Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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WAR S'l AVh.eeler\s Cavalry in 1.81 Vi'tvah' ir. C. ?toil. A lew years ago I was in thc beautiful Scquachcc Valley, Tennes see, and as I stood on an eminence admiring thc beauties of the landscape I was impressed with the peace and quiet of thc scene, and could scirccly realize that "war's rude alarms" had ever broken in upon this almost Sab bath like stillness. Yet I remember ed when thirty-five years before, the ragged and reckless rough-riders of thc South had herc mci thc hardy horsemen of thc North and thc clash of sabers and bark of carbines and rc- , volvers had reverberated up and down j this now tranquil valley, while tb? artillery sang deep h:iss tn tho rest, nf thc music. j The victory gained at thc battle of Chickamauga was a barren one to thc Confederates, for thc policy of light ing and retreating which was inaugu rated at Shiloh and terminated at thc surrender again prevailed. Here, as at 1'orryville and Mur frccsboro and thc Qghting incident thereto, our cavalry was conspicuous for its prowess. Forrest was thanked by resolution of the Confederate Con- i gross for his valuable services in con tributing to the victory, while Wheel er, no less distinguished, killed and wounded many of tho enemy, captured eighteen stands of colors and moro prisoners than he had men engaged, besides one hundred wagons and teams and other property. After tho battle Wheeler was order ed to cross the Tennessee Hiver and operate in thc rear of Rosecran's army and if possible destroy his communi cations. So worn out were both men and horses that his subordinate offi cers deemed it impracticable to at tempt to execute thc order, aud thc commanders of thrco brigades entered solemn protest against their troops being called upon for further duty until given time to recuperate from previous hard service. Cavalry offi cers of experience asserted that half thc force would be lost from sheer inability to travel and oven predicted that thc entire command would bc sacrificed. General Forrest was also ordered to take his commaud and move into Ten nessee to co operate with General Wheeler, but as he objected to under taking tho expedition, he was ordered by General Bragg to turn over to Wheeler a part of his force, which order Forrest obeyed very reluctantly, ho claiming that his men were short of ammunition, that thc horses had scarcely been unsaddled for a week and needed shoeing, and that neither horses nor riders were in coudition fur service. Probably no enterprise of such mag nitude was ever undertaken iu thc face of more appalling obstacles-au exhausted command with limited am munition for both artillery and small arms, too faraway from the main army to secure supplies; ina depicted coun try, with Burnside threatening his rear and flank, the Tennessee River io his front, guarded by a force superior to his own, thc Cumberland Moun tains and Walden's Ridge beyond, all combined to present a picture of mott disheartening difficulties. Rut iu the face of all these discour agements thc "War Child of tho Con federacy" knew no rule of conduct ex cept obedience to orders, and at day light on thc morning of September 30th ho crossed thc river at Cotton port under lire, and with a portion of Iiicommand charged thc enemy and drove him toward the Cumberland Mountains, capturing nearly a hun dred prisoners, thc gallant Colonel Jim Hagan, of the Third Alabama., lcadiug thc charge about thirty yards in front of his regiment. Late in the afternoon tho two bri gades from Forrest's command arrived, under Generals Davidson and Ann strong, consisting of six small battal ions and "four fragments of regiments. Wheeler's force thus augmented num bered not quite v?,800 men, which he organized into three divisions under Brigadier Generals Wharton, Martin and Davidson. At dusk in a drenching rain the column was put in motion toward Walden's Ridge. About 10 o'clock. General Wheeler being in advance with staff and escort, encountered in the extreme darkness a regiment of Fedora! cavalry, which he charged and drove in confusion, wounding a few and capturing ten prisoners. With great difficulty thev toiled up the mountain and next day (Ootobcr 1st) reached Sequaohce Valley. Here Wheeler's excol?ont judgment suggested that greater damage could be inflicted on Rosecrans by first de stroying the huge wagon trains and stores of supplies in tho rear and vicinity of Chattanooga. Generals Wharton nod Martin, both singly and together, came to beg him pot io ven turo in such