossing the Tennessee, you ascend Lookout Mountain and sweep up towards Chattanooga, clearing the top of the mountain of the enemy. Respectfully, George w. Brent, A. A. O. To Major-Gen. Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry. Headquarters Army of Tennessee, Near Chattanooga, Sept. 23, 1863. General: After executing the order clearing the top of Lookout Mountain, you will suspend the execution of the order to cross the Tennessee River. Respectfully, George W. Brent, A. A. G. General Wheeler received the order to cross the Tennessee River at dark. In ten minutes his troops were in motion and he marched twenty miles before encamping. On the 23d, while en route, orders overtook him directing that instead of crossing the river, he should ascend Lookout Mountain and drive off the enemy, which still held the mountain, much to our disadvantage. The ascent was promptly executed, and by dark Wheeler had driven all the enemy's forces to their fortifications at Point Lookout. Having marched forty miles during the day, he reached this point with only his advance-guard of about three hundred men ; but being unwilling to delay the attack, he (after learning the enemy's position by a personal reconnaissance) dismounted his men and made a night assault upon the enemy's fortifications, driving him off the (No. 10) (Extract.) Circular.'] Headquarters Army of Tennessee, Missionary Ridge, September 30, 1863. IV. Hereafter no recruits will be received in the cavalry service in the .army. By command of General Bragg: GEORGE Wm. Brent, A. A. G. To Major-Gen. Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. Ill precipitous edge of Point Lookout, and capturing a consid- erable amount of equipage and clothing. (Extract from the Augusta Constitutionalist. ) "GLORIOUS NEWS FROM BRAGG — ROSECRANS'S ARMY HEMMED IN — OUR FORCES IN POSSESSION OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN. "Atlanta, Sept. 26. — Our lines extend around Chatta- nooga within striking distance. Our forces are well up to the front with full supplies close at hand. " On Wednesday night our cavalry occupied Cooper's Gap on Lookout Mountain, twelve miles from Chattanooga. That night General Wheeler made a reconnaissance toward Lookout Mountain and found an infantry force of the enemy, which he drove away. "The mountain is now held by Longstreet. The enemy's operations are plainly seen from Lookout." We make the following extract from General Wheeler's official report : The results of the operations of the cavalry under my com- mand during the battle of Chickamauga were, first, guarding the left flank of the army for a distance of 90 miles during and for twenty days preceding the battle, during which time it continually observed and skirmished with the enemy, re- pelling and developing all of his designs. During the battle, with the available force (which never exceeded 2,000 men) not on other duty (such as guarding the flanks) we fought the enemy vigorously and successfully, killing and wounding large numbers, and capturing 2,000 prisoners, 100 wagons and teams, a large amount of other property, and 18 stands of colors, all of which were turned over to the proper authorities. To Generals Wharton and Martin, commanding divisions, and Colonels Wheeler, Morgan, Crews and Harrison, com- manding brigades, I tender my thanks for their zeal, energy and gallantry during the engagement. Signed: Jos. Wheeler, Major- General. 113 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. The Three Musketeers. War is a serious thing at best, and no matter what the issue, much of sadness and sorrow must inevitably result. It would be a mistake, though, to suppose that the soldier is usually sad, or even frequently so. On the contrary, there is probably more genuine good humor and good fellowship in an army than in any other great aggregation of men. The hardships Wheeler's men endured would have seemed to a civilian or modern soldier simply appalling, yet ask almost any grizzled old veteran who ' ' galloped with the old gang, ' ' and he will tell you that he had more fun than he ever had before or has had since. The best soldiers were ever ready for a fight or frolic, and not infrequently mixed the two together. In turning over some of the musty leaves of memory, the editor recalls three choice spirits, belonging to an Alabama regiment of cavalry, who reminded him much of the "Three Musket- eers" described by Alexander Dumas. As Dumas' three were really four, so these three had been four. But one recklessly threw his life away in the early part of our campaigns, and I regret that I cannot now even recall his name. This left but three, and a gayer or gamer trio probably never existed. They were always together whenever possi- ble, and were prolific in expedients to make it often possible. Together they " rustled for rations," hunted for buttermilk, and sometimes something stronger. They were not regularly detailed as scouts, but there was rarely a scouting party organ- ized unless George and Ben and Bill were selected. They were only boys in age, the eldest not over 21, and the youngest barely 18. But they could ride anything that went on four legs, seemed utterly tireless, and if earlier in their career they had encountered anything of which they were afraid, it had at this time ceased to exist. I have thought that their courage was somewhat like that of a child who is indifferent to danger because it cannot comprehend its exist- CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 113 etice. George had been a circus rider, and I believe could have ridden a horse standing on his head. The last I saw of them was September 9th, 1863, just pre- ceding the battle of Chickamauga, and they were having more fun than a cage full of monkeys. They had scouted all over Lookout Mountain, sometimes under orders and with a definite object in view, but as often without orders or aim except to search for adventures. They nominally belonged with a detachment commanded by Lieutenant William Pel- ham, but as they were a little impatient of restraint, he allowed the " three fools," as they were frequently called, to do pretty much as they pleased, knowing of course that they might be killed or captured, but believing the chances were largely in favor of their killing or capturing some of the enemy. They were driven from the mountain by Rosecrans's army, but kept in front of it for two days, often in speaking and generally in shooting distance. They were " playing like " they were an army, and though I have forgotten how the other two were armed, I remember that Bill represented the artillery, and carried what he called a "cannon." He had a short time before got himself into a tight place and lost his gun, and nearly everything else he had, being glad, as be expressed it, to get out with his "hide and his hoss." Going to the ordnance wagon , he found an old Belgian rifle about six feet in length, and with a bore nearly an inch in diameter. It was really a powerful weapon, and as the owner expressed it, " could shoot a mile and cracked like a six-pounder." One day a detachment of the regiment was deployed as skirmishers, lying down behind a fence about one thousand yards from the enemy's line. Between the two lines was a Federal sharpshooter, and he was making it decidedly inter- esting to any of our men who showed their heads. He was out of range of most of our guns, and Bill suggested that he turn loose his ordnance on him. 8w 114 CAMPAIGNS OF WHETHER AND HIS CAVALRY. As a preliminary and to determine trie exact location of the enemy, Ben took off his coat and put it on the end of his gun, then put his hat on top of that and carefully edged it up over the fence, to represent a man cautiously peeping over. The dummy had scarcely cleared the top rail when crack went the enemy's rifle, and almost simultaneously Bill's artillery roared. When the smoke cleared away we saw a blue-coat on the double quick to get back to his own lines. The cannon had evidently made the situation uncomfortable, to say the least. The same afternoon Bill's artillery made a little more fun for the " Three Musketeers." They were mounted this time, and picking their way towards the enemy's line in search of more adventures, when they met a negro. He was almost •out of breath from running, and had in his hand a fiddle, probably his most precious possession. "Do, for God Almighty's sake, don't go down dar, boss," he exclaimed. " Dey is right down dar by de blacksmith shop." The boys knew exactly where the blacksmith shop was, and as there was a lane extending about two hundred yards towards them and timber the balance of the way, they saw a chance of having some more fun with Bill's cannon. So they deployed through the woods until they came oppo- site the mouth of the lane, when Bill dismounted and crawled on his hands and knees into the middle of the road. Sure •enough, there they were at the blacksmith shop. There was a large oak tree about two feet from a fence, and between the tree and the fence stood a blue-coat. Bill brought his ord- nance to bear, and as Uncle Remus would say, " L,et him have all dar was in her." There wasn't much time for laughing, but the way the fellow went over the fence was ludicrous in the extreme. He didn't climb over, nor try to jump over, but literally fell over. We examined the ground the next day and found that Bill's artillery had torn about a foot square of the bark off the side of the tree next to where the Federal was standing. It was evidently time for him to change his position, for he was probably nearer death than he had ever been before. Bill was an CAMPAIGNS OP WHEEI.EE. AND HIS CAVALRY. 115 expert marksman, but the loss of the rear sight of his "can- non " deranged his aim. Poor Bill's war career came to an untimely end the next day. The enemy's line was formed in an open field, while ours was back of a timbered ridge. The tactics of our three adventurers was to dash up within easy range of the enemy and fire, then quickly wheel and ride back, bending low to escape the volley they, expected and generally received, yell- ing like demons all the while. A more foolhardy maneuver could scarcely have been conceived, and why they were not killed seems almost a miracle. But all things must have an end, and so had this. They played their little game one time too often. On their last sortie they were allowed to get as close to the enemy as they desired, when suddenly they discovered the gleam of about fifty sabres, not in front of them but on their flank, and as near the Confederate lines as they were. It was General Negley's escort, sent to charge the woods and dislodge what he alluded to in his official report as a "superior force of the enemy." George and Ben rode safely out, and, incredible as it may appear, George carried out with him one of the Gen- eral's escort and landed him safely in Dixie. But Bill, being •only indifferently mounted, he and the cannon were lost. The next news we had of him he was in a Federal prison nearly 1,000 miles away. This left but two of the four, and what became of them I never knew, but the chances were against their having gone safely through the war. Of course, among the men who rode with Wheeler, there were many "Musketeers" as gallant and game as the "Three'' we have described. Our excuse for mentioning these, if any is needed, is found in Volume XXX. of "War of Rebellion Official Records," on page 326 of which Federal General Jas. S. Negley, in his official report, says : " September 9, 5 p. m., moved Stanley's brigade to the front on a reconnaisance ; drove the rebel cavalry three and a half miles. My escort, under command of Lieutenant Cooke, made a gallant charge li6 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. upon a superior force of the enemy, capturing two." As the "position," which a brigade was sent forward to reconnoitre, had been occupied by no Confederates for several hours except our "Three Musketeers," they would, if living, be amused to learn that they had been referred to as a " superior force" to fifty of General Negley's escort. The General, however, fails to state that he lost one of his escort in the "gallant charge," and should have stated that he captured one, and not two, of the "superior force." — (Kditor.) CHAPTER XI. RAID IN TENNESSEE — OTHER OFFICERS CONSIDER EXPEDI- TION TOO DANGEROUS — WHEELER CROSSES THE TENNES- SEE — SUCCESSFUL ENGAGEMENT AT ANDERSON'S CROSS ROADS ; WAGONS AND PRISONERS CAPTURED — CAPTURES M'MINNVILLE — DESTROYS RAILROAD AND BRIDGES IN TENNESSEE AND DEPOTS OF STORES — FIGHT AT FARM- INGTON — RECROSSES THE TENNESSEE WITH HIS CAP- TURED PROPERTY — PRESIDENT DAVIS AND GENERAL BRAGG TENDER THANKS TO WHEELER — EDITOR'S TRIB- UTE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE. The brilliant work described in the preceding chapters being accomplished, General Wheeler was again ordered to cross the Tennessee River, and if possible make the circuit of General Rosecrans's army. So worn and jaded were his men and horses, that his subordinate commanders gave it as their opinion that it was impracticable to execute the order. The commanders of three brigades entered solemn protests against their commands being further called upon in their unserviceable and weak condition. Cavalry officers of ex- tensive experience asserted that half of the command would be lost from inability to travel, and even predicted that the entire command would be sacrificed. General Forrest was also ordered to take a separate column into Tennessee, but as he objected to making the move, General Bragg directed General Wheeler to join to his own column a portion of those designated for Forrest, and to proceed to Rosecrans's rear as before directed. Wheeler sent to General Forrest for these troops and received the follow- ing reply : Headquarters Forrest's Cavalry, Athens, Sept. 28, 1863, 9 a. m. Generai,: My last advices from the front report the enemy advancing on us with a column of infantry; also cavalry. Would it not be well to have the fortifi- 1 1 8 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. cations at Charleston repaired and artillery placed in position there in order to defend the crossings, if necessary ? My command is falling back and there may be more force advancing than we know of, as they can run trains from Knoxville to Loudon, and Burnside may be moving in this direction- Respectfully, your obedient servant, N. B. Forrest, Brigadier- General Commanding. General Wheeler had, by General Bragg's order, left half his troops to picket for our army at Missionary Ridge, and the reinforcements from Forrest's command were absolutely necessary to make his column sufficiently strong for the expedition. Confidently expecting a prompt arrival of these troops, General Wheeler had moved up the river to a conve- nient point to form a junction, and thus prevent delay in crossing the river. General Forrest unfortunately seemed very reluctant to part with these troops, and it was not until the receipt of the following that he showed any disposition to comply with the orders to that effect previously given to him by General Bragg : Headquarters Army oe Tennessee, September 28, 1863. General: The General commanding desires that you will without delay turn over the troops of your command previously ordered, to Major-General Wheeler., I am, Very respectfully, George W. Brent, A. A. O. To Brig.-Gen. Forrest. On again applying to General Forrest for the troops, Wheeler received the following : Headquarters ist Cavalry Brigade, 5 miles from Charleston, Tenn., September 28, 1863. General : When my command started out we were only ordered to Harrison, to meet and develop Burnside's forces reported there. I brought with me only forty rounds of ammunition to the man, four pieces of artillery with what ammu- nition I had left after the battle of Chickamauga. I cannot therefore send you artillery or ammunition. Have ordered General Davidson and General Armstrong to you. They are without rations, as we did not expect to be absent from our trains but a day or two, and unless they are supplied they will be in no condition to cross the mountains. Am satisfied that neither CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 119 men nor horses are in condition for the expedition. We have had no oppor- tunity of shoeing horses since the battle of Chickamauga commenced. Respectfully, your obedient servant, N. B. Forrest, Brigadier- General Commanding. To Major-Gen. Wheeler. Generals Armstrong and Davidson, both still some forty miles from the river, reported their commands with scarcity of ammunition and in a state of exhaustion, the horses hav- ing been almost constantly under saddle for nearly a week in rapid marching, no shoes and short rations. This was General Wheeler's condition on receiving the following order : Special Orders No. 244.] Headquarters Army oe Tennessee, September 29, 1863. * ********* *' II. Major-General Joseph Wheeler is assigned to the command of all the cavalry in the Army of Tennessee, and will proceed without delay to execute the orders previously given. By command of General Bragg : GEORGE W. BrEnT, A. A. O. To Major-Gen. Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry. Probably no enterprise of equal importance was ever un- dertaken in the face of greater difficulties and discourage- ments, and to any one with less indomitable will than Gen- eral Wheeler these would have appeared insurmountable. Five Miles from Charleston, Tenn., on Athens Road, September 30, 1863, 6 a.m. General: I have just received your note urging forward the troops from Forrest. I am ordered to report with one brigade, my own. I wrote you at 1 A. M. my condition, as well as that of my command. It will be impossible to procure bacon enough for my brigade in this country. My command is totally unfit to start on any expedition. Horses are very much in need of shoeing, and my men have had no rations for thirty-six hours. I can see no prospect of getting any. I am too unwell to start on an expedition across the mountain. My command is just starting for Cottonport. Yours respectfully, F. C. Armstrong, To Major-Gen. Wheeler. Brigadier- General. Commanding Cavalry. 120 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY, An exhausted command, with limited ammunition, too far from the army to get supplies, in a depleted country, with Burnside threatening his rear and flank, the Tennessee River in his front, guarded at the point of crossing by an army twice his numbers, with the huge Cumberland Mountains and Walden's Ridge beyond, all combined to present a picture of most appalling difficulty. In the face of these discouraging facts and predictions, this young soldier knew nothing but obedience to orders ; the bugle notes to "march" were sounded, and by a skillful ruse-de-guerre he boldly crossed the Tennessee River at Cot- tonport, in the face of an enemy whose strength was double his own, warmly assailed and drove him toward the Cumber- land Mountains, capturing nearly a hundred prisoners. This was effected at daylight on the morning of September 30th, and it was not until late in the evening of that day that Davidson's and Armstrong's brigades arrived, altogether consisting of only six small battalions and four fragments of regiments. Wheeler's entire force thus augmented numbered but 3,793 effective men, which he promptly organized into three divisions, under Brigadier-Generals Wharton, Martin and Davidson. At dusk, in a drenching rain-storm, the column was put in motion towards Walden's Ridge. About ten o'clock, Gen- eral Wheeler, being in advance with his staff and escort, Headquarters Department Cumberland, October i, 1863, 2:15 a. m. Colonel McCook, Commanding Division of Cavalry : The enemy's cavalry have crossed the river in heavy force, a short dis- tance below Washington, and design making a raid upon your communica- tion. The General commanding directs that you leave one or two small regiments that are down the river to watch the crossings, and move with all dispatch with the balance of your force to Anderson's Cross Roads in the Sequatchie Valley, to protect our wagon trains there. Three regiments of infantry and a section of artillery have been ordered there to support you. More forces will be sent if necessary. J. A. Garfield, Brigadier- General and Chief of Staff. CAMPAIGNS OK WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 121 ■encountered in the extreme darkness of the night a regi- ment of cavalry, which he charged, driving them into the utmost confusion, wounding a few of the enemy and capturing ten prisoners. With great difficulty the com- mand marched up the mountain, and next day reached Se- quatchie Valley. By this time both men and horses were well-nigh exhausted. •General Wheeler's excellent judgment told him that greater damage to Rosecrans could be inflicted by first destroying the huge wagon trains and stores of supplies in the rear and vicinity of Chattanooga, as these were the supplies the Fed- eral army depended upon for its immediate wants. He also deemed this movement necessary to divert the enemy from Brigadier-General Roddy, whom General Bragg had ordered to cross the Tennessee River near Bridgeport. Generals Wharton and Martin came repeatedly to General Wheeler, both singly and together, begging him not to venture, as he proposed, to the immediate rear and proximity of Rosecrans 's .army, insisting that certain disaster would be the result. Notwithstanding these pleadings, General Wheeler selected about 1,300 of the best mounted men, and took the saddle at 2 A. M. on the 2d of October, to scour the valley in search of his prey, while the remainder of the command was ordered to march slowly over Cumberland Mountain toward McMinn- ville. Three hundred of the men he started with were necessarily detailed to guard his rear and flanks. After marching six miles, with his escort and advance-guard he captured 32 wagons, 200 mules and horses, and a number of Headquarters Army of Tennessee, September 28, 1863. General: The General commanding directs me to inform you that General Roddy, just arrived from Alabama, has been ordered to cross the Tennessee near Bridgeport, and move up Sequatchie Valley, reporting to you near Jasper, or .at such point as a junction may be effected. Very respectfully, To Major-Gen. Wheeler, George W. Brent, A. A. G. Commanding Cavalry. 122 CAMPAIGNS OE WHEELER AND HIS CAVAERY., prisoners. These were taken in charge by the Fourth Ala- bama Regiment of Cavalry, and with the remainder of his- command, now less than 1,000 men, he pressed down the valley. As day began to stand tiptoe on the mountain tops on either side, the sunbeams to cast their radiance upon the- fields of that fertile plain, as if to cheer the weary soldier for the brilliant achievements before him, a column of the enemy was encountered, and no sooner seen than the notes of our bugles sounded the charge, and each horseman, instinct with new life, rushed forward and gallantly dislodged the Federals from each position they endeavored to hold. On arriving at Anderson's Cross Roads, upon the level valley, as far as the- eye could reach, and all the way up the mountains, nothing- but the white tops of the immense wagon train could be seen.- This train was guarded by a brigade of cavalry in front, one in rear, and a brigade of infantry supported by cavalry was. directly opposite our small force. Promptly forming his troops into three columns, General Wheeler charged most gallantly, riding down infantry as. well as cavalry ; but their reserves being favorably posted, gave a temporary check. For nearly two hours the enemy- resisted stubbornly, but by attacking each column with vigor in detail, before they had time to concentrate, Wheeler suc- ceeded in routing them, thus capturing the entire train with more than a thousand prisoners. Eight hours were now con- sumed in selecting and sending to the rear such articles, mules, wagons, etc., as could be carried off, in thoroughly destroying the remainder of the wagons, and sabering or shooting down thousands of mules that were not needed. No accurate estimate of the number of wagons and value of the property captured could be made, as no one person saw the entire train. The Federal quartermaster in charge showed by his papers that it numbered 800 six-mule government wagons, loaded with all kinds of quartermaster,, commissary,, ordnance and medical stores, besides which there were a large number of sutlers' wagons and other private vehicles- of all kinds — probably in all over 1,000 wagons. Many- CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. I2J citizens who saw the trains estimated their number at be- tween 2,000 and 3,000 wagons. Some of the enemy's news- papers have represented it as the richest train captured during the war, and inflicting the heaviest loss of property ever sus- tained by them. The destruction of the ordnance trains, numbering over • three hundred wagons, presented a fearful spectacle. The noise of bursting shells and boxes of ammunition so resembled the sound of battle as to astonish and alarm the enemy in Chattanooga, who were in doubt as to the cause until the ascending clouds of smoke told them the food and ammuni- tion upon which almost the vitality of their army depended were actually destroyed. A succoring force sent by Rosecrans from Chattanooga was driven back, and the position held until the work of destruc- tion was in every respect complete. General Wheeler had sent off most of his command with In Camp, August 4, 1864. Major : I have the honor respectfully to state that I was captured by the enemy in Sequatchie Valley on the 2d day of October, 1863; I was carried thence to- Stevenson. On my route to Stevenson I had an opportunity to observe the destruction which had been done the trains of the enemy by Major-General Wheeler's command. I saw all along the entire line for ten miles wagons- which had been burned. Federal officers informed me that we had destroved twelve hundred government wagons laden with quartermaster, commissai"v and ordnance stores for their army, and seventy-five heavily laden sutlers' wagons. I am confident from a close observation that the number was not overestimated. Officers under whose charge I was informed me that the train destroyed was the most valuable one ever sent to their army. During the entire time I was a prisoner — eleven days — their entire army received but one-fourth rations. The force with which the enemy pursued General Wheeler, they claimed to be twenty-five thousand, but from close observa- tion, I estimated the force to have been twenty thousand men. General Hooker moved with two corps of infantry with artillery, from Stevenson toward Murfreesboro to intercept the command. I certify on honor that the above statement is correct. Respectfully, your obedient servant, G. E. May, Captain Commanding Fifth Squadron Fourth Georgia Cavalry. To Major E. S. Burford, A. A. G. Wheeler's Corps. 124 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. captured mules, horses, wagons, prisoners, etc., simply retain- ing a small force to protect him should a new enemy approach. While withdrawing this rear-guard late in the evening, he was attacked by an overwhelming force from two directions, which he resisted as he fell back until dark, inflicting upon his pursuers a heavy loss. By 10 A. M. the next day, he had traveled forty miles, and was leading the column which had passed directly over Cumberland Mountains in an attack upon the fortifications at McMinnville. After a short fight, the works were carried, and an immense depot of supplies, including quartermaster and ordnance stores, 250 horses, a train of wagons, twelve stores well stocked with all kinds of merchandise, and 587 prisoners, fell into our hands. After carrying the works, in order to avoid a street fight, Wheeler demanded a formal surrender, and received the following reply : " HEADQUARTERS 4TH TENNESSEE U. S. VcxtS., " October 3, 1863. ■" Major-General Wheeler, C. S. A. : "I have the honor, in compliance with your demand, to surrender the troops and government property at this place .to you, and ask protection for myself and men. <4 Very respectfully, " Thompson, " Commanding Regiment?" 1 A locomotive and large train of cars were also captured by ■General Wheeler while they were endeavoring to escape. The remainder of the day and night was spent in destroying all property which was not appropriated by the command. The bridges over Hurricane Creek and Collins River were also destroyed. During these five days Stanley's cavalry corps, consisting of the divisions of Generals George Crook, Mitchell and McCook, were fighting Wheeler's rear with little damage to our troops, but frequently with considerable loss to themselves. From McMinnville General Wheeler moved toward the Nashville road. The enemy at Murfreesboro having been strongly reinforced, he deemed it unwise to attack them in CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 125 their fortifications. After capturing a strong stockade with its garrison in the suburbs, destroying the laige railroad bridge over Stone River, and tearing up several miles of the track, he moved down the railroad to Wartrace - r capturing two trains with supplies at Christiana and Fosterville, tearing up many more miles of the track, burning all the railroad bridges, including the large ones near and just below War- trace and over Duck River, and capturing the stockades, with the garrisons. Thence he marched on Shelbyville, where he captured and destroyed a large quantity of stores, the garrison having beaten a hasty retreat the night previous. The garrison of Columbia also retreated rapidly toward Nash- ville, after destroying their stores. The designs of the expedition having been accomplished with far greater success than the expectations of the most, sanguine, General Wheeler commenced his return march toward the Tennessee River. Rosecrans's entire cavalry force, not less than 13,000 men, had been warmly fighting him in the rear and on the flanks for four days, being con- tinually repulsed with great loss by our brave troops. On the evening of the 6th, General Wheeler encamped all his command, except Davidson's division, at White Bridge, on Duck River, General Davidson encamping down near Shelbyville. General Wheeler sent General Davidson the following : Headquarters Cavalry Corps, Near White's Bridge, Oct. 6, 1863.. General : I am directed by General Wheeler to inform you that the enemy are en- camped on the Shelbyville and Murfreesboro pike, where we encamped last night. The General directs that you send out scouts on all the main roads, and particularly on the road the enemy is upon, in order to. keep yourself acquainted with his movements. He further directs, in case the enemy advances, you will fall back on the- old Fayetteville road and join him near this place, taking care at the same- time not to permit the enemy to get between you and him. Very respectfully, E. S. B,UREORD„ A. A. (J. To Gen, H. B. Davidson, Commanding Cavalry. 126 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. Headquarters Cavalry Corps, Near White's Bridge, Oct. 6, 1863. General : General Wheeler dispatched you a short time since informing you that the enemy have encamped where we encamped last night. The General now directs that you join him immediately at this point. Very respectfully, E. S. BurFORD, A. A. O. To Gen. H. B. Davidson. Notwithstanding these precautions and orders from Gen- eral Wheeler, which he duly received, General Davidson failed to either inform himself of the enemy's approach or to comply with Wheeler's orders to join him at White's bridge. Consequently, the following morning at about 8 o'clock, he was surprised and attacked by a large force under General Crook, who defeated him, capturing a number of prisoners. Even now, General Davidson not only failed to fall back upon Wheeler, as before directed, but he. neglected to inform General Wheeler of the direction of his retreat before the pursuing enemy. All Wheeler received was the following : Headquarters Cavalry Division, To Major-General WHEELER, October 7, 1863. Commanding Cavalry. General: The enemy is following me. I am now six miles below town on the south side of the river. I have not yet made a decided, stand. Respectfully, H. B. Davidson, Brigadier-General. Headquarters Cavalry Division, Major-General Wheeler, Allen's House, Oct. 7, 1S63. Commanding Cavalry. General : I am moving down the side of the river. The enemy is following me up. As soon as I can get a position, I will make a stand. I think they are in strong force. Respectfully, H. B. Davidson, Brigadier-General. Fortunately, General Wheeler's knowledge of the country and his natural sagacity told him that Davidson must be falling back toward Dewisburg. Leaving a sufficient, guard to conduct his train, Wheeler started with 900 men, at a CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVAERY. 1 27 Tapid gallop, to strike the Dewisburg pike at Farmington, in •order that he might relieve Davidson and hold the enemy in ■check until the balance of his command and heavy train of captured wagons could be brought up and placed under the protection of the whole command. Wheeler reached Farmington about 4 o'clock, placed his troops in position across the pike, and allowed Davidson's troops to pass through to his rear. The enemy, exultant at their temporary success over Davidson, whom they had pursued for eight hours, now advanced in a bold front, but were met with grape and can- ister from our artillery and a destructive fire of small arms, and repulsed in each and every charge which they made. So stunning was the blow the enemy received on this occa- sion, that he advanced no further during the day, and was ■content to retire and be permitted to bury his dead and care for his wounded. The loss of the enemy in this engage- ment, as shown by their own reports, was twenty-nine killed, including Colonel Monroe, a brigade commander, and 159 wounded. Wheeler's total loss was forty-three, which- included killed, wounded and missing. General Wheeler remained near the field until night, when, having brought up his train, he proceeded on quietly a short distance and •encamped. Two pieces of artillery of Wiggin's Battery having broken down several times, were abandoned on account of our ina- bility to bring them further, and one of the limbers of White's battery having blown up while moving rapidly over a rough road, it also was left behind. Two of these pieces were howitzers and the other was an old iron gun which had been condemned at every inspecticn during the past year. At this time the enemy were some miles distant, yet, on finding these guns the next day, they claimed they were captured in action and so reported them. On the 8th, General Wheeler continued his march toward the Tennessee River, crossing with all his command and cap- tured property. On the morning of the 10th, Stanley's 128 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. entire corps, under Generals Mitchell, Crook and McCook, continued in pursuit, but took particular care to keep their advance at a respectable distance from Wheeler's rear-guard. On reaching the Tennessee River at Muscle Shoals on the ioth, Wheeler skillfully effected the difficult undertaking of crossing successfully in the immediate presence of an enemy four times his strength. General Wheeler remained in person with a small but chosen rear-guard, baffling the enemy for eighteen hours while his troops were crossing • then seeing all were safe on the south bank, he plunged into the torrent and crossed under the enemy's fire. General Wheeler's entire loss during the raid, according to the official reports of the several regiments, was 3 officers and 29 privates killed, 13 officers and 93 privates wounded, and 9 officers and 171 privates captured. A review of this expedition reveals the following magnifi- cent results : 1. Wheeler crossed the Tennessee River in the face of a powerful enemy. 2. Captured more than a thousand loaded wagons with teams. 3. Captured the strongholds of McMinnville, Shelby ville and Columbia. 4. Captured the Stone River stockade. 5. Captured several locomotives and loaded, trains of cars. 6. Destroyed railroad bridges over Stone River, Collins River, Mill Creek, Elk River and many minor streams. 7. Destroyed railroad track for many miles. 8. Captured over 2,000 prisoners. 9. Brought out of Tennessee over 3,000 recruits for Wheeler's and other commands. 10. And, lastly, with a powerful enemy pursuing, he recrossed the Tennessee River with his captured property without the loss of a single wagon, and without allowing the enemy to in the slightest degree molest him. When the worn condition of his command, which had for forty consecutive days previously been engaged with the en- CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 1 29 emy, the large concentration of forces which General Wheeler was compelled to fight almost continually in front, flanks and rear, his exceedingly small losses compared with those of the enemy, the vast amount of valuable property and rich stores destroyed, and the great damage done to the railroad, are all taken into consideration, this can but be considered by far the most brilliant and successful raid of the war. President Jefferson Davis and General Bragg tendered their thanks to General Wheeler for his skill and bravery, and General Bragg complimented him in the following gen- eral order to his army : General Orders No. 193-1 Headquarters Army of Tennessee, Missionary Ridge, October 23, 1863. ******* * * "II. The General commanding announces to the army,, with pride and satisfaction, two brilliant exploits of our cavalry. " 1st. On the 30th ulto. Maj-Gen. Joseph Wheeler crossed the Tennessee River at Cottonport Ford, in the face of a strong force of the enemy. In the neighborhood of Jasper he came up with and captured, after a short fight, a large train of wagons and 725 prisoners. The train was heavily laden with ammunition and other stores, and was supposed to number eight hundred wagons. The wagons with all the stores were destroyed. He then made a forced march and took McMinnville, with 530 prisoners. At this place he captured and destroyed a train of wagons, a large locomo- tive and train of cars, and an immense amount of commis- sary stores ; also a large amount of arms, ammunition and clothing, and 200 horses. The railroad bridges over Hick- ory Creek, Stone River and at Wartrace were destroyed, A. portion of General Wheeler's command also captured Shelby- ville, destroying a large quantity of stores at that place. After damaging the enemy severely at other points, he re- crossed the Tennessee River in safety, bringing with him a considerable quantity of the captured stores, and having made the circuit of Rosecrans's army. ' ' The thanks of the commanding General and of the army are tendered to General Wheeler, and to his gallant briga- 8 W 130 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. diers, Martin and Wharton, and to the brave men under them, for the successful expedition to the enemy's rear. "2d. On the 20th inst. Morrison's* and Dibbrell's brigades attacked the enemy in force at Philadelphia and captured 700 prisoners, 50 wagons loaded with stores, 6 pieces of artillery, 10 ambulances and a lot of horses, mules and other property. The enemy was driven to his defenses at L,oudon and is represented as completely routed. Such blows dealt the enemy in quick succession are no less honorable to our army than indicative of future success. ' ' By command of General Bragg : " George Wm. Brent, A. A. G. 1 ' To Major-Gen. Wheeler, "Commanding Corps. In concluding his official report of this raid, General Wheeler says : " To General Davidson and Col. Hodge, who commanded the troops which joined me on the expedition across the Tennessee River, I tender my thanks for their good conduct and that of their troops during the advance upon McMinn- ville, and to General Martin and Col. I. W. Avery for their gallant assistance in the capture and. destruction of the wagon train, and to General Martin and his command partic- ularly for their good conduct at Farmington, and their labo- rious work in destroying the bridges on the railroad. ' ' General Wharton and his command behaved throughout with their accustomed gallantry. "I tender my thanks to the following members of my staff for their gallantry and good conduct, viz. : Col. King, Majors Burford, Jenkins, Humes and Hill ; Captains Turner, Rowell, Wade, Flash and Kennedy, and L,ieuts. Pointer, Wailes, Nichol and Hatch. To Major Humes particularly am' I indebted for his great gallantry during the fight at Farmington, where he was wounded, and to L,ieut. Pointer, my aide, for his gallantry during a cavalry charge, where he dashed upon the enemy's color-bearer, shot him and then turned and brought the colors back to his command. "(Signed) Jos. WHEELER, ' '■Major-General. *Col. J. J. Morrison, 1st Ga. Cavalry, commanding brigade. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. I3I In a letter to Col. George William Brent, Assistant Adju- tant-General, under date of October 12, 1863, General Wheeler recommends for promotion, Col. John T. Morgan, Major W. Y. C. Humes, Col. A. A. Russell, Col. Y. Warren Grigsby and Col. C. C. Crews, all of whom subsequently commanded brigades. ACCOUNTS OF WHEELER'S RAID FROM NORTHERN PAPERS. " Nashville, Oct. 3. — McMinnville was attacked at noon to-day. Result unknown. The fight was progressing when telegraphic communication was interrupted. The rebel cav- alry are reported crossing the Tennessee at Washington." * 'EXCITEMENT AT NASHVILLE AT THE REBEL MOVEMENT. "Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 5. — Four thousand or 5,000 rebel cavalry, under Wheeler, with artillery, attacked Mc- Minnville on Saturday afternoon, capturing the town and garrison, consisting of the 4th Tennessee infantry. The rebels burned a train of cars and destroyed the railroad and tele- graph. They are believed to be advancing on Manchester. Several prominent Union citizens are supposed to have been captured. Part of the same force destroyed a train of 200 wagOns on Friday last, between Bridgeport and Chattanooga, and captured an ammunition train of 12 wagons. Portions of the rebel cavalry are scattered along the road near to the south of Murfreesboro, designing to destroy the railroad and telegraphic communications and capture stockades, etc. Our troops are closely pursuing them. " Wheeler's cavalry, estimated at 4,000, with four pieces of artillery, appeared this morning in front of Murfreesboro, but did not attack. At last accounts they were still in the vicinity. Our cavalry had several skirmishes. Part of the rebel cavalry also opened fire on the stockade at Stone River bridge, and after burning the bridge, retired two miles. The bridges are reported destroyed on the Chattanooga railroad. The rebel force is reported as being hotly pursued by our cavalry and rapidly retreating." MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. " Louisville, Oct. 6. — A Nashville dispatch says that the rebels burned the railroad bridge at Stuart's Creek and another over Stone River. After the capture of McMinnville on Saturday by the rebels under Wheeler, they burned one loco- 133 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. motive and ten cars, and took a number of railroad men prisoners. " On Sunday morning the Confederates appeared before Murfreesboro, driving the Federals into their entrenchments. After remaining there all day and part of the night, they destroyed the railroad bridge at the crossing of the ford on Stone River, when it is supposed they retired. " The Nashville Journal editorially says that Wheeler,, with nearly 8,000 (?) rebel cavalry and mounted infantry,, succeeded in getting into the rear of Rosec^ns, and threat- ens to break his railroad communications. There seems to be rebel cavalry all along the Chattanooga road, watching for weak points." " Nashville, Oct. 11. — Part of Wheeler's cavalry burned the bridge at Carran's Station, four miles below Decatur, on Friday night. It is rumored that the rebels attempted to destroy the tunnel at Raccoon Mountain, but were driven off by the Federals after destroying a part of the track in th6 tunnel. ' ' "FROM ROSECRANS'S ARMY — THE REBEL GENERAL WHEELER'S OPERATIONS. "A Louisville correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer, writing on the 6th October, gives some interesting informa- tion as to operations in Tennessee and the position of Rose- craus's army. We quote: ' ' You have been apprised by telegraph of some of the particulars of the raids recently made upon McMinnville and Murfreesboro by the rebel General Wheeler and his cavalry division. Reports at Nashville set his force down as certainly five thousand well mounted and equipped men, with perhaps a couple of light batteries. His forces have been, and will be, very annoying to us for a little while no doubt, but I learn that Colonel McCook, who gave them such a handsome thrashing the other day (?) will soon be joined in his pursuit by a large force of General Stanley's cavalry corps, from the Army of the Cumberland. " After the battle of Chickamauga, it was evident to Gen- eral Bragg that he had made a terrible and costly failure in his attack upon General Rosecrans, and that for at least a month he must take up a position of natural strength with CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVAERY. 