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engagement for which General Garfield couldolalm any great credit, because, had he been wideawake and alive to his duty, he could have cut off and defeated the whole of General Marshall’s army, then numbering about 2,000 men. His fault was in failing to reach the point where the fight ensued in time to prevent the passage of Marshall’s anny by the only avenue it had to the Virginia line. It was a raoe between Garfield and Marshall to see who could reach the point first, and Marshall won. The forces of Garfield struck the rear of Marshall’s command just as it was crossing Middle Creek, and as General Williams held the rear, he concluded to make a stand, and giVe the Federal General a lively entertainment; so he formed a line of battle on the ridge where the road passed through the hills, and sent?word to Geueral Marshall that he needed the artillery. After some delay the battery was sent back and the fight began. It lasted several hours and was very well conducted by Garfield, considering the strong position he had to attack. His troops began firing at long range from several directions, and their firing would have been effective but for the protection of the Confederates teehind the brow of the hill. He managed, however, to enfilade the line on the right, and in that way did allnp the hill at three or four points, and under protection of the timber came within less than forty 3'ards of the Confederate line. Here ihej received one or two heavy volleys, and were foroed toretire. The Confederates had reserved their fire udtH the last moment and the opening of their guns was a fearful admonishment to the Federals. He withdrew his forces just about dark, and leftGeneral Williams still in command of the position. When the charge was being made, it is told of General WilllamBthat ire rode up behind Colonel Caudill, who was a preacher and said: “Hold your fire. Ben. Let ’em get out of the brush; see the whites of their eyes; trust iu the God of battles and give ’em hell. G—d d—11 'em.”Garfield’s attack was spirited and well made, though it came too lte. He had a superior force and ample time to intercept Marshall in his retreat from Kentucky, but he delayed and lost the opportunity. Wheu he withdrew from the field, it was no doubt his belief that he would find the Confederates holding the same ground in the morning, but he missed it again, as General Williams retired about 10 o’clock, under -bright moonlight, and went into camp four hours later at least fifteen miles from the battle-field. Garfield concluded not to follow, but rested upon whatever laurels were due him for having felt the rear of the rebel army on its march to Virginia. He made aB good a fight as I10 could have made under the circumstances,v but he permitted circumstances to be in favor of Old Cerro Gordo, Iand the latter was not a man to neglect an advantage.
Newspaper Details
Cincinnati Commercial
Cincinnati, Ohio, US
Sat, Jul 31, 1880
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Boyd C.
KY, USA 24 Jul 2022
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