near proximity to the DRIES. Seqiiacheo Valley in [>o. ?toil in Atlanta Journal. Federal army of probably 70,000 mon, ; insisting that nothing but ccrtaiu dis aster could result. Notwithstanding these pleadings and thc fact that by this time men aud horses were almost completely ex hausted, Wheeler selected 1,800 of thc best mounted men and took thc saddle at 2 o'clock on thc morning of the second of October to scour the valley in search of his prey, while the remainder of the command was order ed to move slowly over thc mountains in thc dircotion of McMinnvillc. After marching abott' six miles with his escort and advance guard he cap tured '52 wagons, 200 mules and horses , and a number of prisoners. These he turned over to thc Fourth Alabama Cavalry, which, with the men detailed to guard his rear and Hank, left his loree less than 1,000 strong. With these he pushed on down thc valley, and al about .sunrise a column of thc enemy was encountered which he charged and drove from every position they attempted to hold. Upon arriving at Anderson's Cross l?o-ida a magnificent spectacle was pre sented. Upon the level valley as far as the eye could reach, and well up thc mountain side, thc white tops of an immense wagon train could bc seen. But it was guarded by a brigade of cavalry in front, one in rear, and di rectly opposite our small force was a brigade of infantry supported by ca airy. Reference was made in one of my previous articles to Wheeler's audaci ty, and herc would seem to be another evidence of it, fur to attack a forco two or three times his own was appar ently little short of rashness; but then some of tho must notable victories of history have been won by apparent rashness. And further, ho knew the men he had with bim and knew that they could bc depended upon to ride into an army corps with as reckless abandon as they would attack a regi ment. Tho prizo to be gained, however, equaled thc risk of the undertaking, and dividing thc command into three columns Wheeler charged most furi oa.ily, riding down both infantry and cavalry; but tho resorves being favor ably posted gave a temporary check. For nearly two hours tho enemy stub bornly resisted. But by adopting tho Napoleonic tactics of Jackson in his valley of Virginia campain, of attack ing each column in detail aud giving them no time to concentrate. Wheeler at last succeeded in routing the enemy and had them whipped before they knew it, capturing thc entire train and about 1,000 prisoners. Might hours were now consumed in selecting and sending to thc rear such articles as mules, horses, wa.ons, etc , as cuuld bc carried off, in thoroughly destroying thc remainder of thc wagons and contents, and in sabreing and shooting thousands of mules which wcro not needed. No accurate estimate could bc made of the number of wagons or thc value of the property captured, as no one person saw thc entiro train. The Federal quartermaster in charge show ed by his papers that there were SOO six mule irovornmcnt wagons, loaded with all kinds of quartermaster, com missary, ordnaucc and medical stores, besides a large number of sutler and other prtvnto vehicles. Some of the Federal newspapers represented it as tho richest train captured during the war and inflicting thc heaviest loss of the kind ever sustained by tho Fed eral army. The destruction of tho ordnance train of some 300 wagons presented a fearful spectacle-tho noise of burst ing shells and boxes of ammunition so resembling tho souud of battlo as to astonish and alarm tho Federuls in ('haltanonga, who were in doubt as to thc cause until the ascending clouds of smoke revealed to them that the food and ammunition upon which almost thc vitality of their army de pended was being destroyed. A suc coring force sent out by Koaccraus was driven back and thc position held un til thc work of destruetiou was com plete. As usual, this work of carnage and bloodshed waa not without its amusing incidents, one of which I will ask space to relate: In one of Wheeler's brigades were two regiments of Texas Hangers (Eighth and Eleventh Texas,) and without the \ca>t disparagement to other regiments of brave men, 1 must say that I bclicvo tho Eighth Texas cavalry was the Gm st fighting machino in our army. They were superb riders, and their feats of horse manship would equal many of those exhibited in tho wild west shows of to-day. lt was no uncommon trick for a whole company to plaoo their hats on tie ground and then riding ful' tilt p ok thom up without dismounting. .Scorning sabres and carbines they car ried from two io four revolvers, and in charging