133 Ms army and proceed to improvise such redoubts as might be necessary for temporary defense in case of attack. This he has been doing with all the force at his command, and yet it is known that his position, compared with ours, is inferior. For instance, naturally the post at Chattanooga is the most defensible of the two, and the basis and means of supply for the National army are superior and the former is now brought up quite near when we take into consideration our ample, or at least convenient, railroad communications. It was to sever the latter that General Wheeler was sent out some fifteen days ago. He has succeeded in destroying the main line of rail- road supplying General Rosecrans's army, by way of Steven- son and Bridgeport, Alabama, from Nashville, at several points. ' ' " About fifteen miles below Bridgeport the rebels captured a store train intended for General Rosecrans's army, early on Saturday morning. The men were paroled, the stores and wagons were mostly destroyed, and everything portable was carried off. "I am told that Saturday afternoon the rebels also came upon and captured a valuable ammunition train, which they quickly demolished as the first prize. "Taking the McMinnville pike, over which they had trav- eled so often, they were soon in front of that town. It was soon forced to surrender, along with its garrison, the Fourth Tennessee Infantry, which was taken by surprise and soon forced to give up and witness the destruction of the excellent arms they had not a chance to use against the rebels. "On Sunday morning the line of march was taken up westward, and in a few hours they had ridden around Mur- freesboro, burned the celebrated Stone River bridge, and were in front of this fortified post. To attack or attempt to sur- prise it would have been useless." "THE WHEEEER RAID IN TENNESSEE. " The dash of the guerrilla Wheeler into the lines of the Federal army in Tennessee was a serious affair. It seems that he captured upward of 1,165 wagons in the Sequatchie Valley, 1,060 of which he destroyed, and the remainder he succeeded in bringing safely across the Tennessee. He shot upward of 3,500 mules, and brought out with him nearly 1,000 horses and mules. At McMinnville he destroyed thirty days' rations for Rosecrans's entire army, including 1,500 134 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. sacks of green coffee arid 2,500 barrels of parched coffee, with other stores in proportion. At McMinnville he also destroyed two trains of cars loaded for Chattanooga, and also the rail- road track for nearly fifteen miles. He then destroyed the track on the Nashville and Chattanooga railroad for nearly twenty miles below Murfreesboro. His loss was three pieces of artillery and about 1,000 men in killed, wounded and prisoners, the most of them being prisoners." [Note. — The three pieces of artillery are those previously referred to as having been abandoned. — Editor.] "battle near farmington. " The Federals overtook Wheeler's forces Thursday night, near Farmington. The rebels lost heavily in killed and wounded. Federal loss, 29 killed and 150 wounded. Among the killed was Colonel Monroe of the 123d Illinois. "The first train for Bridgeport since the rebel raid left this morning. "Part of Wheeler's cavalry burned the bridge at Cowan's station, four miles below Derchard, Friday night." Extracts from Correspondence to New York papers, Octo- ber 12th: " General Rosecrans's position is considered uncomfortable here. It is known that a large amount of stores were pushed up to the front before General Wheeler made his descent on the railroad, but some of these stores were captured by the rebels, and General Rosecrans has sent couriers down to have fresh supplies started under escorts. Everybody seems to operate in the matter as if they, thought that " Old Rosey " could do everything without anything, and so matters remain clogged up. Good and patriotic men have every obstacle to contend with in forwarding supplies, but they hope to over- come all, and yet enable the heroes of the army of the Cum- berland to achieve another and a greater victory than it has ever yet done heretofore. "THE REBEL RAIDERS. " General Wheeler and his ' gallant five thousand ' were reported at Shelbyville last night, where they have been play- ing a heavy game again in the capturing line, it is said. Our garrison there consisted of about two thousand men, but I learn that a portion of this force had been recently withdrawn CAMPAIGNS. OP WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. I35 for some purpose or other. Rumor says that the rebels made a clean sweep in the town, taking our men prisoners, destroy- ing stores, and insulting the many Union people of the town. Colonel Neddy McCook is making forced marches after the rebels,. but has not engaged them yet a second time. Small detachments are being sent out to reinforce him hourly. " OUR REAL HOPE. "I understand that General Rosecrans has ordered General Mitchel forward with a flying column to intercept Wheeler on his return to Bragg's headquarters if possible. Mitchel will watch the wily rebel cavalryman close, and if he has an opportunity, will punish him severely. " TAKING A NEW TRACK. "Some of the knowing ones here seem to think that "Wheeler has destroyed Rosecrans's communications and that he is now going to make a circuit of our southwestern corps in Middle Tennessee, in order to gather information and give us all the trouble possible, in cutting telegraph wires and railroads. This seems to me to be probable, but I know that Sherman and Hurlburt are awake to all these tricks and will not be caught napping. Our generals and post commanders have, been warned by couriers of Wheeler's operations, and if they are not prepared to receive him, it is the result of negli- gence on their part. " THE REAL POSITION. " Although there is no use denying the fact that matters in this department are almost critically precarious in appearance to those who are far removed from the scene of action, yet, if I could really and truthfully write of the vast preparations making to bring order out of chaos, the confidence of the people in our ability to defeat the rebels in the coming con- test would be greatly enhanced. For instance, boats have been impressed by government on all our rivers for the rapid transportation of stores, and railroads are being put into good condition. "Troops are gathering everywhere, and go which way you will, you can see ' reinforcements for Rosecrans.' It would be manifestly wrong to particularize these cases, but I am permitted to speak of them in a general way, so as to let you know that we are all doing all we can to save General Rose- 136 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. crans' army and enable him to win a substantial victory when he next engages the enemy. I say that, amidst the gloom, disappointment and aggravation caused by Wheeler's and Pegram's raids in Tennessee and Kentucky, we have much to hope for." Accounts of Wheeler's Raid Taken from Southern News- papers : (Mobile Advertiser and Register.) " Army of Chattanooga, October 16. — A cheering report brought to us to-day by an officer from Tennessee, is that Wheeler has captured and burned over a thousand wagons in a raid upon a Federal train, and destroyed several bridges. There are railroads to be destroyed, highways to be blockaded, enemies to be encountered and public property to be captured in the field of operations, sufficient to satisfy the glorious aspi- rations of every officer engaged. How these successes, whether they be early or late, will affect Rosecrans remains to be seen. We already have him grievously annoyed by our demonstrations upon his immediate rear. " While writing this letter I have been called off to converse with two Yankee deserters. They both belong to Jefferson C. Davis's division, or Flying Legion, as it is called, McCook's corps. And by the way, the whole command in the late battle right nobly vindicated their title to the name. " They corroborated the rumor that Wheeler had captured a large train which belonged to their division, numbering altogether about twelve hundred wagons. " They add that Wheeler is supposed to be operating on the Bridgeport road, and ' keeps doing them things all the time.' They describe their rations for two days as four bis- cuits, a piece of meat about the size of the palm of the hand, say a quarter of a pound coffee and sugar. The whole army is suffering. (Correspondence Augusta Constitutionalist.) " GENERAL WHEELER'S LATE EXPEDITION. "Augusta, Ga., Wednesday Morning, October 28, 1863. — From a private letter from a gentleman at Courtland, Ala- bama, we are permitted to extract the following statement in reference to General Wheeler's late expedition, which he obtained from a perfectly reliable source : "We have just completed the most brilliant campaign of CAMPAIGNS OF WHEEEER AND HIS CAVALRY. 137 the war ; crossing a broad river by fording in the face of a large force of the enemy, between two large armies, and hav- ing two rugged mountains to cross. We captured, killed and wounded, altogether 3,000 of the enemy and destroyed about $5,000,000 worth of their property. I have seen the General energetic as a man could be before this campaign, but never so completely so as upon this last. He was ever at the head of his column of 5,000 men, and managing in person all the details which secured him such success. " Our entire trip through Tennessee was a perfect ovation. Old men, women and children huzzaing, waving flags, scat- tering flowers and rejoicing generally, at our approach. Wheel- er's name is immortal among Tennesseeans. " If you will take a good map, you can easily trace out the route we took on our expedition in Tennessee. " We left Chickamauga Station ; from thence to Harrison, thence to Charleston, thence to Cottonport or Washington, on the Tennessee River, about 40 miles above Chattanooga; thence to Morgan's on Walden's Ridge; thence to Foster's Cross Roads and from thence to Anderson's in Sequatchie Valley, where we captured the large train of wagons; thence to Dunlap and Pikeville, McMinnville, Woodbury, Murfrees- boro, Christiana, Bell Buckle, Wartrace, Shelbyville, Lew- isburg, Connerville, Pulaski, Rodgersville, and then across the xiver at Muscle Shoals. " General Bragg has by special order placed the entire cav- alry of this army under General Wheeler. " His Excellency President Davis was at General Bragg's headquarters when the General's report of his trip in Tennes- see was received. He read it with great pleasure, and directed General Bragg to express to General Wheeler and his troops his thanks and appreciation of the valuable service rendered on this trip. General Bragg also wrote a very complimentary letter to the General." ARMY CORRESPONDENCE. " Wheeler's Great Raid in Tennessee — Official Report — Great Cavalry Fight at Farmington — Result of the Raid — Something for the Ladies — Photograph of Major-Gen- eral Joe Wheeler, etc. " Missionary Ridge in front of Chattanooga, Nov. 2, I 863_ — To give the people an idea of the present feeble and depleted state of the enemy in regard to means of transporta- T38 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. tion and supplies, the effective operations and complete suc- cess of General Wheeler's late raid into Tennessee must be fairly understood. An effort was made at the start to throw cold water on the success of the expedition by jealous and unscru- pulous parties who predicted its failure, and even after its bril- liant achievements, to slur and depreciate its valuable services. The facts of the expedition and its results have never been fairly represented to the public, and I am now enabled to lay before your readers a concise official statement. " On the 30th of September, ten days after the battle of Chickamauga, the command crossed the Tennessee River at Cottonport ford, 40 miles above Chattanooga, in face of a divi- sion of the enemy's best cavalry under General Cook, and be- tween two large armies, Rosecrans's and Burnside's, which were within twelve hours' supporting distance of each other. The enemy made a most stubborn resistance, but the impetu- osity of our men was irresistible. The brave and chivalrous Colonel James Hagan, of the 3d Alabama, was the first to cross the river in the face of the enemy's fire, leading a charge of his gallant men, himself thirty yards in advance. The enemy was driven back in confusion before us, we capturing a number of prisoners, among' whom were several officers of the United States dragoons. A more daring feat has not been enacted during this war. "On reaching Walden's Ridge, General Wheeler pushed rapidly down Sequatchie Valley to Anderson's Cross Roads, where he captured a train of 800 wagons loaded with quarter- master, commissary, ordnance and sutlers' stores of immense value, all of which were destroyed. One thousand two hun- dred and fifty prisoners were captured and paroled, and 1,50a mules brought off, besides thousands of which were previously shot. The command then proceeded to McMinnville, where they captured the garrison, taking 1,000 prisoners with 7,000- stand of arms, an immense quantity of all kinds of stores, in- cluding medical supplies, worth several millions, which were all destroyed. On the McMinnville and Manchester railroad the command captured a train of cars and fifty negroes. The cars and locomotive were all destroyed. " From McMinnville the command proceeded to the suburbs of Murfreesboro. The garrison having previously evacuated,, the stockades were captured with one hundred prisoners, and the railroad bridge over Stone River completely destroyed. From thence General Wheeler proceeded down the Nashville- CAMPAIGNS OP WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 1 3 9. and Chattanooga road, destroying the track for miles. Con- tinuing on the Christiana road between Murfreesboro and War- trace, he captured the stockades with an additional one hun- dred prisoners. Thence to Wartrace, capturing a stockade with fifty prisoners, and destroying the bridge over Garrison's Fork (of Duck River), and thence to Shelby ville. The gar- rison at this town had stampeded the night before. The com- mand here had another grand festival, destroying large quan- tities of medical and commissary stores. The town was full of Yankee goods and storekeepers, and as they would not permit a Southerner to buy or sell without taking the oath, our men soon made a wreck of their goods by gutting the stores and warehouses and emptying the goods into the streets. Calicoes, flannels, and shoes were liberally distributed to the ladies, who had greeted our men with their smiles and waving handkerchiefs, and a perfect ovation took place. " That night General Davidson's division camped on the Shelby ville and Dewisburg pike, and Generals Wharton and Martin camped on Duck River near White's bridge. Early on the following morning General Davidson's pickets were driven in and his command attacked by an overwhelming force of infantry and cavalry, which he resisted with heroic gallantry,, checking the enemy for some time. In the meantime, while- Davidson was engaging the enemy, General Wheeler, in order to save the wagons and artillery of Wharton's and Martin's divisions* was compelled to bring them out on the Shelbyville and Lewisburg pike to Farmington, fifteen miles from Shelby- ville, which he succeeded in doing safely. " General Davidson now fell back with his gallant men to- the rear of the ambuscade, drawing the enemy on, who dashed forward with great confidence, when the brave Colonel John T. Morgan, with his 51st Alabama Partisan Rangers, received their charge, and poured in a deadly fire, checking their prog- ress. The enemy reformed and again advanced, approaching within fifty yards of our line, when Humes poured in a raking fire from his battery, while the gallant Blakey of the 1st Ala- bama, and Colonel Jim Hagan of the 3d, charged them with a yell, driving them back and emptying many a saddle. " The enemy now made several desperate charges to take- the battery, but were repulsed each time with great slaughter. Major Humes made a heroic defense of his battery, standing by his guns, discharging his pistols at the foe, and killing Colonel Monroe, of the abolition cavalry, within thirty feet 140 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. ■of him. About this time the glorious old 8th Texas, headed by the chivalrous Wharton, came into the pike and dashed down the road, making a furious charge, severely punishing the enemy. In this charge General Wharton's horse was shot under him, and Lieutenant-Colonel Cook and Major Christian were wounded. Having accomplished the object in bringing ■out Wharton's and Martin's wagons and- artillery into the pike below Farmington, the command resumed its march, the ene- my having no disposition to follow. In this fight our loss was eight killed and thirty wounded. The enemy admits a loss of twenty-nine killed and 159 wounded. " The command was absent but nine days, having traveled ■over 300 miles. From the time of crossing the river to its return across Muscle Shoals, it was engaged with and fought the enemy nearly every hour in the day, in the rear and on ■our flanks. We took 1,300 prisoners and destroyed millions worth of property, and the most valuable wagon train that •could be sent to an army. The loss of the command during the whole expedition, according to official report, was but thirty killed and sixty wounded and 170' missing, the men having .straggled from their companies, making a total loss of only 260 men. From this brief account it will be seen how severely the enemy has been crippled, and the short time it took to .accomplish it. " And now, to please my lady readers, and I am sure I must have a great many beautiful ones in that category, I'will pro- ceed to give them a pen-photograph of the hero. First, then, ladies, Major-General Joseph Wheeler is a bachelor, only twenty-seven years of age. He was born in Augusta, Ga., in 1836 ; entered West Point in June, 1854; graduated in 1859 and entered the 1st Dragoons, and on the breaking out of the Revolution immediately resigned. He is about five feet •eight inches, dark complexion, dancing hazel eyes, heavy arched eyebrows which meet, straight nose with finely turned nostrils, short brown hair, heavy black moustache and beard worn short; has a broad, high forehead, handsome mouth and teeth, with regular and pleasing features. In fact, Gen- eral Joe may be considered quite handsome, with all the pol- ished manners of a perfect gentleman, and has risen from a lieutenant to be a full-blown major-general, the youngest in the Confederate army. * * * " His military genius and talents cannot but be admitted, and I leave him to the tender mercies of his fair country- CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 1 4 1 women, only regretting that there are not sufficient Wheelers, in the army to give them all one apiece. Or A." Of Wheeler's expedition, the Chattanooga Rebel says : " They captured 1,065 wagons and 4,500 mules. They brought out 100 loaded wagons and 1,000 mules. They burnt the balance of the wagons, killed 3,500 mules, and destroyed the immense quantity of stores at McMinnville, and tore up about 15 miles of the railroad, thus leaving the country perfectly bare of army transportation or subsistence. The Federal force that pursued them was about 26,000, about 10,000. of which was infantry." Greeley's " American Conflict," in speaking of Wheeler's- raid in Middle Tennessee, page 433, says : " Meantime Bragg had sent a large portion of his cavalry r under Wheeler and Wharton, across the Tennessee at Cotton- port between Chattanooga and Bridgeport, instructed to cut our communications and destroy our supplies as far as possi- ble. Wheeler, doubtless thoroughly informed, made directly for a large portion of General Thomas's train of seven hun- dred to one thousand wagons, laden with supplies, then in Sequatchie Valley, near Anderson's Cross Roads, which he captured October 2d, and burned ; being attacked directly afterwards by Colonel E. M. McCook, who, with three regi- ments of cavalry, had been ordered from Bridgeport to pursue him. McCook had the better of the fight, but darkness closed it, and the enemy moved off during the night, while McCook had no orders to pursue him. " Wheeler next struck McMinnville, in the heart of Ten- nessee, which, with six hundred men, a train of wagons and one of cars, were surrendered to him without a struggle, and where he burnt a large quantity of supplies. But here he was overhauled by General George Crook, who, with another cavalry division two thousand strong, had started from Wash- ington, Tennessee, and had for some hours been pursuing and fighting Wharton, and by whose orders Colonel Long, with the Second Kentucky, charged the rear of the now flying foe r with spirit and effect. Wheeler's force being superior, he halted and fought dismounted till dark, and then struck out for Murfreesboro ; but that post was firmly held, and he could not wait to carry it, so he swept down to Wartrace and Shelby ville, burning bridges, breaking the railroad and cap- 142 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER ANb HIS CAVALRY. luring trains and stores ; taking thence a southwest course across Duck River to Farmington, where another fight, 'October 7th, was had, and the rebels worsted by the fire of ■Captain Stokes's battery, followed by a charge of infantry, and lost four guns, captured by Crook, though he was in in- ferior force. Wheeler got away during the night to Pulaski, and thence into North Alabama ; making his escape across the Tennessee River near the mouth of the Elk." Editor's Tribute to the Noble People of Middle Tennessee. Much of the campaigning of Wheeler and his cavalry had been in Middle Tennessee, and when their faces were again turned in that direction, most of ' ' the boys " felt that they were going back to their friends. In this they were not dis- appointed, for their reception in many places amounted to .an ovation. A splendid crop was nearly ready for harvest- ing, and the people were anxious that we should stay and help consume it. After the impoverished country in which we had been operating, and the scant rations on which we had been compelled to subsist, it seemed that we were enter- ing verily into a "land by milk and honey blest." No people in the Confederacy were more loyal and devoted to our cause than the noble dwellers in Middle Tennessee- 'Though their land had been fought and foraged over by both . armies many times, Wheeler's Cavalry was always welcome, and even in the humblest homes the doors of smoke-houses and barns were opened at our approach, and food for man and beast was cheerfully furnished. In striking contrast was the reception accorded in other .parts of the South, where Wheeler's men were the only soldiers the citizens had ever seen. And to the noble ladies of Middle Tennessee must we accord all honor and praise. Many a gray -haired reader of these pages will feel like doffing his hat as he remembers the manifold kindnesses of these peerless women shown him in ■"life's morning march when his bosom was young." CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 1 43 The names of many of them have passed from memory, but not so their good deeds, and the names of others were never known ; but there are two who deserve more than passing mention. These were the " two widow Minters," as the boys used to designate them. Really, only the elder of these two ladies was a widow. Her daughter-in-law, the " little widow Minter," was not a widow at all, but used to say she was, as her husband was in the Confederate army. We cannot better describe the character of these two women than by saying they were God's own children, and while memory lasts, their deeds of kindness, their patience under hardships and calamities, can never be forgotten. The elder Mrs. Minter lived in a large two-story house on the pike leading from Nashville to Murfreesboro, and in the numerous engagements between Wheeler's Cavalry and the enemy in 1862 and 1863, this house was often directly in the range of the artillery from both armies. The result was that the walls and roof were literally riddled with shot and shell. The brave old lady would, of course, retire when the fighting commenced, but would invariably return to her battle-scarred mansion after the engagements. Though her fences were destroyed and her farm laid waste by the con- tending armies, the tired and hungry Confederate was never turned away empty from her door, for in some way — God only knows how — her store seemed verily the "widow's cruse of oil," and she had always just a little left, which she was never unwilling to share. Yea, more, after some of our boys were captured, and were in prison nearly a thousand miles from home, suffering from insufficient food and raiment in a rigorous climate, these two noble women sent them money and clothing. The writer knows not whether either of them is living, and one must, in the course of nature, have long since passed to her sure reward ; but inasmuch as when " we were anhungered they gave us meat, when sick and in prison they ministered to us," we know it was remembered to them for righteousness. CHAPTER XII. WHEELER STARTS TO EAST TENNESSEE WITH LONGSTREET — ENGAGEMENTS AT MARYVILLE, LITTLE RIVER AND WITH GEN. SAUNDERS, NEAR KNOXVILLE — SIEGE OE KNOX- VILLE — FIGHTS OE THE 20TH AND 22D AND AT KINGS- TON ON 24TH — BATTLE OF RINGGOLD — ENGAGEMENTS OF NOVEMBER 28TH AND DECEMBER 28TH — PRAISE OF WHEELER'S FLYING ARTILLERY FROM A NORTHERN NEWSPAPER — WHEELER DEFEATS A BRIGADE OF ENEMY'S CAVALRY — OFFICIAL REPORT OF GEN. WILL T. MARTIN — ANECDOTE. On returning to the army, General Wheeler again received the thanks of President Davis and General Bragg for his brilliant campaign ; General Bragg announcing his thanks in General Orders to the army. During the remainder of October, General Wheeler was actively engaged in numerous operations against the enemy, and in protecting the front and flank of our army. CAMPAIGN IN EAST TENNESSEE. With but little rest, he was ordered into East Tennessee to co-operate with General Longstreet, and press forward toward Knoxville, to create such diversion as to hide Eongstreet's movements near Eoudon. General Order.] Headquarters, Sweetwater, Tenn., November 12, 1863. I. The command will march to-morrow morning at daylight. II. Major-General Wheeler with his command will move by the most practicable route to Marysville, and endeavor to capture the enemy's force at that point, and otherwise make a diversion upon the enemy's flank. * ********* * By command of Lieutenant-Gen eral Longstreet : G. M. Sorrei,, To Major-Gen. Wheeler, Lieutenant- Colonel and A. A. Q. Commanding Cavalry Corps. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 1 45 General Wheeler pushed boldly over the Tennessee River at Motley's Ford, on the 13th, made a night's march, at- tacked, and after a severe engagement, routed a Federal cav- alry regiment (the nth Kentucky) at Maryville, scattering it in every direction and capturing about 300 prisoners. "Fortress Monroe, Nov. 24, 1863. — The Richmond Whig of the 21st has the following : "Missionary Ridge, Nov. 19. — To General Cooper: General Wheeler reports an attack upon and dispersion of the enemy, our cavalry pursuing them into the works at Knoxville, capturing 300 prisoners. Our infantry force was close up. B. Bragg, General." Colonel Wolford, with his brigade of cavalry, crossed Little River, to come to the relief of the regiment we had just captured and dispersed. General Wheeler charged and drove him over the river in confusion, capturing one hundred and ten of his men, besides killing and wounding a large number. On the morning of November 15th, General Wheeler forced the passage of Little River and attacked Sanders', Shackleford's, Wolford's and Penderbicker's brigades of cavalry, all being under General Sanders. After a short fight they were driven two miles, when, with a battery to assist them, they made a stand in a strong position beyond a. stream which could not be crossed by horses, the enemy hav- ing destroyed the bridge. General Wheeler dismounted half his force and dislodged the enemy, after which he rebuilt the bridge which had been destroyed, and charged them mounted, routing their reserves and sweeping them pell-mell towards Knoxville. One hundred and fifty prisoners were captured ; a portion of the flying troopers hurled themselves into the river, and attempted to gain the other bank, while others went at lightning speed into the city. A portion escaped by scattering in all directions, and the ground for three miles, was strewn with their dead and wounded. General Sanders,, the Federal commander, was mortally wounded and died two days later. 10 w 146 CAMPAIGNS OP WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. Thus Burnside's cavalry, which was the boast of the ' ' Army of the Ohio, ' ' was in two days thoroughly beaten, captured, killed, scattered or demoralized by an inferior force under the gallant Wheeler, whose loss in the entire affair was but trifling. Citizens who were in Knoxville at the time state that nothing could have been more complete than the rout of this panic-stricken body of cavalry, as they rushed into the city, creating the wildest confusion. Many of the Federals were drowned in attempting to swim the river. The enemy's works being too strong for him to successfully attack, Wheeler moved, in obedience to orders, to join General Longstreet on the other side of the river, and assisted in invest- ing Knoxville. While here he captured a number of wagons, a large drove of hogs, and much other valuable property. SIEGE OF KNOXVILLE. For the next eight days we were engaged in the siege of Knoxville, continually engaging the enemy and holding a line two miles in length with dismounted cavalry. On the 20th, General Wheeler had a severe engagement near the depot, and on the 22d was in a warm battle all along his line in concert with the infantry. At daylight on the 24th, after a night's march, he made a demonstration upon the enemy at Kingston, but finding that it had been reinforced by infantry, supported by heavy artil- lery, he deemed the position too strong to be successfully as- saulted by his small force of worn-out men and horses. Further from Wheeler. — The Atlanta Intelligencer's special " 290," in a letter, says : " The following incidents in relation to General Wheeler's late expedition to Knoxville will be found of interest, and complete the page of history in that regard : " On our cavalry arriving at Stock Creek, seven miles from Knoxville, on the opposite side of the Holston River, we again engaged the enemy. The brave Alabamians and Geor- gians of Martin's division dismounted and fought for five miles as infantry, driving the enemy before them. The ar- tillery of Captains Pugh, Wiggins and Freeman, with a sec- CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY, 1 47 tdon. of two guns each, kept up a most destructive fire upon the enemy at different points, while General Harrison's bri- gade, with Captain Reese's company, the escort of General Wheeler, made several most brilliant charges, as well as the gallant 8th Texas, who charged in the rear of the enemy's batteries, killing a large number and taking eighty-five pris- oners. The enemy were driven back to near Knoxville, until met by a division of their infantry. General Vaughan also acted very gallantly on this occasion, having his horse killed under him. ■ " Had Ivongstreet been as successful as Wheeler and his gallant officers and men, we might still occupy Knoxville." At this time General Grant was making preparations to attack our army in front of Chattanooga. General Bragg telegraphed November 23d, for General Wheeler to join hiim Bragg's Headquarters, Nov. 23, 1863. General Longstrebt : The General commanding directs that General Wheeler will turn over the cavalry with you and return here. He will bring with him any regiments "belonging to the brigades as well as the artillery over and above the two battalions allowed the two divisions with you. General Wheeler is to as- sume command of cavalry here. GEORGE W. BrenT, A. A.Q. The following is an extract from General Wheeler's official report of this campaign : Headquarters Cavalry Corps, Damon, Ga., Dec. 31, 1863. Having received orders from General Bragg, through the Lieutenant-General commanding, to report to department headquarters, I turned the command over to General Martin and started in compliance with said order. My thanks are due Generals Martin and Armstrong for their gallantry and good conduct during the campaign. I must leave it for them to do justice to the many brave officers and men in their commands whose gallant bearing fully sus- tains their former reputation. ■ General Vaughan, who was with me until I reached Knox- ville, rendered valuable service by his gallantry and knowl- edge of the country. Lieutenant -Colonel Rogers, assistant inspector -general ; •Major Jenkins, assistant inspector-general; Major Burford, assistant adjutant-general ; Major Humes, chief of artillery ; 148 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. Captain Steele, engineer, and my aides, Lieutenants Pointer and Hudson, were gallant and efficient at all times. Colonel H. B. Lyon reported to me on the 20th, and was assigned to the command of the troops stationed near Kings- ton, where he did efficient service. Jos. Wheeler, Major-General Commanding Cavalry Corps. When on November 24th, General Wheeler was ordered to report to General Bragg, he left at Knoxville two divisions (Armstrong's and Morgan's) under command of Major-Gen- eral Will T. Martin. Below we give General Martin's official report of the operations of this portion of Wheeler's Cavalry : Headquarters Cavalry in East Tennessee, January 8, 1864. Colonel : I have the honor to submit the following report of the ser- vices rendered by the cavalry divisions of Brigadier-Generals Armstrong and Morgan under my command. ****** On the 24th, I moved the command to Knoxville, and it was engaged in picketing and skirmishing with the enemy in front of that place, suffering greatly for forage. On the 26th, I moved Harrison's brigade of Armstrong's, division, and Russell's brigade of Morgan's division, under command of Brigadier-General Morgan, across the Holston below Knoxville, to participate in a demonstration upon the enemy's lines there. The men were dismounted and moved with the infantry on its left flank. Russell's brigade was warmly engaged, and drove the enemy from his rifle-pits upon the side of a difficult ridge. Colonel Thomas Harrison, on the extreme left, found no enemy in his front. On November 29, these two brigades recrossed the river,, and by a forced march, made by order of Lieuten ant-General Longstreet, I moved with part of my force toward Tazewell, to meet a supposed advance of the enemy from that direction. Reaching the vicinity of Maynardville in the afternoon of the 30th, I found General Jones's division skirmishing with the enemy. It was too late to attack. General Armstrong,, with his division, was sent around to the right to reach the rear of the enemy before daylight. The remainder of my force moved at daylight on Maynardville, but the enemy had rapidly retreated soon after daylight, leaving a small picket CAMPAIGNS OP WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 149 which was captured. Being joined by General Armstrong, his division was pushed toward Clinch River, while General Jones's command was sent to the right to endeavor to effect a lodgment between the enemy and the river. A force of the enemy prevented his success. General Armstrong pushed the enemy in front, and finally he was driven across the river, after being pursued for some miles through difficult gorges, made more difficult by a frozen stream. I returned to Knoxville in obedience to orders, reaching there December 2. The army on the second night afterward, the siege of Knoxville being raised, commenced its retreat toward Rogersville. General Morgan's division followed, covering the rear of General McDaws's division on the south side of the Holston ; General Armstrong's division performed the same service on the Knoxville and river roads. The in- fantry and artillery having passed Bean's Station, I was or- dered to move to the south side of the Holston and cover the railroad and left flank. On December 10, a brigade of the enemy's cavalry attacked General Morgan's division at Russellville, while the greater portion of it was foraging. The enemy was handsomely re- pulsed by one third of its number, leaving dead, wounded and prisoners in our hands. In this affair the First and Sixth Georgia and Third Ala- bama Regiments were conspicuous for gallantry. Colonel Crews deserves mention for his skill and bravery on this occasion. Lieutenant-General Longstreet having turned upon the en- emy and attacked him at Bean's Station, I was ordered to cross the river and operate in his rear. While engaged in this movement, in order to cross the river it became necessary to dislodge the brigade of cavalry guarding May's Ford. This was done in a rapid fire of artillery from White's and Wiggins's batteries, of Morgan's division. The enemy lost sixty killed and wounded here. Early the next morning the enemy's pickets were driven in, and before I had entirely effected a crossing I was ordered to move upon the enemy's flank on the Knoxville road, four miles from Bean's Station. This was done immediately, and a high hill gained, from which my artillery could enfilade the enemy's breastworks. With great labor the guns were placed in position and rapidly and effectively served. In the meantime Morgan's division was dismounted and 150 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY., moved upon the enemy's flank. My guns were in sight of, and only 400 or 500 yards from, our infantry skirmishers, who, it was expected, would attack in front. My fire was continued for one and one-half hours, and the enemy began to retire, but was able to detach a large force to hold my men in check, as he was not pressed in front. With concert of action great damage could have been done the enemy on this day. Colonel Giltner, with his cavalry brigade, was on the side of Clinch Mountain, on the enemy's left flank, and pre- pared to second any movement of our infantry. As no move- ment was made, I held my position. The next day I moved down the Knoxville and river roads in front of the enemy, who had retired in the night, and after several unimportant skirmishes we found him in a strong po- sition on Richland Creek, holding both roads with a force too great for my cavalry to cope with in a country not at all suited for cavalry operations. On December 22, the command returned across the Holston and established a picket line from near Newmarket to Dan- dridge. Colonel Russell's brigade was posted four miles east of Dandridge, Colonel Crews's half way from Morristown to Dandridge. General Armstrong's division was concentrated at Talbott's Depot, on the road leading from Morristown to- New Market. Commanders of divisions were instructed to attack the enemy in flank or rear if he made an attack upon any of these three positions. On the morning of the 24th, simultaneous attacks were made upon General Armstrong and upon Colonel Russell. After spirited skirmishing the former, being flanked and out-' numbered, was compelled to withdraw his pickets from near Newmarket to the eastern side of Mossy Creek. An unex- pected attack upon Colonel Russell was made by 2,000 cav- alry under Colonel Campbell. Russell's brigade was for a moment in confusion, but rallied and repulsed the enemy, who fell back two miles toward Dandridge. In the meantime, four regiments of Crews's brigade (in all 600 men) moved in the rear of the enemy. Two of the regi- ments being in advance, made a spirited charge on the enemy and captured his battery of artillery. Support being too far off, the brave men who made the charge were driven from the guns, and Major Bale, commanding Sixth Georgia, was left dead in the midst of the battery. Two pieces of artillery and the two remaining regiments of the brigade coming up, CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 151 and the whole command being dismounted, the enemy was pushed from one position to another, until finally routed he abandoned one gun and caisson, his dead and wounded, and under cover of night escaped capture. Colonel Russell 's brig- ade should have moved up, but the courier sent with orders failed to reach him. He was watching the movements of 500 of the enemy, who were moving on Crews's right, trying to escape. I have never witnessed greater gallantry than was displayed by Colonel Crews and the officers and men of the First, Second, Third and Sixth Georgia Cavalry. The Fourth Geor- gia Cavalry was on detached service from this engagement at Kingston till December 30. The enemy, mounted, three times charged our dismounted men in open field, and were as often repulsed, but not until, mingling in our ranks, some of his men were brought to the ground by clubbed guns. The enemy was pursued without effect by Colonel Russell in the night to Newmarket. On the 27th, I made an effort to dislodge the enemy from Mossy Creek, but desisted, as couriers with orders to General Morgan did not find him, and he, without orders, moved his command, dismounted, from the position I had assigned to him, and made it thus impossible to effect my object. On the 29th, I engaged the enemy at 9 A. m. with all my guns and 2,000 men. The fighting occurred on both sides of tie railroad leading from Mossy Creek to Morristown, and ccanmenced one-quarter of a mile west of Talbott's Station, and ended near the same place at dark. General Morgan's division was dismounted and formed on the left of the rail- road, General Armstrong on the right. The country from this station to Mossy Creek is composed of open, rolling fields, that had been tilled during the past year, flanked by high woodland on each side. I could not maneuver the artillery except near the railroad. Armstrong's divi- sion, with the artillery, was moved rapidly upon the enemy to engage his attention, while I hoped to flank him with Morgan's division on his right. His rapid retreat enabled him to avoid this, and both divisions finally were moved at double-quick, and drove the enemy rapidly and in confusion back to Mossy Creek. Up to this time the force opposing us was not greater than 4,000 men, with two batteries. Owing to the nature of the ground, Crews's brigade had been thrown to the right of the railroad, and General Armstrong, with 152 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. Crews's brigade, was ordered to move up his artillery to within canister range, and to charge some woods in his front and that of Colonel Crews. Colonel Russell's brigade had its right resting on the rail- road and its left on the woods. Immediately in his front the enemy had occupied some barns and outhouses. I ordered him to dislodge him. The whole line moved forward. The enemy was' driven from his position on our left, but by a charge of cavalry on our right and of a brigade of infantry upon Crews's brigade and Armstrong's left, we were compelled to yield the ground. The enemy fixed bayonets and moved into the open field to charge the Georgians and two howitzers some 200 yards in his front. Perceiving this, I wheeled the Seventh Alabama Regiment to the right and moved it into a cut of the railroad, securing a good position within fifty yards of the flank of the advancing infantry. The fire from this regiment and a countercharge by the Georgians soon drove the enemy into and through the woods, with heavy loss in killed and wounded. At this time the enemy made three cavalry charges upon Russell's left, and produced some confusion for a moment. Assisted by the officers I was enabled to rally the men under a heavy fire from the cavalry and the enemy's artillery. For a short time all firing ceased except from the artillery. Upon reconnoitering the enemy's position preparatory to another attack, I found him strongly posted in my front and over- lapping my line on both flanks with three brigades of cavalry, six regiments of infantry, and three batteries of artillery in position to sweep the open fields in my front. On the opposite side of the creek, in full view, was a reserve of cavalry and infantry. A fresh brigade of cavalry was coming in from the Dandridge road in full view. My artillery had exhausted the supply of ammunition ex- cept canister. The division commanders reported an average of only five rounds of ammunition for small-arms. The Third Arkansas, a gallant little regiment, had fired the last round in its cartridge boxes, and had been ordered to the rear. The men had been fighting steadily without relief for seven hours. To advance was impossible, and to mount and retire on the open fields in daylight before so large a force, with such a prepon- derance of mounted men, would, I knew, be difficult. It could only be accomplished by the utmost steadiness. The retreat, under a heavy fire of artillery and small-arms, was effected CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 153' in perfect order, the regiments falling back in succession to advantageous points, and then fighting until, having checked the enemy sufficiently, they could gain another point of vantage. While officers and men deserve great credit for their gallan- try in the advance, their conduct during this difficult and hazardous movement to the rear entitles them to the highest praise. The enemy's bugles often sounded the charge. At first the charge was made, but not a second one. At dusk, after nine hours of severe fighting and marching, the com- mand was halted and formed and the enemy finally repulsed. There was not then an average of one round of ammunition to the man. No action has taken place since the 29th ; .only slight skirmishes have occurred. I would mention Brigadier-Generals Armstrong and Mor- gan, and Colonels Crews and Harrison, commanding brig- ades, and Colonel Thompson, Third Georgia, and Colonel Malone, for gallantry on the 29th. Captain Huggins, Lieutenants Pue and Blake, and all of the artillery, deserve mention. It is difficult, however, to distinguish. The officers and men vied with each other in the discharge of their duties. I cannot omit to mention a most gallant charge made by the Eighth Texas Regiment (the Rangers) . I would call attention to remarks of the division and brigade commanders upon the destitute condition of their men. Their representations are not colored. A very large proportion of men, and even officers, are ragged and bare- footed, without blankets or overcoats. The quartermaster of General Wheeler's corps left my command in great need of clothing. We have drawn none for fall or winter. A very large number of my horses are unshod. The men have received no pay for six months. The extremely cold The defeat of Rosecrans's army at Chickamauga was complete, but the failure to promptly follow it up rendered it a barren one' to the Confederates. Bragg posted his army along Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain, but the Confederates, rendered weaker by sending Longstreet into East Ten- nessee, were overpowered by its multitudinous assailants, and after a bloody battle, retreated toward Ringgold, and thence to Dalton. This disaster greatly discouraged the Confederates, and General Bragg, feeling that success should be the test of a military man's merit, asked to be relieved. Accordingly, on December 16, 1863, General Joseph E. John- ston took personal command of the Army of Tennessee. — (Editor.) 