Houston Tri-Weekly Telegraph
July 24, 1863

Alexandria, Tenn.,
April, 13th, 1863.

Editor Telegraph:
During our last few days on the wing we had daily skirmishes with larger forces of the enemy. But this was too monotonous for Wharton's brigade. An expedition of more peril and daring was on foot in the direction of Lebanon. On Sunday, the 5th, the Rangers took up the line of march. The wagon train was left in camp near Shelbyville. The old regiment, including those on detached service, numbered about 500. The day was clear and mild, and all were in buoyant spirits. We pass via Wartrace to Fairfield, bivouac near by for the night. Monday morning at daylight finds us all in readiness, and soon the column is in motion, accompanied by White's battery, commanded by Lieut. Aruther Pue. Our road lies through narrow, but beautiful valleys and romantic hills. Everywhere the farmers are busy with the implements left them in preparing for planting. About 11 o'clock we reach Pocahontas, twenty-eight and a half miles from Shelbyville. This Tennessee town must be noticed. It consists of four cross roads, a small tree standing at the point where they intersect, and upon it there are four guide boards, all turned upside down. Near by stands a frame house about fifteen feet square, with the weather-boarding all torn off. This, with a farm house about 300 yards distant, compose all the improvements.

Our stay was brief. Thence six miles to Jacksboro' where we take the Smithfield road, two miles, and spend the night. We have thus far carried our forage in the wagons.

[. . .]

It is rumored that the abolitionists are in strong force in our front and pressing Col. Smith's regiment. We send forward reinforcements, but they retire, and all is quiet.

Building camp fires for broiling meat, and also for comfort, our encampment makes a beautiful appearance at night. It is frosty and very chilly for April.

Tuesday morning all are saddled up and ready to march by sunrise. Eight miles bring us to "Blugh's," on the Woodbury and McMinville road. Here we are joined by Col. Butler's 1st Ky., Col. Crew's 2d Ga., Col. Malone's 14th Ala., and Col. Smith's 4th Tenn. We are directed to await orders. About one o'clock the united command starts for Liberty. After traveling about nine miles, we are ordered to right-about and retrace our steps. Intelligence is received by Gen. Wharton, at McMinville, that the abolitionists are in heavy force at Liberty, sixteen miles from "Blugh's" The 3d Confederate and 11th Texas, which preceded us one day, had been attacked and forced to fall back beyond Snow's Hill. It was not deemed prudent to venture forward this evening. Sundown brought us back to "Blugh's." without rations or forage, and in a region entirely eaten out. It is very poor at best, but cavalrymen are accustomed to such fare, and hence make the most of it.

Next morning finds us in the same condition, and awaiting orders. About noon Maj. Gen. Wheeler and Brig. Gen. Wharton came up, and we moved forward in the direction of Liberty. Road is rough and very hilly. Men are hungry and horses very [. . .] much jaded. We reach Liberty - sixteen miles - just after dark, and here, intersecting the pike leading to Murfreesboro', and also to Lebanon, pass out four miles, and camp about nine o'clock.

This is a most beautiful country and highly cultivated, but desolated by war. We could see by the dim moonlight, that the fences on either side of the road were destroyed.

Now, it was evident an expedition of some import was on hand. "The warchild," as Wharton is called, was in the saddle again. Moreover, to-day all unsuitable horses and men, with half our wagons, were sent into camp beyond McMinville.

Reaching camp at that late hour, and finding no forage, after most of the horses had already gone sixty hours on ten ears, it was no small matter for each company to send out half its numbers to hunt up and bring in forage on horseback. At best it was very scarce. The people, as they say, "had been eaten plum out." Two union men in the neighborhood had been referred to, and we were ordered by Gen. Wharton to forage on them. As a specimen of the way this work goes, I will narrate a circumstance that came under my own observation.

Several of us mounted our jaded horses and proceeded to one of the houses indicated. Adj't John M. Claiborne was detailed to go up to the hous and inquire if a certain man lived there. Alighting, he walks to the door of the log cabin. Meeting a sad looking young lady, the Adjutant says, "Good [. . . ] evening, miss."