would scarcely ever lire a shot until within fifty yard? of the enemy, and so unerring was their aim that nearly every bullet fouud its mark. Thero were probably tomo things in heaven or earth of which they were afraid, but all fear of men with blue uniforms on, no matter what thc number, had loug since passed away from them. And now, even at thc risk of spoil ing a popular illusion, that thc best soldiers arc thc most moral and obedi ent ones, I must admit that these meu were impatient of restraint and past masters in the art of foraging, and in such scenes as I have been describing they were in their glory. lu over hauling thc sutler wagons they carno across (in addition to a few bottles of "make happy como" and other thinge) some Gue broadcloth dre-s coats and paper collara. Being ever ready for a fight or a frolic, they at once "shuck ed" their gray jackets and proceeded to adorn themselves with thc new fin ery. Arrayed in swallow-tailed coate and high standing collara over shirts which had not been washed in weeks, and pants with rents at the knees and conspicuous abrasions made by long contact with the saddle, .hose original rough riders presented a spectacle about as ludicrous as can be imagined. While destroying I he wagon train in Scquachcc Valley Wheeler sent oil most of his cu ....maud with thc captur ed mule?, horses, wagons etc., only retaining a small force to protect him should a new enemy approach. While withdrawing this rearguard late iu the afternoon ho was attacked by an over whelming force from two directions, which he resisted as he fell back until dark. By 10 o'clock next morning he had traveled -10 miles ai 1 was lead ing thc column which had passed di rectly over Cumberland Mountains, in an attack on thc fortifications at Mc Minnvillo. After a short fight these works were cirried, and an immense depot of sup plies, 250 horses, a train of wagons, a locomotive and largo train of cars, and 587 prisoners fell into our hands. The bridges over Hurricane Creek and Collins River we're also destroyed. From McMinnvillc thc command movod toward thc Nashvillc and Chat tanonga railroad, intending to attack Murfrcesboro, but thc fortifications being too strong for our small force, a stockade and garrison in the suburbs were captured and thc railroad bridge over Stone river destroyed. Tearing up the track as bc went, Wheeler moved on Wartrace, Chris tiana and Fosterville, capturing stock ades and garrisons and burning bridges. Thence he marched on Shel byville, whore he captured a largo quantity of stores, the garrison having beaten a hasty retreat the night pre vious. The garrison at Columbia also retreated rapidly toward Nashville after destroying their stores. At Shelbyvi'lc there were a number of stores well filled with dry goods, shoes and miscellaneous merchandise. As theso were operated by Northern men-no Southern man being allowed to engag? in business without taking thc oath of allegiance-they were con sidered contraband of war and their contents emptied into thc streets. Calicoes, flannels, shoes, etc., were freely distributed to ' thc ladies, who had everywhere greeted our men with their smiles and waving handkerchiefs; and some of tho boys exchanged ealico for kisses and "g mds wero de livered" freely by both parties, if not without blushes on tho part of the ladies;. As may be imagined, Wheeler had by this time raised a hornet's nesi, and Stanley's corps, consisting of thi commands of Generals George Crook Mitchell and MoCook, wero fighting our rear, but with little damage to th< Confederates, and frequently witt considerable loss to themselves. . Thc design of the expedition having beet fully accomplished beyond the expeo talion of thc most sanguino, Wheele: commenced his return toward thc Ten nessco River, followed by an over whelming force of Federal cavalry. A part >f the latter under Genera Crook surprised and defeated Genera Davidson, capturing a number of pris oners. Wheeler, who was travelling : dilferent road, hearing of tho disastor moved rapidly to Farmington, am placing his troops in position acr> ? the pike, allowed Davidson's oommam to pass through to thc rear. Crook's men, exultant at their sue cess over Davidson, whom they ha pursued for eight hours, carno forwar with bold frout, but wero met wit grape and cauistcr from our artillery and a destructive fire of small arm from the 51st Alabama Partisan Raaf ors (my regiment.) which checke their progress and emptied ?any saddle. Tho enemy reformed and a( vanccd again, this lime within fi yards of our linc, but were again un with a raking