154 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. weather has made it almost impossible for me to move. ' I refer to the reports of Generals Armstrong and Morgan and Colonels Harrison, Biffle and Crews for further particulars. A tabular statement of casualties is hereto appended. The activity of the cavalry and multiplicity of its marches since I took command of it will furnish an excuse for the length of this report. Respectfully submitted, Will T. Martin, Major- General Commanding. General Wheeler also received the following : Headquarters, November 23, 1863. General : I send you orders received from General Bragg. You will have to turn over the command and repair to General Bragg's headquarters. I think it doubtful whether you will have much to do below, and suggest you tele- graph to General Bragg for authority to return to us. I have just heard of a large number of hogs we might pick up if we had our cavalry back. Yours respectfully, J. LONGSTREET. P. S. — The last ten wagons captured by you are not yet received here. To Major-Gkn. J. Wheeler, J. L. Commanding Corps. Headquarters, November 23, 1863. General : Permit me, General, to hope that the intercourse which has for more than a week existed between us may be soon renewed on vour again assuming direct control of the portion of your corps now in this section, whose useful- ness will be so materially advanced by your presence with it. I am, General, with great respect, Your obedient servant, G. M. Sorrel, To Major-Gen. jos. Wheeler, Lt.-Col. and A. A. G. Commanding Cavalry Corps. RETREAT FROM MISSIONARY RIDGE. In compliance with these instructions, General Wheeler started the same day the order was received. Though one hundred miles distant, with a small escort he rode day and night through the enemy's lines, and arrived at Missionary Ridge in time to cover the retreat. On this occasion he dis- played great courage, gallantry and tact, his sabre gleaming CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 1 55 where bullets fell thickest, and was twice struck by flying, missiles. After two days' hard fighting, we were driven back to Ringgold, Ga., and on the 27th General Cleburne was ordered to occupy the gap in Taylor's Ridge, in rear of the town, to assist in checking the enemy. BATTLE OF RINGGOED. General Wheeler disposed his cavalry to guard the in- fantry flanks, his largest force occupying the trails over Taylor's Ridge on Cleburne's right. Late in the morning General Hooker, commanding two army corps, made a strong attack, attempting to drive Cleburne from the Gap. Being repulsed with heavy loss by the gallant Cleburne, they sent Williamson's and Creighton's brigades of Federal infantry to drive Wheeler from his position, to enable them, to cross the mountain above the town. After a severe en- gagement they were again repulsed with heavy loss, and Col- onel Creighton, commanding brigade, was killed. Desultory firing was kept up until near 2 o'clock, when our forces- quietly withdrew. During this engagement General Wheeler's hat was struck by a Minie ball, and his foot contused by the fragments of a shell. The army correspondent of the Atlanta Intelligencer mentions General Wheeler as follows : " During the last three months General Wheeler's cavalry have scarcely had a day's rest, having traveled nearly 2.000 miles, captured 4,000 prisoners, and destroyed stores and property worth millions. As an evidence of the appreciation of his services, the President has promoted, at his instance, no less than six officers to take command under him. He now has two Major-Generals, Wharton and Martin, who are far-famed for their daring and heroism, and six Brigadiers — Armstrong, Davidson, Kelly, Morgan, Humes and Hodge,, all men of peerless daring, and who have engraven with, their swords their names on history's page." 156 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. For several days General Wheeler was engaged covering the front of our army at Dalton and engaging in almost con- tinual conflicts with the advanced posts of the enemy, cap- turing prisoners, horses, arms, wagons, etc., almost daily. On the 28th of November a severe engagement occurred near Cleveland, in which General Kelly captured a number of prisoners, pack-mules, etc. On December 27, 1863, Wheeler was sent with one thou- sand men to endeavor to overtake a traiti of wagons which -was heavily guarded and en route to Knoxville from Chatta- nooga. By traveling all night the train was overtaken at daylight, just as it was crossing the Hiawassee bridge near Charleston. He charged the enemy's rear, captured twenty prisoners and a portion of the train. The prisoners were brought off, but the train had to be abandoned as it was cov- ered by the fire from the heavy forts near the crossing. A considerable number of the enemy were killed and wounded, while our loss was trifling. After engaging the enemy for some time, General Wheeler ordered his troops to be with- drawn. While this was being accomplished, the enemy made a general charge upon our rear-guard. General Wheeler checked the charge of their cavalry by a counter-charge with his staff and escort. During the m§l£e which ensued, General Wheeler was entirely enveloped by the enemy. Lieutenant Pointer, his aide-de-camp, was captured, only escaping by a successful but desperate conflict with the guards. The enemy made the .greatest exertion to capture our battery, but were signally defeated. In this affair, which took place within the Federal lines, our loss was less than half that sustained by the enemy. , The Federal force actually engaged, according to their own account, was 3,700 infantry and 1,500 cavalry, while our entire force was less than a thousand men, many of whom did not become engaged. From November, 1863, until May, 1864, all but two brigades •of Wheeler's command was detached on duty in East Ten- nessee or foraging in Alabama. The following are the Federal accounts of these affairs : CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 1 57 "Chattanooga, December 28. — Colonel Long, of the 4th Ohio cavalry, returned from Calhoun, Tenn., to-day and reports that the rebel General Wheeler, with 1,200 or 1,500- cavalry and mounted infantry, attacked Colonel Siebert and captured a supply train from Chattanooga for Knoxville at 10 o'clock this morning at Charleston, on the south bank of the Hiawassee. The train and escort had reached the encamp- ment at Charleston last night and Colonel Siebert's skirmish- ers were hotly engaged with the enemy. They charged before Colonel Long was apprised of their approach. " George H. Thomas." wheeler's cavalry. A correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial, writing from Chattanooga, thus alludes to General Wheeler's Cavalry r "The daring dash of Wheeler's cavalry to within three miles of town on Monday night, and the capture of three pickets and eight stragglers, has agitated our military leaders and still greater precautions have been taken to prevent a repetition of these raids. A strong infantry picket guards all the approaches to the south side of the river at a distance of about a mile from the town, or at the base of Mission Ridge, while a cavalry picket is on the outer posts and will attend to Mr. Wheeler, should he again approach so near our head- quarters. Wilder's cavalry are upon the alert, and should they come upon Wheeler's men, you may expect to hear a. good account of them." The following are accounts from Southern papers : "LETTER FROM DAETON — GENERAL WHEELER'S EXPEDITION. TO CHARLESTON, ETC. "Dear Editor: The General commanding, ordered Gen- eral Wheeler, on the 26th inst, to look after a wagon train of the enemy, which was reported to be moving from Chatta- nooga in the direction of Knoxville, escorted by about five thousand infantry, together with cavalry. "Having collected twelve hundred of his command, General Wheeler started on the morning of the 27th to overtake the train. In the midst of a very heavy storm of rain, which made the roads almost impassable, he traveled about forty miles, but was unable to come up with the train until it 358 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER ANB HIS CAVALRY. reached Charleston, and the larger part of it had crossed the Hiawassee River, at which point General Sheridan's division had camped to await its arrival. On the morning of the' 28th, upon arriving at a point two and a half miles from Charles- ton, he found a heavy picket of the enemy, which he charged, ■driving them into their fortifications on the river and cap- turing about twenty prisoners. He then dismounted several "hundred men, in order to attack the main force, but after skirmishing with them for about a half hour he discovered they were in too great strength, having been reinforced by General Sheridan from the north bank of the river. He therefore ordered General Kelly to retire his brigade. " While this movement was being executed, the enemy charged with a double line of cavalry and infantry in front and on the flanks, and for a short time threw a portion of our : coinmand into confusion, which resulted in wounding several .and a few men being captured. The General and his staff, together with General Kelly and a few men, met the charg- ing columns of the enemy and quickly convinced him of his rashness. General Wheeler, in his great anxiety to receive the enemy with a counter-charge, rushed into the column under a full charge, and beneath the gleam of more than a dozen sabres and volleys of pistol shots, he was ordered to -surrender more than half a dozen times, but not being of that sort, he declined, and trusting to the agility and speed of his noble black horse, turned upon the enemy every few yards until he succeeded in checking his advance. Lieuten- ant Pointer, his aide-de-camp, exhibited more than his accus- tomed gallantry, for two Federals, one with a sabre lifted over his head and another with a pistol at his breast, demanded his surrender. With a coolness seldom evinced, he very naively replied ' Yes,' and when asked to deliver his arms, he raised his hand from his side, and discharging the contents of a pistol into the heart of the soldier with the sabre, he wheeled into the woods, and received a shot through .his over- coat just above his breast from the other Federal. The woods crackled with the bullets, and a hundred excited voices cried out, 'Halt! halt!' but he made good his escape. ' ' Many of the officers and privates showed distinguished gallantry in resisting the advance of the Federals and cutting their way out while completely circumvented, and many a blue-coat tumbled from his saddle even while he was sabring .our men. There are men now in this place who bear the CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 1 59 marks of several pistol balls and sabre cuts who did not sur- render, but killed their adversaries and escaped. " The position of the command, as it was in the rear of General Grant's army, with a large force of Sherman in front, and the artillery stalled in the very muddy roads, re- flects great credit upon the officers who extricated it so well. "The enemy deeming ' prudence the better part of valor,' retired to their fortifications after a short pursuit,, and General Wheeler with his command returned quietly to camp. ' ' General Kelly and staff, and Colonel Griffith, will not be forgotten very soon by those who witnessed their distinguished gallantry in several hand-to-hand conflicts, and inspiring their men to rally'. ' ' If General Johnston will only permit General Wheeler to rest' and recruit his command for a few weeks ere the spring campaign opens, I shall have the pleasure of giving you some racy letters about the achievements of the cavalry. More anon. Yours as ever, Vidi."' The following able article, copied by the Augusta Consti- tutionalist from, the Macon Confederate, in December, 1863, gives a clearer view of the duties and difficulties of cavalry than we have seen elsewhere. It explains, too, the peculiar embarrassments under which General Wheeler labored, not only in being attached to and a part of a large army, assist- ing in its operations and sharing its defeats — as distinguished from other cavalry leaders with independent commands — but also in being compelled to share in the unpopularity of the commanding General, whether just or unjust. It is, however, significant to remember that although the commander of the Army of Tennessee was changed four times (Beauregard to Bragg, Bragg to Johnston, Johnston to Hood, Hood to Johnston) , the commander of its cavalry was never changed. General Wheeler enjoyed the entire confidence of each of the successive Generals commanding, and their appre- ciation of his services is in evidence in official reports and gen- eral orders. These able officers have unfortunately indulged ■in much severe criticism of each other, and frequently of other officers commanding infantry, but of the commander 160 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVAERY. of their cavalry we have seen nothing except kindly words of commendation. The man who could, " following the path of duty plain," so shape his course as to steer clear of the jealousies and rivalries of his superiors, and still hold the confidence and esteem of each, must have possessed military genius of a high order, and consummate tact as well: — (Editor.) ' ' SOMETHING ABOUT CAVAERY — THE MEMPHIS APPEAE AND GENERAE WHEEEER. ' ' There is no branch of the service so little understood as that of cavalry. Infantry and artillery are essentially fight- ing branches of the army ; cavalry is this and more. The mounted man in our service must not only fight, picket and scout, but is also required to bring reliable intelligence to the commanding General. This duty is the most difficult one he has to perform, and calls for prudence, good judgment and courage, moral as well as physical, in the cavalry officer. The commanding General desires to know the force of the enemy. The cavalry, the eyes and ears of the army, is called upon to furnish the information. Rumors will not do ; facts are required. There is but one way to obtain the desired in- formation, and that is to attack the enemy vigorously and compel him to reveal his forces and his position. Here the moral courage of the cavalry officer is shown. He is called upon to attack a greatly superior force with the absolute cer- tainty of being driven back and discomfited. He does not fight for victory, but for information. His success consists not in whipping the enemy, but in discovering, beyond a doubt, what force he has and what position he occupies. Thus duty is nobly done. The information communicated may lead to a great victory — to the success of a campaign or a cause — and yet the cavalry officer meets with nothing but blame and abuse from the press and the people. They will say, ' he recklessly attacked a greatly superior force — he was forced to fly — he lost a hundred men.' They do not see that this defeat was the first part of the victory — that the hundred dead men were not needlessly sacrificed, but fell that their comrades might triumph. " It may be the information obtained by the loss of fifty or a hundred men leads to no important result ; still the com- manding General must know the force and position of the CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. l6l enemy, and the cavalry officer must furnish the information, though he frequently has it to do in the face of assured loss and certain public opprobrium. ' ' Only the commanding General of an army knows whether o'r not the cavalry has succeeded in the duty entrusted to it, and consequently he alone can justly determine whether its officers are entitled to praise or censure. If the cavalry officer is desirous only of being praised in the papers, he can easily obtain his wish. He need never attack the enemy without fair assurance of success. He can only retreat be- fore a superior force ; he can adopt as his motto, ' A good run is better than a bad fight ' ; but in that case, though he may never fight without being victorious, and thus have his name heralded in the papers, he will be of little service to the army and the cause. If the whole use of cavalry con- sisted in the damage they could do the enemy by fighting, they would not be worth the expense of their outfit. They would cost less and do more as infantry. " Apropos of cavalry, why is it that the Memphis Appeal, that has justly acquired an enviable reputation in the ranks of journalism, takes every occasion to cast a slur upon the able commander of cavalry in the Army of Tennessee ? Is it because he happens to be a Georgian ? Or is it because he ranks General Forrest ? We have noticed that the Appeal seems anxious to make the most of every little disaster that occurs to any of the forces under the command of General Wheeler. " The other day, not content with the affair at Charleston, Tenn., given by the agent of the Associated Press, the Ap- peal adds : ' We shall probably know more of this affair when the Federal account reaches us.' What does the Appeal mean ? Does that paper believe it will get a truer account of the affair from the Federals than from General Wheeler ? If this is its meaning, we can assure the Appeal that it does a great injustice to General Wheeler. By all who know him General Wheeler is regarded as the type of honor. He would scorn a lie or the garbling of truth as he would a theft. His bitterest enemies have never denied that he, in the high- est and noblest sense, " ' bears without abuse, The grand old name of gentleman.' " Of his qualifications as an officer, we think the endorse- ment of the President and General Bragg are sufficient. 11 w 1 62 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. Whatever may have been the faults and shortcomings of Gen- eral Bragg, he has never, we think, been accused of an un- worthy favoritism. He holds his officers to strict accounta- bility for the execution of his orders. His well-known friend- ship for General Wheeler — which, by the by, has a great deal to do with the slur cast upon the latter by the opponents of the former — was formed solely by the prompt and ab!e manner in which his orders were executed by General Wheeler. For more than a year General Bragg had daily opportunities of judging of the capabilities of Wheeler, and has rendered but one verdict, ' Well done, thou good and faithful servant. ' Why, then, do some of the papers endeavor to pluck from the brow of this gallant, untiring officer the laurels he has so nobly won? Without political influence or friends, without the assistance of the press, he has fought his way to a high posi- tion by his energy, his talents and his courage. L,et no rash hand seek to tear from the brow of this gallant Georgian the wreath which he wears with so much justice and so much modesty." During January several conflicts occurred with the enemy's cavalry, which resulted in our capturing a considerable num- ber of horses, arms and prisoners. February 22d, General Thomas, commanding the Federal Army of the Cumberland, commenced his advance upon our army at Dalton, our force being much weakened, the greater part having been sent to Mississippi to meet the advance of Sherman's force from Vicksburg towards Meridian. General Thomas's object was to cause otir weakened forces to evacuate the strongly fortified position at Dalton, which he then felt confident of holding against any force we might afterwards Dai/Ton, February io, 1864. Major-Generai, Wheei/ER, Commanding Cavalry Corps: General Johnston has ordered a reconnaisance by Hardee on the Cleveland road, by Cleburne on the Ringgold road, and by Hindman on the route run- ning west over Taylor's Ridge towards Dr. Anderson's. This route leaves the Ringgold road between this and Tunnel Hill near Stoval's encampment. The time is to-morrow morning ; each party is a brigade of infantry. The General wishes you to cover the movement of each by your cavalry. Respectfully, W. W. Mackaia, Chief of Staf. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 1 63 be able to bring against him. General Wheeler immediately divined his movements, and notified his commander, General Johnston. By the most zealous efforts, General Wheeler held the enemy with such firmness as to enable our forces to return and occupy their position at Dalton before the enemy had completed his short march of twenty-five miles. "Thomas, finding himself baffled in his attempt, after a few pretty se- vere demonstrations upon our lines, withdrew on the night ■of the 26th to his old station, mortified and disappointed at his utter failure. General Wheeler followed him closely, har- assing his rear and capturing a number of prisoners. Dur- ing this movement our losses were trifling, and the spirit of our army improved, while the enemy suffered heavily in both •spirits, men and material. The following extracts from newspapers describe this move- men in detail : "Dalton, Ga., February 27. — The enemy's skirmishers were two miles this side of Tunnel Hill last night. It is not believed they will make any general attack on our front. The enemy's forces have fallen back from Lafayette to Ringgold. There is a brigade of cavalry at Summerville. From present appearances, the enemy will await reinforcements to make a flank movement by Lafayette. General Wheeder yesterday captured a sergeant and ten privates. I have just returned from the front. The enemy continue to fall back this morn- ing. General Wheeler's cavalry has advanced beyond Tun- nel Hill, with. a view of cutting off the enemy's trains. Our line of battle has advanced. General Johnston is in front. All prospects of a general engagement have failed unless the Federals are overtaken." " Chicago, March i. — The Richmond papers have the fol- lowing : "Dalton, February 26. — The enemy have disappeared from our front, retreating toward Chattanooga. General Wheeler is in pursuit." ■ THE ADVANCE ON DALTON — EXCITING PARTICULARS. A special to the Louisville Journal, dated " In the field, three miles from Dalton, Georgia, February 27," says : 164 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVAERY. " Yesterday morning at 3 o'clock, Baird took up his line of march across Tunnel Ridge to the northeast, to join Cruft's division that marched from Red Hill down two valleys to the east and flanking Rocky Face, passing through a gap three miles north of Tunnel Hill. Baird joined Cruft on the right,, and the whole line moved toward Dalton. Gross's brigade moved along a minor ridge parallel with and a half mile east, of Rocky Face. Baird's line occupied the valley. The enemy's skirmishers were encountered early in the morning,, opposing a stout resistance. A high ridge three miles from Dalton terminates the valley, crossing at the north and south. On this rested the enemy's main line of battle. Half a mile north of this line, on the ridge occupied by Gross, the enemy planted a battery on a prominent spur and shelled our lines. The hill was taken by a charge of Gross's brigade at a loss of from forty-five to fifty killed and wounded. Baird, pushing forward through the open fields of the valley, was vigorously shelled by a battery that occupied a spur just below the one- taken by Gross. Van Dever's brigade was on Baird's left,, and Turchin's on his right. " On the* right of the wagon road that runs through the center of the valley, is a heavy strip of timber that comprises the precipitous slope of Rocky Face. Turchin and staff,, riding in advance of the line , were fired on by the enemy's skir- mishers, when our lines were pushed forward and the Rebels, retired to their main line. At half past 1 o'clock the enemy opened both 'his batteries on our lines in the valley, but the- Fourth artillery replied. Turchin, filing through the woods,, ascends and forms the line of battle on the slope of Rocky Face, ten minutes before 2 o'clock. Turchin charges the Rebel line, and for half an hour the fighting is terrific, and the rebels, driven far from their position, are reinforced in return to drive us. Our loss in killed, wounded and missing in this charge will reach almost one hundred. We will soon, hear the detonations of artillery with the rattling accompani- ment of small arms on the west slope of Rocky Face. Davis. is charging the enemy at Buzzard Roost. The fighting on the eastern slope with Cruft and Baird grew lighter, and. finally was reduced to light skirmishing and some heavy artillery firing. Davis, at Buzzard Roost, charged through the defiles almost to the enemy's guns, when he was con- fronted by infantry of twice his strength, and withdrew. He reports to General Palmer a slight loss. General Morgan and CAMPAIGNS OP WHEEEER AND HIS CAVALRY. 1 65 Dan McCook's brigade fought splendidly at night. The object of the reconnaisance having been accomplished and the enemy's strength developed, General Thomas ordered his troops to retire. Our losses will probably reach, in killed, wounded and missing, 175. "The enemy opposed to us is Stewart's and Stevenson's divisions, with portions of Hindman's and Cleburne's, and Wheeler's entire cavalry, amounting in all to about fifteen thousand men. Johnson and Davis fell back to Tunnel Hill, which place it is our determination to hold." The following is the Federal account of Tuesday's opera- tions taken from the Philadelphia Enquirer : " THE EATE MOVEMENT ON TUNNEE HIEE, GA. "NashvieeE, Tenn., Feb. 27, 1864. — On Tuesday morn- ing the column moved at daylight, and during the afternoon our cavalry and the enemy's, under the command of General Wheeler (the ablest of the rebel cavalry Generals), skirmished continually. "When our forces were within half a mile of the enemy, they were saluted by a volley from a brigade of rebel cavalry and shots from four guns. The musketry fire had some effect upon the cavalry, and they fell back, while all four of the first cannon shots, which were shells, burst in the vicinity of the brigade of regulars and Colonel Hambright's brigade. The rebel battery was maneuvered capitally, and succeeded in killing and wounding several of our men. In a few mo- ments the Second Minnesota and Ninth Indiana batteries were thundering away, and after a quarter of an hour's practice, succeeded in dislodging the enemy's guns. Our cavalry made great haste, as soon as it was practicable, to endeavor to cap- ture the battery, but when they gained the top of the ridge the battery was posted upon a neighboring crest. This was General Wheeler's flying artillery, and more dreaded by our artillerists than any other battery in the rebel service. During General Rosecrans's advance upon Murfreesboro, it brought up the rebel retreat from Davergne to the Stone River battle-field, and baffled all attempts at capture. ' ' The word ' forward ' was again given and the infantry again advanced, and after a little exercise of climbing gained the top of the ridge. Here was a fine view of the town — time of day, 4 p. m. The whole column again moved for- 1 66 CAMPAIGNS' OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. ward as before, except that the line was extended, and the artillery not so much to the rear. The cavalry, with every- thing open and clear before them, pursued a crowd of raga- muffins who were making a precipitate rush for the town. All of a sudden our cavalry were ' fetched up all standing,' as six guns opened a cross fire upon them from a gorge in what is known as Rocky Face, through which runs the railroad and the Dalton pike road. The enemy moved up at a double quick and the cavalry moved back at the same rate. No working line of battle could be formed, and pluck alone had to be brought into requisition in the contest for the gorge. The enemy had managed to keep up a furious fire of musketry and cannon, and succeeded in holding their position, notwith- standing the brilliant dashes of the cavalry brigades of Gen- erals Morgan and Dan McCook. It was now getting quite dark, which probably more than anything else contributed to the successful holding of the gorge by the rebels. The further advance, therefore, was not attempted Tuesday night. But the next morning our forces, after considerable heavy fighting, marched into the town of Tunnel Hill." (Correspondence of the Daily Confederate.) "INTERESTING DETAILS OF THE LATE OPERATIONS AT DALTON. " Dalton, Feb. 29, 1864. — On Monday morning, the 21st inst., the enemy, under General Thomas, began his advance through Ringgold Gap on to this town. Our cavalry met and fought him at Stone Church, and kept him in check during the day. " Early on Tuesday morning the enemy again began their advance and charged our cavalry, but it was handsomely re- pulsed, and such was the effect on the enemy that before attempting to advance further he deployed long infantry lines. We fought him successfully on Tuesday, frequently ambuscading him, but late in the evening permitting him to march into Tunnel Hill, we forming our cavalry lines on the Headquarters Army of Tennessee, Dai/ton, Feb. 23, 1864. General: When driven back by the enemy, destroy all bridges in your rear, and make the road as impracticable as possible. Offer, him every obstacle and difficulty in your power, Respectfully, To Major-Gen. Wheeler, George Wiuiam Brent, A. A.G. Commanding Cavalry. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 167 ridge next to Dalton, where General Cleburne's command had had their winter quarters. Ganoty's rifle battery was placed in position and fired with excellent effect into two regiments of the enemy's cavalry which had passed our pickets on the Trickham road. This shelling, which was done with great accuracy, caused a stampede of these two regmients of cavalry. ' ' On the morrow we could plainly see their infantry lines deployed. After a little while a regiment of cavalry appeared in front of their infantry line, and General Wheeler asked. Captain Ganoty if he could not reach them. The reply was that he could, and immediately ordered the pieces charged, then directed his gunners to aim well ; carefully aimed, the command fire — one, two, three, four — with lightning speed the swift messengers of death are hurrying to their work,, and down go horses and riders. The aim was correct — all have exploded in their cavalry column. Helter-skelter, pell- mell, in the Utmost confusion, they scatter all over the fields, or rush to seek protection under cover of the woods. Thus disappointed and thwarted in their forward movement, they knew not how to turn, and thus continued inactive for sev- eral hours, except that they would throw an occasional shot into our lines, but without damage, as far as I have been able to learn. " At about three "o'clock on Wednesday the enemy moved a division up to the ridge General Wheeler was defending, from the right flank, and at a distance of one and a half miles. General Wheeler was finally compelled to fall back from the position, but continued to ambush them until late in the afternoon, when they were brought back to their in- fantry lines. 1 ' On Thursday morning the little band of cavalry took its march for the right flank of our army, where they soon found the Federals. Clayton's brigade had met the enemy on the same spot on Wednesday and repulsed them. They remained here all day Thursday, guarding the position, as well as keep- ing a small force to guard the left flank, and were in range of the enemy's batteries all day long. The Federals frequently shelled' our lines, but no confusion ensued therefrom. On the contrary, our cavalry retired under cover of the hills just as though they had been on dress parade. " Early Friday morning we found the enemy in our imme- diate front retiring, and our cavalry pressed them for six 1 68 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. miles, until their cavalry was driven upon their infantry, and then retired to our former position in line of battle, to await the orders of the commanding General. " During the day the Federals thrice attacked Reynold's brigade of infantry, and were repulsed with considerable loss. " On Saturday, about ten o'clock, it was ascertained from our infantry skirmishers in front that the Federals had again disappeared. Immediately 'to horse ' sounded, and the cav- alry again pressed forward in advance of the infantry. They pushed on until three miles beyond Tunnel Hill, where the enemy are overtaken, who, as circumstances proved, had re- tired at nine o'clock the night before. They were again forced upon their infantry lines, where two full divisions could be seen in line. We continued to watch these lines and harass their cavalry until nightfall, when all our wearied command, which had been but twice unsaddled in six days, and had been hourly engaging the Federals during the time, retired to their former bivouac." During the winter and spring, besides frequently engaging the enemy, General Wheeler devoted himself to drilling and instructing the portion of his corps then with him. Daily company, regimental and brigade drills were held under his immediate direction. Officers were instructed daily in tactics and sabre exercises, by the system of tactics prepared by General Wheeler. "General Orders No. 2%.~\ " Headquarters Army of Tennessee, "Dalton, Ga., February 17, 1864. "The system of Cavalry Tactics prepared by Major-General Wheeler is adopted for the use of the cavalry of the Army of Tennessee. ' ' By command of General Johnston : " Kinlock Falconer, A. A. GenH. Regular camps were laid out, and at daylight every morn- ing General Wheeler was seen with his staff in some one of the several camps superintending the reveille and stable call, which he required to be carred out as directed by the regulations. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 1 69 , So proficient did his command become in drill, that Gen- eral Johnston stated, after witnessing one of his cavalry- reviews and drills, that their proficiency was equal to any regular cavalry he had ever seen. Wheeler's frequent in- spections materially improved the condition of his horses, arms, equipments, etc. Colonel Henry, of General John- ston's staff, having inspected minutely and reported to Gen- eral Johnston the condition of these troops, General John- ston had it indorsed as follows : " The General commanding notices with pleasure the im- provement in the cavalry corps." Skirmishing became more frequent as spring advanced, until a brisk skirmish became almost of daily occurrence. Early in March a brigade of the enemy's cavalry under Colonel Harrison, having extended itself a short distance from the main body of its infantry support, committed many depredations upon citizens. General Wheeler deter- mined to attack them with his available force which could be spared from picket duty, about six hundred men. He crossed Taylor's Ridge on the night of March 8th, and threw himself upon the enemy, utterly defeating and rout- ing their entire brigade, capturing their camp, stores, equip- age, and a number of prisoners with their horses and arms. Unfortunately, a force which General Wheeler had dispatched the night previous, with orders to gain the enemy's rear, failed to carry out the instructions, which gave most of the enemy an opportunity to escape, else nearly all would cer- tainly have been captured. As it was, however, we had lost but one man, while the entire brigade of the enemy was placed hors de combat. An eye-witness giving an account of the affair, states that the charge which broke the enemy's center was led by General Wheeler in person. On April 3d, hearing that a regiment of the enemy were on picket duty near Cleveland, East Tennessee, General Wheeler made a night's march with a small force, charged in upon the enemy at daylight and dispersed them, captur- 170 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. ing their camps, wagons, and twenty-four officers and men with their horses and arms. On April 23d he made a dash upon an outpost, capturing several prisoners, besides killing and wounding a number of the enemy. Federal General Thomas, in his official report, page 209, says their loss was five killed and ten wounded. (Special to the Daily Confederate.) "THE SITUATION IN FRONT. " Dai/ton, March 10. — On the evening of the 8th inst. General Wheeler moved with a small portion of his com- mand for the purpose of attacking and driving off a brigade of Federal cavalry in the valley beyond Taylor's Ridge. On the morning of the 9th he crossed the ridge, which occupied some time, as a great portion of the road was only a narrow trail, requiring them to march in single file. The enemy were found and fell back through the woods, skirmishing until they formed in a line of battle in a strong position. General Wheeler charged them as usual, leading the charge in person. Their line was broken in the center and pressed on both roads, which they took. The Federal officers attempted to rally their men, but it was of no avail ; they were demoralized utterly — stampeding, flying, and the glit- tering sabres of the brave Southerners warning them not to stop ; nor did their officers long seem to be much inclined to urge their halt ; the panic had spread, and they vied with their men in their efforts to escape. L,eet's mill and tan- yard were passed — on still sped pursued and pursuer, until within a short distance of the Chickamauga, near I^ee and Gordon's mill , where General Wheeler, finding the advantage the enemy had in that their horses were fresh while his had been wearied and fatigued, determined to withdraw his com- mand, as all had been accomplished that could be done. , Generai, Wheei,Er: Have you any information as to tiie passes in Taylor's Ridge, North and East Cumberland, and do you know whether the enemy are holding or observing them ? I congratulate you on your late success. Respectfully, your obedient servant, W. W. Mackai,i,, Dai/ton, March 7. Adjutant-General. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. IJI " A brigade of the enemy has been stampeded, demoralized,, scattered, ruined, so far as immediate service to the Federal army is concerned ; their camps, with several days' rations of corn, breadstuff s, etc., captured ; quite a number of the enemy killed, wounded, and captured, while we lost but three or four wounded. We have secured a number of rifles and pistols, and our men have been repaid for their labors by the numbers of blankets, saddle-bags, oil-cloths, hats, etc., thrown away by the flying Federals in their great anxiety for their personal safety, and the country has been freed from these pests who have been pilfering and committing depredations of every character since their first occupancy of the country. "A few more such achievements and General Thomas will have no cavalry left that can head an advance or cover a retreat. Junius." The following from the correspondent of a Northern paper indicates the estimation in which General Wheeler was held by the other side : "new military works. " Most of the remarks I have made concerning the state and condition of Lee's army are applicable to Johnston's. Here, also, my information leads me to believe that vast military works, extending from Dalton to Rome, and from Rome to Atlanta, are now in progress. Breckinridge, con- sidered as the best of Bragg's lieutenants, has been trans- ferred to another command ; Patrick Cleburne, the Irishman, one of the most intrepid officers of that army, carrying with him some of the prestige exercised by Jackson, has gone to Mobile ; Frank Cheatham has also been detached from that command and sent southward. Wheeler and Wharton, two West Pointers, and the most efficient officers of Bragg's army, have, I am told, recently been removed from Dalton and ordered to join Dongstreet." The Texas Rangers' New Uniforms. Among the best troops commanded by General Wheeler were several regiments of Texas cavalry, called " Rangers."" These doughty warriors were ready to fight, forage or frolic. During one of Wheeler's frequent "rides around the Federal 172 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. army," there were captured a number of sutler wagons. In one of these our Texans overhauled a lot of fine broadcloth •dress-coats and paper collars, with which they at once pro- ceeded to adorn themselves. Arrayed in swallow-tailed coats and high standing collars, over shirts that had not been washed in weeks, and pants decidedly conspicuous for abra- sions made by long contact with the saddle, these " rough riders " presented a picture as ludicrous as can be imagined. — (Editor.) CHAPTER XIII. GENERAL SHERMAN PREPARES FOR THE SUMMER CAMPAIGN — BEGINS HIS GRAND ADVANCE — WHEELER DRIVEN BACK TO OUR INFANTRY — BATTLE OF DUG GAP — FIGHTS NEAR VARNELL STATION — COVERS RETREAT FROM DALTON TO' RESACA — BATTLE OF RESACA — COVERS GENERAL JOHN- STON'S RE "RAT FROM RESACA — ENGAGEMENTS OF MAY 1 6TH AND 17m — FIGHT WITH GARRARD AND STONEMAN ON THE 1 8TH — RETREAT ACROSS THE ETOWAH. During the latter part of April, the enemy pushed out strong bodies of troops to reconnoiter our position, causing heavy fighting between them and our cavalry, all of which resulted to our advantage, as General Wheeler fought behind strongly fortified positions, which he had built successively along the line of the enemy's march. Sometimes, however, when opportunity offered, he charged with a few squadrons some weak point, capturing prisoners and gaining other advantages. Sherman's letter to Grant, April 10, 1864 (Sherman's Mem- oirs, Page 27), says : " At the signal given by you, Schofield, with his infantry and Stoneman's cavalry, will move on Johnston's right, send- ing 2,000 cavalry direct to Athens, Ga. "Thomas, with his infantry and two divisions of cavalry,, will move on Johnston's front. Dai/ton, May 1, 1864. Major-General Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry: General Johnston wishes you to order all your scouts observing the Ten- nessee, from Bridgeport to Gunter's Landing, to report any movement of the enemy to the commanding officer at Rome, and desires you to try and ascer- tain the truth of the reported activity and movement of trains from Chatta- nooga to Ringgold. Respectfully, W. W. MackalL, Chief of Staff. T74 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. "McPherson, with 30,000 infantry and Garrard's division of •cavalry, 6,000 strong, will move towards Rome and feel for Thomas. "Garrard will then strike for Opelika, West Point or Colum- bus, and break up the railroad between Montgomery and Georgia, and then either return to this army or seek safety at Pensacola." This plan was reiterated in Sherman's letters of April i6th, 24th and 25th. General Wheeler had, during all the spring months, kept a ■strong line of pickets, not only in Sherman's immediate front, but extending to his right and left along the Tennessee River for a distance of more than 2 00 miles. Every diversion, scout •or movement of the enemy was observed, checked and re- ported. Something, possibly this, made Sherman more cautious, for his letters of the 27th and 29th indicate more concentra- tion in his movements, and all his available force is ordered to move in one mass upon General Johnston. Sherman's letter of May speaks of his ordering an attack upon Tunnel Hill. His letter of May 10th to General Halleck says his main cavalry force is just approaching from Kentucky and Tennessee. Sherman's letters of May 10th and 14th say his cavalry Dai/ton, May 4, 1864. -Generai,: Your reports of this morning make the impression upon me that Howard has moved down to Red Clay. It is important to ascertain the fact forth- with. Please take the necessary measures. I have sent orders to General Kelly to join you with all the horses fit for field service in the two brigades at Resaca; to save time I sent it direct, especially as you were in the field at the time. He was instructed to have the men left considered as belonging to the defense of the place where our trains are. Reports from Gunter's Landing indicate concentration there. General Kelly had better be on the Cleveland road. Very respectfully, J. E. Johnston, General. Major-Gen. Weebwr, Commanding Cavalry Corps. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 1 75 consisted of Corse's, Garrard's and Kilpatrick's, McCook's and Stoneman's divisions. General George H. Thomas, in his account of operations, page 209, says, April nth, 1864 : " The cavalry of this army was reorganized into four divi- sions of three brigades each." SHERMAN'S ADVANCE. On May 1st the enemy commenced his grand advance. General Sherman, in his official report, states his effective force for offensive operations was 98,797 men. He was soon afterwards reinforced by Blair's (17th) corps of infantry, and Corse's, Stoneman's, Garrard's andRosseau's divisions and Watkins's and Caperton's brigades of cavalry, making in all a force of over 100,000 infantry and 18,000 cavalry. General Wheeler fought them steadily and firmly until the 7th, when the two armies stood face to face. A Federal cor- respondent, in speaking of these fights, states : " The rebel cavalry, under Wheeler, fought our advance with an abandon and desperation worthy of a. better cause." BATTLE OE DUG GAP. On the 8th an attempt was made to gain our rear, by pass- ing over Taylor's Ridge over Dug Gap. General Wheeler met and repulsed this with Grigsby's small but brave brigade of Kentucky cavalry, which, after a fight of two hours, en- tirely defeated and drove back a corps of the enemy who had Headquarters Army op Tennessee, Dai/ton, May 9, 1864, 4 p. m. Major-General. Wheeler, Ballon and Cleveland, Road. General: Grigsby's brigade is in the trenches at Resaca. General Johnston wants some cavalry in observation between this place and Resaca for fear of a sur- prise by an advance here. I do not think Resaca is in any danger. We have 4,000 men there. Let me congratulate you on your splendid success till the General can speak his thanks. Very respectfully, W. W. Mackall, Chief of Staff. 176 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. made repeated assaults upon the position so bravely held by these few men, who, dismounted and partially screened by tem- porary barricades, poured deadly volleys into the enemy's, advancing columns until toward evening, when they finally withdrew and made no further attempt to take the position they found so ably defended. Thus, by taking advantage of the favorable ground, one small brigade of dismounted cavalry defeated an entire corps of the enemy, saved our army from being flanked out of po- sition, and in two hours killed and wounded more of the enemy than they had engaged. BATTLES AROUND VARNELL STATION. On the following day, May 9th, General Wheeler met and repulsed McCook's division of cavalry, which was endeavor- ing to turn our right near Rocky Face. We captured a few prisoners and horses, and lost but a few men wounded. The enemy were driven back in confusion. The following day they again made a strong move on our right, pushing down the main Cleveland and Dalton road. As the enemy were in Headquarters, All's House, 2:25 p. m., May 10, 1864. Generax,: I am unable to decide what the Federals are endeavoring to accomplish. The force in Crowe Valley east of Rocky Face is reported to be moving to our left. There seems to be no force threatening us except on Rocky Face and that force has been unusually quiet to-day. All safe at Resaca. Hood and command will return this evening. No news. I am only uneasy about our right, but won't be uneasy about that when Hood returns. Report promptly any movement of troops on Varnell Station Road. It is from that point that I apprehend danger. Very truly, Major-Gen. Wheeler, W. J. Hardee, Commanding Cavalry Corps. Lieutenant-General. Dalton, May u, 1864. General Wheeler: Have your command in readiness, if you please, for action, and then re- port in person at General Johnston's headquarters to-morrow at sunrise. Respectfully, W. W. Mackall, Chief of Staff- GO > H H O ■ a c Q > > 3J o > r O z o > CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 1 77 strong force, they pushed back our pickets rapidly. General Wheeler placed his troops promptly in position, behind a large field. When the enemy had advanced to a convenient distance, General Wheeler charged upon them, leading his brave Texas brigade in person, broke through their line and caused their total defeat and rout. One hundred and fifty of the enemy's infantry were captured. General Wheeler pushed on and defeated the cavalry reserves, capturing Gen- eral LeGrange, a brigade commander, one stand of colors and a number of prisoners and horses.* The entire force of the enemy fell back upon their main army rapidly and in con- fusion. This signal victory was gained with less than nine hundred men, and over a force at least three times our strength. The enemy became so scattered that many who escaped never returned to their ranks. Our I09S was less then forty. Gen- erals Kelly and Allen, of Wheeler's command, were men- tioned by Wheeler for their gallantry and good conduct. The charge of Wheeler and his gallant Texans was beau- tiful. In order to get into action they had to cross a morass where only four could go abreast, but they charged in columns of fours, and formed " right into line " as they charged. The result was inevitable, for Sherman had no cavalry which could withstand the onslaught of these men. Colonel L,eGrange was captured and about 150 of his men. I,eGrange took his capture much to heart, and was so mortified that he is said to have shed tears. General Wheeler tried to console him, and complimented him on the gallant fight he had made, to which IveGrange replied : " Yes, General, but General Sherman gave me 2,500 men, and told me he would make me a brigadier-gen- eral if I captured you — and if I had had such men as yours I would have done it/" — (Editor.) On the nth, another large Federal force advanced upon Wheeler's lines, but after heavy skirmishing retired, carrying their dead and wounded with them. On the 12th, General Wheeler, pursuant to orders from General Johnston, moved *Sherman officially reports the loss as including I^eGrange and fifteen officers and 136 men. 12 w 178 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. with 2,200 cavalry, to attack a large force of trie enemy near Varnell Station, and a warm fight ensued. The enemy, which consisted of cavalry, were driven to their fortifications on Rocky Face Ridge, with heavy loss in killed, wounded and captured, all of which fell into our hands, together with their horses and arms. This movement also caused the stam- pede of a large Federal train, which was burnt by the teamsters. FIGHT COVERING RETREAT FROM DALTON TO RESACA. That night General Johnston decided to move his army from Dal ton to Resaca, and General Wheeler was ordered to relieve the entire line of battle with his cavalry deployed as skirmishers, and to cover the movement by retarding the enemy's advance. The enemy commenced pursuit at day- light, pressing on with great vigor. General Wheeler had prepared several successive lines of defense, behind which he fought, checking and repulsing the enemy's advancing lines, retreating along his successive barricades, inflicting heavy losses upon the enemy at every step they marched. The fighting was continued during the entire day ; the enemy be- ing compelled to march two entire divisions of infantry in line of battle. During the advance, notwithstanding their exertions, General Wheeler so retarded them that they only advanced seven miles between daylight and dark. Dai/ton, May 12, 1864. General Wheeler's Staff : General Johnston wishes to see General Wheeler before night. Communicate this to him if possible. Let me know whether you can do so by return courier. Give me the news. Respectfully, W. W. Mackau,, Chief of Staff. Dai/ton, May 12, 1864. General Wheei,er: General Johnston wishes you to return your troops to camp, and report here promptly in person. Respectfully, W. W. Mackau,, Chief of Staff. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 179 BATTLE OP RESACA. On the 14th, all Sherman's columns advanced to attack our line behind their entrenchments at Resaca, on the Oos- tanaula. The country being too broken for the use of mounted men, General Wheeler, pursuant to an order from General Johnston, fought a portion of his men dismounted, side by side with the veteran infantry of Johnston's army. General Wheeler's official report speaks highly of the con- duct of Generals Humes, Kelly, Allen, and Colonel Vason, ■commanding a Georgia regiment of cavalry. During the fight Stoneman's Federal cavalry dashed upon the hospital of Hardee's corps, which had been left in an exposed position. Wheeler observed the movement, charged upon Stoneman with his. mounted reserves, recaptured and saved the hospitals and defeated the enemy, capturing two stands of colors and thirty prisoners. General Wheeler then joined in General Stewart's charge upon the enemy's left, capturing a few prisoners and several loads of entrenching instruments and materials. On the 15th Wheeler was warmly engaged until noon, holding a line of works to which his dismounted cavalry had been assigned. At this time the enemy were making a vig- orous attempt to turn our left, crossing the Oostanaula River near Calhoun. The gallant General William Henry Walker commanded at this point, and Wheeler, pursuant to orders, hastened to his assistance. While en route he received the following note : " May 15, 1864. "Dear General: " As the enemy has a bridge over the river in my front, and can throw any number of troops over, I would be pleased if you would let me have what you can spare. I am in line, expecting an attack at any moment. " Respectfully, W. H. T. Walker, " To Major-Gen. Wheeler, Major- General. " Commanding Cavalry." Wheeler reached the point in time, and found the opposing force to be one of -MePherson's army corps. With General l8o CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. Wheeler's help, the enemy was met at a distance of about a mile from the railroad, when they were checked and held during the remainder of the day. FIGHTING FROM RESACA TO CASSVILEE. After fighting Sherman's army for two days behind his. works at Resaca, General Johnston deemed it advisable to withdraw. Wheeler having accomplished his work at Cal- houn, was recalled by the following dispatch : RESACA, May 15th. General Wheeler: Bring your cavalry back to Resaca without delay. W. W. Mackali,, Chief of Staff. Here, by General Johnston's directions, he promptly pre- pared to cover our hazardous but successful retreat from Re- saca, and on the night of the 15th, the Army of Tennessee marched silently over the Oostanaula River, and General Wheeler was again called upon to cover the movement to Cassville. A battery of five guns had by accident been left in the works, which Wheeler hauled off by hand and saved from certain capture. At daylight on the 15th, the enemy again commenced a vigorous pursuit, pushing on with long lines of infantry,, preceded by heavy lines of skirmishers. FIGHT OF MAY 16TH WITH SHERMAN'S ADVANCE. During the 16th, Wheeler, with his command, was con- tinuously engaging the advancing enemy. I/ine after line of barricades were taken up, defended, and finally most skill- fully abandoned when no longer tenable, until night relieved the contestants ; the enemy were still but five miles from their camps of the preceding day at Resaca. During the night Wheeler made careful and vigorous .prep- aration for the operations of the succeeding day. Such troops as he could spare were apportioned to the several roads by which the enemy could possibly approach our army. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. l8l These troops were placed under selected officers, whom he furnished with maps of the country and snch definite in- structions that both General Johnston and himself would be most promptly informed of every movement and design of the enemy. With the remainder of his command, consisting of four brigades and two batteries, General Wheeler placed himself upon the main road by which the enemy would approach. General Sherman had also fully determined to work with vigor. His letter to General Thomas of May 17th directs him to put his boldest division commander in front, with orders not to skirmish, but to attack with his whole division, assuring him he would have McPherson close on his right and Schofield on his left, and also says : "Garrard's and Stoneman's heavy divisions of cavalry will strike the road." FIGHTING OF MAY 17TH. As expected, the advance was vigorous, but was quite as vigorously met by our cavalry commander. On every road the enemy met barricades and indications of determined •opposition. At 10 o'clock Wheeler became warmly engaged with two divisions of infantry, which he at first repulsed, but was finally obliged to yield slowly one position after another, as the enemy, doubly reinforced, moved upon him. So determined was the engagement, that the adjacent col- umns of the enemy, as well as General Sherman himself, seemed to think for a while that a serious battle had com- menced. All the columns seemed to advance, and the com- mands of Stoneman and Garrard were recalled from their attempt to strike our rear on the railroad. Sherman's letter ■of May 17th, 12 m., says : "The fighting just ended has cost over one hundred wounded, though I believe it was only the Confederate rear- guard." No doubt acting upon this belief, Sherman ordered a renewed attack, which was met with a force strengthened l8a CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. by three brigades, and which resulted, after three brisk skirmishes on the road as he fell back, in a severe engage- ment in which both parties maintained their position until night. Major Hudson, of General Wheeler's staff, was severely wounded while receiving orders from the General, and Major Rawle, also of Wheeler's staff, had his horse shot during the engagement. Wheeler's loss in killed and wounded was severe, but less than that of the enemy. During the night an attempt of the enemy to turn our flank with cavalry was checked and driven back. FIGHT ON THE l8TH. On the morning of the 18th our army marched toward Cassville. General Wheeler with his cavalry again covered the rear, fighting the enemy at every favorable position. A large body of the enemy's cavalry moved toward our left about 3 p. m., and bore down upon our rear. This column he met with General Allen's dashing brigade, charged them with fury, driving them back two miles at full speed, captur- ing two stands of colors and a large number of prisoners. Another column, attempting to turn our right flank, was met by our cavalry and driven back to Sherman's main line, after a sharp engagement of forty minutes. This column dismounted and fought on foot, apparently supported by a brigade of infantry, which withdrew with the dismounted cavalry-. This appears to have been the end of Sherman's earnest efforts to get cavalry in our rear. May 17th, at 6:15 P. M., Sherman writes ordering Garrard to strike the railroad between Rome and Kingston, and Stoneman to strike between Kingston and Etowah bridge. May 17th, at 10.30 p.m., Sherman writes: "Stoneman ought to be on railroad between Cassville and Cartersville." May 1 8th, 12 M., Sherman urges Garrard to ride hard and strike the railroad, and hopes Stoneman has struck railroad near Cartersville. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 1 83 RETREAT FROM CASSVHXE AND CROSSING OF THE ETOWAH. During the 19th an army had been engaged building entrenchments on the heights south of Cassville, and towards evening a large force with heavy guns had approached so near as to engage portions of the line with both artillery and musketry. At dark this ceased, and General Johnston, find- ing his position a faulty one, withdrew his army from the works during the night, and the following day crossed to the south bank of the Etowah. General Wheeler was left with his command to cover this important movement, with instruc- tions to keep the enemy well back until the army and trains had crossed. By consummate boldness and hard fighting this was accomplished. Everything was brought over safely, and the bridges thoroughly destroyed. The success of this movement, always considered danger- ous, namely, the crossing of a river in the almost immediate presence of an army of double strength, was due in a great measure to the determined resistance Wheeler had offered their advance during the entire march from Dal ton, making it seem to them, as was stated by a distinguished officer, that " from every rock, tree, hedge or fence, proceeded a rifle shot, and every detachment sent musket range in advance of the army was either captured or hustled back by a rebel cavalry charge pell-mell upon the main body." This compelled them to advance with long lines of battle equally ready to meet a squad, squadron, regiment, division or a larger force, which they frequently found posted behind strong barricades to op- pose their progress. He Swore Like a Trooper. Oliver , of an Alabama regiment of Wheeler's cav- alry, was a brave soldier, albeit a very hard-swearing one ; and on occasion he could " cuss " worse than the army is said to have done in Flanders. There came a time, however, when he surpassed even his own record in this wicked accomplish- 184 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. ment and made the recording angel fairly blush as he jotted down the oaths. Whether or not there was any excuse for this, the reader can determine after considering the circum- stances : As is well known, a soldier in battle will naturally take advantage of any cover or protection available, no matter how slight. On the occasion referred to the bullets were coming "zip, zip," rather promiscuously, and cover of any kind was in demand. Our hard-swearing friend ensconced himself behind a small sapling only a few inches in diameter, and turned himself sideways so as to expose as little of his person as possible, when "zip" came a Minie ball through the part of his anatomy that fitted the saddle. To say that he was mad only mildly expresses the state of his feelings, arid for some minutes the air seemed fairly blue with his sulphurous ebullitions. Some one told him to go back to the rear, which seemed only to add to his wrath. " Go back to the rear, hell ! " he fairly screamed ; " I would be only too glad to go back if wounded anywhere else, but I will be d — ned if I go back, shot where I have been." CHAPTER XIV. BATTLE OF CASS STATION — WHEELER CAPTURES SHERMAN'S TRAIN — DEFEATS ENEMY'S CAVALRY — BATTLE AT NEW HOPE CHURCH — WHEELER'S FIGHT WITH HOWARD'S CORPS — ENGAGES I4TH CORPS — REPULSES ENEMY'S ASSAULT — DIARY OF OPERATIONS DURING MONTHS OF JUNE AND JULY — NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS. On May 2 2d, pursuant to an order from army headquarters, General Wheeler, having disposed a portion of his command to watch the movements of the enemy, moved with the remainder across the Etowah to the enemy's rear. Leaving his troops at rest in their camps, he took one hun- dred men, and during the night pressed down close to and directly in rear of Sherman's encampments. Here, from pris- oners captured and from citizens, he learned all the enemy's movements and dispositions. On the 24th, with three brigades, Wheeler again penetrated their extreme rear, attacked and defeated a force of the enemy guarding Sherman's train, capturing two hundred and fifty wagons and seven hundred prisoners. He pursued the de- feated enemy to Cass Station, where they, in their alarm, burnt another large train, and a large amount of military stores. Over one hundred loaded wagons were brought off and the remainder burned. While he was engaged in this work, he received the following from Major Messick, whom he had detached early that morning with orders to attack the enemy's flank when he (Wheeler) attacked their rear. Smith's House, May 24, 1864, 7 a. m. Major-General Wheeler: We are forced to retire. We drove in the enemy's advance two and one-half miles, capturing two horses and one prisoner, causing the enemy to beat the long roll. It is Kentucky cava'ry we are fighting. They have been driven T)ack on a heavy reserve. The prisoners state there are 3,000 cavalry and 1 86 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 15,000 infantry in Cass Station. We are still skirmishing and will continue to do so as long as they pursue. The cavalry is commanded by Stoneman. O. M. Messick, Major 11th Texas. P. S. — There is a large supply train at Cass Station. Infantry and cavalry moved down to Cartersville yesterday. Wheeler had hardly got the wagons off the field, when the troops under Stoneman, referred to in the above, reached the ground and commenced a vigorous attack. Being repulsed, Stoneman formed his lines under cover of his infantry supports, upon the broad fields north of Cass Station. Adams's brigade (formerly Woolford's) was in advance. At a given signal, this huge mass, nearly a mile in extent, came charging over the fenceless, unobstructed fields upon us. Nothing to stay its speed, nothing to check its force,, it seemed like an impetuous torrent, sweeping on with crush- ing and resistless power. Some thousand yards separated the combatants when the Federal charge commenced. In a moment Wheeler was prepared for the onslaught. The gallant Texas Rangers, 3d Arkansas and his own escort were promptly thrown into line, supported by the 2d Tennessee Regiment, also in line directly in their rear. Dibbrell having just come up, remained in column. On, on, came the masses, now somewhat disordered by their too- lengthy charge. When but two hundred yards from our lines, we moved forward, first at a walk, then a trot ; when scarcely thirty yards intervened the charge sounds, and Wheeler's- bravest soldiers, with a shout, charged with indomitable courage upon the enemy's columns. The shock, the mel£e, the repulse and rout of the enemy followed in quick succes- sion. Their lines were broken, and the entire mass driven Headquarters, May 25th. General Wheeler: General Johnston congratulates you on your success in the enemy's rear.. He wishes the captured wagons sent to the Chief Quartermaster. Respectfully, W. W. Mackall, Chief of Staff. CAMPAIGNS OP WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 187' pell-mell for three miles upon their infantry supports near Cartersville. General Wheeler secured several stands of colors, and one hundred and fifty prisoners in the rout which ensued. The wagons, prisoners, colors and horses were brought safely to our lines. General Sherman, in his letter to Generals Stoneman and Schofield, orders them to attack Confederate cavalry about Cassville, to produce salutary effect, and says they must always be supported by infantry. So complete was the enemy's discomfiture that they did not again molest Wheeler, although he was resting directly upon their line of communication. BATTLE OF NEW HOPE CHURCH. Sherman having crossed the Etowah, attempted to march around our left flank toward New Hope Church. Our army- moved rapidly to meet him. On the 26th a sharp engage- ment took place in which Wheeler fought dismounted behind temporary barricades. On the 27th, Howard's corps, numbering over twenty thousand muskets, made a rapid march upon our right flank, and attempted by a sudden attack to drive back our right and engage us in reverse. General Wheeler discovered the move- ment, and resisted the advance until driven to a strong posi- tion where, with a portion of his men dismounted behind timber breastworks, he met the enemy, who marched upon him in columns of companies. This enabled Wheeler to drive back the advancing columns. They finally rallied, and a severe fight ensued. Wheeler held his ground, inflicting heavy loss upon the enemy, who repeatedly charged his lines,, being each time handsomely repulsed. Govan's and Granberry's brigades of infantry being finally sent to his support, he charged the enemy with both infantry and cavalry, driving back Howard's entire corps, and nearly destroying the organization of the division under the Federal General T. J. Wood, and dispersing the Federal brigade under l88 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. ^Brigadier-General Hazen. Lowrey's and Quarle's brigades -were also sent to Wheeler's support, but not until the victory- was nearly complete. A number of prisoners and over one thousand stand of arms were secured. The loss of the enemy -was estimated at between four and five thousand killed, wounded and captured, besides the demoralizing effect of signal defeat, while our troops were elated in a corresponding degree by victory. Six hundred of the enemy were buried by our troops. Our loss was scarcely one-tenth of that of ■the Federals. The entire force Wheeler had engaged did not exceed six thousand men, including infantry, cavalry and artillery. General Sherman, in his letter to Halleck, May 28th, says: "The enemy discovered my move to turn Allatoona, and moved to meet us about one mile east of Pumpkin Vine Creek. We pushed them back about three miles. Here Johnston had •chosen a strong position, and made hasty but strong parapets of timber and earth and has thus far stopped us." MOVEMENT OF THE ENEMY TOWARDS RAILROAD. From the 27th of May until June 18th, General Wheeler had most of his command dismounted behind breastworks, hourly opposed by a corps of infantry, who were continually .skirmishing with such vigor as to amount to almost con- tinuous battle. Two desperate assaults were made upon our works by the Federal infantry, which were repelled, inflicting heavy loss upon the enemy. Several attempts were made to turn our right flank, which Wheeler met and defeated. May 29th, Sherman, in his letter to Halleck, says : " Yesterday we pressed our lines up in close contact with enemy, who has covered his whole front with breastworks of timber and earth." We can hardly do better than give a detailed diary of each -day's operations : May 28th — Wheeler extended to the right, built new works and skirmished briskly with the 14th Corps and McCook's Cavalry, and captured thirty prisoners. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 1 89 May 29th — Wheeler strengthened his works, now fully three miles in length, keeping up brisk fire with enemy's line. May 30th — Federals advance and assail our line. Wheeler, ever on the alert, fights from his earthworks, repulsing enemy,, who retire to their old position. Sherman, in letter to Halleck, says : " We have had sharp, severe encounters but nothing de- cisive." May 3 1st — Enemy extend to Marietta road. Wheeler with- draws a portion of his troops from the works and charges- them, capturing during the day over seventy prisoners. June 1st — Force of Federals, supposed to be 14th and 23d Corps, press close to Wheeler's works.* At about 5 p. m. enemy assault, but a heavy rain favoring us, making the marsh in our front almost impassable, they are repulsed and. we capture 40 prisoners. June 2d — Brisk skirmishing from breastworks. Wheeler captures thirty-seven men on enemy's extreme left.. General Sherman, in letter to General McPherson, June 4,. says : " I am not astonished that you could not hear the sounds. of battle in the midst of the storm raging yesterday. General Schofield felt forward from the position, burnt church and found cavalry dismounted all through the woods. He ad- vanced until about dark, when he encountered infantry and artillery posted behind finished breastworks." June 3d — Wheeler fought from his breastworks, engaging both infantry and cavalry under General Schofield. Our front was opposed by an infantry corps strongly fortified, while our right was menaced by their cavalry. The enemy's attack was temporarily cheeked by a severe storm. Towards evening the enemy, both infantry and cavalry, charged our line at two points. They were repulsed by the combined fire of our artillery and small arms. We secured some fifty- prisoners- June 4th — Our army changed position to new line near Davis's Cross Roads. General Wheeler covered the entire 390 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND 'HIS CAVALRY. movement, fighting constantly, and capturing forty -three pris- oners. He then took position on the right, constructing breastworks in which he again fought as infantry. June 5th — Garrard's division of Federal cavalry advanced on the Big Shanty road. Wheeler skirmished for position, and then with his mounted troops charged and drove the enemy beyond Big Shanty, capturing forty-five. June 6th — Warm skirmishing along our entire line; en- gaged in completing works. June 7th — Enemy's cavalry and infantry attack Wheeler's line, but retire, leaving their dead and wounded. June 8th — Skirmishing along our entire line. June 9th — Enemy, advanced upon Wheeler's right with -two brigades of infantry, three brigades of cavalry and one battery. Twice the enemy charged our works, but were re- pulsed by a terrible fusillade. At dark the enemy retired, leaving their dead on the field. June 10th — Enemy again approached with sharp skirmish- ing, apparently covering the gradual movement of Sherman towards the railroad. At night the enemy again retired, but as their left extended beyond our right, Wheeler moved and took position near the Bell's Ferry and Canton road. June nth — The country being open and gently rolling, the enemy's line was in full view. Uninterrupted skirmish- ing all day. During the evening Wheeler checked a force which attempted to attack General Hood's right. Headquarters, June 6, 1864. •General: General Johnston has received your dispatch relative to guns for enfilad- ing the enemy on our right. I am directed to inform you that the engi- neers are constructing a battery to-night for the purpose you mention at a point near or a little above our right; but General Johnston will send an officer up to see the position you mention and, if possible, additional guns will be sent up to relieve yours. The position you speak of may be the one .at which the battery is to be constructed to-night, or it may not be. Most respectfully, a. P. Mason, To Major-Gen. Wheeler, Major and A. A. General. Commanding CavaCry Corps. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 191 June 12th — Position the same; continued skirmishing; a few men captured from enemy's cavalry on our right. June 13th — Enemy close upon our works, causing a brisk engagement with both artillery and small arms. June 14th — We fought across open fields. Enemy not advancing. Wheeler's line fully three miles in length. June 15th — Division of enemy's cavalry advanced and attacked our right at Noonday Creek. Enemy repulsed. As they retired, Wheeler charged them in both rear and flank, capturing forty-three. June 1 6th — Enfiladed enemy's line with ten pieces of artil- lery. Federal batteries replied, and enemy prepared to attack our position. A heavy rain came up, which rendered the crossing of an intervening stream impracticable, and no serious attack was made. June 17th — Warm fighting from our works on Noonday Creek. Enemy turn our works. Wheeler moves out, dis- mounting his men in the woods and engages the enemy's in- fantry, from whom we capture sixty-five, who report their loss heavy. At night enemy retire. June 1 8th — Enemy advanced, causing a close and brisk skirmish on Bell's Ferry road. They charge, and finally drive us from our temporary works. We retire with small loss. We captured forty prisoners from enemy's infantry. Their loss in killed and wounded must have been heavy. June 19th — Enemy advanced and vigorously attacked Wheeler's position on Noonday Creek, near McAfee's farm. Fight lasted two hours, the enemy being repulsed with heavy loss, leaving their dead and some wounded on the Headquarters, 1:50 p. m., June 11, 1864. Generai,: . The enemy seem inclined to advance on my right. If so, will you occupy the range or ridge extending to the road you are on ? If not, I will have to make a right, angle near my headquarters to protect my right. Respectfully, J. B. Hood, To Major-Gen. Whee^ER, Lieutenant- General. Commanding Cavalry Corps. 192 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. field. The fight was at close range, not more than ninety yards. Two guns Wheeler ran on a hill enfiladed their line, killing a number as they retreated. June 20th — Enemy on Canton road attacked and were repulsed. Wheeler then took three brigades, dashed to enemy's rear, charged mounted, defeating the enemy, killing fifty, and capturing one hundred and twenty prisoners, two stands of colors, one hundred and fifty horses, besides arms and equipments. Wheeler's loss, fifteen killed, fifty wounded. June 21st — Skirmished all day. We captured twenty prisoners. June 2 2d — Hood's attack on enemy's right caused them to feel for our lines cautiously. A brisk skirmish between Wheeler and enemy on Canton road lasting until dark. June 23d — Engaged enemy on Beall's Ferry road, carrying their first line of works and capturing a number of their men. Enemy advanced in force, but being attacked in flank June 21, 1864, 8 O'clock a. m. Generai, : ********* ' ' Tell me what troops you had in your engagement yesterday, what forces you suppose the enemy to have had, and the probable loss on each side. I wish to telegraph to General Bragg. Respectfully, etc., J. E. Johnston, General. June 21, 1864, 8 A. M. General : I inclose you a report in relation to the enemy's left. In the hope that it offers such an opportunity as that which you used so well yesterday. Please examine. It has been necessary to remove General Hood's troops, so that I must depend upon you to hold the right. General Hood's entrenchments are vacant. Would it be well to put one of your brigades into them now ? If the cavalry mentioned in the report are exposed so that you can act against it, the occupation of the entrenchments might be postponed. I want to put a reserve of a brigade during the day in rear of the gap in Kennesaw, and shall be obliged to call upon you for it. Respectfully, etc., To Major-Gen. Wheeler, J. E. Johnston, General. Commanding Cavalry Corps. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 1 93 near McAfee's, retired. Wheeler made this fight to create a diversion and to prevent them going after General Pillow, who was moving to gain their rear. June 24th — Skirmishing all day on our line near Rice house. June 25th — Brisk fighting from same position. We cap- tured thirty prisoners. June 26th — Brisk fighting in early morning; we captured a few Federals. June 27th — Enemy opened with spirited fire of artillery, killing a few men about General Wheeler's headquarters. Enemy then advanced, assaulting Wheeler's works, but were repulsed ; they, however, only retired to their original skir- mish line, from which they kept up a fire with both artillery and small arms. At one place in front of Wheeler's line enemy left twenty-six dead, and others of their dead were left along his entire front During this engagement our infantry on Wheeler's left repulsed a vigorous assault by two divisions of enemy, placing several thousand hors de combat. June 28th — Enemy cannonaded Wheeler's line and then moved to the attack with infantry. At dark they retired. We captured thirty-five. Headquarters Loring's Division, Major-Generai, Wheeler, June 23, 1864, 6:5 p. m. Commanding Cavalry : General Scott has this moment reported by staff officer that the enemy are advancing down the Bell's Ferry road in heavy column, now firing a new battery down the road. Respectfully, "W. S. FEATHERSTONE, Briqadier-Qeneral. July 27, 1864. Generai,: Your report is received. The enemy assaulted Stevenson, Cheatham and Blackburn this morning and was repulsed in each case. In that of General Stevenson, by the skirmishers, I believe. It would have a good effect to let this be known among your troops. If any additional strength can be given to your works, please let it be done to-night. Respectfully, Major-Gen. "WHEELER, J. E. Johnston, General. Commanding Cavalry Corps. 13 w 194 CAMPAIGNS OK WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. June 29th— Skirmished during morning. General John- ston visited Wheeler's lines during the evening. June 30th — Wheeler's line engaged all day. A raid upon Sherman's rear, which he contemplated, was countermanded. July 1 st — Engaged Federal infantry. At 5 p. M. the enemy opened furious cannonade. July 2d — Enemy opened with artillery at 4 P. M. and ad- vanced upon our works, supposing we had retired during night. Enemy driven back, but fought at intervals during day. At dark they used artillery freely. July 3d — Our infantry having retired during previous night to Smyrna Church, General Wheeler was left to cover retreat and retard Sherman's advance. He fought first near Marietta, and after yielding the town, fought near the State School on railroad. In this position Wheeler engaged Sherman's in- fantry for two hours, with ten pieces of artillery and his dis- mounted cavalry, both being used with good effect. At night Wheeler moved to the right and built breastworks on the pro- longation of our infantry line. Federal loss during day very heavy. June 30, 1864. My Dear General: I have no authority to relieve General Humes's division. You had better apply to General Johnston, as I could not do so without his order, and Jack- son would have to relieve him by General J.'s order, as I have no authority over Jackson. I am ready to give you all the assistance in my power, and will ride up this afternoon to see Gen. J. Respectfully, J. B. Hood, To Major-Gen. Wheeler, Lieutenant- General. Commanding- Cavalrg Corps. June 30, 1864. General: f I have just received your note of to-day and those of General Hood's in- closed with it. There is a report this morning coming from the top of Kenne- saw that a large body of Federal cavalry passed from the enemy's left toward his right, followed by a wagon train. Ought not that to forbid the weakening of our cavalry force, on the left? I should like to see you this evening. Respectfully, To Major-Gen. Wheeler, J. E. Johnston, Commanding Cavalry Corps. General. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 1 95 July 4th — Enemy charged Wheeler's line of works about 3 p. M. They were repulsed with considerable loss. We cap- tured fifty-five prisoners. CROSSING OF THE CHATTAHOOCHEE. July 5th — Our army having withdrawn to the line of the Chattahoochee, Wheeler was left to hold the enemy in check until our infantry was ready to receive them. The Federal 4th corps, under Howard, pressed vigorously upon Wheeler, but was held in check by severe fighting. Here a most diffi- cult problem again presented itself — that of crossing a river while hard pressed by an overwhelming force of the enemy. Selecting a rear-guard, which he remained with in person, fighting the advancing lines of the enemy with desperation, .[Circular.'] Headquarters Army op Tennessee, July 2, 1864. The army will change position to-night. 1st. The Army of Mississippi will withdraw its artillery at dark, and its infantry at 10 P. M. 2d. Hardee's and Hood's corps will move their artillery at dark, their in- fantry at 11 p.m. 3d. Each corps commander will leave on the lines such rear-guard as he may think proper until 1 A. M., then to be withdrawn and followed by the skirmish line. 4th. The corps will move by route already indicated to the commanders of each, and take position in two lines on the new line indicated. 5th. The reserve artillery will be protected by the corps in whose line it is serving, and take the route of the corps. 6th. Wheeler's cavalry will cover the infantry from General Hood's left to General Loring's right. 7th. Corps commanders will send their spare carriages of every descrip- tion to the rear at or before sunset. 8th. General Johnston will move with the center column. To Major-Gen. Wheeujr, W. W. Mackaij,, Commanding Cavalry. Chief of Staff. July 4, 1864, 7:10 a. m. General: Please ascertain as soon as possible what force is before you, and where the left of the enemy's infantry is, and, as well as you can, what force is in our front here. Respectfully, To Major-Gen. Wheevsr, J- E. Johnston, Commanding Cavalry. General. 196 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. the work was successfully accomplished. When within a mile of Pace's Ferry — where we were ordered to cross and take up the pontoons, Howard made a furious attack, charging on our temporary barricades. Wheeler fought bravely, effectu- ally repulsing the charge. The enemy, knowing the river was. in rear of Wheeler, continued the attack, and a severe engage- ment ensued, lasting until 2 p. m., during which Wheeler had' his wagon train and horses carried to the south bank of the river. He then charged the enemy's line and before they recov- ered from the consternation, he had, by a rapid movement,, reached the river with his dismounted men and hurried them across the pontoons, cut loose the bridge and swung it around to the south side of the river, just as the enemy in force reached the other bank. General Wheeler himself was the last man to cross and was under a heavy fire. This affair, so handsomely conducted, reflected great credit upon General Wheeler and his command. In his official report he commended the gallantry of Generals Dibbrell and Anderson and Colonel Hart. Headquarters Kelly's Cavalry Division, In the Field, July 5, 1864. Major: I have the honor to state that my pickets are all in and I am about to' move towards the Pace's Ferry road, leaving two regiments at the point des- ignated by the Major-General commanding. Everything quiet in front. No. enemy reported either on this, the Pace's Ferry, or Paper Mill road. Very respectfully, J. H. Kelly, Brigadier-General Commanding. Headquarters Kelly's Cavalry Division, July 5, 1864. Major: I have the honor to report that the enemy, in addition to the fortifications- reported near the houses on opposite side of the river, have dug trenches opposite to Colonel Dibbrell's line so as to command the river bank and make it impossible to retire our skirmishers in the daylight without much exposure- and probable loss of life. We have 110 rifle pits or other cover. Can tools be procured for the purpose of entrenching ? Colonel Gaines, commanding Hannon's brigade, reports that the same thing has been done in his imme- diate front. Very respectfully, W. W. Hannon, To Major E. S. Burford, A. A. Q. Colonel Commanding. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 1 97 July 6th — Built breastworks on river bank and fought «nemy across river. July 7th — Skirmished all day across river. At dark Wheeler enfiladed enemy's line with two batteries which he used with good effect. July 8th — Spirited skirmish all day near Pace's and Powell's Ferry. At 5 p. m. enemy crossed the Chattahoochee at Isbam's Ford, fortifying their position on south bank. July 5. 1864. To General Wheeler: General Johnston wishes you to destroy all the boats on the river that you ■can find. Respectfully, W. W. Mackall, Chief of Staff.- July 6, 1864. General Wheeler: General Johnston wishes you to observe the river closely from Pace's Ferry to a point opposite our right. What was the fate of the bridge ? Respectfully, W. W. Mack all, Chief of Staff. July 8, 1864. Major-General Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry : General Johnston intends Walthall's division for a reserve to the cavalry and does wish it spread out along the river in positions. Respectfully, W. W. Mackall, Chief of Staff. HEADQUARTERS, July 9, 1864, 5 A. M. General : General Johnston is very anxious to receive your report as to the charac- ter of the force which crossed at Isham's Ford. If it is a large force you will be supported by at least a division of infantry — Walthall's. In taking your troops to oppose it, leave the necessary parties in observa- tion on the river with artillery. Very respectfully, Major-Gen. Wheeler, G. B. Mackall, Aide- de- Camp. Commanding Cavalry Corps. (Confidential.) J ul y 5, 1864. General Wheeler : General Johnston informs you that the army will be withdrawn to the south side of the river to-night, the movement commencing about dark. It will be formed about three miles south of the river. Respectfully, W. W. Mackall, Chief of Staff. 