Young Lady — Good day, stranger.

Adjt. — Does Mr. Elisha Griffin live here?

Y. L. — No, stranger. Ain't no sich man in these parts.

Adjt. — (looking at paper with name on it: Young Lady at Papa, on bed breathing hard) — Well, Elias Griffin, then.

Y. L. — Yes: he lives here.

Adjt. — Where is he at?

Y. L. — In bed: maybe on his death bed.

Adjt. — Ah! very sorry. Has he got any thing to feed horses on?"

Y. L. — (coming towards Adjt. with hands up, saying) — Stranger, he is got a little pile of corn, a mighty little pile. Please let us keep that. Sixteen gals in family, and no more as ten barls of corn. Stranger, if you take that, we will starve.

Adjt. — Well, madam, I can't rob a woman, if her brothers are fighting to rob my family. Is that all you have got?

Y. L. — That's so, shure and sartain.

Exit Adjutant to report his proceedings to the others, awaiting with jaded and hungry steeds. In the mean time the old gentleman in bed looked the picture of death, gasping and groaning as if despairing any longer of the pleasures of earthly bliss, but seems rather tenacious of having the silver cord rent in twain.

[. . .]

The Parson, displeased a little at our ill success, hears a noise of talking at the barn, and, coming closer, discovers Confederate soldier, and hears the voice of the old woman. He makes a proposition to examine further into the matter, expressing a doubt as to the truthfulness of the statement made by the Unionists. Adjutantn, agreeing, got down and went into the barn. Loud talking by the old woman, and simpering of young ones, of whom four were present. Confederate soldier, deaf to all entreaty from young ladies and threats from old woman, with big stick, was about to come a Yankee trick by opening the lock of door by main force.

Adjt. — Gents, hold on, and let us all reason together.

Conf. Soldier. — The old gal reasons with a stick. See it there. (Eying a huge hickory, the old lady standing with back to the door and facing the foe.)

Adjt. —Good evening, madam. (Old gal made no reply. Young ladies crowd around, discover brass buttons and cap, ask if he is an officer.) How much corn have you?

The gals get away, and old lady crowds toward me. Confederate soldiers make a move for the door, and old lady, with action not suited to her years, resumes here original position on the defensive.

Old Lady. — As God is my judge, we ain't got truck enough to keep soul and body together.

Adjt. — Well, madam, if I am permitted to see, I can [. . .] assure you that not a man here shall touch your corn, and I will give you a safeguard until a letter can be gotten from Gen. Wharton.

Hesitating, he started close up to her stick, which seemed in awkward position for the simple purpose of supporting the infirmities of age. Retreating and executing a flank movement, he could see nothing, and so told the old lady, unless he had a light.

Old Lady. — You can have a candle, and look through the crack.

Exit gal after the light. Taking the candle, he looks through a small crack, and sees a small amount of corn. Madam, is this all?

O. L. — That's all, stranger; and now it's near on to forty years me and the old man's been one, and I helped to make it all, until the gals got big enough to help.

Adjt. — Madam, I am better posted in affairs than that. Where are Jim and Pete?

O. L. — (Hesitating) — They are in our army.

Adjt. — Ah! Which do you call our army? (No reply.) Madam, your boys are in Bill Stokes' Tennessee Federal Cavalry. (No reply.) And they are daily robbing women and children. They steal niggers, horses, bacon, burn, pillage and destroy, and take ladies' wardrobes. Madam, I feel it my bounden duty to reciprocate their favors as far as possible. I must have some corn.

[. . .]

Old lady with hickory at 45 degrees. Her face assumes the face of an enraged panther, saying, "You must walk over my dead body."

Young Ladies, all together, — Stranger, stranger, if you take that corn, then we beg you to kill us.

Tears streaming down their cheeks. Hardest of hearts melt. Boldest of plans defeated by such mature strategy. Exit Adjutant, with Confederate soldiers close at hand, and old lady calling for safeguard.

Horses were unfed that night. Whilst the old lady with her big stick, dying old man and crying gals haunt our dreams through the night.