fire 5rom Humes' arti lory, and driven hank by a charge ( tho First and Third. Alabama, third assault was made in a la-t de pcratc effort to capture our artiller; coming this limo within 30 feet of i And then came the oldroliahlo E'ghl Texas, with General Wharton at the head, in a ch??rff?? furious that not ing could withstand it. Tins ended thc engagement, and s< stunning was the blow Crook had rc cc?ved that he advanced no further during thc day, and was content to re tire and bury his dead and care for bia wounded. Our loss here was 43, in cluding killed, wounded and missing. Thc Federal loss, according to their own reportj, was 29 killed and 159 wounded. Among tho former was Colonel Monroe, commanding brigade, who was shot with a revolver hy Major Humes within 30 feet of thc latter's guns. On thc 10th of October Wheeler crossed thc Tennessee Rivar at Mus sel Shoals in presence ef a force four times his own, carrying safely over all of bis captures, and about 3,000 re cruits for his own and other com mands. This ended one of the most successful raids of the war, and in some respects O'JC of the most remarkable in kistory. The command was absent ten days and in that time traveled about 300 miles, and ^e .e Ugh ti og nearly every hour. Our entire loss, as shown by official reports, was 3 officors and 29 privates killed, 13 officers and 93 privates wounded, and 9 officers and 171 pri vates captured. And now, ever true to my sympathy for the private soldier, I must relate a most touching incident, showing how one of them met his last enemy. In my reference to thc Texas Rang ers I do ont wish to he understood as meaning that they were in any seuse lawless desperadoes. They were, it is true, men of desperate courage, but they were for thc most part of excel lent families, and men or sous of men of prominence and influence in their native State. General Hardec allowed his son to joiu thc Eighth Texas and he was killed, I think, at thc battle of Benton ville. In one of the several charges made by this regiment a handsome young trooper fell mortally wounded while riding near the head of the column. No "comrade stood beside him as his lifo blood ebbed away," and BO priest was present to shrive his soul. But as hia comrades dashed past him they heard his voice raised in fervent pray er, as he commended his soul to the God who gave it. Thc charge was a brilliant and successful one, and the death of their comrade was fully avenged, but there were tears mingled with the shouts of victory. Col. Ingraham's Funeral. Col. Prentiss Ingraham, novelist, ex-Confederate officer, hero of several wars and an adventurous spirit gener ally, had the floor. "Yes," he said, in response to an inquiry. "I was buried jast back of z little church in Mari, ta, Ga." "Alive?" asked a horrified listener. "They didn't think I was at the time," laughed thc colonel, "ballet me explain. I was soldiering then for the lost caase, and in the course of my duties I slipped away one night quito unbeknownst, as it were, to do some secret service work. The next morning a shell from a Federal cannon came over my way and exploded right in front of a man on my horse, with D. 8. VANDIVEU. Vandiv* GENERAL a - A* JOBBERS OP Ii you want to Save Money on Flour, Coffee, Tobacco a? Wo would bc glad to serve you, aud fe splendid line ol' STAPLE DRY 60 Including many pairs of Fine Sample I gain. \ Your trade will bo highly upprecii D. 8. VAN DIVER. J. J. M Vandiver Br We Iiave thc Largest, liest and C BTJC3 W-A-C Wo have ever carried in Stock, and wc on thun. We have some Special Jobi that v would be glad to show them to you ant Givo U3 a call. Wc will be-glad t Respectful! VANDIVER B ?BHiiSHBnaRfiHBWaMtyMWi?ii?i?* thc result that there wero only t-craps of him left. Naturally enough, my friends thought it was I, as the horse was still recognizable, and they had a funeral, at which I was a leading character, hut did Dot even do a think ing part. My Bieters were notified pf my death and just back of the little church was a grave with a headstone bearing ai inscription including my name and a date or two. Which was a good deal more than most soldiers got, at that time. Of course, I didn't know anything about all this, and when my work was finished, which was in about ten days, I returned to cimp. I got there about dusk and headed for a tent where we did our eating, such as it was, and the first man I met was Jake, our colored boy who was going into the tent with a two-bushel basin of soup occupying both his hands. 