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were alone and helpless； tramping on in the darkness over an unknown
railroad track in the enemy's country； liable on the one hand to go
tumbling through some bridge or trestle； and on the other； to
possible capture or death at the hands of the guerrillas then
infesting these mountains。 Just after dark we came to a little cabin
near the track； where we made bold to ask for water； notwithstanding
the fact that to disclose ourselves to the inmates might lead to
fatal consequences。 The water was kindly given； but the owner and
his family were very much exercised lest some misfortune might befall
us near their house； and be charged to them； so they encouraged us to
move on with a frankness inspired by fear of future trouble to
themselves。
At every turn we eagerly hoped to meet the hand…car； but it never
came； and we jolted on from tie to tie for eleven weary miles；
reaching Cowan after midnight； exhausted and sore in every muscle
from frequent falls on the rough； unballasted road…bed。 Inquiry。
developed that the car had been well manned； and started to us as
ordered； and nobody could account for its non…arrival。 Further
investigation next day showed； however； that when it reached the foot
of the mountain； where the railroad formed a junction； the improvised
crew； in the belief no doubt that the University was on the main line
instead of near the branch to Tracy City； followed the main stem
until it carried them clear across the range down the Crow Creek
Valley； where the party was captured。
I had reason to remember for many a day this foolish adventure； for
my sore bones and bruised muscles； caused me physical suffering until
I left the Army of the Cumberland the next spring； but I had still
more reason to feel for my captured men； and on this account I have
never ceased to regret that I so thoughtlessly undertook to rejoin my
troops by rail； instead of sticking to my faithful horse。
CHAPTER XV。
ORDERED TO OCCUPY BRIDGEPORTA SPYTHE BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA
GENERAL THOMASTREATED TO COFFEERESULTS OF THE BATTLE。
The Tullahoma campaign was practically closed by the disappearance of
the enemy from the country north of the Tennessee River。 Middle
Tennessee was once more in the possession of the National troops； and
Rosecrans though strongly urged from Washington to continue on；
resisted the pressure until he could repair the Nashville and
Chattanooga railroad； which was of vital importance in supplying his
army from its secondary base at Nashville。 As he desired to hold
this road to where it crossed the Tennessee； it was necessary to push
a force beyond the mountains； and after a few days of rest at Cowan
my division was ordered to take station at Stevenson； Alabama； the
junction of the Memphis and Charleston road with the Nashville and
Chattanooga； with instructions to occupy Bridgeport also。
The enemy had meanwhile concentrated most of his forces at
Chattanooga for the twofold purpose of holding this gateway of the
Cumberland Mountains； and to assume a defensive attitude which would
enable him to take advantage of such circumstances as might arise in
the development of the offensive campaign he knew we must make。 The
peculiar topography of the country was much to his advantage； and
while we had a broad river and numerous spurs and ridges of the
Cumberland Mountains to cross at a long distance from our base； he
was backed up on his depots of supply； and connected by interior
lines of railway with the different armies of the Confederacy； so
that he could be speedily reinforced。
Bridgeport was to be ultimately a sub…depot for storing subsistence
supplies； and one of the points at which our army would cross the
Tennessee； so I occupied it on July 29 with two brigades； retaining
one at Stevenson； however； to protect that railway junction from
raids by way of Caperton's ferry。 By the 29th of August a
considerable quantity of supplies had been accumulated； and then
began a general movement of our troops for crossing the river。 As
there were not with the army enough pontoons to complete the two
bridges required； I was expected to build one of them of trestles；
and a battalion of the First Michigan Engineers under Colonel Innis
was sent me to help construct the bridge。 Early on the 3ist I sent
into the neighboring woods about fifteen hundred men with axes and
teams； and by nightfall they had delivered on the riverbank fifteen
hundred logs suitable for a trestle bridge。 Flooring had been
shipped to me in advance by rail； but the quantity was insufficient；
and the lack had to be supplied by utilizing planking and weather…
boarding taken from barns and houses in the surrounding country。 The
next day Innis's engineers； with the assistance of the detail that
had felled the timber； cut and half…notched the logs； and put the
bridge across； spanning the main channel； which was swimming deep；
with four or five pontoons that had been sent me for this purpose。
On the 2d and 3d of September my division crossed on the bridge in
safety； though we were delayed somewhat because of its giving way
once where the pontoons joined the trestles。 We were followed by a
few detachments from other commands； and by nearly all the
transportation of McCook's corps。
After getting to the south side of the Tennessee River I was ordered
to Valley Head； where McCook's corps was to concentrate。 On the 4th
of September I ascended Sand Mountain； but had got only half way
across the plateau； on top； when night came； the march having been a
most toilsome one。 The next day we descended to the base； and
encamped near Trenton。 On the l0th I arrived at Valley Head； and
climbing Lookout Mountain； encamped on the plateau at Indian Falls。
The following day I went down into Broomtown Valley to Alpine。
The march of McCook's corps from Valley Head to Alpine was in
pursuance of orders directing it to advance on Summerville； the
possession of which place would further threaten the enemy's
communications； it being assumed that Bragg was in full retreat
south； as he had abandoned Chattanooga on the 8th。 This assumption
soon proved erroneous； however； and as we； while in Broomtown Valley；
could not communicate directly with Thomas's corps； the scattered
condition of the army began to alarm us all； and McCook abandoned the
advance to Summerville； ordering back to the summit of Lookout
Mountain such of the corps trains as had got down into Broomtown
Valley。
But before this I had grown uneasy in regard to the disjointed
situation of our army； and； to inform myself of what was going on；
determined to send a spy into the enemy's lines。 In passing Valley
Head on the l0th my scout Card； who had been on the lookout for some
one capable to undertake the task； brought me a Union man with whom
he was acquainted； who lived on Sand Mountain； and had been much
persecuted by guerrillas on account of his loyal sentiments。 He knew
the country well； and as his loyalty was vouched for I asked him to
go into the enemy's camp； which I believed to be near Lafayette； and；
bring me such information as he could gather。 He said such a journey
would be at the risk of his life； and that at best he could not
expect to remain in that section of country if he undertook it； but
that he would run all the chances if I would enable him to emigrate
to the West at the end c f the 〃job；〃 which I could do by purchasing
the small 〃bunch〃 of stock he owned on the mountain。 To this I
readily assented； and he started on the delicate undertaking。 He
penetrated the enemy's lines with little difficulty； but while
prosecuting his search for information was suspected； and at once
arrested and placed under guard。 From this critical situation he
escaped； however； making his way through the enemy's picket…line in
the darkness by crawling on his belly and deceiving the sentinels by
imitating the grunts of the half…wild； sand…colored hogs with which
the country abounded。 He succeeded in reaching Rosecrans's
headquarters finally； and there gave the definite information that
Bragg intended to fight； and that he expected to be reinforced by
Longstreet。
By this time it was clear that Bragg had abandoned Chattanooga with
the sole design of striking us in detail as we followed in pursuit；
and to prevent his achieving this purpose orders came at 12 o'clock；
midnight； for McCook to draw in toward Chattanooga。 This could be
done only by recrossing Lookout Mountain； the enemy's army at
Lafayette now interposing between us and Thomas's corps。 The
retrograde march began at once。 I moved back over the mountain on
the 13th and 14th to Stevens's Mills； and on the 15th and 16th
recrossed through Stevens's Gap； in the Lookout range； and encamped
at its base in McLamore's cove。 The march was made with all possible
celerity； for the situation was critical and demanded every exertion。
The ascent