This morning the command is again divided into detachments and directed to operate on different roads. Colonel Rowett with one detachment of the command formed from the Seventh Illinois and Seventh Kansas, moves with full speed towards Swallows Bluff to intercept a battalion of rebels said to be crossing the Tennessee at that point. Coming up, the Colonel discovers that the guerrilla leader has already succeeded in crossing all his horses and men with the exception of about thirty who were now waiting for their raft to return. As soon as Rowett and his troopers were seen above them on the bluff, they saw at once their situation, and for the first time during our raids in West Tennessee the rebels offered us battle, being well protected by the bluff and readily aided by the more lucky portion of their command on the opposite shore, who were in easy musket range. A casual observer would not have considered their resistance altogether hopeless with these advantages in position. The Colonel discovered at once that to capture them could not be accomplished without a fierce assault. The assault is made, the enemy's resistance is determined. Showers of leaden hail come rattling on the bluff from beyond the river, but they do not check the two Sevenths. Led by the gallant and fearless Rowett they charge up the bluffs, raining a shower of bullets from their superior guns into the rebels on the other bank. Some tall, and the remainder retreat back under cover. A portion of the command with their long range muskets succeed in keeping the enemy back; while the remaining portion pay their attention to the squad under the bluffs who are soon compelled to run up the white flag. Among the number captured was a Major. We soon discovered that this battalion belonged to the regular confederate army, which accounted for the stubborn resistance. In this encounter the Seventh Kansas lost one man killed and two wounded.
The entire command now forms a junction, and with our prisoners we move on about eight miles and go into camp for the night. It soon commences to rain, threatening to be a dark dreary night for the soldier, for of course we have no shelter.
No comments:
Post a Comment