Sequel. Upon inquiry, we find the old man was driving a wagon all that day, hauling away the corn. Gals were borrowed from the neighbors for the purpose. The old man had only five in family, viz., himself, old woman, hickory stick, and the aforesaid boys in the Yankee army.

A portion of the regiment got no forage, and but few had any provision. It was midnight before ready for sleep. Our Brigade is commanded by Col. Thomas Harrison, and is composed of the Rangers, 11th Texas and 3d Confederate, 1st Kentucky and White's Battery. Col. Crews commands 2d Georgia, 4th Tennessee, and 14th Alabama. This Division is commanded by Gen. Wharton. One of Morgan's Brigades, commanded by Col. Duke, consisting of three regiments and a battery, is behind us near Liberty. Gen. Wheeler commands

[. . .]

the whole. The Yankees have passed before us a few hours, the infantry and artillery going to Murfreesboro' and the cavalry to Carthage. They had some 1,000 in all. Thursday morning our Regiment leads the Brigade, and passing through this place and on within 5 miles of Lebanon where we camped. Col. Duke's Brigade comes up after dark, and soon the command is massed. We pass through a beautiful country to-day, and receive a glorious welcome by the ladies as we advance. No sonner is a camp ground selected than details are sent out for bread and forage. We had understood that Wilson county had 20,000 bushels of corn for Wharton's Brigade, and much provision. Now was our time of need, and such a gift would be most propitious. We soon found abundance, and for the first time this wek our cmap was supplied.

The Generals have headquarters at Lebanon. Being very tired we tried to get some rest, but it was emphatically a night of orders and preparation for some grand movement. At 3 o'clock the bugle roused us, and in a few moments sounded for saddling up. The whole command was soon in motion, and day found us at Lebanon. It was now the query whither we were going. The destination of the expedition was a matter known only to the Generals commanding. — Col. Duke's Brigade halted in town, and Wharton's two Brigades passed on down the Nashville pike, and circumstances seemed to indicate a tour to Kentucky. Onward we moved greatly to the astonishment of the inhabitants, for had one risen from the

[. . .]

dead they would scarcely have been more surprised than to see Confederate cavalry on the high way towards Nashville. But their actions plainly declared that they were with us in sentiment. Along the pike we see large wheat fields, and considerable preparation for planting corn.

There is no destruction of fences until within a few miles of Hermitage, where the work is complete for a good distance. But the citizens have built in places and are trying to raise bread. Although there is scarce anything left to work the land with, for the last Yankee raid swept all the horses for miles. They are mounting infantry and pressing horses every where, pretending to have captured them from our army. We halt awhile about 11 o'clock, then move forward at a brisk lope. Just before reaching the Hermitage our train is packed and guarded by a regiment. Wheeler and Wharton lead Cols. Harrison and Crews' Brigades, and leaving the pike just this side of the Hermitage, twelve miles from Nashville, we strike for the Cumberland river in a dashing style. Meanwhile, Col. Duke's Brigade passes farther down the Nashville pike to picket and guard it. This is the route our cavalry followed last fall when going into Kentucky, and we all felt assured that this was our destination. We hoped in a few days to tread once more "the dark and bloody ground" Passing within sight of the spot where the lion-hearted old hero sleeps in his grave, and around his magnificent plantation, we passed [. . .] through a most beautiful and highly cultivated section for some eight miles, when our advance reached the river at Payne's landing, ten miles from Nashville. The Rubicon was sweeping by our feet, but it was not to be crossed. The battery commanded by Lieut. Pue was admirably masked, and the advance regiments were dismounted and placed in ambush for the down train from Louisville. So admirably was the work executed that the sentinels who were pacing the railroad bridge and the Yankees occupying the stockade, never discovered our presence. The railroad here runs along the river bank. — After remaining about one and a half hours the freight train comes rushing down. Lieut. Pue opens his battery and the first shot disables the engine, and several others make it a wreck. In the meantime, the dismounted men poor volley after volley into the cars, wounding and killing the horses and cattle aboard. It seems they were shipping horses for mounted infantry. From the disturbance among the dumb animals great destruction must have been the result.

R. F. B.