Stones River, Battle of, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 1862-1863
servants, hospital attendants, ambulances added to the turmoil. Wounded
and riderless horses and cattle, wild with fright, rushed frantically over
the field.
While in the open ground, moving our ammunition train rapidly to the left,
it was discovered by the enemy. In my anxiety for its safety I had
already reported the importance of the train to every cavalry officer
within reach, and appealed for protection. Colonel Zahm, of the Second
Ohio Cavalry as he states in his report (official record), promised me all
possible help, and promptly formed his regiment in line for that purpose.
Major Pugh, of the Fourth Ohio Cavalry, at my request also placed his
regiment on our flank, facing the enemy. The First Ohio and the Second
East Tennessee and a battalion of the Third Ohio Cavalry were near at
hand.
Alas, when the crisis came a few minutes later they were not in position
to successfully withstand the shock. They were unprepared, and not in
brigade line. Wharton's Confederates unexpectedly appeared in great force.
His artillery opened fire furiously upon the Fourth Ohio Cavalry, and
threw the regiment into some confusion. Soon apparently his entire command
charged down upon us like a tempest, his troopers yelling like a lot of
devils. They first struck the Fourth Ohio, which could make but little
resistance. Col. Minor Millikin, the gallant commander of the First Ohio,
led a portion of his regiment in a brilliant counter charge, but had to
retire with fearful losses. In the onslaught the dear, fearless colonel,
my intimate college friend, engaged in single combat with a Texas ranger,
and was slain.
"There was no staying the Confederates. They outnumbered and outflanked
us, and, to tell the melancholy truth, our defending cavalry finally
retired in confusion to the rear and left the ammunition train to its
fate--high and dry in a corn field. As may be imagined, our teamsters, the
train guards, and the ordnance officer (yes, I must admit it), were not
left far behind in the general stampede. We fired one volley from behind
the protection of our wagons and then hunted cover in the rear of a
friendly fence and in the nearest thicket. Our teamsters outran the
cavalry. Most of them never reappeared. The Confederates began to collect
and lead away our teams and wagons, and our condition seemed desperate,
indeed, hopeless.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account