198 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. July 9th — Enemy continued crossing troops atlsham's Ford, advancing their works some eight hundred yards, righting spiritedly. We captured sixty. July 10th — Artillery and small arms fighting along "Wheel- er's entire line of nearly twenty miles. Enemy apparently demonstrating to deceive as to his real point of attack. July 1 ith — Enemy advanced some six hundred yards and built new line of entrenchments. We captured forty-eight. July 12th — Howard's corps crossed river, advancing and fighting warmly. We captured thirty-three men and horses. July 1 3th — Enemy still crossing river, advancing their works and fighting with energy. July 14th — Enemy's Sixteenth Corps crossed at Roswell. We captured men and horses. July 15th — Enemy move their entire line forward, skir- mishing with spirit. July 9, 1864, 7:15 p. m. To Major-General Wheeler : General Johnston informs you that he will continue to hold the river by infantry from Green's Ferry to Howell's Ferry, that is by detached brigades in front of the line. He wishes you to connect with this line of detached brigades on your left, and then to observe as high up the river as practica- ble, particularly in front of any force that has crossed or may cross. Keep the reserve artillery if you need it ; if not, send it back to the main line. W. W. Mackall, Chief of Staff. July 8, 1864. General : Please watch the force you mention as on this side of the river and when- ever it moves, impede its march as much as you can, destroying bridges after you. Give notice of all the roads by which they move, also. Respectfully, J. E. Johnston, General. Major-Gen. Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry Corps. July 17, 1864. Major : I have just received dispatch (verbal) from officer commanding mounted picket that the enemy had turned his left flank and were driving him back. Respectfully, S. W. Ferguson. Major E. S. Burford, A. A. G. Brigadier-General. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 199 July 16th — Enemy extend their line and advance their left, keeping up brisk fire. July 17th — Sherman's main forces advance, fighting warmly and -with spirit. Wheeler opposes, but towards night is forced back to Buck- head. We capture a number of prisoners. General John- ston's army was forming behind Peachtree Creek. July 1 8th — Enemy advance in large force, Wheeler resisting and giving warm battle. Enemy's infantry charged about 10 a.m., but were repulsed. We then charged enemy, breaking through their infantry line and capturing sixty. The gallant Captain McCawley, of General Wheeler's staff, was killed in this charge. During May, June and July Wheeler kept a picked force of two hundred men in enemy's rear, capturing trains and destroying the railroad bridges, trestles, etc. He was anxious to go himself, with a large force, but General Johnston replied that he could not spare him. The following are Federal accounts : "FROM SHERMAN'S REAR — REBEL CAVALRY ATTACK OUR COMMUNICATIONS. "Louisville, Ky., Tuesday, June 14, 1864. — An officer just arrived from the front reports that on Friday last the rebel General Wheeler, with a large force of cavalry, appeared at Calhoun, on the railroad between Chattanooga and our army. Wheeler's forces seized six cars laden with grain, and cut the telegraph wires. "The train coming north was notified at Adairsville and stopped. General A. P. Hovey was aboard, and collected some two hundred convalescents, formed them in line of battle and moved cautiously on. On the arrival of the train at Calhoun, it was found that the rebels had retreated from the town. " The train then moved with its usual speed toward Resaca ; but when about half-way there an enormous torpedo exploded, hurling the locomotive six feet from the track, and tearing into splinters four cars that were immediately in the rear. For- tunately, the troops were in the last car and escaped injury. 200 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. The box containing the missile was marked ' Powder, C. S. A. 35 pounds.' " Nobody was seriously injured, but Captain Barlow, of General Logan's staff, was bruised. The train passed on in the evening to Resaca. "The same night Wheeler again appeared on the road below Calhoun, and tore up a considerable portion of the track, which has since been repaired, and trains are again running." "Louisville, June 14. — General Leman, from the front on the 9th, reports that our cavalry, on a reconnaissance to the front, found only a small body of rebel cavalry. After a severe skirmish, the enemy fell back across the Chattahoochee. Prisoners report that the whole rebel army is on the south side of the river, determined to oppose the passage of our army to the last. The river was much swollen by heavy rains. No serious engagement can occur until the river falls." The following are from Southern papers : " Army of Tennessee, Aixatoona, Ga., "Six Mixes South of Etowah, May 20, 1864. "Major-General Wheeler's cavalry, which has kept the enemy in check during our retrogade movement from Dalton up to this time, undergoing the severest trials and fatigue, performing prodigies of valor, and winning imperishable renown, skirmished heavily with the enemy's cavalry yester- day morning, two miles in front of Cassville. "Our troops were in line of battle in front of Cass Station and Cassville. In accordance with the general order of Gen- eral Johnston, issued to the troops on yesterday, preparations had been made to bring on a general engagement with the enemy this morning. Yesterday (Thursday) about 3 p.m., Generals Hood and Polk were about moving their forces to occupy a selected position which commanded that of the enemy, when it was discovered that our cavalry had been flanked, and that the enemy was already securing the position which we intended to occupy. "Heavy skirmishing commenced at 4 p.m. along our whole line. The enemy's cavalry made a desperate charge on our right, which was firmly met by Wheeler's boys, supported by the Whitworth sharpshooters, who emptied many a Federal saddle. It was a grand sight and intensely exciting, while CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 201 our boys cheered exultingly at the severe repulse of the Fed- eral cavalry." "An official dispatch from Marietta, 25th, says: 'Wheeler captured two hundred and sixty loaded wagons at Cassville ; brought off eighty, and burned the rest. He beat a Federal brigade of cavalry, and brought in one hundred and fifty prisoners.' " A GRAPHIC PICTURE OF A DISTINGUISHED MILITARY GROUP. " The Columbia Carolinian has been favored with the follow- ing extract from a letter written by an officer in Johnston's army to his father in that city. It has additional interest just now, in the lamented death of one of the prominent fig- ures of the picture so handsomely drawn — that of the tal- ented, brave, Christian warrior, Lieutenant-General Polk. As graphic a sketch has seldom been drawn in so few words : " While at Cassville, I saw a picture worthy of the brush of a Vandyke. General Johnston's quarters were in an open wood. He formed the center of a group of officers imme- diately recognized. His hat was off, showing the magnifi- ■cent proportions of his head, and injiis hand he held a map. Opposite to him, and holding one corner of the map, was that fine looking soldier and gentleman, Lieutenant-General Polk ; and on Polk's left, also holding and examining the map, stood •a general of renowned reputation. His small, gray eyes, .sharp features and earnest look proclaimed Cleburne. Bend- ing over the map, and wearing a black fur hat, looped up on one side with a star, was another widely known to fame. The hat, with the crutch under his arm and the cane in his left hand, declared the dashing Hood, the flanker of this army. Yonder, reclining in the corner of the field, in a gray uniform, is an officer whose gray beard and singularly shaped head one would readily recognize, even if he did not spring up as General Polk calls out, ' Hardee, come here.' These offi- cers are tracing a road on the map; and intently watching them, with now and then a quick toss of the head, is Wheeler ; while Jackson leans lazily back against a tree, in an attitude that bespeaks the love of his ease. Yonder heavy-bearded man is Stevenson, the best officer of Pemberton's army. He is talking to Stewart. The officer who approaches and raises his hat so politely is Hindman. There stand Walker and Loriug in earnest conversation ; and General Mackall, ' Chief of Staff,' is wandering about, now greeting some staff -officer, 202 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. and now dispatching a courier. The gallant Bates, the jolly but fiery Cheatham, and the composed, dignified Stewart form another group ; Cheatham is evidently coming to the point. A gay retinue of staff-officers surround this distinguished gathering of most of the leading spirits of this gallant Army of Tennessee." Near Marietta, June 25th, 1864. " Editors Constitutionalist : In your issue of a few days since, you admit an article signed ' Grape,' which, if passed unnoticed, would leave an erroneous and unjust impression regarding the cavalry of our army. " ' Grape ' falsely states that the cavalry of the Army of Tennessee had suffered in reputation since our army left Dalton. On the contrary, General Wheeler's cavalry has done most efficient and brilliant service — which service has been most fully appreciated by our great commander, General Johnston. " It has been Wheeler, with his command, who has always, been between our rear and the enemy, in all retreats of our army. " General Wheeler has, fought the enemy's cavalry success- fully nearly every day during the last two months — killing, wounding and capturing nearly, if not quite, as many of the enemy as the entire strength of his command. General Wheeler has also captured four stands of colors in these cav- alry engagements, completely routing the enemy in almost every instance. "At Rocky Face, General Wheeler defeated Stoneman's- cavalry corps, and compelled the enemy to destroy their stores and four hundred wagons. At Cass Station he again defeated Stoneman, and captured two hundred and forty loaded wagons and a large number of prisoners. It was General Wheeler who, by his skill and gallantry, met and repulsed the desper- ate attempt of the enemy to turn our right flank at New Hope Church, May 27th. Howard's Federal corps had made a forced march under cover of a thick undergrowth to our right, which he attempted to turn. This movement was met and foiled by General Wheeler with a small force, which, after desperate fighting, held the ground until Granberry's. infantry brigade commenced marching to his support. Gen- eral Wheeler then charged the enemy with his cavalry, and Granberry's brigade drove them back, capturing thirty-two- prisoners. The total loss of the enemy was not less than CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 20$ four thousand, nearly double the force General Wheeler had engaged, including Granberry's brigade. Lowrey's and Quarle's brigades were also sent to Wheeler's support, but not until the victory was won. " It would take your entire paper to enumerate the great number of brilliant engagements this gallant officer has en- gaged in during the last two months. Suffice it to say, he, with his small command, has accomplished more, considering his force, than any other part of ' our army. He has captured more prisoners than all the rest of the army put together, while his force has never exceeded one-twentieth the size of our army. He has captured two trains of cars and twice de- stroyed the railroad in the enemy's rear, and has done to Gen- eral Johnston's satisfaction everything he has been ordered to' do. He has destroyed and captured all the trains and public property and stores which have been destroyed during this, campaign. General Wheeler is also the only officer who has, during this campaign, captured the colors of the enemy in action. Alabama Soldier." An official report from Marietta, May 25th, says : " Wheeler captured two hundred and sixty loaded wagons at Cassville. He fought and defeated Stoneman's Cavalry and brought off one hundred and fifty prisoners." DISPATCH TO SOUTHERN PAPERS. May 29, 1864. On the 27th General Wheeler met and repulsed the des- perate attempt of General Howard's corps to turn our right flank. A thick undergrowth concealed the enemy's entire movement until the corps was massed on our right. " Wheeler made a most gallant and desperate charge upon the long infantry lines as they emerged from the wood, and thus checked the advance until reinforced by Granberry's brigade. Thus strengthened he, by determined fighting,, held the entire corps at bay until the arrival of Lowrey's and Govan's brigades, which were also sent to Wheeler's support. The fighting was very severe. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded and prisoners is estimated at four thousand. 204 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. "Marse Joe Wheeler and De Yuther Calvary Hosses." Said one colored cook .of Wheeler's command to a select audience of other colored cooks : " De diffrunce betwixt Marse Joe Wheeler and de yuther calvary hosses is jest dis : Gineral Forres and Gineral Morgan is thoroughbreds and powerful hosses, but dey ain't broke to go quite all de gaits. Dey is great when wukin in de lead, but you got ter give one of em his head even den. Now, Marse Joe Wheeler will war •enny kinder harness you puts on him. You mought eben gear him up wid hickry withs and poppaw bark, and he would do his best. He will wuk on de nigh side and on de ■off side, at de wheel er in de lead, and is wuth bout as much .as enny two hosses, no matter whar you put him. Marse Joe may be er runt in size, but he sho am a Sampson ter £ght." CHAPTER XV. WHEELER EIGHTS SHERMAN'S ADVANCE ON JULY 17TH DRIVEN BACK TO PEACHTREE CREEK ON 18TH, THEN OPPOSES M'PHERSON, WHO CHARGES WHEELER'S LINES ON THE 20TH — WHEELER HOLDS HIS POSITION — WARM FIGHTING ON 2 1ST — WHEELER'S SUCCESS AT DECATUR ON THE 2 2D — HE ASSISTS GENERAL HARDEE — GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT OF FIGHT OF THE 2 2D OF JULY ANECDOTE. On the morning of the 17th of July* Sherman's army- advanced. Wheeler met him at daylight, and fought his- infantry with great vigor, finally falling back to a position previously selected, and held an infantry corps in one position for three hours. At eleven o'clock, seeing a favorable opportunity, General. Wheeler charged, and ran through the advanced line of in- fantry, capturing thirty prisoners, driving back an entire division. He continued the fight until dark, when the- enemy halted near the old Peachtree road. During the day Wheeler's command yielded less than three miles, inflicting severe loss upon the enemy. The following morning Sherman advanced in force, driv- *Atu o'clock P. M., July 17th, General Jos. E. Johnston was relieved, and General Jno. B. Hood placed in command of the army. July 18th, 1864, 11:45 A. M. Major-Generai, Wheei.ER, Commanding Cavalry Corps : The commanding General informs you that the infantry at each bridge on Peachtree Creek has been ordered to prepare it for burning, and he wishes- you if forced back to require a body of cavalry to cross at each bridge, and. the last that cross to have orders to burn the bridge over which it crosses. Please communicate with the infantry commander at each bridge, and have- no confusion in the arrangements. Respectfully, W. W. Mackai,l, Chief of Staff. 2o6 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. ing Wheeler's forces, but received a severe check at each successive position chosen by General Wheeler. About noon, being driven back to Peachtree Creek, Wheeler safely crossed and completely destroyed the several bridges, pursuant to General Johnston's orders. HEAVY FIGHTING BETWEEN M'PHERSON AND WHEEEER DURING THE ENEMY'S ADVANCE UPON DECATUR AND ATLANTA. In the meantime, General McPherson, commanding three army corps, was marching from Roswell to strike the Georgia railroad east of Decatur. Wheeler hastened with his availa- ( Confidential.) Headquarters Cavalry Tennessee, July 19th, 11 A. M. General : General Hood directs me to inform you that, unless circumstances now not seen should prevent, General Hardee and General Stewart have been ordered to attack the enemy at one o'clock p. M. to-day. General Cheat ham on the right is ordered to hold in check any force of the enemy which may advance in that direction, and you are desired to give all the aid in your power to General Cheatham to carry out this part. Most respectfully, A. P. Mason, Major-Gen. Wheeler, Maj. and A. A. O. Commanding Cavalry Corps. Headquarters Army Tennessee, Near Atlanta, July 19, 1864, 2:15 p. m. Major-General Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry Corps : General Hood directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your note in which you express the opinion that the extreme left of the enemy's infantry is moving towards Decatur. It is important to get exact information of the state of affairs in that vicinity at nightfall. He therefore requests you to send your best scouts close in, so as to ascertain whether the left of the enemy's infantry crosses Peachtree Creek, where it rests, and what is its strength, and notify him of the result. Very respectfully, T. B. Mackall, A. D. C. Headquarters Army Tennessee. General : July 19, 1864, 3:30 p. m. Your dispateh about the force pressing you is received. General Hood directs that you will hold the enemy in check as much as possible and strike him as you think best. Yours most respectfully, Major-Gen. Wheeler, A. P. Mason, Commanding Cavalry Corps. Major and A. A. C. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER. AND HIS CAVALRY. ZOJ ble force to retard McPherson's movements. Heavy fighting ensued, lasting until after dark on the 18th. On the 19th, after severe fighting, McPherson reached De- catur and turned towards Atlanta. Here Wheeler had several successive lines of works constructed, which enabled him to offer formidable resistance. About noon, receiving notice from General Hood of an ex- Headquarters, July 20, 1864, 10:20 A. M. General : General Hood directs me to say that you must retard the enemy as much as possible. Should you finally be forced back, form and strengthen your- self upon the right of our infantry which is now being extended to the rail- road. Very respectfully, A. P. Mason, To Major-Gen. Wheeler. Major and A. A. G. Commanding Cavalry Corps. Headquarters Army of Tennessee, General : I1C A - M - J ul y 2 °- 186 4- General Hood desires you to form a portion of your cavalry on the right of the infantry, holding the remainder in readiness to strike the enemy in flank in case they should attack General Cheatham. He sent you a note to this effect, and sends this to say that he does not wish your entire com- mand formed on the right. He also desires you to keep them from General Cheatham's front as long as possible, and use every precaution to keep them from our flank. He wishes me to say also, that your own judgment will prompt you when it may be best, and at what point, to strike the enemy in case they should attack General Cheatham. Very respectfully, To Major-Gen. Wheeler, E. B. Wade, A. D. C. Commanding Cavalry Corps. July 20, 1:10 P. M. Are you driven back, or have you only fallen back to find a good position ? What is your estimate of the enemy? Hold at all hazards. General Smith, with all the reserve artillery, occupies the works behind you. Respectfully, W. W. Mackall, 'To Major-Gen. Wheeler, Brigadier-General. Commanding Cavalry Corps. General Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry Corps: General Brown has been ordered to extend to the railroad. You will please keep in communication with him, and support him. I am now on the left of my line, which is a long one. If you should find the enemy moving to my left, you will please inform me. B. F. Cheatham, Major- General. My skirmishers on my left are now heavily engaged. 208 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. tended attack upon the right and center of Sherman's line, General Wheeler fought with renewed vigor to prevent Mc- Pherson from assisting the remainder of Sherman's army. In this he was eminently successful. Besides holding Mc- Pherson's three army corps in check, fully six miles from the point Hood was engaging Sherman, he fought so fiercely as to give McPherson the impression that a general attack by Hood's entire army was about to be made upon him in his isolated position. 6a. R. R. Fortifications, Atlanta, July 20, 1864, 4:35 p. m. General : I have seven hundred men here in the trenches, upon the right and left of the railroad, supporting the reserve artillery. There is nothing to my right. Where is your right and left, and how far are the enemy from this position ? Please notify me of anything of moment in regard to your position, that of the enemy, etc., and oblige. Very truly yours, G. W. Smith, Major-Gen. Wheeler, Major-QeneraL Commanding Cavalry Corps. General Wheeler, July 20, 5:30 p. m. Commanding Cavalry : I have one thousand men in my center, with the troops deployed in a single line, and have been compelled to take a brigade from my left, which is now not protected. I need 2,000 men to fill my line. General G. W. Smith is near you. Call on him. B. F. Cheatham, Major- General. Hold until night, if possible, and keep me posted. B. F. Cheatham, Major-Oeneral. July 20, 1864, 6:30 p. m. General Wheeler : General Cheatham has been ordered to send you a brigade. Hold on as long as you can, but if forced back you must go into the fortifications with General Smith, who is now behind you, and hold them, says General Hood.' Respectfully, W. W. Mackall, Brigadier- General. General Wheeler, July 20; 6 115 p. m. Commandng Cavalry Corps : The enemy are pressing my center, which is only a single line for one mile. I am afraid it will not sustain itself. I have weakened my entire line to fill up the gap of one mile. I have sent word to General Brown to assist you if he can. You will communicate with him. B. F. Cheatham, Major-General. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 200. On the 20th, McPherson charged Wheeler's breastworks with infantry, supported by six lines of battle, all of which charges were signally repulsed, with heavy losses to the enemy. Wheeler continued hard fighting during the entire day, the enemy making but little progress, though their force actually engaged was ten times that of Wheelers. Knowing the importance of the position, General Wheeler urged that reinforcements should be sent to assist him. The replies he received were simply exhortations from Generals Hood and Cheatham (who were near him) to hold on. Wheeler held his ground unassisted. During the afternoon, seeing the enemy carelessly deploy- ing his troops in a locality where they were not being imme- diately engaged, Wheeler charged the weak portion of McPherson's line, driving him back towards Decatur, and capturing a number of his men. During the night Wheeler strengthened the barricades and breastworks for his dismounted cavalry. On the morning of the 21st McPherson again advanced and made a most deter- mined charge upon Wheeler's works. The enemy was re- pulsed at every point during the first charges, but finally, by Headquarters, July 20, 1864, 7:15 p. m. General : Your dispatch of 5 145 is received. General Hood directs me to say that Cleburne's division is moving to your support, so communicate this to the men, and urge them to hold on. General Hood desires to see -you as soon as you can safely leave your command. Yours, A. P. Mason, Major-Gen. Wheeler, Major and A. A. G. Commanding Cavalry Corps. Headquarters G. M., July 21, 1864, 10:55 A. M. General : A battery of artillery from Colonel Hollonquist's reserve has just come up, and is being placed in position. Immediately on receipt of your request for reinforcements I sent a staff-officer to you with request that you would send one of your staff to conduct them. The troops are ready and waiting. Say 300 men. Yours truly, G. W. Smith, Major-Gen. Wheeler, Major-General. Commanding Cavalry Corps. 14 w 2IO CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. turning our flank, our right gave way. Seeing this, Wheeler rallied his men, charged the victorious enemy who were upon our fortifications, and drove them off in confusion, retaking our works, with thirty prisoners. In this engagement, the enemy admitted a loss of eight hundred killed and wounded. The position thus gallantly regained was held by Wheeler until the following day, when he was relieved by the infantry. During these brilliant and severe engagements General Wheeler had less than one-tenth of the force which was brought against him. The enemy's losses were heavy in every fight, while Wheeler's command, fighting (for the most part) dismounted, behind breastworks, sustained but slight losses. WHEELER'S BATTLE AND VICTORY AT DECATUR. On the night of the 21st, General Wheeler moved round the enemy's left flank, and next day attacked a division of in- fantry which occupied the town of Decatur in strong fortifi- cations. The fight was severe, lasting about two hours, and resulted in the complete defeat of the enemy, who were routed from their fortifications, and several hundred prisoners cap- tured. Wheeler also captured their camps, one section of ar- tillery, three stands of colors, their stores, hospitals, etc. He Headquarters Army Tennessee, July 23, 1864. General : The General commanding directs me to say that he -wishes you to hold the gap between Generals Cleburne and Maney. Very respectfully, To Major-Gen. Wheeler, Jno. G. Smith, Commanding Cavalry Corps. Aide-de-Camp. Army Headquarters, 2:30 p. m., July 21, 1864. General : The General commanding directs me to say that he will to-night fill the vacancy between Generals Cleburne and Maney with infantry ; also to request that you come to his quarters as soon as you can leave your line this evening. Very respectfully, Jno. G. Smith, To Major-Gen. Wheeler, Major-General. Commanding Cavalry Corps. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEEIvER AND HIS CAVALRY. 211 then pushed on, capturing a large wagon train, all of which property was either brought off to our lines or destroyed. Our loss was less than a hundred killed and wounded. The troops of the enemy thus defeated at Decatur were the extreme left of the Federal army, and nothing but the rapidity of Wheeler's movements enabled him to accomplish his purpose before the point could be reinforced. One of the objects of the attack was to create a diversion for General Hardee, who successfully attacked another portion of the enemy's line at the same hour. After taking the town, and while Wheeler was pushing on to the enemy's extreme rear, three of General Hardee's staff rode up in quick succession, with directions from General Hardee for Wheeler to hasten to his support, as the enemy Hardee had just defeated had rallied, or had been reinforced, and were now driving back his entire line. Wheeler started at a gallop, reached Hardee's position, and fought on his immediate flank until night, completely Headquarters Cavalry Corps, July 22, 1864. LiEutenanT-Generai, Hardee : Several more of my scouts have come in, all corroborating the report I sent you this morning that General Garrard had moved towards Covington with his division. Shall I pursue and break up Garrard, or shall I detach a force to follow him. Very respectfully, J. WhEELER, Major- General. July 22, 1864. General : I cannot spare you or any force to pursue Garrard now. We must attack, as we arranged, with all our force. I think our attack will bring Garrard back. You had best report the facts to General Hood. Respectfully, W. J. Hardee, Major-Gen. Wheeler, Lieutenant-General. Commanding Cavalry. July 23, 1864, 4:10 p. m. General : Where are the two brigades which you say are on my right flank ? The two regiments you sent me were taken away by General Iverson. I must have two regiments of cavalry at once for my left flank. Respectfully, W. J. Hardee, Gen. J. Wheeler, Lieutenant- General. Commanding Cavalry. 212 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. checking any further attempt on the part of the enemy to disturb the line thus re-established. Early in the day General Wheeler learned of a movement of Federal cavalry under General Garrard, in an easterly direc- tion, or on the extension of General Sherman's flank. This was fully reported by Wheeler to both Generals Hood and Hardee, but he was directed not to pursue, as his troops were needed to carry out the operations in that locality. The following day, at 11:30 a.m., General Wheeler received directions to follow the raiders. In ten minutes his column was in motion, and by midnight had traveled forty miles, only to- learn that the enemy had returned to their main army the pre- vious night and that morning. Wheeler promptly returned and continued heavy skirmishing until the morning of the 27th. SOUTHERN NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS OF THESE BATTLES. " Behind the Chattahoochee, "July 20, 1864. *t» *T* *P *1^ *T* *P "While the fight I have recorded was in progress on the left, Wheeler's cavalry successfully held the enemy's infantry in check on our right. With a few small brigades he contested the ground with two corps (Dodge's and L,ogan's) and after- twelve or fourteen hours' hard fighting had prevented them Headquarters Corps, July 23, 1864. General : Lieutenant-General Hardee directs me to say that the three regiments. under Colonel Hagan will be sufficient to protect his flank. Very respectfully, Sam. L. Black, Major-Gen. Wheeler, A. A. General. Commanding Cavalry Corps. July 23, 1864. General Wheeler : General Hood wishes you to take what you think a sufficient force and pursue the raiding party you report as moving on the Covington road. You must leave a small force to protect General Hardee's right, and if necessary recall the brigade you were ordered to send to East Point. Respectfully, W. W. Mackall, Chief of Staff. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 21 3 from obtaining any advantage. Cannonading has been con- stant along the lines all day. " The enemy are evidently endeavoring to maneuver Hood out of Atlanta, but there is quite as much probability that within thirty-six hours Sherman will be maneuvering to get away from him. F. C. de F." "Atlanta, July 20, 1864. — General Wheeler has success- fully engaged a large force of the enemy during the greater part of the day. This evening he charged their infantry most gallantly, driving their line back toward Decatur." " Hardee and Wheeler, sweeping silently around the Federal left, pounced upon their flank and pressed so steadily as to bear down all opposition. Whole batteries with horses and equipments fell into our possession ; fortifications with frown- ing abattis of sharpened pikes were crossed in the teeth of murderous fire, while individual gallantry was conspicuous in the capture of flags and prisoners. Wheeler with his cavalry, co-operating with Hardee, performed deeds of valor that have removed every prejudice which unjustly has attached to their past career. Charging as infantry, they drove the enemy from one of his lines of fortifications, captured several hun- dred prisoners, burned a considerable amount of camp equip- age, and galled their antagonists at every step. J|C 3jC 3JC 5p *P 3JC "In practical results, few battles of the war have a better showing. Hardee captured from sixteen to twenty guns, and Cheatham's corps eight or ten, besides battle-flags and regi- mental colors. In prisoners, we cannot have less than from twenty-five hundred to three thousand, among whom are a considerable number of colonels and subordinate field-officers. They are still coming in. The Federals confess that the move- ment of Generals Hardee and Wheeler was a surprise, and an entire lack of preparation in consequence. "F. G. de F." "Atlanta, June 23. — General Wheeler last evening at- tacked the enemy's left, in the neighborhood of Decatur, and drove them back, capturing five hundred wagons with supplies, and a large number of prisoners. He is still pursuing them. There was very little fighting after dark yesterday. Two thousand prisoners, seventy-five commissioned officers, twenty- 214 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. five pieces of artillery and seven stands of colors have been brought in. "The losses on either side are not yet known. Ours was severe in officers. Comparative quiet reigns here this morn- ing. There is some little skirmishing on our left." "Richmond, July 23. — The following official dispatch was received at the War Department at noon to-day : Headquarters, Atlanta, Ga., July 22, 1864. " Hon. Secretary of War : " This army has shifted its position, and was fronting on Peachtree Creek last night, and Stewart's and Cheatham's corps formed a line of battle around the city. " General Hardee made a night march and attacked the enemy's extreme left to-day about ten o'clock. He drove him from his works, capturing sixteen pieces of artillery and five stands of colors. ' ' General Cheatham attacked the enemy, capturing six pieces of artillery. During the engagement we captured about two thousand prisoners. " General Wheeler's Cavalry attacked the enemy's redoubts in the neighborhood of Decatur to-day, capturing his camp. " Our loss is not fully ascertained. " Major-General W. H. T. Walker was killed, and Briga- dier-Generals Gist, Mercer and Smith wounded. " Prisoners report that the Federal General McPherson was killed. " Our troops fought with great gallantry." J. B. Hood, General." (Special Dispatch to Savannah Republican.) "More Glorious News — The Battle Still Raging — Nearly 4,000 Prisoners Taken — Gallantry of Wheeler's Cavalry and the Georgia Militia. " Atlanta, July 22. — The great struggle for Atlanta com- menced to-day. The enemy surrounded the city on the north side in the form of a semicircle, and opened heavily with ar- tillery, which continued until about two o'clock. Generals Hardee and Wheeler had been detached the night before by General Hood, and had by this time struck the enemy's left, making a handsome flank movement, when General Hood's old corps, under General Cheatham, advanced from their breast- CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 21 5 -works and drove Sherman's lines over their breastworks more than a mile, capturing a large number of guns, flags and prisoners. ******** " The battle is not yet concluded. General Hardee is still pressing on the Federal flanks, having captured sixteen guns and about twenty-five hundred prisoners. The total number of guns that we have captured and have now on hand are from twenty-two to twenty-four, and nearly four thousand prisoners. "General Wheeler's cavalry greatly distinguished them- selves, carrying a line of formidable breastworks, and captur- ing a garrison, camp equipage and many cannon." The following are telegrams taken from the New York papers : Nashville, August i. — There has been no fighting before Atlanta since the 28th ult. The army is in fine condition, preparing for an advance upon Atlanta, which will occur shortly. Authentic reports confirm the death of the rebel General Walker. It is rumored that General Wheeler was killed, but the report lacks confirmation. Headquarters Department Army of Tennessee, Before Atlanta, August 4. " I have the honor to report the following general summary of the result of operations in this army on the 2 2d : The total loss in killed, wounded and missing was 3,521 and 10 pieces of artillery. We have buried and delivered to the enemy, under a flag of truce sent in by them from the front of the Seventeenth Corps, 1,000 of their killed. The number of their killed in front of the Fourth Division of the same corps, including those on the ground not now occupied by our troops, will swell the number of their dead on that front to 2,000. The number of dead buried in front of the Fifteenth Corps, up to this hour, is 360, and the commanding officer reports at least as many more unburied. The number buried in front of the Twenty-second Corps is 442. We have over 1,000 of their wounded in our hands, and a larger number of wounded were carried off by them during the night after the engagement. We captured eight stands of colors and have them now. We have also captured 5,000 stands of arms. The attack was made on our line seven times and repulsed. Hood's and Hardee's corps, with Wheeler's cavalry, engaged us. We 2l6 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. have sent to the rear 1,000 prisoners, including 33 commis- sioned officers of high rank. We still occupy the field, and the troops are in fine spirits. The estimated loss of the enemy is 10,000. W. T. Sherman, "Major-General Commanding.' 1 '' The Lone Grave at the Jag Factory. When Camp A of " Wheeler's Confederate Cavalry " was first organized, the attention of the Association was called to a lone grave near the Chattahoochee River. It was known that the occupant of the grave had been one of Wheeler's men, and information was asked about his identity. Our commander (Colonel Prather of the 8th Confederate Cavalry) was able to recall that one of his men was mortally wounded in crossing the river, and, dying, was buried near a jug fac- tory. The historian immediately proceeded to construct (in his mind) a pathetic story in regard to the silent sleeper, who had occupied an unmarked grave all these years, and was preparing to have a suitable monument erected. As a preliminary, it was decided to visit the scene, when lo, it was revealed that the grave was already marked, and possessed a unique, if unpretentious monument — not of marble or stone, but of jug-ware. Considering the proverbial fondness of soldiers for the con- tents of jugs, the monument seemed too ludicrously appro- priate to be disturbed, so we shall leave our comrade to sleep on in his jug-marked grave till he is summoned by Ga- briel's bugle to the great roll-call. To the lowly jug-maker, however, we accord all praise, for in using the materials of his craft for a monument, his mo- tives were evidently as pure as if he had reared one of stone or bronze. — (Editor.) CHAPTER XVI. 9. GENERAL WHEELER DEFEATS AND DESTROYS THE GREAT RAIDS OF STONEMAN, GARRARD AND M'COOK, CAPTURING, KILLING AND WOUNDING FIVE THOUSAND MEN, AND CAP- TURING THEIR HORSES, ARTILLERY, WAGONS, COLORS, ARMS, ETC. On the night of July 26th, the Federal General Logan, commanding three army corps (formerly McPherson's), held the position in breastworks occupied since the battle of the 23d. His line crossed the Georgia Railroad at right angles, facing directly west, his left flank being thrown back, and making a right angle with his main line of battle. General Hardee, with his corps of infantry, occupied en- trenchments opposing the three Federal corps above men- tioned. At 3 A. m., July 27, General Wheeler moved, pursuant to General Hood's order (1) and relieved General Hardee's corps, dismounting his men, and occupying the entrenched works just being vacated by Hardee. At daylight, pushing out his skirmish line in person, Wheeler found the enemy disposed to give way, and pressing them vigorously, soon drove them beyond their fortifications and finally to a point about a hundred yards north of the Georgia Railroad. (1) Headquarters Army oe Tennessee, 12 p. m., July 26, 1864. Major-Generai, Wheei,er, Commanding Cavalry : General Hood desires you to relieve General Hardee with your command "without delay, putting yourself in communication with him at once. You will leave a sufficient force on your right to give you certain information of the movements of the enemy, in case he should make any in that quarter, and to conceal, if possible, your withdrawal. General Hardee awaits your movement. Very respectfully, F. A. Shoup, Chief of Staff. 2l8 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER. AND HIS CAVALRY. At this moment General Wheeler received notice from his scouts, observing Sherman's left and rear, that a large cavalry- force had started before daylight with five days' rations, marching easterly, which the reader will observe was directly from the rear of this part of Sherman's army. These facts, corroborated by prisoners, were transmitted to General Hood, and a regiment dispatched to follow this force and keep Gen- eral Wheeler informed of its movements. Reports from scouts continued to come in, were transmitted to General Hood, and soon developed the fact that the enemy consisted of several thousand cavalry bent upon a destructive raid. General Wheeler, in the meantime, with his cavalry was tied down to fighting the enemy's infantry in breastworks. The distance to General Hood's quarters being about five miles, dispatches necessarily occupied some time in transmission. At 7 o'clock, instead of receiving authority to pursue the raiders, he, on the contrary, received dispatches from General Hood (2, 3) urging upon him the importance of holding the line General Hardee had just vacated. General Wheeler continued engaging the infantry oppos- (2) Army Headquarters, General : 4:15 a. m., July 27, 1864. I am directed by the General commanding to say that the indications are that the enemy will attack our left, and he wishes you to be on the lookout and hold fast your end of the line. Very respectfully, Major-Gen. Wheei,ER. John G. Smith, A.-de-C. (3) Headquarters, Daywght, July 27, 1864. generai, Wheei,er, Commanding Cavalry : General Hood directs me to say that he desires to hold General Hardee's, line, if possible, and wishes you to do all in your power to do so. Very respectfully, E. A. Shoot, Chief of Staff. (4) Headquarters Army of Tennessee, major-Generai, Wheeler, ii a. m., July 27, 1864. Commanding Cavalry : In reply to your dispatches regarding movement of enemy's cavalry, Gen- eral Hood directs that you detach what force you can spare to follow this, raid and keep it in observation. They will endeavor to bring the enemy to- a stand. Very respectfully, John G. Smith, A.-de-C. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 219 ing him, and on receipt of General Hood's dispatches, dated 11 a. m. and 1:30 p. m.-, he sent fifteen hundred men, in the hope that they would be able to so annoy the enemy &.s to- bring him to a stand. Late at night, in reply to his repeated requests to that effect, General Wheeler finally received orders from General Hood to leave a thin line to hold the enemy he had engaged all day, and go himself in piirsuit of the raiding cavalry. (6, 7, 8.) (5) Headquarters Army of Tennessee, General Wheeler, 1:30 p. m., July 27. Commanding Cavalry: General Hood directs that you dispatch such force as you may deem suffi- cient to bring the raid you speak of to bay. The force you have on the line direct to keep in communication with the right of General Hardee. From the time in passing it would not seem to be a heavy force. Have sent to Jackson to know if he can send Humes to join you. Come in this evening if not too much engaged. Let your attention be directed to the Macon. Railroad in your movement. Very respectfully, F. A. Shoup. P. S. — You must not go in person unless you think it important. (6) Headquarters Army of Tennessee, General Wheeler, 5 *■• m., July 27. Commanding Cavalry : If you decide to go against the raiders, please come to headquarters first. You can start General Humes to flat Rock to-night as you suggest. The enemy seems about to attack our left. He is now pressing Humes back. Very respectfully, F. A. Shoup, Brig.-6en. (7) Headquarters, 5:40 p. m., July 27. Gen. Wheeler : You can send forward a part of Kelly's command, and the General will, send Humes to-night to Flat Rock. He thinks you will have artillery enough with Humes's. If it be not too much out of your way, ride by this way before you go. Very respectfully, F. A. Shoup, Chief of Staff. (8) Headquarters Army of Tennessee, Major-General Wheeler, 9 ?■ M -> July 27, 1864. Commanding Cavalry : General Hood directs that you go yourself in pursuit of the enemy. Direct whoever you leave in command to report to General Hardee. Humes's division starts for Flat Rock to-night, and will there await your orders. General Ferguson's brigade will move to the right to-night. Very respectfully, F. A. Shoup, (Duplicated 9:30.) Chief of Staff- 220 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVAERY. The direction taken by the enemy convinced General Wheeler that they -would cross South River at Flat Shoals, to strike the Macon Railroad either at Jonesboro or Love- joys station. General Wheeler therefore moved directly to the shoals in person, ordering the troops with him to follow, and directed General Kelly to Tucker's cabin, and thence toward Flat Shoals, with instructions, should he meet the enemy, to hold him in check by engaging his advance until be could be reinforced ; and to order General Anderson to follow Wheeler. By 3 A. M. General Wheeler had overtaken the force of fifteen hundred men he had sent forward the preceding day. 