11 'Hello. Jake, says I, never jink ing aboat anything but the soup's savory smell. "But Jake didn't saya word. He just stared at me for an instant, turn ed a grayish white and dove headfore most into the tent, hurling thc soup basin before him and scattering its contents over a half dozen officers sit ting around thc table. I was close on his heels, and as they looked up in surprise at the sudden shower of soup and the unceremonious entry of Jake, they saw me, and with a Binathercd sort of yell, they began tumbliag oeer each other, upset the table and tho tent and for the next ten minutes there was tho biuindest mix-up yuu ever saw. " I couldn't understand what it all meant, but I had sense enough to know that somebody would be hurt io the wreck anlcss help came pretty soon, and I took a hand at getting matters into shape. By doing this I had a chance to catoh hold of an offi cer or two whs couldn't get away, and when they found I wasn'ta ghost they grew calmer and began to explain. That was easy enough, you know, when things were quieter and we had pulled Jake ?ut from the bottom and restored him to consciousness, for the darkey had collapsed entirely. Ton know, darkies have no use for ghosts. "They told me the story of the man being killed on my horse, and think ing it was I, they had buried me and had a rc?l funeral sermon by a preach er who lived in Marietta. Next day they showed me the grave, and it made me feel a little bit queer to look at ;t, but I wrote to my Bisters explaining that the report of my death was a mis take, and they wrote me that they had gone into mourning for me, but I needn't worry on that account, as the b?aok dresses could be trimmed in ? colors and still be useful. . You see, ! they were disposed to have fun with I me when they found I was all right. What newspapers were in existence had nioe notioes of me, and the pleas ant things said about me in letters of condolence to the family really made me quite satisfied that something had happened to call forth such expres sions." Prickly Ash Bitters cures tho kid neys, regulates the liver, tones up the stomach and purifies thc bowels. Evans Pharmacy. E. P. VANDIVER. Bros. 1ERCHANTS GROCERIES, ? oilier Heavy Groceries, el confident of .pleasing. We have a ODS AND SHOES, Shoes that we will sell at a great bar Eitpd. Yours for more-trade, VANDIVER BROS. [AJOR. E. P. V ANDIvKR. os. & Major. Sheapest line of IOIES, mid be glad to make you a close price fe will sell you below their v'hlue, and 1 give.you our price. io show you through our Stock. Iv, ROTHERS & MAJOR. LONG LOOK AHEAD nan thinks it ie when the matter of lite trance suggests itself-but circumstan of late have shown how life hangs by a sad when war, flood, hurricane and fire denly overtakes you, and the only way ie ?< uro th ax your fnmi?y is protected in ) of calamity overtaking y"o ia tn in i in a solid Company like e Mutual Benefit Life Ins. Oo. )rop in and see us about it. WU M. MATTTtaON. STATE AGEBT, plea' Bank Building, ANDfeJteoN, 8? 0. Tho Kind You Have Always Bought? and which bas h?ea in uso for over 30 years, has borne the signature of and lias been made under his per sonal supervision since ?ts Infancy. Allow no one to deceive you in this. All Counterfeits, Imitations ami "Just-ae-good" aro hut Experiments that trifle with and endanger the health of Infants and Children-Experience against Experiment* What is CASTOR 8 A Cafeteria is a harmless substitute for Castor Oil? Pare goric, Drops and Soothing Syrups. It ls Pleasant? It contains neither Opium. Morphine nor other Harcotto substance. Its age is its guarantee. It destroys Worms and allays Feverishness. It cures Diarrhoea and Wind Colic. It relieves Teething Troubles, cures Constipation and Flatulency. It assimilates the Food, regulates the Stomach and Bowels, giving healthy and natural sleep? rm,, iii.ji.,-,..,,._,_rm-_ T?? _ A?. m-J>-4 .?.MU vutiui .;>i a J. ?lucicui- JLUU MV?/UC* O JC IICUVU GENUINE CASTOR IA ALWAYS Bears the Signature of The. KM You Have Always Bought In Use For Over 30 Years. THC OKMTAUR COMPANY, TT UUniUT CTOCCT, RCUf YORK CITY. Grass Killers! A good General always surveys his field well before going into aotioa. Just so with the s ucees Bf ul Farmer. He examines carefully all of tho latest and most improved Implements on the market, and then selects the batt, knowing that the yield of hia harvest will depend upon tho care and diligence exercised in planting and cultivating his crop. His best judgment naturally directa him to patronize that Firm that ha? made a success of the Farm Implement business. That Firm whoso judgment has been perfected by its many years of experience. That