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push him so far back into Georgia that interior means of
communication would give the Confederate Government the opportunity
of quickly joining a part of his force to that of General Johnson in
Mississippi。
At this stage； and in fact prior to it； Rosecrans seemed to manifest
special confidence in me； often discussing his plans with me
independent of the occasions on which he formally referred them for
my views。 I recollect that on two different occasions about this
time he unfolded his designs to me in this informal way； outlining
generally how he expected ultimately to force Bragg south of the
Tennessee River； and going into the details of the contemplated move
on Tullahoma。 His schemes； to my mind； were not only comprehensive；
but exact； and showed conclusively； what no one doubted then； that
they were original with him。 I found in them very little to
criticise unfavorably； if we were to move at all； and Rosecrans
certainly impressed me that he favored an advance at an early day；
though many of his generals were against it until the operations on
the Mississippi River should culminate in something definite。 There
was much； fully apparent in the circumstances about his headquarters；
leading to the conviction that Rosecrans originated the Tullahoma
campaign； and the record of his prior performances collaterally
sustains the visible evidence then existing。 In my opinion； then；
based on a clear recollection of various occurrences growing out of
our intimacy； he conceived the plan of the Tullahoma campaign and the
one succeeding it； and is therefore entitled to every credit that
attended their execution； no matter what may be claimed for others。
On the 23d of June Bragg was covering his position north of Duck
River with a front extending from McMinnville； where his cavalry
rested； through Wartrace and Shelbyville to Columbia； his depot being
at Tullahoma。 Rosecrans； thinking that Bragg would offer strong
resistance at Shelbyvillewhich was somewhat protected by a spur of
low mountains or hills； offshoots of the Cumberland Mountains
decided to turn that place； consequently； he directed the mass of the
Union army on the enemy's right flank； about Manchester。
On the 26th of June McCook's corps advanced toward Liberty Gap； my
divisions marching on the Shelbyville pike。 I had proceeded but a
few miles when I encountered the enemy's pickets； who fell back to
Christiana； about nine miles from Murfreesboro'。 Here I was assailed
pretty wickedly by the enemy's sharpshooters and a section of
artillery； but as I was instructed to do nothing more than cover the
road from Eagleville； over which Brannan's division was to approach
Christiana； I made little reply to this severe annoyance； wishing to
conceal the strength of my force。 As soon as the head of Brannan's
column arrived I marched across…country to the left； and encamped
that night at the little town of Millersburg； in the vicinity of
Liberty Gap。 I was directed to move from Millersburg； on Hoover's
Gapa pass in the range of hills already referred to； through which
ran the turnpike from Murfreesboro' to Manchesterbut heavy rains
had made the country roads almost impassable； and the last of my
division did not reach Hoover's Gap till the morning of June 27；
after its abandonment by the enemy。 Continuing on to Fairfield； the
head of my column met； south of that place； a small force of
Confederate infantry and cavalry； which after a slight skirmish
Laiboldt's brigade drove back toward Wartrace。 The next morning I
arrived at Manchester； where I remained quiet for the day。 Early on
the 29th I marched by the Lynchburg road for Tullahoma； where the
enemy was believed to be in force； and came into position about six
miles from the town。
By the 31st the whole army had been concentrated； in spite of many
difficulties； and though； on account of the heavy rains that had
fallen almost incessantly since we left Murfreesboro'； its movements
had been slow and somewhat inaccurate； yet the precision with which
it took up a line of battle for an attack on Tullahoma showed that
forethought and study had been given to every detail。 The enemy had
determined to fall back from Tullahoma at the beginning of the
campaign； however； and as we advanced； his evacuation had so far
progressed that when； on July 1。 We reached the earthworks thrown。
up early in the year for the defense of the place； he had almost
wholly disappeared； carrying off all his stores and munitions of war
except some little subsistence and eleven pieces of artillery。 A
strong rearguard remained to cover the retreat； and on my front the
usual encounters between advancing and retreating forces took place。
Just before reaching the intrenchments on the Lynchburg road； I came
upon an open space that was covered by a network of fallen trees and
underbrush； which had been slashed all along in front of the enemy's
earthworks。 This made our progress very difficult； but I shortly
became satisfied that there were only a few of the enemy within the
works； so moving a battalion of cavalry that had joined me the day
before down the road as rapidly as the obstructions would permit； the
Confederate pickets quickly departed； and we gained possession of the
town。 Three siege guns； four caissons； a few stores； and a small
number of prisoners fell into my hands。
That same evening orders were issued to the army to push on from
Tullahoma in pursuit； for； as it was thought that we might not be
able to cross Elk River on account of its swollen condition； we could
do the enemy some damage by keeping close as possible at his heels。
I marched on the Winchester road at 3 o'clock on the 2d of July and
about 8 o'clock reached Elk River ford。 The stream was for the time
truly an impassable torrent； and all hope of crossing by the
Winchester ford had to be abandoned。 Deeming that further effort
should be made； however； under guidance of Card； I turned the head of
my column in the direction of Alisona； marching up the river and
nearly parallel with it till I came to Rock Creek。 With a little
delay we got across Rock Creek； which was also much swollen； and
finding a short distance above its mouth a ford on Elk River that
Card said was practicable； I determined to attempt it： Some of the
enemy's cavalry were guarding this ford； but after a sharp little
skirmish my battalion of cavalry crossed and took up a strong
position on the other bank。 The stream was very high and the current
very swift； the water ； tumbling along over its rocky bed in an
immense volume； but still it was fordable for infantry if means could
be devised by which the men could keep their feet。 A cable was
stretched across just below the ford as a lifeline for the weaker
ones； and then the men of the entire division having secured their
ammunition by placing the cartridge…boxes on their shoulders； the
column pushed cheerfully into the rushing current。 The men as