'They had come upon the enemy at night, and had been watching and annoy ing their encampment on Snap Finger Creek, near the shoals above mentioned. FIGHT AT FEAT SHOAES. General Wheeler immediately attacked their flank, and then moved rapidly with a part of his troops over South River to the Jonesboro road, where he was joined by General Kelly, who had marched as directed from Tucker's cabin. General Wheeler moved forward, and soon after daylight met the enemy, then at a distance of but twelve miles from the Macon Railroad. After a short fight, Wheeler drove them back and finally across South River. Here, being favorably positioned, they made a brief stand, but on Wheeler renewing the attack that position was also yielded, and the enemy commenced a rapid retreat, closely pursued by Wheeler, who captured three wagons and a number of prisoners. From the prisoners and from some of our own men, whom we released from the enemy during the engagement, we learned that Stoneman, with twenty-two hundred men, had moved toward Covington, and that the force we were engaging was Garrard's division of 4,000 men. Prisoners brought in from Stoneman's com- mand stated Macon was their immediate object, but that CAMPAIGNS OP WHEELER AND HIS. CAVALRY. 221 these two columns were to unite with a third column, and they asked if it had been heard from by our army. General Wheeler had turned his course to. pursue Stone- man, when the following dispatch from General Hood, which had been on his trail for thirty miles, reached him : Headquarters Army of Tennessee, „, ■ _ T 9:30 P.M.,. July 27, 1864. Major-General Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry: General Hood directs that in pursuing the enemy you take the smallest number of troops possible. Should the enemy's, course prove such as not to require the greater part of your command, you will detach an officer to. continue the pursuit and return with the balance, as he needs you here with all the cavalry you can concentrate. He, however, leaves, the general man- agement in your hands, relying on your judgment,, in which he has full confidence. Very respectfully, F. A. Shoup, Chief of Staff. This order, together with the information above mentioned,, and which was now corroborated by reports from General Wheeler's scouts on the Chattahoochee River below Atlanta (who reported a force of cavalry attempting to effect a crossing) T compelled a change in his dispositions. Wheeler directed General Kelly to continue the pursuit of Garrard and prevent his reorganizing and again attempting to participate in their grand raid. He then ordered General Iverson (who was familiar with the country and people in (9) Headquarters Army op Tennessee, 11:20 a. M., July 28, 1864. General Wheeler : Your dispatches of 5:35 and 7:05 A. M. received. The General approves, your determination to guard the railroad. Take such steps as your best judgment prompts. Very respectfully, F. A. Shoup, Chief of Staff. (9) Headquarters Army Tennessee, 6:20 p. m., July 28, 1864. General Wheeler : Yours of 10:45 an d 11:05 received and approved. The enemy reported to- be attempting a raid on our left and crossing at Campbellton. If you cam spare Humes send him back. Use your discretion. Very respectfully,, F. A. Shoup, Chief of Staff* 222 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. that section) to take his own, General Allen's and Colonel Breckinridge's brigades, and follow Stoneman rapidly, and attack him wherever found. While feeding the balance of his troops, additional infor- mation reached General Wheeler of the threatened raid on the left of our army, which was now confirmed by dispatches from General Hood (9) , and finally, while en route, by dis- (10) Headquarters Army of Tennessee, 4:30 a. m., July 29, 1864. General Joseph Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry : Your dispatch of yesterday, 6 :30 P. M. , just received. At same time one from Brigadier-General Jackson, dated near Campbellton, 2Sth, 9 p. M., •stating that the force which crossed the river near that point was McCook's division of cavalry. They were evidently making for the M. & W. railroad, moving via Fair burn. The commanding General directs that you send a force to co-operate with General Jackson, moving across to such point as you may deem best calcu- lated to intercept the enemy. Use your own discretion in selecting force, and in general instructions given them. It is intended that you should exer- cise your own judgment in detaching this force from your command. Gen- ■eral Jackson says : "I move in an hour to Fairburn, thence below to inter- cept or strike them in flank, and shall endeavor to protect railroad." He lias two brigades, Harrison's and Ross's. I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, L. P. Dodge, A. D. .C for Brigadier-General Shoup. July 29, 1864, 12 M. General : I have with me parts of four regiments, numbering in all about five hun- dred men. I have left on picket on the left four regiments and parts of other regiments. By General Jackson's orders, I left my pickets to be re- lieved by him to-day, when they would rejoin their command. I send Gen- eral Jackson's order, in virtue of which I moved, for the purpose of showing you why the command with me is so small. Respectfully, General, W. Y. C. Humes, To Major-Gen. Joseph Wheeler, Brigadier- General. Commanding Cavalry Corps. July 28, 1864, 1 P. M. Major : Your dispatch of 10:10 A. M. just received. I have halted my command on the McDonough road, three miles from Dr. Covery's, where it will await orders. Respectfully, W. Y. C. Humes, Major E. S. Bureord, Brigadier- General. A.A.G. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 223 patches (10 and n). General Humes being en route from East Point, Wheeler sent him orders to turn his course toward Jonesboro, and moved for the same place in person, directing General Anderson to follow with his brigade as rap- idly as possible. On reaching Jonesboro, Wheeler learned that the enemy under General McCook, nearly 4,000 strong, had already struck the railroad five miles below that place. Wheeler moved rapidly, reaching the enemy at dark, who, as he ap- proached, retreated in a westerly direction towards Fayette- ville. General Jackson had been following and skirmishing with this column, and had captured about forty prisoners. A staff- officer and courier General Wheeler had previously sent to General Jackson, here returned to him with messages from Jackson to this effect : " That if General Wheeler would press the enemy' 1 s rear, he [Jackson) would gain their front and thus secure their capture.' 1 '' General Wheeler immediately replied to General Jackson, agreeing to this proposition, and urging his rapid movement to gain their front, assuring him that he (Wheeler) would keep closely upon their rear. Though quite dark, Wheeler pushed on promptly, crowding the enemy warmly as they crossed Flint River. Here he received the following note from General Jackson : 2}£ Miles from Fayetteville, General : 1° *■ m., July 29, 1864. The latest reports represent the enemy moving towards Fayetteville. I am quite certain they are moving back to cross the Chattahoochee. I have ( j j \ HEADQUARTERS Army TENNESSEE General Wheeler: 2 p. m., July 29, 1864. A raid from the left has struck the Macon Railroad below Jonesboro about ' six miles. Troops have gone from here by rail. Important to prevent damage as far as possible. There is armed militia below on the road. Should be advanced to prevent destruction north. Take such steps as your judgment suggests. Force unknown. Very respectfully, F. A. Shoup, p, s. — Have not heard from Jackson this evening. Chief of Staff. 224 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. Harrison's brigade in their front at Fayetteville, and am moving now with Ross's brigade to that place. Should enemy attempt to pass around the place, I will gain their front or flank about Newnan. If you can follow and push them in rear, it would be well. Very respectfully, W. H. Jackson, To Major- Gen. Wheeler, Brigadier-General. Commanding Cavalry. At midnight Wheeler reached and passed through Fayette- ville, striking the enemy's rear, but to his surprise and regret learned General Harrison had not been there with his bri- gade, and General Wheeler was unable to learn either his or General Jackson's location. He therefore addressed General Jackson the following official note : Headquarters Cavalry Corps, Army Tennessee, Fayettevii,i,e, July 29, 1864, 12 p. m. General : Major-General Wheeler directs me, in reply to your dispatch of 10 p. M. r to say that he finds the enemy have moved on through the town of Fayette- ville and on the Newnan road ; that he will press on rapidly on this road in pursuit of them, and desires you, as you suggested, to gain their front on the upper Fayetteville and Newnan road. He cannot hear of Harrison's brigade. Respectfully, W. E. WailES, To Brigadier-Gen. Jackson. A. A. &. General Wheeler here sent full reports to General Hood, and to Macon and Griffin, of the state of affairs, and received the following from General Hood : Headquarters Army Tennessee, 6:30 p. M., July 29, 1864. Major-General Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry : Your dispatch of 1:15 P. M. received. Jackson engaged the raid from the West at 3 P. M. Enemy said to be 3,000 strong. Infantry sent 3,000 militia at Macon; some directed to be sent to Griffin. Send information south when important to them. Very respectfully, F. A. Shoup, Chief of Staff. Wheeler pressed forward with Humes's force of five hun- dred men, General Anderson still being some twenty miles behind. The enemy destroyed the bridge over I^ine Creek, a structure nearly thirty feet high, and Wheeler found them holding the other side in strong barricades. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 225 FIGHT AT LINE CREEK. A bend in the creek enabled Wheeler to take a position which enfiladed the enemy's barricades. A warm fight en- sued, the enemy soon yielding their position, and in an hour, by General Wheeler's great personal energy and determina- tion, the bridge was rebuilt and his troops passed over. The darkness of the night was intense in the extreme, but General Wheeler still pushed on, leading the extreme advance, and encountering the enemy in barricades every few hundred yards, the first intimation of them usually being a volley from their small arms. Before daylight a rapid courier brought General Wheeler the following dispatch from General Jackson : Headquarters Cavalry Diviston, 3 a. m., July 30, 1864, 3^ Miles from Fayetteville. General : Since arrival of your courier I received notice from General Harrison' that he is opposite the enemy at Shake Rag, three miles from here. The enemy has gone into camp there. I move on at once with Ross's- brigade. Very respectfully, W. H. Jackson, To Major-Gen. Wheeler, Brigadier-General. Commanding Cavalry. As both Wheeler and the enemy had already passed Shake Rag by several miles, it was evident that General Jackson was misinformed regarding the enemy, and as he was some three hours' march in our rear, General Wheeler informed him by courier of the enemy's movements, and ordered him to move up as rapidly as possible. As day dawned we came upon the enemy's line of battle. General Wheeler promptly formed two mounted columns of attack. Sending one around the enemy's flank, Wheeler led the other in a most gallant charge upon their center, breaking through the enemy's lines and driving them in utter rout from the field, capturing over three hundred prisoners, with their horses, arms and equipments. Wheeler continued to- charge, his troops capturing more prisoners and killing more 226 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. than fifty of the enemy in hand-to-hand encounters during the running fight which ensued. Wheeler pushed on rapidly, constantly engaging McCook's rear-guard, and capturing prisoners, horses, pack-mules and arms in considerable numbers. At 1 2 o'clock, General Wheeler, within two miles of Newnan, encountered and captured forty men from McCook's rear, from whom he learned that as the head of McCook's column ap- proached Newnan, his scouts incorrectly informed him that Confederate infantry occupied the town. General McCook, without even approaching the town to learn the truth or falsity of these reports, immediately turned his command off the main road, leaving Newnan some three miles to his right. The extremely worn condition of General Wheeler's troops can be understood, as they had marched more than seventy miles since two o'clock the . preceding day. Wheeler was here joined by Colonel Cook, with two squadrons of the 8th Texas, and by General Ross, with two fragments of regiments, making Wheeler's entire command but 720 men. Generals Anderson and Jackson were still some fifteen miles in our rear. BATTLE OF NEWNAN. General Wheeler felt certain that McCook would attempt to come into the main LaGrange road below Newnan, and, as usual, but a moment was occupied in maturing his plans. He promptly secured an excellent guide and placed him under Colonel Ashby, whom he ordered, with two hundred men, to move rapidly through the town and down the L,aGrange road to gain McCook's front, and thus head off the enemy. General Wheeler's instructions to Ashby were to gallop down the LaGrange road four miles, unless he sooner discov- ered the enemy's columns, and when he did come upon them to fight with all possible vigor until Wheeler with the rest of our troops could join in the attack. The Confederate commander then sent scouts on all roads by which Newnan could be approached by the enemy, and with the remainder of his command, scarcely three hundred CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 227 strong, he moved rapidly down between the railroad and main LaGrange road, in order to strike the enemy's flank. After marching three miles, Wheeler came upon the enemy in a dense wood, forming line of battle dismounted, the right flank of which was directly before him. At the same time he received a dispatch from Ashby, stating that he had struck the head of McCook's column just as it was entering the main LaGrange road, three and a half miles below Newnan, and that McCook was then forming: a line of battle. Wheeler instantly sent Ashby directions to occupy the enemy's attention in front, while he quickly formed the troops with him in a close dismounted line and made a spirited attack on their flank. At first the warm fire from the enemy, who were more than tenfold our strength, checked and nearly repulsed our attack. General Wheeler, seeing this, rallied his men, ordered the bugles to sound, and placing himself at the head of his devoted command, called upon them to follow him in the charge. A loud shout arose from our ranks, mingling with the bugle notes ; the whole line moved forward with a run, and those few brave men hurled themselves with unsurpassed gallantry upon the enemy, throwing their entire line into a confused mass, and driving them to and finally across the LaGrange road, where Ashby joined us and assisted in the pursuit. From prisoners we learned that the force we had so sig- nally defeated was two of McCook's brigades, while his third brigade was in reserve some distance to our left. In forty minutes we had killed and wounded over two hundred, and captured over three hundred prisoners, including two of Mc- Cook's brigade commanders, Colonel Harrison, of the 39th Indiana Regiment, and Colonel Tony, who was badly wounded. We had also captured six hundred horses and three stands of colors. . While General Wheeler was reforming his lines, which had of. necessity become somewhat broken by so warm a fight and ardent. pursuit, sharp firing was heard far in our rear, 228 CAMPAIGNS OE WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. which proved to be an attack upon the horses in the lead of Ross's troops by McCook's reserve brigade, before mentioned. General Wheeler hastened to this point, attacked and drove off this force, recapturing all our horses, together with nearly a hundred prisoners and horses belonging to the enemy. The respite thus given to the scattered fragments of the other brigades of the enemy enabled McCook to get together what remained in one body, which now in turn charged upon us with unexpected determination. Though our men fought well, they were pushing back our right, when General Wheeler charged them with two mounted squadrons, drove them from the field, and recaptured General Humes, who for a moment was in their hands. At this moment General Anderson rode up with four hundred men, but fell wounded while placing his troops in line. Thus reinforced, General Wheeler again attacked, driving the enemy from several successive positions, capturing prisoners, horses and arms at every step of his advance. Finally McCook, having taken position in barri- cades behind an almost impassable ravine, Wheeler promptly mounted his men and moved down the LaGrange road to turn McCook's left flank. This movement was a most brilliant success. McCook attempted to retreat, but Wheeler striking him in flank, cut off two entire regiments, which immediately surrendered to a staff -officer whom he sent to receive them. General Wheeler also captured at this point a battery, a wagon train, a pack- mule train, their colors, arms, etc. He also recaptured three hundred and fifty Confederate officers who had been picked up by McCook at our convalescent and quartermaster camps. Without waiting a moment to examine these rich captures, General Wheeler charged the remainder of McCook's columns, again dividing them and putting both fragments to rout, capturing many more prisoners. At 8 o'clock it became so dark that it was impossible to even trail the flying enemy. General Wheeler, therefore, hastened to the Chattahoochee, and placed detachments at the various fords the enemy would be likely to cross. By this CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 229 means, and by sending patrols through the woods, some four hundred more prisoners were captured before daylight. Brigadier-General Jackson reached the field and reported to General Wheeler at sundown, but being without any command except his staff and a few members of his escort, he did not participate in the engagement. When the fight began , General Roddy was at Newnan, with a force of 550 dismounted cav- alry. Wheeler ordered him to the field, which he did not reach until near sunset. By Wheeler's order, Roddy ad- vanced through an open field, receiving some shots from a detachment of the retreating enemy, occasioning some eight or ten casualties in his command. Being dismounted, Roddy could not follow the foe, and Wheeler directed him and Gen- eral Jackson to take charge of the prisoners and captured property. It seems that General Roddy moved promptly toward the field upon the receipt of General Wheeler's order to do so, but Wheeler in the meantime having driven the enemy some two miles, made it necessary for Roddy's men (who were entirely unaccustomed to travel on foot) to march six miles before reaching Wheeler, which explains the lateness of th e hour of their arrival. General Sherman, touching this his second effort to render the evacuation of Atlanta a matter of compulsion by throw- ing cavalry to our rear (Sherman's Memoirs, vol. II., page 104), says : ' ' He (Kilpatrick) reported that he had destroyed three miles of the railroad about Jonesboro, which he reckoned would take ten days to repair ; that he had encountered a division of infantry and a brigade of cavalry (Ross's) ; that he had captured a battery and destroyed three of its guns, bringing in one as a trophy, and he also brought in three battle-flags and seventy prisoners. On the 23d, however, we saw trains coming into Atlanta from the south, when I be- came more than ever convinced that cavalry could not or would not work hard enough to disable a railroad properly, and therefore at once resolved to proceed to the execution of my original plan. ' ' 23O CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. Stoneman's plan is related in the following : " July 26th, 1864. "General H. W. Halleck : "To-morrow we begin to move against Atlanta. At same time I send around by our right a force of about 3,500 cavalry under General McCook, and around by the left about 5,000 cavalry under General Stoneman, with orders to reach the railroad about Griffin. I have also consented that General Stoneman, after he has executed this part of his mission, if he find it possible, may, with his division proper, about 2,000 strong, go to Macon and attempt to release our officers and prisoners there, and then to Andersonville to release the 20,000 of our men there. Whilst these are in progress, I will with the main . army give employment to all the rebel army in Atlanta. W. T. Sherman, ' ' Major- General Commanding. ' ' July 27th, Sherman telegraphs that his two cavalry expe- ditions are off, and enemy will have to abandon either East Point or Atlanta. General Hood, after giving a full account of Wheeler's victories during the latter part of July, 1864, which resulted in such signal defeat of General Sherman's cavalry, says, on page 202 of his "Advance and Retreat" : "I had, moseover, become convinced that our cavalry was able to compete with double their number. Fortunately they had not become demoralized upon the retreat, in conse- quence of their habit of dismounting and fighting at one point to-day ; then remounting and hastening in another direc- tion to encounter the enemy on the morrow. As before stated, our cavalry were not cavalrymen proper, but were mounted riflemen, trained to dismount and hold in check or delay the advance of the main body of the enemy, and who had learned by experience that they could, without much difficulty, de- feat the Federal cavalry. This teaching, combined with the fact that small bodies can fall back in front of large armies without material discouragement to the men, warded off the baneful influence which worked upon the infantry, and ac- counts for the non-demoralization of the cavalry. "In this connection it becomes my duty, as well as pleasure, to make acknowledgments of the valuable services of the CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 23 1 cavalry of the Army of Tennessee during my operations in Georgia and North Alabama. I have not forgotten the out- cry against Wheeler's cavalry just prior to and after the close of the war; it was brought about in a great measure, doubt- less, by renegades from our armies who committed outrages which were charged by the people to the account of the cav- alry. I am confident that when the history of our struggle is written, Major-General Wheeler and his command will oc- cupy a high position, as the Confederacy possessed, in my opinion, no body of cavalry superior to that which I found guarding the flanks of the army of Tennessee at the time I assumed its direction." In his official report, General Hood also says : * * * ■ "General Wheeler, leaving General Kelly to hold the force on the right, moved against that already on the railroad. He succeeded in forcing them to give battle at Newnan on the 30th, and routed and captured or destroyed the whole force. Too much credit cannot be given General Wheeler for the energy and skill displayed. He captured two pieces of artil- lery, nine hundred and fifty prisoners, and many horses and equipments. Brigadier-General Iverson captured two pieces of artillery and five hundred prisoners." From prisoners and northern journals we learned General Sherman's plan regarding this raid. The two columns under McCook and Garrard were to strike the Macon railroad, mov- ing south destroying the track until met by Stoneman, when all three were to march on Andersonville and release the thirty thousand Federal prisoners we had there confined. The de- struction of the railroad, they thought, would cause General Hoed to leave Atlanta, and the broken communications pre- vent his reinforcing the garrison at Andersonville, while the further destruction of property and the release of all Federal prisoners would terminate the campaign, if not the war, in their favor. During the operations just described, General Kelly con- tinued to watch Garrard and General Iverson to pursue Gen- eral Stoneman, as directed by General Wheeler. Coming upon Stoneman near Clinton on the 30th, a skir- 232 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. mish ensued, and the following morning, after a brief fight, to the surprise of our troops, Stoneman, with five hundred men and two guns, voluntarily surrendered. Both Kelly and Iverson having, by frequent dispatches, kept Wheeler in- formed of their movements, Wheeler promptly dispatched several ' parties to follow and pick up the fragments from McCook's and Stoneman's commands; and during the suc- ceeding four days several hundred prisoners were thus secured. Colonel Breckinridge, with but seventy-five men, came upon three hundred of the retreating foe as they were crossing a frail bridge near Jug Tavern. Breckinridge charged, causing the enemy to strike the bridge too suddenly, breaking it down, and one hundred and fifty Federal cavalry surrendered to Colonel Breckinridge and seventy-five brave Kentuckians. The force Sherman used for the purpose of these raids was as follows: Garrard's Division 3,800 McCook's Division 3,6 00 Stoneman's Division 2,200 9,600 Garrard was defeated and driven back when but twelve miles from our line of communication, while McCook and Stoneman, in five pitched battles, were completely routed and Headquarters Division Wheeuer's Corps, Major-Generai, Wheeler, July 31, 1864. Commanding Cavalry Corps: I came upon Stoneman this morning. Skirmishing going on in front. I have ordered that he be pressed. Respectfully, &c, A. Iverson, Brigadier-General. Headquarters Division Wheeler's Corps, Near Macon, July 31, 1864. MAJOR-GENERAI, "WhEELER, Commanding Cavalry Corps: Pursuant to your order to follow Stoneman and attack him wherever found, I marched rapidly, coming upon him this morning. After a sharp fight, Stoneman surrendered, with five hundred men and two guns. I am on my way to Macon with the prisoners and horses. Respectfully, &c, A. IVERSON, Brigadier- General. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 233 •dispersed. The Federals published accounts stating that but about five hundred escaped back to their main army. We captured and delivered to our provost marshals three thousand two hundred (3,200) prisoners, including one major-general and five brigade commanders — three from McCook's and two from Stoneman's. We captured over four thousand (4,000) horses, equipments and arms, besides rescuing from the enemy three hundred and fifty Confederate officers who had been picked up by McCook's troops. Two batteries, two hundred pack-mules, their wagon-train and several stands of colors, were also a part of the captured trophies by the valor of Gen- eral Wheeler and his brave command. Adding to the prison- ers their killed and wounded strewn upon the warmly con- tested fields, the Federal loss reached, probably exceeded, five thousand (5,000) of the flower of Sherman's cavalry. To the sagacity, energy and gallantry of General Wheeler the Confederacy was indebted for these magnificent results, and the averting of such calamities as the enemy's success would have brought upon our cause. It has been seen that General Hood, in his orders to Wheeler, left the management of this brief but brilliant campaign en- tirely in his (Wheeler's) hands, and therefore this success to our arms must be accorded to his high soldierly qualities. Had General Hood trammeled Wheeler with minute and unnecessary orders, our success would have been less com- plete, and this willingness to place full confidence in his subordinates illustrates one of Hood's finest characteristics. It will be remembered that, when this great raid com- menced, General Wheeler was fighting Federal infantry, and was receiving orders from General Hood urging the impor- tance of holding the line he then occupied. Wheeler fully accomplished this by fighting the Federal infantry vigorously, then leaving two thousand men to guard Hood's immediate right, made a rapid night march, attacking and defeating Garrard and Stoneman at daylight near Flat Shoals. After pursuing several miles, he dispached Kelly after Garrard with six hundred, and Iverson with thirteen hundred men after 234 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. Stonerrian with twenty-three hundred men. Wheeler then started after McCook with two brigades under Humes and Anderson, keeping up a road fight for seventy miles, and finally in a general engagement completed the destruction of this column, which was called by Federal papers a picked body of four thousand cavalry. The combined force Wheeler used against McCook never exceeded eleven hundred men, four hundred of which did not reach the field until the victory was nearly complete, and his combined force engaged in this expedition against Garrard, Stoneman and McCook was less than 3,800 men. General Wheeler recognized the gallantry displayed by his. command in the following CONGRATULATORY ADDRESS. " Headquarters Wheeler's Cavalry Corps, " Near Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 5, 1864. ' ' Soldiers : The Ma jor-General commanding thanks his command for the energy and determined gallantry displayed in their recent operations. The foiling of a most stupendous effort on the part of the enemy to destroy our country is due to your valor and patriotism. " During the present campaign you have captured and killed a number of the enemy equaling your own strength. You have defeated him in every action in which you have enagaged, capturing his cannon, colors and arms. Your great commander, General Hood, fully appreciates your services. Stand together, my brave soldiers, continue your good conduct, and the lasting gratitude of your country will be your reward. Joseph WHEELER, ' ' Major- General. ' ' The Federal account taken from Appleton's Annual Cyclo- pedia for 1864, vol. IV., page 82, says : "Having rendered the Georgia road useless to the enemy,. General Sherman next turned his attention to the Macon and •Western Railroad connecting Atlanta with Macon, and the only avenue left for the conveyance of stores and ammuni- tion to the rebel army. For the purpose of effectually crip- pling this, he organized his cavalry in two large bodies, to CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 235 move in concert from each wing of the army, while simul- taneously with this movement, the Army of the Tennessee. was to be shifted by the right toward East Point, a station six miles south of Atlanta, where the Atlanta and West Point, and Macon and Western Railroads diverge from a common track. " General Stoneman was transferred to the left flank, and assumed command of his own cavalry and General Garrard's, comprising an effective force of 5,000 men, while General McCook, on the right flank, received his own command and the cavalry brought by General Rousseau, amounting in the aggregate to 4,000 men. "This joint force General Sherman supposed was fully adequate to look after General Wheeler's rebel cavalry, and to accomplish the work allotted to it, which was to rendez- vous at Lovejoys Station, on the Macon road, thirty miles south of Atlanta, on the night of July 28th, and there make such a complete destruction of the road as would lead to the speedy abandonment of Atlanta. . At the moment of starting,. General Stoneman asked permission, after fulfilling his orders,, to proceed with his own command to Macon and Anderson- ville, and relieve the Federal prisoners of war confined at those places. After some hesitation, General Sherman con- sented, stipulating, however, as a condition precedent, that the railroad should be effectually broken up and Wheeler's- cavalry put hors de combat. " On the 27th the two expeditions started forth, General Stoneman making for McDonough, a town about ten miles- east of Iyovejoys, and sending General Garrard to Flat Rock to cover his movement ; and General McCook keeping down the right bank of the Chattahoochee. General Stoneman, however, almost immediately turned off toward the Georgia. Railroad, which he followed as far as Covington, whence he struck due south and to the east of the Ocmulgee for Macon, distant sixty miles, in the neighborhood of which he arrived on the 30th. " A detachment was sent east to Gordon, a station on the Georgia Central Railroad, where eleven locomotives and sev- eral trains loaded with quartermaster's stores were destroyed r together with several bridges between that place and Macon. But as he learned that the prisoners in Macon had on the pre- vious day been sent to Charleston, General Stoneman decided, to return at once by the way he had come, without attempt- ing to reach Macon or Andersonville. 236 CAMPAIGNS OP WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. " On the evening of the 30th, he turned northward again, skirmishing on the way, and on the morning of the 31st, when about twenty miles from Macon, encountered a heavy force in his front. The country being unfavorable for cav- alry operations, he dismounted a portion of his command and threw them forward as skirmishers, but soon found himself surrounded. [Rather a remarkable feat for 1,300 to surround 2,300. — Ed.] After various fruitless attempts to make head against the enemy, he gave directions to the greater part of his force to break through the opposing lines, and escape in the readiest manner possible, while he, with several hundred ■men and a section of artillery, occupied the attention of the enemy. He was finally overpowered and compelled to sur- render. Of his three brigades, one arrived safely within the Federal lines, one was attacked and somewhat scattered on the way back, and the third was captured with him. General 'Garrard, meanwhile, after waiting at Flat Rock for orders from Stoneman until the 29th, moved toward Covington, and learning that he had gone south from that point, returned to his position on the left flank of the army. " General McCook after reaching the neighborhood of Hi vert own, on the Chattahoochee, crossed on pontoons and made for Palmetto Station, on the Atlanta and West Point Railroad, twenty-five miles south of Atlanta, where he de- stroyed a section of the road. He thence moved eastward upon Fayetteville, and burned five hundred wagons belong- ing to the rebel army, besides killing eight hundred mules and capturing several hundred quartermaster's men, and reached L,ovejoy on the night of the 28th. Here he de- stroyed a section of the Macon and Western Railroad, but hearing nothing from Stoneman, and finding his progress eastward barred by a constantly accumulating force of the •enemy, he turned off to the southwest, and at Newnan, a station on the Atlanta and West Point Railroad, fifteen miles south of Palmetto, encountered a rebel infantry force coming up from Mississippi to Atlanta.* After a severe fight with superior numbers, he finally cut his way out, with the loss of five hundred men and all his prisoners, and reached the Chattahoochee, whence he arrived safely within the Federal lines. The damage done by the several expeditions •scarcely compensated for the severe losses sustained by * The only record we can find of the existence of this infantry force is in ^Federal accounts. — (Editor.) CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 237 General Stoneman and McCook, amounting to upward of fifteen hundred. Owing to the failure of General Stone- man to concentrate with General McCook at I,ovejoys, the communications with Atlanta were only temporarily inter- rupted, and the enemy gained at least a month's respite from their final catastrophe." It will be observed that the enemy admit above a loss of fifteen hundred, evidently killed and wounded. The same Federal author, viz. : Appleton's Annual' Cyclopedia for 1865 (vol. V., page 84) , puts down the Federal loss in pris- oners during this raid at twenty-five (2,500) hundred, their loss in killed at three hundred (300) , and their loss in artil- lery at twelve (12) guns. OFFICIAL REPORT OF GENERAL M'COOK. (Extract.) 13 Miles South of Dallas, August 2, 1864. " Major-General Sherman : "Wheeler was between McDonough and the railroad when I cut it. Fought Jackson's division near Iyovejoys and repulsed them ; was forced to return by way of Newnan, and found infantry there. I cut the railroad and telegraph, and four miles out was attacked by Jackson's, Wheeler's and Roddy's commands, and finally by infantry (?), two brigades that had been stopped there on the way to Atlanta ; smashed" Ross's Texas brigade in trying to break through to the river, capturing General Ross with all his horses and men. I was- finally completely surrounded, and compelled to abandon everything that would impede me in order to cut my way through. [Another remarkable case of less than 1,000 men surrounding 3,600. — Editor.] I ordered Colonels Croxton and Torry to cut through with their brigades. I took Col- Headquarters Cavalry Corps, August 8, 1864. General : I have the honor respectfully to request that the ranking officer of the command I captured at Newnan be placed in close confinement, and held as- a hostage for Captain Frank Gurley, 4th Alabama Cavalry regiment of this- corps, now in prison at Nashville. Very respectfully, To Gen. J. B. Hood, J. Wheeler, Commanding Army Tennessee. Major-General. -238 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. ■onel Jones with me and got through 1,200 men, by a charge in column, and crossed the river below Franklin. Colonel Dow, Colonel Torry and Major Austin were wounded ; Major Paine killed ; Colonel Harrison missing, supposed to be a prisoner. My loss heavy. No co-operation from Stoneman. "E. M. McCook, ' '■Brigadier- General. ' ' Sherman in his letter of August 3d, to Halleck, reiterates the above and says the plan was for him (McCook) to meet 'Stoneman at Eovejoys. The next day Sherman wrote as follows : NEAR ATLANTA, August 4, 1864. " General Grant : " General Stoneman only had 2,300 ; goo have got in. I fear the balance are captured, as related in your dispatch. General Stoneman was sent to break the railroad, after which I consented he should attempt to rescue our prisoners .at Andersonville. W. T. Sherman, '■'■Major-General.' 1 '' The following are Federal accounts telegraphed to New York newspapers : " Nashville, August 4. — General Stoneman sent a force •consisting of Eong's and Eagrange's cavalry brigades, 3,200 strong, on the 26th of July, under command of General E. McCook, to destroy the Macon and Western Railroad. They had destroyed eighteen miles of the railroad, and started to capture a train of 500 wagons going from Atlanta to Macon or Columbus. McCook captured this train near Newnan with 500 men, including 127 officers. The wagons were laden with valuable stores, including liquors, and the private prop- erty of General Hood and others. After possessing them- selves of what they wanted, the wagons were burned. Mc- Cook started to return with the prisoners and 3,000 mules, but was overtaken by a rebel force, under Wheeler, so large as to completely surround him. A desperate engagement fol^ lowed, during which many of McCook's men escaped and found their way to Marietta. The number of Federals cap- tured, is supposed to reach 2,000. This disaster is- attributed to- the troops partaking too freely of the liquors found in the CAMPAIGNS OP WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 239 captured trains. Long's brigade consisted of the 3d and 4th Ohio, the 2d Indiana and the 4th Regulars." The following are accounts taken from Southern news- papers : (Dispatch to General Jones.) " Late last evening the following dispatch was received by Major-General Jones from Colonel Rains at Augusta : Augusta, August 1. " To Major-General Jones : "General Wheeler has captured General Stoneman and 2,200 of his men. Macon and Milledgeville are safe. The telegraph will probably be open to Atlanta tonight, by way of Macon. E. W. Rains, Colonel. (Correspondence of the Macon Confederate.) WHEELER'S PURSUIT AND CAPTURE OE RAIDERS. Newnan, Ga., August 1, 1864. . " General Wheeler intercepted the raiders moving from De- catur in the -direction of the Macon and Western Railroad, and caused them to return to the army. While there, six- teen miles from Jouesboro, he heard that the enemy were within a few miles of the latter place. He left a small force to hold them in check, and, with the remainder of his com- mand, went in pursuit of the party which had crossed from below the left of the army after night. He overtook them, and hurriedly pressed on to get in the rear of the main col- umn. About midnight, he came up with the rear-guard, at- tempting to destroy a bridge. General Wheeler hurriedly brought up his escort (dismounted) and prevented further injury to the bridge until he could get up fifty men from the 4th Tennessee who, together with the escort, drove the enemy away, and continued the pursuit until daylight, when he again struck their rear-guard behind breastworks. He sent forward the 4th Tennessee, dismounted, in front, and two squadrons of the 8th Texas, mounted, on each flank. He ordered a charge, and captured one hundred and killed fifty of the rear-guard, which stampeded the entire command. " General Wheeler was unable to overtake them (his horses were so jaded) until near Newnan. At Newnan their ad- vance met General Roddy's command and were repulsed. General Wheeler was soon up, and finding their line dis- 240 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. mounted, the 4th Tennessee and 8th Texas Regiments charged the enemy's flank, driving him pell-mell. General Ross very promptly formed his brigade and charged also. A force of the enemy's cavalry attacked our horses, but General Wheeler and General Ross, with Ross's brigade, 4th Tennessee and 8th Texas, charged and drove them off, capturing many horses. The line was again moved forward, and the 1st and 19th Tennessee, under Wheeler, charged, stampeded and caused them to throw away arms, etc., for a mile. The entire command started in a gallop for the river. General Wheeler started with his entire force to pursue, but the horses were so exhausted, not having drawn forage for ten days before he started after the raid, that they could not travel. He sent Colonel Hobson with the 3d Arkansas and 5th Ten- nessee to the fords, and ordered Colonel Bird with a portion of the Confederate brigade to pursue in their rear. Hobson captured over a hundred prisoners, and killed a great number, stampeding the whole force and rushing them to the river. Colonel Bird caught up just as the rear was crossing the river, and captured a number of horses. "The results are between three and four hundred killed, eight hundred prisoners, two pieces of artillery, twelve am- bulances, one thousand horses, arms, equipments, etc., includ- ing all their baggage ; recaptured and released three hundred of our men captured at Fayetteville, and destruction of McCook's whole force of 3,000, except those killed and cap- tured, and 500, who were scattered in the woods and escaped. This success is one of the most brilliant of the war, and the citizens of Newnan seem delighted at their deliverance. To the indomitable energy of General Wheeler, in pressing on after them night and day, is due the deliverance of the people of Newnan, and the destruction of McCook's command. " Harrison's and Ross's men were distinguished for their gallantry. Although every one nobly did his duty, Colonels Ashby, Wheeler, Lewis, Cook and Anderson and Major Christian were conspicuous. Private Basset, of the Eighth Texas, was conspicuous for his gallantry. ' ' Alabama. ' ' major-general joseph wheeler. ' ' General Sherman officially announced to his army a few days since that he would take Atlanta without a battle. "His plans were well laid, stupendous and magnificent. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 24 1 Three heavy columns of cavalry were to penetrate our country, destroy our railroads and depots, then concentrate and release the Federal prisoners at Andersonville. " On the morning of July 27th, the three columns moved. General McCook, with three brigades, numbering three thousand picked men, the flower of their cavalry, crossed the river near Campbellton, to strike the railroad near Love- joys Station, twenty miles south of Atlanta. Garrard and Stoneman, each commanding divisions, moved together to L,ithomia, there dividing, Garrard moving towards L,ovejoys and Stoneman eastwardly. General Wheeler was on the alert, and was soon master of their intentions, but was then on duty guarding an important point which rendered it necessary for him to be relieved before starting. By mid- night, General Wheeler had attacked General Garrard's flank, and interposed troops between his advance and des- tination, and at daylight had driven him back toward Lithonia. He also dispatched his three best brigades, under General Iverson, to pursue Stoneman who, it was ascer- tained, had but three small brigades. McCook, who had turned our left, was now pursued by General Jackson with two brigades, who overtook and attacked him on the rail- road near Lovejoys Station, capturing fifty prisoners. "General Wheeler had left one brigade to hold Garrard's division, and with the remainder of his force, less than one thousand men, moved by rapid marches of day and night to Jonesboro and Fayetteville, following in McCook's rear until he overtook, attacked and defeated him fifteen miles from Newnan, capturing one hundred and sixty prisoners, and kill- ing fifty of the enemy. "Again Wheeler overtook the enemy near Newnan, there now being only five hundred men, a portion being unable to keep up the rapid marching. He immediately sent two hundred men to gain the enemy's front, and with three hundred men boldly attacked a force of the enemy three thousand strong, upon grounds of their own choosing, drove them from the field, capturing seven hun- dred prisoners, including two brigade c Mnanders and four colonels, all their artillery and wagons, and recaptured three hundred of our officers and soldiers who had been captured by the enemy at Fayetteville. ' ' By this time the balance of his force had come up, with which he pursued the enemy to the river, capturing many 16 w 242 CAMPAIGNS OP WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. more prisoners, horses, arms and other property. Of Mc- Cook's magnificent band of three thousand men, only five hundred escaped, many of whom were on foot. ' ' General Iverson, who had been sent by General Wheeler after Stoneman, has captured six hundred prisoners, includ- ing General Stoneman. The particulars have not been learned. " The brilliancy of these achievements reflect the highest credit upon General Wheeler and his command. "To his promptness in learning the exact movement of the enemy, his judgment in disposing his force to check a portion and pursue the remainder, to his personal indomi- table energy in pursuing McCook's column night and day until overtaken, overcoming every obstacle which was pre- sented, fighting his way, night as well as day, and rebuild- ing burnt bridges ; to his skill, after overtaking McCook, in placing a force in his front to check his retreat, and his heroic courage and boldness in attacking and defeating three thousand with three hundred men, for all these things are the thanks of the country due General Wheeler. "Justice." the raiders. " Thursday Morning, Aug. 4, 1864. "It is now ascertained that the remnant of Stoneman's command is making its way back to Sherman's army, closely pursued by General Wheeler's cavalry, with a fair pros- pect of being captured. We learn, from a gentleman who left Rutledge Tuesday evening, that the force which passed through Madison Sunday afternoon about 4 o'clock num- bered between five and six hundred, and that about three hundred passed through Rutledge, all moving in the direc- tion of Monroe and Iyawrenceville. " The force which appeared at Athens Tuesday is the same which passed through Madison. They showed little or no disposition to fight, and were easily repulsed. "Except the burning of some government stores, the Federals committed no other depredations, and their leniency in this respect was no doubt owing to the fact that our forces were in pursuit. "Wheeler's cavalry passed through Madison about one o'clock Monday morning. The raiders are reported as be- ing worn-out, and there is much straggling in consequence. CAMPAIGNS OK WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 243 Our cavalry are picking them up through the country. We confidently look for the capture of the whole party. "The following official dispatch has been received at headquarters : "RuTLEDGE, Aug. 2, 1864. •" To Colonel Rains : " Dear Sir : — I find the Yankees in full retreat towards Mon- roe. Wheeler's cavalry are in pursuit. It is reported that more of them were captured this morning. They left Madi- son and this place yesterday. There are more about Greens- boro. Respectfully, J. Jeff Thomas, ' ' Lieutenant Commanding. ' ' "MAJOR-GENERAL WHEELER. "Macon, Ga. " We publish to-day a communication in which reference is made to Major-General Wheeler, signed ' Justice,' and which we trust will be read by every man into whose hands the paper may fall. The statement of the valuable services Tendered by this gallant officer is true in every particular, and it is time the unfounded imputations upon this officer and the cavalry he commands should cease. ' ' The present, as well as the late, commander of the Army ■of Tennessee is cognizant of and appreciates the invaluable services of General Wheeler, and refuses positively to re- lieve him, notwithstanding his earnest request, giving as a reason that his services cannot be dispensed with. We know this to be a fact, and this commendation by General Hood is of itself enough to stamp the slanderous talk in reference to the inefficiency of General Wheeler as false. We are only sorry that he should have allowed himself to be so influenced by this stupid clamor as to think of retir- ing from a position he has filled with such marked ability as to elicit the unstinted praise of every general who has com- manded the Army of Tennessee. It may be that General Wheeler entertains fears that the persistent efforts which are being made to damage his hard-earned reputation may result in creating a lack of confidence in his ability, and thus ■endanger a cause which is a thousandfold dearer to his heart than his own personal reputation, and for this reason has asked to be relieved from a position where the insensate cry of partizan hatred is ever striving to cancel the ' well done ' of the commanding general. 244 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. " General Joseph E- Johnston, than whom a better judge of military capacity does not live, has said to us that Gen- eral Wheeler was one of the most zealous, energetic and effi- cient officers he had ever known. With such praise as this, the modest, but heroic commander of the cavalry can well afford to treat with disdain and contempt the curs who run upon his track and hunger for his fall. "Asa warm friend and admirer of General Wheeler, we say to him : cease not in your efforts, continue to gain the approval of the general commanding, add new successes to the hundreds already achieved, and the day will come when impartial history will do justice to your capacity, and expose the malignity of those who would deprive your gallant com- mand of their hard-earned laurels. The day is not far dis- tant when Georgia, telling the names of her gallant sons who have illustrated her valor in this tremendous struggle, will point with a just pride and exultation to the name of Joseph Wheeler." MAJOR-GENERAL WHEELER. "The time has come when true friends of the cause should rise to oppose the attempt made by certain treach- erous men to sacrifice this gallant officer, even though to accomplish their object they may find it necessary by false representations to undermine him in the confidence of his troops and the country, until disasters to our arms become the result of their efforts. This must be checked, or our country will rue most bitterly the result. ' ' This campaign commenced with General Wheeler in command of the cavalry of one wing, and General Jackson in command of the other. Both these commands were about equal in strength. During more than half the campaign T General Humes, with two brigades of Wheeler's troops, has been serving with General Jackson. "General Wheeler, with the force left at his disposal, has done most brilliant and efficient service. Not a day has elapsed that he has not successfully engaged the foe. During most of the time he has had his regular line assigned to him. He has built breastworks and fought the enemy's infantry. This he has done with a success equal to any in- fantry in our army, similarly situated. Besides this duty, he has protected the right flank of our army at all times. With what force could be spared from the trenches, he has CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 245 defeated the enemy's cavalry in more than a dozen engage- ments, capturing no less than twenty-six hundred prisoners, thirty-three hundred horses, and killing large numbers. " At Cass Station he defeated the enemy's cavalry, and cap- tured and brought off or destroyed two hundred and forty wagons. His last brilliant feat in destroying the most stu- pendous raid ever attempted by our enemy stamps him as the first cavalry officer of the age. " While every superior officer under whom General Wheeler has served appreciates his gallantry, can a just country allow their servant, who is defending their rights, to be paralyzed in his efforts by the false denunciations which are heaped upon him by a portion of the press ? "The true cause of all this trouble is simply this : The friends of General Forrest consider General Wheeler's de- struction as facilitating the elevation of their champion, and hence no attempt is left untried to vilify his fair name." An Eloquent Private. An incident of the capture of Stoneman (related by Major J. P. Austin in his charming little book, " The Blue and the Gray ") is well worthy of a place here. As has been stated, a part of General Stoneman's command escaped and a detach- ment of Breckinridge's regiment (9th Kentucky cavalry) were sent in pursuit. Major Austin says : " We came up with their rear-guard just about daybreak, near a little place called 'Jug Tavern.' We charged the column, captured the party and carried the prisoners to Athens, as that was the nearest point from which we could get trans- portation by rail for them. As the town of Athens was some- what isolated and situated some distance from the principal thoroughfares, her people had, up to that time, felt very slightly the effects of the war. They had never seen a Federal soldier and but very few Confederates. The whole population was thrown into a state of excitement when we marched our prisoners into town and placed them inside the college campus with a guard around them. " Our men and horses were very nearly exhausted from long and heavy marches, hunger and lack of sleep. Notwith- standing all this, we were heroes, the observed of all observers. 246 CAMPAIGNS OP WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. The people of the ' Classic City ' treated us with enthusi- astic consideration. They supplied us with plenty of good things to eat, and gave us an ovation in the college chapel. The large auditorium was crowded to its utmost capacity with the youth and beauty of Athens. " No city in the South surpasses Athens in the culture and refinement of its inhabitants. Its educational facilities are unsurpassed. Hundreds of wealthy families from different sections of the South have made Athens their home on ac- count of its health-giving influences and the splendid advan- tages it offers for the education of their sons and daughters. " On the occasion referred to, the back part of the audito- rium was occupied by the soldiers, while the front was given up to the ladies. On the rostrum were seated the mayor and a few distinguished gentlemen, either too old to be in the army, or by their professions exempted. Our soldiers were a motley looking set compared with those well-dressed people. We had not seen our wagon-train for a month, and were as dirty as pigs ! " The exercises were opened with prayer, which was fol- lowed by an eloquent speech by the mayor of the city. He paid glowing tributes to the soldiers, and eulogized their deeds of dariug in a chaste and elegant manner. When he con- cluded, it became necessary for some soldier to reply. First one was called upon, then another, but all seemed backward in facing that audience in their pitiable plight. Finally, one of the boys was pushed out into the aisle and almost forced forward. He was only a private soldier, nineteen or twenty years of age. (I mention this to give some idea of what kind of material composed the rank and file of our army.) With a great deal of hesitation he managed to reach the platform. All eyes were turned with astonishment upon this smoke-begrimed soldier-boy, and all seemed amazed to think he should be put forward to reply to the eloquent ad- dress of their mayor. The comments we overheard were by no means flattering. Several elegantly dressed ladies oc- cupied the seat just in front of the writer, who, overhearing some of their comments on the ludicrous appearance of our soldier-boy, remarked to them that, if they would withhold their criticisms for a moment, they might find themselves mistaken. To make the matter worse, our soldier wore a gray jacket which fell far short of concealing two very large abrasions in the seat of his pants, caused by long contact with the saddle. His attempt oft the stage to stretch his jacket in CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 247 order to hide this defect, brought forth a shout from all parts of the house. He was indeed an object of pity rather than of mirth. His hair was in a tangled mass, and his shirt had not felt the cleansing influence of water for months. With all these visible defects, the young man braced himself for the conflict, and with one sweeping glance over the sea of faces, he addressed himself to the " chair " with an ease and grace of manner which showed he was no novice in the part he was called upon to perform. As he warmed up to his sub- ject, every one seemed to loose sight of his outward appear- ance. His lofty and sublime thoughts, clothed in classically chosen language and expressed in that impassioned eloquence which always commands attention and respect, completely . captivated his hearers. The excitement of the crowd at times, when he would round off a beautiful period, became intense, and would only subside after a wild burst of applause. When he told, in gentle cadence, of his home within the enemy's lines, over a thousand miles away, and how he parted with his mother and sister and bade his classmates in college adieu, to take up arms for the struggling South, and of the hardships he had endured, there was scarcely a dry eye in the house. He held the crowd spellbound for an hour. When he descended from the rostrum the ladies gathered about him, anxious to grasp the hand of the soldier-orator and congratu- late him on his magnificent effort. Never before, nor since, has that old hall resounded with such burning eloquence ! Many who read this will recognize the subject of this sketch, when I tell them that the young man who made that speech stands high in the councils of the nation, and is ac- knowledged to-day as one of the most gifted orators of the South. His name and fame extend far beyond the limits of his native State. After the war he studied law in one of the principal cities of the South, was soon admitted to the bar, and in a very short time took his stand in the front rank of his profession. His brilliant career has been watched with 'pride and admiration by his many warm and devoted friends and comrades scattered all over this broad Southland. He was one of Georgia's representatives in the United States Congress. CHAPTER XVII. WHEELER AGAIN IN ENEMY'S REAR — CAPTURES BEEF-CAT- TLE NEAR CALHOUN — CAPTURES DAI/TON — FIGHT WITH GENERAL STEADMAN — DESTROYS EAST TENNESSEE RAIL- ROAD — DEFEATS THE ENEMY AT STEWART'S LANDING FIGHT NEAR KINGSTON — CAPTURES M'MINNVILLE AND LEBANON — DESTROYS RAILROAD AND BLOCKHOUSES BE- TWEEN MURFREESBORO AND NASHVILLE — FIGHTS ROUS- SEAU NEAR NASHVILLE — WHEELER'S ADDRESS TO TEN- . NESSEEANS. Upon rejoining our main army, General Wheeler resumed his position in our works around Atlanta, and for several days, in conjunction with the infantry, engaged with varied severity Sherman's entire army. The absolute impossibility of bringing sufficient corn by rail to feed our cavalry, in addition to other animals with the army, became now a matter of serious consideration. The last regular issue of corn to General Wheeler's corps was on July 7, and for nearly a month previous the allowance had been less than half the regular ration. With the exception of a few sacks of corn occasionally received, his horses subsisted entirely upon the scanty supply of green corn and other grain afforded by the country immediately surrounding. The ema- ciated condition of our animals, therefore, made some change Major-General Wheeler : I have the honor to report that for the last three days I have received but ' thirteen pounds of corn per horse for this command. On the 5th we received 5 pounds per horse. On the 6th we received 6 pounds per horse. On the 7th we received 2 pounds per horse. Total 13 Respectfully, General, S. E. NORTON. [As the regular ration is 10 pounds of grain and 10 pounds of long forage (hay or fodder) per horse, the scantiness of above will be apparent] CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 249 •necessary. To have sent these men to our rear where they •could procure forage would have taken them from the field of -action when much needed. To send a portion of our cavalry to the enemy's rear, however, said General Hood, will attain •better objects : 1st. They would subsist upon the enemy's supplies. 2d. They would interrupt the enemy's communications. 3d. They would draw after them a force from the enemy's main army much greater than the force thus detached. With this view General Hood, after retaining sufficient force -for duty with his army, ordered Wheeler, with the remainder of his cavalry, to move to Sherman's rear, interrupt his com- munications below Chattanooga, then cross the Tennessee River and attack his communications north of that point ; but, above all, to prevent the possibility of the enemy so 'Concentrating upon him as to in any way jeopardize his com- mand. Pursuant to these orders, General Wheeler left his camp at ■Covington (to which place his command had been removed) August 10th, with about four thousand men. The following morning, with a portion of his command, he struck the rail- road near Marietta, tearing it up for several miles. At Cal- houn, with Hannon's brigade, he captured a train of cars -and destroyed the railroad track for a considerable distance. Pressing on, he defeated the enemy, captured a wagon-train, .a number of prisoners and horses, and a drove of 1,700 beef- ■Circular.] Headquarters Cavalry Corps, August 9, 1864. II. In the march, about to commence, no soldier or officer of any grade whatever will be permitted to carry any article of "private property except one single blanket and one oil-cloth. The troops will be inspected daily while en route, and any additional article found upon the person or horse of any trooper or officer will be im- mediately destroyed. III. The ordnance wagons, ambulances, limber boxes" and caissons will be inspected twice each day, and the officer controlling them will be arrested, l86 4- Your note of last evening received. General Hood thinks it very impor- tant that some cavalry should be nearer the army on our left ; if you can spare it, send some up at once. General Hood would like to see you to-day. He is going through Taylor's Ridge at Maddox Gap, and from Lamb's Cross Roads we go south to Mills House, where the roads running south from Lafayette and from Lamb's Cross Roads come together. Yours respectfully, Major-Gen. WhEELER, A. P. Mason, Commanding Cavalry Corps. Major and A. A. G. 282 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. EXTRACTS FROM SOUTHERN NEWSPAPERS. " Newnan, Ga. , October 3. — The report of the capture of Rome by Wheeler has been confirmed by parties who reached here this afternoon direct from his command. He captured the entire garrison, consisting of three regiments— 3,000 in all. " The Federal cavalry, which were skirmishing with our forces at Fairburn yesterday, fell back and our men again occupy their former position, from which we had fallen back a little. "There is stirring news in from the army proper to-day. As near as I can understand, we occupied last night the old battle-field at New Hope Church. ' ' I am in hopes I shall be able to inform you very soon that our army is firmly established upon Sherman's line of communication. One thing is certain, Hood has taken abundant caution that his line of communication shall be secured, and the enemy will find it out if they attempt to cripple him in that way. " The army is reported to be in fine spirits. "Outline." extracts from northern papers. "New York, October 13. — The Richmond "Whig has a dispatch from Augusta which says : ' The reported capture of Rome, with 3,000 negroes, is confirmed. The Federals destroyed all their stores on two squares in the business part of the town.' " General Wheeler dashed into Marietta and burned a block of storehouses." FROM SHERMAN. " Chattanooga, October 15. — Our forces to-day reoccupied Ringgold and the blockhouse three miles in advance, and found the railroad and bridges safe. The 46th colored infan- try surrendered to Hood's army yesterday, but nothing defi- nite has been received. There is no communication yet with Sherman." Stampede Among Texas Horses. A Texas regiment of Wheeler's cavalry came into Rome, Ga., and halted in front of the hotel. The officers and many of the men scattered around town, but the majority of CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 283-, them remained mounted, taking the easiest positions they could in the saddles, some of them sitting sideways, with one leg thrown across the pommel. It was about dinner-time- and a negro waiter came out with one of those Chinese copper gongs and, giving it one tremendous rap, made it rattle with that nerve-splitting noise so well known to passengers at railway depots. The result was fearful ! Horses reared, plunged, and turning like goats, stampeded in all directions, leaving many riders on the ground, and creating more excite- ment than the fire of a Federal battery of six guns would have done. After a few minutes the officers of the regiment came up to see what was the matter, and hearing the cause, of the trouble, told the proprietor of the hotel to hide his negro out, as the men would surely kill him if they found, him. And sure enough, in a few minutes they came on a. hunt for him ; but the negro had been safely hidden away and was not seen any more during the stay of that Texas command. As is well known, the Texas cavalry were superb riders, and to throw them was no easy matter ; but. that Chinese gong dismounted more of them than a charge of infantry would have done. — (W. A Campbell, in Camp- Fires of the Confederacy.) CHAPTER XIX. "WHEELER REACHES JONESBORO — LEARNS SHERMAN'S DIS- POSITIONS — SHERMAN ADVANCES FROM ATLANTA — WHEELER'S ENGAGEMENTS WITH SHERMAN'S ADVANCE — ENGAGES ENEMY NEAR MACON — DEFENCE OF THE CITY — FIGHT AT GRISWOLDVILLE — KILPATRICK STARTS TOWARDS AUGUSTA— WHEELER DRIVES HIM FROM WAYNESBORO — FIGHT ON LOUISVILLE ROAD, AT BUCKHEAD CHURCH AND REYNOLD'S FARM ANECDOTE. General Wheeler reached Jonesboro on the 13th of No- vember, in advance of his troops, and found General Iverson in doubt regarding the enemy before him. He dispatched as follows : Jonesboro, Ga., Nov. 13, 1864. ■General J. B. Hood : On arriving here I find General Iverson in doubt regarding forces in Atlanta. An escaped prisoner from Kingston informs me that several trains of cars loaded with troops passed up to Chattanooga on the 7th. Enemy have been "burning something in Atlanta for the last two days. J. Wheeler, Major- General. Operator will send the above to General Howell Cobb, Macon ; General R. Taylor, Selma. By moving forward with some of his best scouts General Wheeler gained accurate information during the night, and the following day dispatched the following to General J. B. Hood, Tuscumbia; Lieutenant-General R. Taylor, Selma; General Braxton Bragg, Richmond ; Lieutenant-General W. J. Hardee, Charleston ; Major-General Cobb, Macon : Jonesboro, Nov. 14, 1864. Sherman with Fifteenth, Seventeenth and Twentieth corps and Kil- patrick's cavalry, are in Atlanta. Prisoners and citizens say camp rumors .are that they will march to Augusta and Savannah. Scouts and prisoners report Sherman destroying railroad from Atlanta to Allatoona. J. Wheeler, Major-General. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER. AND HIS CAVALRY. 285 On the 15th, a strong advance was made, which Wheeler resisted with a few men he had gathered together, and dis- patched as follows to General J. B. Hood, Tuscumbia; Gen- eral Braxton Bragg, Richmond ; Lieutenant-General Hardee, Charleston; Lieu tenant-General R. Taylor, Selma; Major- General Cobb, Macon; Major-General G. W. Smith, Forsyth; Governor Joseph E. Brown, Milledgeville, and Colonel M. H. Wright, Columbus: Jonesboro, Ga., Nov. 15, 1864. Enemy advanced with infantry, cavalry, artillery and wagons early this, morning. Have driven our cavalry back to this place. Enemy have burned many houses in Rome, Marietta and Atlanta ; also destroyed railroad and burned railroad bridge over Chattahoochee. J. Wheeler, Major-General. Jonesboro, Ga., Nov. 16, 1864, Daylight. Fifteenth, Seventeenth and Twentieth corps, with Kilpatrick's cavalry, left Atlanta yesterday morning in two columns, one on Jonesboro and the other on McDonough road. Fourteenth corps has reached Atlanta, giving Sherman four corps, from sixty to seventy thousand. J. WHEEUSR, Major-General. Griffin, Ga., Nov. 16, 1864, 11:45 p. m. Enemy checked this morning at Bear Creek [now Hampton] . Enemy evidently marching upon Macon. J. Wheeler, Major-General.. Near Griffin, Ga., Nov. 17, 1864, 11 a. m, Enemy are turning main column on shortest route to Macon. Scouts, from enemy's rear report that Fourteenth corps is moving up. J. WHEELER, Major-General. Near Griffin, Ga., Nov. 17, 1864, 2:20 p. jr.. Generai, G. T. Beauregard, General Braxton Bragg, Generai, J. B. Hood : Enemy turning column shortest route to Macon. I have no orders re- garding the holding of any city should enemy besiege or assault. Please give me wishes and intentions of Government, or send some one who knows- the course they desire pursued. J. WHEELER, Major-General. While sending these dispatches, General Wheeler was hard at work using to best advantage the means at hand to oppose Sherman's march. He placed a portion of his troops in front of the column moving down the Augusta road ; kept a portion '286 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. on the road to Columbus, to oppose any movement which might be made in that direction, and the remainder, under Colonel Harrison, opposed the direct advance upon Macon. To prevent the possibility of a raid toward West Point or Montgomery by a movement down the west bank of the Chattahoochee, he telegraphed General Clanton as follows : General J. H. Clanton, Jonesboro, Nov. 14, 1864. Blue Mountain : The enemy's cavalry may move through Carrollton toward West Point and Montgomery Railroad. Keep it well watched. Jos. Wheeler, Major- General. On the morning of the 16th, Colonel Harrison, with 256 men and two guns, imprudently attempted to fight a large force of both infantry and cavalry, and though successful in giving a temporary check, was outflanked by a brigade of the enemy's •cavalry, and obliged to abandon his two guns, losing at the same time thirty prisoners. General Wheeler promptly col- lected a few men and successfully fought and repulsed an at- tack of the enemy at Bear Creek Station. On the following day, a portion of his command having .arrived from Blue Mountain, he successfully repulsed the •enemy's advance upon Griffin, thus saving the town from their ravages. The entire force of cavalry under General Wheeler's con- trol at this time being less than two thousand men, it was manifestly impossible for him to make a formidable resistance to Sherman's march. He therefore disposed his troops to attain the following objects : 1st. To impede and harass enemy's columns when practi- cable. 2d. To attack and defeat exposed detachments. 3d. To keep enemy's foragers from extending into and despoiling the ■country, except near their main columns. 4th. To keep him- self and all other proper officers fully informed of Sherman's movements. 5th. And above all, to defend all cities along the line of railroad, depots of stores, arsenals, government and other important works, etc. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 287 General Wheeler being at this time the senior officer in Georgia, the entire responsibility of its defence rested upon him. To attain the above ends, he directed Major-Generals Cobb and G. W. Smith to march rapidly, concentrate their militia and reserves at Macon, and prepare the fortifications and city for vigorous defence. He also placed small parties on all approaches to the enemy's flanks and rear, keeping his main body engaging their advance. On the 1 8th, by fighting superior force, General Wheeler defended and saved the town of Forsyth, with valuable gov- ernment property, the enemy turning off and crossing the Ocmulgee River ten miles above Macon. In anticipation of this movement, General Wheeler had previously sent Anderson's and Crews's brigades to cross the river at Macon and guard the city from the enemy on the east bank of the Ocmulgee. On the 19th, a severe skirmish ensued, in which some forty of the enemy were captured ; and the fact established that all of Sherman's force was crossing to the east side of the river. General Wheeler, therefore, moved rapidly to Macon, reach- ing the city at midnight. In the meantime he received the following dispatches : SELMA, Ala., Nov. 18, 1864. Major-General Wheeler: Please keep me advised of enemy's movements. I have your dispatches of yesterday and day before. Should enemy move east, better telegraph Gen- eral Hardee and Richmond direct. R. Taylor, Lieutenant-General. Corinth, Miss., Nov. 18, 1864. Major-General Wheeler : Employ your cavalry to best advantage, retarding advance of Sherman's army and destroying supplies in his front. G. T. Beauregard, General. Florence, Ala., Nov. 19, 1864. Major-General Wheeler : Your dispatch of the 17th received. It is very important that you should not allow any portion of your mounted forces to be shut up in a besieged city, but keep them constantly harassing the enemy, destroying his trains and cutting off his forage parties. J. B. Hood, General. 288 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. WEST Point, Miss., Nov. 20, 1864. Generai, Wheeler : General Hardee will for the present give orders for the defence of Georgia east of the Chattahoochee. My views are that positions should be defended only so long as not to risk safety of troops and materials required for active operations in the field. Meanwhile remove to safe locality all govern- ment property on line of enemy's march, and consume or destroy all sup- plies within his reach. G. T. BEAUREGARD General. At daylight on the 20th, General Wheeler had crossed the river, and by a rapid march led in person an attack upon the enemy's marching column near Clinton, capturing prisoners from whom he learned fully the location and movements of all the enemy's corps. The enemy, astonished at Wheeler's imprudent attack on their main body, advanced upon him with their infantry, and charged with their cavalry. Wheeler met the attack, charged and defeated their cavalry, driving them back upon their reserves. The enemy being rein- forced, again charged Wheeler, who met and again counter- charged and defeated the hostile force so effectually as to pre- vent any further offensive movement from that direction. Toward evening, a force of the enemy on the Milledgeville road demonstrated on our lines, which were held by a thin line of Wheeler's dismounted cavalry, supported by a re- doubt held by the Georgia militia. I^ate in the night, Wheeler moved out, driving the enemy ; and on the follow- ing day, November 21st, drove the Federal force out of Gris- woldville, capturing a b umber of prisoners. Early on the morning of the 2 2d, Wheeler attacked and charged over the enemy, driving their superior force some distance, killing and wounding a large number, and capturing over eighty prison- ers, horses, arms, etc., and one stand of colors. It now being evident the enemy were moving from Macon, General Wheeler marched rapidly for the Oconee. On the 2 2d, he encountered and fought the enemy's flank, defeating General Kilpatrick and capturing some prisoners. On the evening of the 23d, Wheeler reached the Oconee, and on the 24th swam the river at Dublin and Blackman's Ferry. By a rapid march, he checked and drove back a CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 289 column then attempting to cross at Ball's Ferry, and by marching all night he confronted by daylight on the 25th, the enemy's main army, which had crossed the Oconee at Milledgeville. After disposing troops to watch all roads by which Sher- man could approach the Savannah Railroad or city of Au- gusta, General Wheeler marched through Sandersville on the afternoon of the 25th, and was soon met by Sherman's main force, which made a furious charge with cavalry, supported by infantry, upon our small command. Wheeler had antici- pated this, and placing his troops in position, countercharged the enemy, driving them pell-mell for two miles, killing and wounding a large number in the running m6l£e, capturing thirty prisoners and a valuable headquarters wagon. At night we encamped near the enemy, and on the morning of the 26th, by warm fighting, Wheeler resisted the advance of Sherman's massive lines, gradually yielding ground until he was finally driven through and beyond Sandersville. Toward evening, Wheeler learned through his pickets that General Kilpatrick, with over five thousand cavalry, had been detached from Sherman's main column, and was then march- ing rapidly on the most direct road for Augusta. Wheeler well knew that should the enemy even reach the vicinity of Augusta, the destruction of the large factories and govern- ment works, and the portion of the city not protected by for- tifications would result. To save these, and to prevent the possibility of the city's falling into the enemy's hands was General Wheeler's determination. Leaving a small force to watch Sherman's infantry, Wheeler, with two thousand men, made a rapid night march, and at 2 A. M. on the 27th over- took Kilpatrick, captured his pickets and pushed on to his main camp, attacking warmly and driving him from two po- sitions and capturing some fifty prisoners, one stand of colors, one hundred horses and arms, and his camp equipage. Under color of darkness, Kilpatrick withdrew his troops and continued his march toward Augusta. Wheeler having pre- viously sent rapid couriers to inform General Bragg at Au- 19 w 290 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. gusta of the enemy's approach, followed close upon Kilpat- rick, encountering and defeating his rear-guards, which were found fortified at every favorable point, frequently separated by but a few hundred yards. Prisoners, horses and arms were captured by us in every engagement. On reaching Brier Creek, Wheeler pressed Kilpatrick so closely as to force him from his course, and compel him to turn off at a right angle on the Waynesboro road in the hope of regaining Sherman's infantry. Wheeler continued the running fight until after dark, when he drove Kilpatrick out of Waynes- boro and extinguished the fires the enemy had applied to nearly every house in the town. During the night he dispatched a force to interpose between Kilpatrick and Sherman's main column, but unfortunately it failed to get into position as directed. Wheeler continued fighting during the entire night, keeping the enemy too dis- turbed to rest and too alarmed to leave his position in the extreme darkness. DESPERATE FIGHTING WITH KILPATRICK ON THE LOUISVILLE ROAD. At daybreak on the morning of the 28th Wheeler made a handsome mounted charge into the enemy, capturing a num- ber of prisoners, and driving Kilpatrick in confusion for three miles. A dense fog prevented Wheeler from taking advantage of this success, but pushing on he again attacked Kilpatrick's rear and flank simultaneously, dispersing an entire brigade, and keeping up a running hand-to-hand fight. His command killed, wounded or captured some two hundred of the enemy. Pressing on again, he found the Federals in position behind strong barricades, with large open fields in their front. General Wheeler had all his buglers with him at the head of his column, and without a moment's hesitation discerned the best point of attack ; quickly arranging his columns, he led his command in a magnificent charge upon the foe. Re- ceiving their fire without a waver, he rode over their barri- CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 2 9 1 cades and through their lines, again dispersing Kilpatrick, and placing some three hundred of his men hors de combat. Wheeler continued the charge and mel£e until reaching Buckhead Creek, where his men, already somewhat disor- dered by a running fight of two miles, were checked by a warm fire from a portion of the enemy behind barricades on the opposite bank. This enabled a portion of the Federal force to escape across the creek, but a large number were scattered above and below the bridge and fell into our hands. General Robertson, then acting as Wheeler's Chief of Staff, was severely wounded while gallantly charging beside his chief. The twelve buglers Wheeler had brought to the front a few hours before had, in these four charges, been either killed, wounded or had their horses shot under them. Wheeler's force at the beginning of the day's fighting was nineteen hundred, while Kilpatrick's was over five thousand. Wheeler had lost one hundred men, while Kilpatrick's loss was upwards of thirteen hundred. The hostile forces now stood face to face separated by the creek, Wheeler with eighteen hundred and Kilpatrick with over thirty-seven hundred. BATTLE OF REYNOLD'S FARM. By a skillful ruse in taking advantage of a bend in the creek, Wheeler destroyed the Federal barricades near the bridge which drove out the enemy and placed it in our pos- session, though not until Kilpatrick had caused it to be partially destroyed. Wheeler promptly rebuilt the bridge, and in one hour was crossing his troops. Kilpatrick, in the meantime, had retired to Reynold's Farm, near Sherman's infantry camps, where he was sufficiently under Sherman's wing to anticipate no further attack from Wheeler, though, with his usual precaution before encamping for the night, he strongly barricaded his entire front. General Wheeler recon- noitered the position and soon determined his mode of attack. He sent Dibbrell through a dense wood to turn the enemy's 292 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. right, while he arranged the Eighth and Eleventh Texas, Third Arkansas and Fourth Tennessee to attack in front. The remainder of our troops had not yet crossed the rudely- constructed bridge, but we still hoped they would come up before the fight commenced. Owing to the formation of the enemy's lines, Dibbrell failed to turn their right, but came suddenly in contact with a por- tion of their main line. This developed our presence and made an immediate attack necessary. Wheeler promptly sent orders to Dibbrell, and placing himself in front of the four regiments he had just arranged, charged the enemy's position with most magnificent gallantry. This charge in two lines, over a level field fully a mile in extent, was transcendently beautiful. Wheeler, leading with the power of a lion, rode down the enemy's cavalry, dashed through their advanced lines and hurled himself with his brave Texans upon strong barricades, lined with dismounted men armed with deadly seven-shooting rifles. The enemy, stunned and affrighted by the thunderbolt charge, lost all precision of aim, and as our troopers closed on the barricaded lines with a rapid discharge of pistol shots, the Federals became disordered, some leaving their lines and the remainder sheltering their heads below the rail coverings, keeping up a fusillade which did little more than raise a cloud of smoke enveloping alike both assailants and assailed. A heavy fire from the enemy's battery striking us obliquely, added to the impracticability of our horsemen breaking through the barricades. We, therefore, under cover of the dense smoke, withdrew obliquely to a wood, where, in ten minutes, we were organized and again ready and anxious for the conflict. Colonel Ashby now came up and was placed upon our right. Wheeler had discovered in the first charge that the enemy's left was less strongly barricaded, and taking advan- tage of this, he promptly charged this point with his increased force, driving the enemy from their works, capturing their camps, a number of horses, mules and prisoners, with arms, equipage and one stand of colors. Darkness favored the CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 293 escape of Kilpatrick, but we still pursued, driving his demor- alized and defeated command under the shelter of Sherman's main army, which he did not again forsake during the cam- paign. (From the Macon Telegraph, Nov. 9, 1864.) "HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE." " There are many ' croakers,' ' grumblers ' and ' parlor gen- erals ' continually crying out against General Wheeler, than whom we have no braver officer nor more Christian soldier. 'Tis a remarkable fact, too, that since General Wheeler was appointed a general officer, no less than twenty-seven of his staff-officers have been killed and wounded, and some of them wounded many times. Let the ' bomb-proof individuals ' who infest the fashionable hotels and cities in this department cease their cowardly attacks upon General Wheeler and the cavalry corps of the army, and if they have not sufficient patriotism and self-esteem to do their duty and go into the field and fight for their country, let them at least cease to dis- courage our brave soldiers in their line of duty and all 'battling for liberty and our glorious cause.' " (Special Correspondence of the Augusta Constitutionalist.) FROM THE FRONT. Sparta, Nov. 27, 9 p. m. Mr. Editor : — We have information from men belonging to Furguson's division of cavalry of the fight at Griswoldville on Tuesday. A feint was made on Macon on Sunday after- noon by some of Kilpatrick's cavalry, but Wheeler's forces were put in line of battle up and down Walnut Creek, and after some heavy skirmishing, the enemy fell back to Gris- woldville, where he constructed breastworks of fence rails. On Tuesday Wheeler attacked them again, but failed to drive them until, our infantry came up, composed mainly of militia. The enemy gave way and we followed them about three miles. Our loss was about four hundred killed, wounded and miss- ing. The enemy's much heavier. Our informant, who was in the fight, says we took two hundred and fifty prisoners in one batch, and others were taken, he knows not how many. The enemy fell back towards Gordon and Milledgeville, and destroyed the road as he went. A man who was taken pris- oner while helping to repair the road on Wednesday, says he counted fifty-one dead Confederates on the field, among whom 294 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. was the brave Colonel Redding of the militia. The Feder- als, as usual, tried to claim the victory." (Special Correspondence of the Constitutionalist.) "LETTER FROM WARRENTON. " Warrenton, Dec. I, 1864. " Mr. Editor: — On Friday a portion of Sherman's cavalry force crossed the Ogeechee River at the shoals. " On Saturday, traveling day and night, they were struck by Wheeler at Bigham's, and driven on to Way's Church, where they were reinforced to some extent. After this inva- sion, let no one traduce the military genius of Wheeler. On this march, for rapid concentration and celerity of movement, he has not been equaled by any commander. At Sandersville he encountered the advance of a large column of the enemy, drove back the mounted force upon its infantry ; fell back ; crossed over to notify Wayne of his danger of a flank in time to save him and his command ; heard of Kilpatrick on another route, moving toward the Quaker road for Waynesboro ; over- took and fought him with brilliancy and vim, and drove him at a gallop beyond Waynesboro, the result of which is at this time here unknown. The fight and pursuit was made under great disadvantage. Unfortunately our people on that long line of travel and in a wealthy country, failed to get their horses and mules off, and these supplied the places of the enemy's horses worn out in the chase, and none were left for the pursuers. Again, the enemy, after resting and feeding their stock out of the abundance of the barns and cribs, destroyed the balance by fire, leaving little for Wheeler. But notwithstanding these great disadvantages, on he pressed with great speed and energy. From the first battle-ground to the last point arrived at by this party, the country was one vast scene of desolation and ruin ; in many places nothing but dwellings are left upon the farms. Scout." Getting Even with "Bully." Much of the fighting of Wheeler's Cavalry was done dis- mounted, number four, as all cavalrymen know, acting as horse-holder, while numbers one, two, and three dismount and advance to the front. As cavalry were much averse to CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 295 walking, the position of number four became very popular. Therefore, when the command was given, "count fours," it was usually obeyed as follows: "One," "two," "three,". "bully" ; "one," "two," "three," "bully," etc. This had become a little monotonous to one of the commanding offi- cers, so one day, after the usual "one," "two," "three," "bully," had come down the line, he commanded : "'Two,' ' three, ' and ' bully ' will dismount and advance ; number one will hold the horses. "—(Editor.) CHAPTER XX. Sherman's left wing and cavalry again move upon waynesboro — engagement at rock spring church — fight at thomas station — battle of waynesboro — fight on savannah river and near ebenezer creek — wheeler captures dispatch disclosing sherman's plan — fight on middle ground road — summary of wheeler's operations — anecdote, "lost his shirt." It was still not certain that Sherman would not march upon Augusta. He was now engaged gathering subsistence from the rich lands of Burke and Jefferson counties. During the 29th and 30th, General Wheeler held his command be- tween Sherman and all roads on which he could advance to- wards Augusta. He also harassed his camps and columns, killing, wounding and capturing numbers. Wheeler had already sent General L,ewis with a small force to complete the obstructions on the Savannah roads, when, on receipt of the following from General Hardee, he disposed the remainder of his troops to comply with his orders : Savannah, November 29, 1864. To General Wayne : Communicate the following information and instruction to Major-General Wheeler : All the roads leading to Savannah are obstructed. He must operate on the flank and rear of the enemy. W. J. Hardee, Lieutenant-General. General Wheeler also received the following from General Bragg: Augusta, 7 a. m., November 28, 1864. General Joseph Wheeler : Yours of 12:30 yesterday was received last night, and gave me great pleas- ure. I trust you will be able to keep up with the enemy, and press him as soon as possible. Let me hear what you can learn of the movement of the main column. Very respectfully, Braxton Bragg, General. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 297 Headquarters, Augusta, Dec. 3, 1864, 10 a. m. General : The commanding General desires me to impress upon you the importance of immediately driving back upon their infantry the enemy's cavalry, now apparently pressing in this direction. Your force, in his opinion, is too much scattered. It should be gathered up ; and the enemy's cavalry being pushed back, unremitting effort should be made to harass their main body and impede their march. I have the honor to be, General, very respectfully, Major-Gen. Wheeler, Archer Anderson, A. A. G. Commanding Cavalry Corps. Telegram.] Augusta, December 3, 1864. To Major-General Wheeler : General Bragg des'res to impress upon you importance of immediately driving enemy's cavalry back upon their infantry. He thinks your force too much scattered. Wishes you to gather it up, and, pushing back cavalry, constantly harass main body and impede march. Archer Anderson, A. A. G. Augusta, November 29, 1864. Major-General Joseph Wheeler : Dispatches received. Press closely upon the enemy and keep me informed. Braxton Bragg, General. 11:30 a. m., November 30, 1864. Major-General Joseph Wheeler: Thank your gallant old command in my name for their brilliant services. I promised it in advance to the people of your native city, and nobly have you redeemed my pledge. General Robertson has arrived and is doing well, though he will be long disabled. Braxton Bragg, General. On December 1st Sherman moved his main column, the left wing and cavalry advancing upon Waynesboro. Wheeler fought and retarded their progress. BATTLE OP ROCK SPRING CHURCH. On December 2d the advance was renewed, and General Wheeler, taking position at Rock Spring Church, five miles from Waynesboro, fought the 14th corps and Kilpatrick's cavalry so warmly as to compel them to turn their course, and by passing through fields, moved over to their main column between Thomas Station and Millen, On the 3d Wheeler fought their main body, which had moved near Thomas Station, and at midnight, with two Napoleon guns and some dismounted men, crept upon their 298 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. camps and working parties engaged in destroying the rail- road, and made a spirited attack, shelling their densely crowded infantry, killing and wounding a large number, and stopping all work and rest among them for the remain- der of the night. BATTLE OF WAYNESBORO. At daylight, on December 4th, part of the 14th Army Corps, under General Baird, and Kilpatrick's cavalry, ad- vanced upon Wheeler from Thomas Station, Kilpatrick no doubt wishing, with the aid of fifteen thousand infantry, to recover the prestige he had so completely lost in his late disasters. Wheeler's forces, in all but two thousand strong, were camped by brigades more than three miles separated, to procure forage. Our advance picket was soon driven from its barricade, and the long line of infantry and cavalry marched slowly but steadily upon us. Wheeler hastily threw a regiment into position, which held the enemy back untila brigade was favorably positioned behind a barricade some two miles from Waynesboro. The enemy's infantry confronted this line, and while skir- mishing, their cavalry charged and were badly repulsed. This enabled Wheeler to have his other troops, just coming up, placed dismounted in a retired line, to which he with- drew all his force. The enemy seeing this, mistook it for a retreat and charged with both infantry and cavalry. The gallant Wheeler, determined to succeed, rode along his line cheering his men, exposed to a shower of bullets, and so fully in the enemy's view that Kilpatrick afterwards said he easily recognized him. Thus encouraged, our brave men met the charging foe with a deadly fire, repulsing and driving them back in confusion. Some of their officers actu- ally rode upon our barricades and surrendered to our dis- mounted men behind the works. Again the enemy charged, and again they were repulsed. General Baird had now devel- oped most of his line before us so closely supporting the cavalry, that it was evident our position would soon become CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 299 untenable. Wheeler, improving his temporary advantage,, withdrew to a more favorable position near the town , and with all his troops dismounted, except the Texas Rangers and 9th Tennessee, he fought stubbornly the enemy, who now advanced slowly and with more caution. At length they charged our lines with fresh troops, and were again re- pulsed by a fire from our Napoleon guns and riflemen. The great preponderance of the enemy — they being nearly ten times our strength — gave them too great an advantage ;. while engaging us in front with artillery and small arms, a portion of their cavalry commenced turning both our flanks T while other cavalry and infantry were ready to charge us in front so soon as we left our works. That we should soon be enveloped seemed almost certain, while to attempt retreat, with the enemy so close in our front, seemed tO' insure destruction. Here was presented a problem which required all the coolness and sagacity for which our heroic young leader was renowned. General Wheeler was prompt to determine and execute the necessary maneuver of the occasion. The Texas Rangers and 9th Tennessee, then mounted in reserve, were brought, to the front; then, by the aid of his gallant staff, he in beau- tiful concert withdrew his dismounted men and artillery from the line at a run. The enemy perceiving this, charged en masse, but being met and countercharged by the gallant Texas and Tennessee troopers, their charge was broken, and all our command retired unmolested to the rear of the town,, the enemy not attempting to venture in pursuit. Thus ended a conflict lasting from dawn until 2 o'clock, during which, in five pitched battles, Wheeler had confronted an enemy tenfold his number, inflicting a heavy loss, while his own loss was but trifling. One brigade of the enemy alone acknowledged a loss of fifty killed and one hundred and forty-seven wounded. In this engagement Wheeler commended in high terms the brav- ery of Humes, Anderson, Dibbrell, Ashbyand Crews. After- three hours rioting in the town, the enemy, hearing that 300. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. "Wheeler was moving to their rear, left hurriedly on the Sa- vannah road, our troops pursuing. Their wounded who could not be transported were left at all points on their route. A gallant officer whom Wheeler visited presented the following : Headquarters Cavalry Command, General: December 4, 1864. For the memory of old associations, please let Corporal M. D. Lacy, 10th Ohio Cavalry, remain to attend a wounded soldier ; one for whom you should have every respect, for he is very brave and a. true gentleman. Captain Norton was wounded to-day, charging your barricades. Please show him -such attention as is in your power and at some future day you shall have the thanks of your old friend. J. KilpaTrick, U. S. A. To Major-Gen. Wheeler, Commanding Confederate Cavalry. Wheeler gave him every attention, and sent to Kilpatrick the reply which follows : Headquarters Cavalry Corps, •General Kilpatrick, Waynesboro, Dec. 15, 1864. Commanding Cavalry, U. S. Army. General : Your letter of yesterday was received to-day. I assure you Captain Norton has and will receive every attention which can be bestowed upon a wounded ■soldier. I am pleased to inform you that he was doing well and was out of pain at last accounts. Since the commencement of this sad war, I have used untiring exertions to maintain in my soldiers principles of chivalry and true soldierly honor. They have been taught to despise and spurn the cowardly instincts which induce low men to frighten, abuse and rob defenseless women and children. You allude to old associations and promise to return any kindness to Cap- tain Norton. I have only to ask, for the sake of those old associations, for your own sake and for the sake of the institution where military honor was taught, that you will (Jffer some protection to the families necessarily left defenseless, and not leave them at the mercy of a brutal soldiery. By so doing, not only will other advantages be gained, but your name will stand before the world in a much more enviable light. It is useless for me to recount the atrocities committed ; suffice it to say that the history of no war, however barbarous, can tell of atrocities equal to those daily and hourly committed by your command. Respectfully, General, J. Wheeler, Major-General C. S. A. During the 5th and 6th we pressed closely the enemy's rear, capturing one hundred prisoners. The enemy blockaded .the road and destroyed bridges to obstruct our advance. On CAMPAIGNS OP WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 301 the morning of the 7th we passed Sylvania and charged the Federal rear, capturing prisoners, horses, arms, etc., and pressed down the river bank to comply with the following r Augusta, December 6, 1864. Major-General Wheeler: Press well on enemy's left flank so that if he crosses Sa- vannah River, you will know it immediately and advise me. Braxton Bragg, General. fight on savannah river. Skirmishing continued during the day, and toward evening General Wheeler, pushing on with his escort, met the cav- alry in force, who charged, driving him back toward our main column. This he had directed to be in readiness and, charg- ing the enemy with his advance brigade, he drove them ins wild disorder for two miles, capturing one hundred prisoners,, and driving the remainder into a swamp, from which many were unable to extricate their horses, they gladly working out on foot during the night. The enemy fortified their camps at every halt, building lines of earthworks for rniles* in extent. The obstructions our troops had placed on the- road interrupted their march, and on the 8th they met with considerable delay at Ebenezer Creek. Wheeler drove in their pickets and pressed his line so as to engage the enemy in their fortifications. FIGHT NEAR EBENEZER CREEK. At dark Wheeler examined the Federal works, and finding their infantry and cavalry huddled together, he brought up a battery of twelve-pound guns, and began a terrific shelling of their position. The affrighted Federals so suddenly awaked from their slumbers, and not knowing the force which assailed them, hurried to the overcrowded crossing, leaving arms, horses, knapsacks and over two thousand negroes, who, though desiring to cross, the enemy, in their panic, re- fused to delay the destruction of the bridge. These negroes Wheeler sent back to their owners, from whom they had been stolen. 302 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. We also captured the following dispatch, which Wheeler promptly sent to General Hardee, and which correctly devel- oped Sherman's dispositions : Army of Georgia, Headquarters Left Wing, Springfield, Dec. 8, 1864, 7 a. m. General Jeff. C. Davis : General Sherman has information that the line of defence around Savan- nah is about four miles from the city. He desires to take the road extending from Cherokee Hill through Isle of Hope to Litchfield on our first position. Your corps should be at or near Cherokee Hill. The 20th will be to the left -of Pooler ; 17th on right of 20th, and 15th near Litchfield. The 20th Corps will be at Monteith to-night. Yours very respectfully, H. A. Slocum, Major- General. On the 9th General Wheeler fought the enemy and cap- tured prisoners on the Middle Ground road. On the 10th he pressed their rear, capturing prisoners, horses, etc., pushing on to within ten miles of Savannah. OTHER OPERATIONS OF WHEELER'S TROOPS. In describing the operations of Wheeler's main column, we have neglected to mention that he at all times during this march kept forces operating on all sides of Sherman's columns, who kept him advised of their movements, and also prevented foraging parties from leaving the enemy's main body, thus saving all but a narrow track from spoliation. During this campaign General Wheeler captured over twenty-four hundred prisoners, besides placing a greater num- ber hors de combat. He had defended and saved every city where government stores were deposited. He had fought the enemy night and day, capturing property, and recapturing animals and negroes they had stolen from our citizens. He had kept the enemy's foragers so close to their main column as to save from the torch millions of dollars worth of property which otherwise would have been consumed. His skill and gallantry had so enchanted his soldiers as to cause him to be regarded by them with an idolizing affection equaling any plauditory love told of in histories of the most renowned military epoch. [And a love and veneration that remain in the hearts of all who are living even to this day. — Ed.] CAMPAIGNS OP WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 303 Sherman was now in line of battle before Savannah, his rear being protected by fortifications running along swamps only penetrable on the few causeways the enemy now held, -with forts and batteries so strong that an army could hardly expect to assail them with success. EXTRACTS FROM SOUTHERN NEWSPAPERS. (From the Augusta Constitutionalist. ) "Owing to the state of the atmosphere, the detonation of cannon was distinctly heard on Sunday morning in the direc- tion of Waynesboro. We have it in our power to present a brief, but authentic explanation of these warlike resonances. " Pursuant to instructions, General Wheeler concentrated his cavalry force, and at midnight on Saturday fell upon the enemy's rear with a vim. The Federal horsemen were pre- cipitately driven back upon their infantry support. After harassing the infantry for some time, Wheeler retired to his former position. " At daylight, on Sunday morning, Kilpatrick's cavalry, as- sisted by the 14th corps, advanced upon our cavalry. We were stationed behind temporary breastworks, and prepared to meet the onset. Every charge of the enemy was repulsed by volleys and countercharges. " Finally, despairing to carry our works by storm, notwith- standing their vastly superior numbers, the enemy enveloped our flanks, and made a retreat necessary. This retirement was accomplished in excellent order. Having relieved their rear of a terrible incubus, the Federals abandoned any further demonstration and continued their march. ' ' Our loss was between 70 and 80 men. The enemy's loss is reported officially as 'very heavy.' Anong the casualties on our side, we are pained to announce the severe wounding of Colonel Gaines, acting brigadier. One of the Federal officers was captured in a hand-to-hand encounter, and Kil- patrick himself was wounded. "Our officers and men behaved with the most distinguished gallantry, and considering the disparity of force, achieved most brilliant results in retarding the march of the hostile columns, and filling them with a well-grounded apprehension. " At last accounts, the indefatigable Wheeler had collected his men, and was again hacking away at the rear-guard." 304 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. GENERAL WHEELER. " Tuesday Morning, Dec. 6, 1864. " In a recent number of the Savannah News there appears a most vituperative and ill-timed editorial, the victim of which is the brave and eager young officer who now commands the cavalry forces that hound perpetually the flanks and rear of the foe. The gist of the whole article is that Wheeler has done nothing, is doing nothing, and is good for nothing. " We do not propose to sketch all that Wheeler has ac- complished in the past, but may be permitted to rehearse a few momentous exploits, pertinent to the campaign that is now progressing. "No sooner was the enemy's design of penetrating into the heart of Georgia made manifest, and his column in motion, than our gallant chieftain gathered his men and unceasingly kept watch upon Sherman's maneuvers, and never let slip the opportunity of inflicting damaging blows. We need not speak in detail of the many engagements he has fought ; they are known and appreciated in all the region contiguous to Augusta, and under Providence and the skill of the Gen- eral who has frequently been so barbarously calumniated, we owe the salvation of this city to the alertness and vigor of Wheeler. ' ' The mere thing of fighting does not make up the sum total of a cavalry officer's merits, and we do not rest our defense upon this alone. There is a higher and rarer qualifi- cation than this, glorious as it is, and that qualification is found in the intelligence that keeps the enemy's position constantly in view, and reports every movement with the ac- curacy of a chess-player. The cavalry is emphatically the 1 eyes and ears of an army. ' We submit that Wheeler is eminently gifted in this specialty, and could the record be re- vealed, it would stagger, with its inexorable truth, even the dogmatic obliquity of the Savannah News. " We speak what we know when we declare that Wheeler has done his whole duty promptly and courageously. Is he to be condemned because a small minority of his men take to plunder and straggle from their commands ? If such an argu- ment be good at law, General Forrest should be cashiered immediately, for the same bad element exists with him, and, in the matter of plundering, has graduated with first honors. Every force has its jackals that follow in the tracks of and steal the feast of the lion. Wheeler is cursed with a few such CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 305 men, just as is General Forrest. The latter, however, is for- given, the former execrated. " General Wheeler's efficiency is such that had he not per- formed prodigies, the editor of the Savannah News might have been a fugitive ere this and not at his carpings. " Out upon this crucifixion of generals on flimsy pretexts and the harlotry of rumor. The extravagant gossip of indi- viduals who, in all likelihood, were the first to secure asylum while their comrades were in line of battle, is not worth a fillip, and is usually the sloughing of an ulcerous and cow- ardly heart. Shall the word of these fugitives weigh against the deeds of him who, for four tremendous years, has borne his country's banner through the valley of the shadow of death, and placed his body as a rampart to shield the timor- ous at home ? " What wonder if discouragement should paralyze at last !' Out, Thersites ! The blood of Sidney Johnston clamors' from the ground." EXTRACTS FROM NEW YORK PAPERS. " New York, December 14. — Savannah and other Geor- gia papers of the 27th, and the Richmond papers of the 1st, have been received. It appears that an attack was made on East Macon on Sunday, the 20th, the rebels losing a battery which they subsequently recovered. There was a small loss on both sides. " The Richmond Whig of the 1st has news from Georgia yesterday, which shows that Sherman is gradually approach- ing the coast. It refrains from giving the direction. He has met with no serious opposition since the repulse at Oconee. Efforts were making to head him off. Wheeler had two vic- torious engagements with Kilpatrick's cavalry. " The Richmond Enquirer of the 6th says : We learn that an official telegram was received last night which states that Wheeler has inflicted a severe blow upon the enemy. The locality of this affair is not given for sufficient reasons. It occurred last Sunday morning. One corps of the enemy and Kilpatrick's cavalry attacked Wheeler in a strong posi- tion. They came up boldly to the attack, and made several charges, all of which were repulsed by Wheeler's men, who, -though largely outnumbered, maintained their ground and raked down the foe. The dispatch states that the enemy (Fed. . 306 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. eral) lost heavily. It was reported that Kilpatrick was wounded. "The Augusta Constitutionalist believes that, since leaving, General Sherman has not for a moment hesitated as to the point to be attacked or the road to travel, and says, on leav- ing Millen he would so arrange his army that he would move on Savannah without fear of attack to either flank. Wheeler confesses that in his engagements with Kilpatrick he has not taken many prisoners, because the Federals refused to sur- render." Lost His Shirt. Every one has probably heard of the philosopher who said, when a calf had chewed up his only shirt : ' ' The Lord giv- eth and the Lord taketh away." But few probably have ever heard of the following incident, related by a private at one of the Confederate reunions : At an inspection of his command General Wheeler accom- panied the inspector on his rounds. One trooper did not un- button his coat ; the inspector reproved and the soldier blushed in embarrassment. Wheeler at once divined, its cause, whispered a word to the inspector, and he passed on. The poor fellow had on no shirt ; and immediately on return to his quarters his general sent him the last one he had in his kit ! The generosity of this can be appreciated when it is re- membered that in war times " shirts were shirts," and when lost or disposed of were not easy to replace. CHAPTER XXI. WHEELER CROSSES SAVANNAH RIVER — DEPENDS LINE OF COMMUNICATION WITH ARMY AT SAVANNAH — EIGHT AT IZZARD'S, AND NEAR THE SAVANNAH — SUCCESSFUL EVAC- UATION OF SAVANNAH — ANECDOTE. General Wheeler saw the proper place for his troops was in conjunction with Hardee's forces then defending- the city of Savannah. In anticipation of orders to that effect, he hastened to the Savannah River and commenced crossing into South Carolina, leaving a small force to observe and report Sherman's movements. On reaching South Carolina in person, Wheeler applied to Commodore Hunter of our Navy, who kindly consented to use his steamer to assist our crossing. Purysburg, December 13, 1864. Major-General J. Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry Corps: I have received your request of this day's date to cross troops of your command over the Savannah River at Lister's Ferry. I will proceed promptly and effect the object of your request. I have the honor to be Very respectfully, W. W. Hunter, Flag Officer. Wheeler also received the following from General Hardee, showing that he had ordered the movement at the same time it was commenced : Headquarters, Savannah, Ga., Dec. 11, 1864, 6 p.m. Major-General Joseph Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry : Lieutenant-General Hardee is apprehensive that the enemy may cross the Savannah River between the railroad bridge and the city, on flats captured on the Island plantations, and get on his line of communication. He con- siders it important to provide against such a contingency, and advises you to transfer to the left bank of the river a sufficient force to protect his left flank. He also thinks it best that you should cross the river and establish your headquarters at Hardeeville, or some other convenient locality. Respectfully, T. B. Roy, A. A. G. 308 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. Headquarters, Savannah, Ga., Dec. 13, 1864. To Major-General Joseph Wheeler : I am instructed by Lieutenant-General Hardee to repeat that he considers it important that a force of your command should be promptly transferred to the vicinity of Hardeeville, for the security of that depot, said to be threatened from New River, as well as from Savannah. Very respectfully, T. B. Roy, A. A. O. General Wheeler hastened to the city to communicate with General Hardee, and after visiting his troops in the breast- works around the city, returned and took command of the important defences on the Savannah and New rivers, in- cluding Gunbridge and Mongin's landings, the object being to keep open the only line of retreat that remained to our army, and which the enemy now menaced from three sides. WHEELER DEFENDS LINE OF COMMUNICATION WITH ARMY AT SAVANNAH. On taking command we found the enemy had already crossed the Savannah at Izzard's rice plantation. Wheeler promptly attacked and drove them back, capturing some prisoners. The following show the nature of Wheeler's duties and the extent of his command : Savannah, Ga., Dec. 15, 1864, 10:15 p.m. To Major-Generai, Joseph Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry: The enemy are reported at Izzard's plantation in considerable force. It is all important they should be driven from that position without delay. For this purpose take any portion of the command you destined for this side of the river. Respectfully, W. J. Hardee, General. Major-General Wheeler, Savannah, Dec. 16, 1864. Commanding Cavalry : Your command embraces the country between New River and the Savan- nah River, and incidentally all other points which may be attacked in your neighborhood. Respectfully, W. J. Hardee, General. General : December 17, 1864, 12 m. I am informed there is a large canal, known as the Lawrence Canal, pass- ing by Cheves' farm and falling into Gunbridge Creek near the landing. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 309 This canal should be thoroughly obstructed and protected by infantry •and artillery. It is possible that the battery and obstructions at Gtinbridge protect the entrance of said canal. There are several bad places in the main road from Hardeeville to your headquarters. They should be drained and fixe.d before a heavy rain. Respectfully, G. T. Beauregard, General. To Major-Gen. Joseph Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry Corps. Wheeler's line along the Savannah for fifteen miles, and along New River for same distance, made it a difficult task to watch every point. The enemy held an island in the Savannah with their artillery bearing on our shore, from which it was separated by a narrow slough. This placed it in Sherman's power to throw troops to the South Carolina side without difficulty, and it would then become necessary for us to oppose their progress to the main road. Wheeler succeeded in holding the bank till the morning of the 19th, when he visited General Beauregard, pursuant to the fol- lowing : Savannah, Ga., Dec. 18, 1864. Major-General Joseph Wheeler: General Beauregard directs me to inform you that instead of to-day, he will meet you at Cheves' house about 6 A. M. to-morrow. Respectfully, A- R. Chisholm, A. D. C. While receiving instructions from General Beauregard, in- formation reached us that under cover of the dense fog, a heavy force had been thrown over the slough from the island, driving off our pickets before they could be reinforced. Wheeler hastened to the point, and concentrating in their front, fought them vigorously and stopped any further advance, though their position on the island prevented them from being dislodged. At night Wheeler received the following : Savannah, Ga., Dec. 19, 1864, 6:15 p. m. To Major- General Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry : The road to Hardeeville must be kept open at all hazards ; it is our only line of retreat. The pontoon bridge is not yet completed, but the engineers hope to have it done by morning. 310 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. Fight the enemy at every step if he attempts to advance, and keep me in- formed of everything relating to his movements. Respectfully, W. J. Hardee, Lieutenant-General. The enemy before him was now in force three miles from the only causeway upon which our army in Savannah depended, while the defences of New River were on the other side of this important causeway, and in some places less than gunshot distance from it. Up to this time New River defences had not been men- aced, and Wheeler had devoted his principal attention to the dangerous force Sherman had thrown over the Savannah. Early on the 20th, the following dispatch complicated the already difficult problem : Pocotaligo, Dec. 20, 1864. Major-General Wheeler: Enemy reported leaving Tullifinna. Be sharply on the lookout for them on New River line, and inform me promptly if they appear. Samuel Jones, Major- General. Wheeler, nothing daunted, reinforced all menaced points, fighting stubbornly at all positions, and by constant labor strengthening his line of works, he kept back the enemy until the morning of the 21st, when the pontoon over the Savannah being completed, the consummation of our hopes was realized by the safe withdrawal of our force from their critical position in Savannah. The success of this evacuation reflects the highest credit upon all officers who conducted the movements. "Old Sorrel." Said an old trooper of Wheeler's Cavalry : " My recollection of some of the horses of my comrades is more distinct than it is of the men who rode them. One especially I do not think I will ever forget. This was ' old Sorrel,' belonging to John , of D company, , Alabama cavalry. This CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 311 man had rather belong to company ' Q '* and stay with the wagon-train than to do active service, so whenever one of the boys had a lame or broken-down horse he was sure to find John ready to loan 'old Sorrel.' Now, old Sorrel was a horse with points, but he had only one good one to counter- balance many bad ones. His one good point was bottom, and as service under Wheeler essentially required ' critters ' with bottom, this was a very strong recommendation. His bad points were his being about as rough-gaited as a camel, his indisposition to lope as long as he could torture his rider by trotting, a mouth so tough that no mortal could hold him when he took a notion to run away, and his total lack of discretion — being as apt to run towards or into the enemy's lines as away from them. "I rode this old idiot once, and am not likely ever to forget the experience. First he seemed to try to dislocate every bone in my body by trotting for about five miles while the other horses were in an easy canter ; then getting on a shelv- ing rock, let all four of his feet go from under him and came down in a heap — the horses behind jumping over us, and nar- rowly missing my head with their hoofs. The next day I and two others were on picket, sitting quietly on our horses on the Murfreesboro pike. Suddenly there appeared from a crossroad the advance guard of a regiment of Federal cav- alry, not over fifty yards from us. Throwing our guns hastily to our shoulders we fired, and about a dozen of the enemy returned the compliment. Old Sorrel had apparently been asleep, but as one of the enemy's bullets grazed his flank, he suddenly became one of the widest awake horses ever seen. He jumped, I think, about fifteen feet, and proceeded to run away in the most approved fashion. Fortunately he was headed away from the road, and right into the woods he went. I knew I could no more hold him than I could a locomotive, but I did try to guide him and to keep him from * Company " Q" was composed of men who had sick or lame horses and remained with the wagon-train. 312 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. killing me and himself by contact with a tree. I soon saw a fence ahead and a man throwing off the rails. I yelled to him to get out of the way, knowing that the fool horse would run over anything that was in his road. The man evidently misunderstood my motives, for the only reply I received was to 'go to hell.' He had just time to duck his head, when Sorrel cleared him, fence and all. "The old reprobate ended his career at the battle of Chicka- mauga, by running headlong into the enemy 's lines, and no tears were shed at his loss." — (Editor.) CHAPTER XXII. CONDITION OF WHEELER'S TROOPS — HIS DUTIES DURING THE PRECEDING EIGHT MONTHS — PEACES PICKET LINE AROUND SAVANNAH — DISPATCHES REGARDING THE BURNING OF MILES, ETC. — OPPOSES ENEMY'S ADVANCE — STRENGTH OF WHEEEER'S COMMAND — OBSTRUCTS ROAD IN FRONT OF SHERMAN — FIGHTS AT M'BRIDE'S BRIDGE AND LOPER'S CROSSROADS, AT RIVERS' AND AT BEAUFORT'S BRIDGES, AT SPRINGTOWN AND BEACKVIEEE — ENEMY ADVANCE UPON AUGUSTA — BATTLE OF AIKEN — THANKS OF GOV- ERNOR M'GRATH — WHEELER AGAIN SAVES AUGUSTA — ANECDOTE. On reaching South Carolina General Wheeler's command, both men and horses, were extremely fatigued and worn. For eight long months they had been either fighting Sher- man's infantry or continually on the march, daily engaging the enemy. Being without wagons or pack-mules, his troops were obliged to carry their forage and rations to camp upon horseback. For two of these months General Wheeler was behind the ■enemy's lines in North Georgia, Tennessee and the Kentucky border, with forces of the enemy much larger than his own, continually, but in vain, attempting to drive him from the •country. During the preceding five months his average marching had been over twenty miles each day, and he had swum over thirty rivers, some of them in the face of the enemy. In the several actions during the eight months' campaign, General Wheeler had captured and brought off the field over seven thousand prisoners, five pieces of artillery with caissons and battery wagons, twenty stands of colors, six hundred wagons, two thousand mules, two thousand head beef-cattle, four thousand cavalry horses, and five thousand stands of arms. 314 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. Notwithstanding this, immediately after the fall of Savan- nah, General Wheeler established with great care a line of pickets entirely circumventing the Federal army. This line commenced at the mouth of the Altamaha river, and, extend- ing along the banks of rivers and creeks, crossed the Savan- nah River at right angles near the mouth of Ebenezer Creek,, from which point it ran in a northeasterly direction, striking the coast near Grahamville. Wheeler remained in this position some three weeks, being continually engaged with the foraging and scouting parties of the enemy. General Hardee's order to General Wheeler, when Savannah was evacuated and an advance of Sherman was expected, directed him to burn all mills, rice, corn, and other provisions, as he fell back before the enemy. Wheeler felt that the exe- cution of this order would bring unnecessary distress upon the people. He therefore dispatched as follows : Near Savannah, December 24, 1864. Lieutenant-General W. J. Hardee, Charleston : Cannot the order for burning mills and rice, corn and other provisions be reconsidered ? The threats of enemy to burn and destroy all property in South Carolina are of such a character that, if we commence burning, they will feel justified in continuing. Will it not be better to give them no prov- ocation to burn ? What we would burn in Beaufort district would be of lit- tle value to enemy. J. WHEELER, Major- General. To which was made the following reply by General Har- dee's adjutant : Charleston, December 25, 1864. To Major-General Wheeler : Suspend the order for burning mills, corn, rice and other provisions for the present. H. W. Fieldin, A. A. G. On January 1st, the enemy having secured a landing at Scrivin's Ferry, marched a portion of the Twentieth Corps to Chevis, at the head of the Union causeway. General Wheeler continued engaging the advanced portion of the enemy until the 14th, keeping Generals Hardee, Beau- regard and Hill fully informed of Sherman's dispositions. CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 3 1 5 Sensational reports, similar to the following, were contin- ually made to Generals Beauregard and Hardee, indicating all sorts of movements : Charleston, January 10, 1865. Major.-Gbner.ai, Wheeler : The following telegram received from General Cobb : "Scouts report enemy two thousand strong, with wagons and artillery, marching in direction of Southwestern Georgia." T. B. Roy, A. A. G. To which General Wheeler replied : . January 12, 1865. General J. W. Hardee : The report from General Cobb, and all the other sensational reports which, appear to prevail in Georgia regarding enemy, are incorrect. My disposi- tions are such that enemy in Savannah cannot make any inland movement without my knowledge. J. Wheeler, Major-General. On the 14th, General Sherman having moved the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps to Beaufort, drove our infantry, under General McL,aws, and a portion of our cavalry from Pocotaligo. On receipt of the following dispatches, General Wheeler hastened with a portion of his troops and established his line so as to extend from the Saltkahatchie to the Savannah River, thus allowing General McLaws to retire with his command z PocoTALlGO, January 14, 1865. Major-General Wheeler : Can you come over with a division of your cavalry ? The enemy are driv- ing everything in their front and advancing rapidly. L. McLaws,* Major-General. POCOTALIGO, January 14, 1865. Major-General Wheeler : The enemy advancing on my left. Will necessitate my withdrawing. Can you come over and arrange for the establishment of your new line along by McPhersonville ? L. McLaws, Major-General. *At a reunion of Wheeler's Cavalry, held at Woodward Spring on Sep- tember 23d, 1899, Colonel A. J. McBride read from a letter received by him from General Lafayette McLaws, in July, 1895, in which General McLaws said : "Take him all in all, General Joseph Wheeler was the ablest cavalry officer in the Confederacy. He never made raids to get into the newspapers, nor did he carry a brazen trumpet to announce to the world his coming. He went straight forward, modestly, always in devoted earnestness to do as he- was ordered. ' ' 3 1 6 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. A portion of the Twentieth Corps also moved up and occu- pied Hardeeville, after a severe engagement with General Wheeler, who was finally compelled to fall back toward Rob- •ertville. At the same time the Fourteenth Corps, under General Davis, and Kilpatrick's cavalry, moved upon the right bank of the Savannah to Sister's Ferry, where Wheeler soon ascertained they were making preparations to cross into South Carolina. General Wheeler devoted a portion of his force in obstruct- ing the passes through swamps, and destroying bridges over the streams in the enemy's route. On the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th, General Wheeler engaged the enemy warmly at every favorable point, and adopted every means to retard their progress, which was slow and attended with heavy loss at every step of their advance. The Third, Eighth and Tenth Confederate Regiments, with detachments from the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Georgia, reached Macon on November 26th, and reported by General Wheeler's orders to General Beauregard, who directed the •commanding officer (Colonel Prather) to move rapidly via Dublin and strike Sherman's right flank at every favorable point. On December 4th the brigade engaged Austerhaus's -advance at Statesboro, and killed, wounded and captured 200 of his men. From Statesboro to the Canoochee River the com- mand skirmished with this column day and night. At this point the troops were directed by General Hardee to hold the bridge as long as possible before destroying it. The engage- ment was a severe one, lasting from 4 p. m. to 2 A. M. At close range, two Napoleon guns and small arms were served with deadly effect, killing and wounding, according to state- ments of prisoners, many of the enemy. At 2 o'clock, the Federals having crossed the river two miles below, the com- mand retired to King's bridge on the Ogeechee, crossed and took position in front of VonZinken's Division of State troops. At daylight VonZinken retired to our works in front of Sa- vannah, Wheeler's cavalry covering the retreat, having .■several spirited engagements with the enemy. Here General CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. 317 Hardee ordered the brigade to report to him in Savannah, and at sunup the following morning, led it in person to the railroad bridge over Salt River, and gave it the command of the works and guns at that point. This position was held until the fall of Fort McAllister, when General Hardee with- drew the command and ordered it to support General Young on the South Carolina side, who was then engaging the enemy. Two days afterward the troops were again under the immediate command of their beloved General Wheeler. General Wheeler's force numbered at this time forty-one hundred and fifty-two (4,152) effective men on the South Car- olina side, and sixteen hundred and thirty-three (1,633) on the Georgia side of the river. Immediately on- learning that Generals Davis and Kil pat- rick had completed their pontoon bridge to cross the Four- teenth Corps and cavalry over the Savannah, General Wheeler devised a plan of floating rafts and logs down the swollen stream which succeeded in breaking the bridge and precipi- tating nearly a regiment into the water, many of whom were drowned. This, together with the obstructions he had placed in advance of the Fifteenth, Seventeenth and Twentieth Corps, enabled General Wheeler by hard fighting to comply with the repeated instructions of Generals Beauregard, Har- dee and Hill (to delay the enemy's advance) much more than had been expected, giving General Beauregard time to bring Hood's army from Mississippi to South Carolina. General Sherman in his official report says : " All the roads northward had for weeks been held by Wheeler's cavalry, who had, by details of negro laborers, felled trees, burned bridges, and made obstructions to impede our march. ' ' General Wheeler had also during this time carefully con- structed a strong line of works at the Three Runs, a favorable position for defense on the Augusta road, and which, connect- ing with the line of the Saltkahatchie, made a complete line of defense in the enemy's front. 3 1 8 CAMPAIGNS OF WHEELER AND HIS CAVALRY. General Wheeler advocated the concentration of our sur- plus forces at the Three Runs, so as to have them in position to oppose an advance on Augusta, or, if necessary, move to de- feat the crossing of the Saltkahatchie, and thus be in position to fall back before the enemy should advance upon Columbia. Having been urged by General Hill at Augusta to stub- bornly resist their advance, Wheeler fought them warmly at McBride's bridge, Loper's Crossroads and on the L,awtonville road, on the ist, 2d and 3d of February, inflicting severe losses in killed and wounded, besides capturing a number of prisoners. General Hill wrote to Wheeler as follows : Headquarters District of Georgia, Jan.. 31, 1865, 4:15 p. m. Major-General Wheeler : I would like to have your views in regard to the position of the troops ar- riving. Two brigades have reached here and have been sent down to line of Briar Creek. I am inclined to think that one corps ought to be sent to you and one kept on line of Briar Creek until the movement is fully developed. It seems now to me that an attempt will be made to break through be- tween Three Runs and Saltkahatchie. If you can delay the rascals a week, all will be right. D. H. Hill, Major- General. General Wheeler replied as follows : Headquarters Cavalry Corps, 14 Mii