Firm with who? high quality and genuine merit are matters of first consideration. That Firm whose good reputation is at stake, and who offers for sale only such lupia menta aa have been fully teated and caa bc thoroughly relied upon, euch as The Genuine Original Brooks Cotton Planters, mado of very best mate rial, and easiest handled Planter on the market. All "so-called" improve ments that have been made on this Planter have proven short-lived failures, aud to-day the genuine old original Brooks Planter stands without a peer. Dow Law Plantera ! Thoroughly well made, aod of tho most approved pattern. Terrell and Hornau Harrows ! GrasB killers and cultivators whose equals havo never yet been found. Imperial Disc Harrows ! Best constructed and lightest draft Harro sra on tho markst. Cotton Hoes, with perfectly tempered blades, made of very finest quality steel, and with straight, well finished, properly seasoned handles. Every Hoc perfectly set and of a quality above comparison. A solid oar load of th&fe Hoes just received. . SULLIVAN HARDWARE CO. GARDEN SEED. Buist aiicl berry's. Remember when you go to get your Seed to get fresh ones. As this is our first year in the Seed business we have no seed carried over from last year. Yours, F. B. GRAYTON & CO. Near the Post Office._" _ HARRIS LITHIA WATER Is the strongest natural Lithia Water in the United States! Which is shown by the analysis and testimonials f ora the most noted Physi cians of the country. Read what Major 8. 8. Kirkland, who is known bj almost every one in South Carolina : . EDCJEFIELD S. C., Amit, 12, IMO. Mn J 'T. HARRIS-Dear 8lr : I truly feel so grateful for the benni! s deny** from Htrris Lit tun Water tba', were I ablo, I would like to ereot a monument tv corrrmemoratH it? virtues and curative powers. For over thirty yearn I havo benn a Tearful Bufferer from what i* knoTrn s" fh ?tltls or Catarrh of the bladder and enlargement of tb* prostrate gland, caused iV*>i* exposure and hard horseback rldinar duri-ir ??ti? wi- .. I nineo, too. My bladdtr ?.? constantly in a dreadful state of irritate-., VAII-VMU < . ??mtunt desiri? to urinate, par* tlcularlv during tho night. My url- o .,: -, VHCV d uk color, and thick with mu cus and deposits ; aomatloif ft aa dark a . mv ?t fo t i fe lyo or black oipper and of a very disagreeable Odor. I consulted mv pbvMlciaos. Home of thom, the moat prominent In the South, aud I believo thev did all they could; bnt I never experience! tb? eiigbtost benefit from their advino, old remedien and new remedies wera u??? Every known remedy I believe waa luken by me and, besides, varlnn? mineral wt "tern, but to no t et. and for vears ? utruguled along; and I truly believe tin'. f<* over tbirtv ye?r* I did notonjoy ten consecutive days free from pal i or ann ?ynntt from thia dreadful disease of my bladder, until finally about two or three yo irs ago I letdown and had to sive up my profession (civil engineering.) I had about in cluded to "throw up tho aponga" and at rugado no longer, whoo friends urged mo to trv Harris LUh'o Spring*, which I ti a al ty oonoluded tn do, more bv Wav cir. oblli;ir? intere ted friendn than for any great gond that I expected from tho wtt^r.". I caro* to tho Springe, reaching t h. rn about tho middle of .Ton", tired, sick nu 1 "with I h j* faith, but determined to gtvo the waters a fait ?nd an honest trial, which 1.ii iii. And I eau truth tidy and honest Iv ?tato tha' I wa? well rewarded fer HO doing, for tetfivO I lea there I ?dopt 8nundl.v and was nra t v disturbed by calla of in tura. I wis, for tho ?r-t timi? tn ovor 25 y oars, parsing clear, healthy water-'.he reaultof the ure* and wonderful ouratlvH power? of Hurris LittblH Water. Too muon cannot boulia for this great health restoring fountain of nature. .Yon are. 8.e?>tlemon. at iIber tv to refer to mo aa ta tho great healing propon=itE Ol' your Harris Lithia Water. I havo known of a number of other turtles who aa* have fouud great relief from thia Water. . Youra verv trnly, S. ?. KIBKIiAND. We guarantee that ono glass pf Hat ria Lithia Carbonated Water ?ft relieve any. cato of indigestion in ono minute's time pr money ri fi idled, or a taken at ter ?each meal will cure the most stubbo*-^ cn*e of indigestion. Why will you sufTer"when you have thia guarantee ? The Harm Lithio's Ginger Alo is superior to any other Ale on the mar ket, becaue it ia made from tbe famous Harris lu thia, and you receive A* benefi'8 nf the Water beatdfs getting the beat Alo, EVANS PHARMACY nan nupplv you with the Water in any qu?nlnf HARRIS LITHIA WATES CO? Harris Spring, S. a