Foreseeing Hood’s intention of surging round before Knoxville, and of rebuilding the Virginia railroad from Greenville to Strawberry Plains, under the directions of General Thomas, General Stoneman concentrated the commands of Generals Burbridge and Gillem near Beans’ Station, to operate against Breckinridge, and destroy or drive him into Virginia—destroy the salt-works at Saltville, and the railroad in Virginia as far as he could go without endangering his command.
STONEMAN’S RAID INTO WESTERN VIRGINIA.
December 12–20, 1864.
General Gillem remounted his command, and General Burbridge gathered his cavalry, scattered over Kentucky, and in less than five days mounted and equipped four thousand men. The forces rendezvoused at Bean Station, General Burbridge arriving at that place on Friday, December 2, having made forced marches from Lexington.
The expedition was detained at Bean Station, in organizing the forces, obtaining supplies, munitions, &c., until December 12, during which time General Burbridge manœuvred so as to effectually deceive Vaughn, who was laying at Greenville, with sixteen hundred men. On the night of December 3, Burbridge advanced rapidly in the direction of Rogersville, as far as Mooresburg, and then fell back to Bean Station, leaving the enemy to suppose that he was about to return to Kentucky with the stock he had gathered. On the 11th General Stoneman, with General Gillem and his brigade, sixteen hundred strong, arrived at Bean Station, and early on the morning of the 12th the troops broke camp and the march began, General Gillem leading the advance and General Burbridge following with three brigades, commanded respectively by Colonels Brown, Buckley and Wade, the whole force amounting to fifty-five hundred men.
The Fight at Kingston.—Marching all night, Stoneman came upon Duke’s brigade, under Colonel Morgan, at Kingsport, about daylight on Friday, December 13, where it was drawn up to oppose the crossing of the north branch of the Holston river. Skirmishing at once began, General Gillem, with the Eighth Tennessee, engaging the enemy’s attention in front while General Stoneman sent two regiments—the Thirtieth Kentucky mounted infantry and Thirteenth Tennessee—two miles up the river to cross at Opossum ford and flank the enemy, which was successfully done. Morgan was completely surprised, not being aware of the approach of the Union forces on his flank until they charged him with a shout, routing his men in confusion, killing and wounding fifteen, and capturing eighty-five prisoners, among whom was Morgan himself. The rebels retreated in the direction of Bristol, closely pursued by General Burbridge, who marched until nightfall, when he halted, and built large fires, as if he meant to encamp for the night; but, suddenly breaking camp, he moved rapidly on Bristol, and at three o’clock in the morning the Eleventh Kentucky cavalry charged into the place with drawn sabres, surprising the garrison, and captured three hundred prisoners and a train of cars that was just starting to Richmond with the mails. The remnant of Duke’s brigade, which was encamped just out of the town, got together and joined the home guards, who were put under arms; but before either party could form the troopers were among them with their sabres, and, after some small show of resistance and a few straggling shots, Duke’s men broke, and the home guards threw down their arms and fled into the houses. The telegraph was found all right, and communication open with Richmond, Jonesboro’ and intermediate points. It was ascertained that Vaughn had not learned of the movements of the Federals until they reached Rogersville, when he had put off with his forces for Bristol, and was then at Zollicoffer, twelve miles from Bristol. General Burbridge marched immediately for Zollicoffer. When day broke Vaughn was amazed to find himself cut off and confronted by a force larger than his own. A dense fog prevented General Burbridge from attacking Vaughn, who crossed the river and pushed rapidly for Abingdon, hoping to reach that place before Burbridge, and get between him and the salt works. The latter marched on a parallel road, and reached the crossroads two miles from Abingdon at ten o’clock at night, two hours before Vaughn, who, finding himself headed again, turned off on the North Carolina road and struck out for Wytheville. General Stoneman came up at daylight the next morning with General Gillem, and sent him, with his brigade, to pursue Vaughn, and if possible cut him off from Wytheville.
The Attack on Glade Springs.—At the same time General Burbridge was ordered to send three hundred light cavalry, with picked horses, to cut the Virginia railroad at Glade Springs, nine miles from Saltville, and thus prevent any reinforcements from being sent to that place from above. Major Harrison, Twelfth Kentucky cavalry, was assigned to the execution of the order, and successfully accomplished his task, cutting the road only some twenty minutes after Breckinridge had passed up to Saltville from Wytheville with a train of cars and some two hundred militia from Lynchburg. Harrison then waited for the down train, which was due, and captured and burned it, and also another train just behind it, after which he dashed up the road towards Wytheville, burning all the large bridges and depots along the way. At Seven Mile ford Vaughn struck Harrison’s trail and followed him as fast as his jaded stock could travel; but Harrison, being by far the best mounted, easily kept out of his way. Vaughn passed the ford, following Harrison, at five o’clock on the morning of December 16; and at six o’clock General Gillem passed the same place in pursuit of Vaughn. The race now became intensely exciting, Harrison trying to keep out of Vaughn’s way, but burning right and left as he went, and Gillem straining every nerve to come up with and keep him from overwhelming Harrison. About noon Gillem came upon Vaughn’s rear guard near Marion, captured most of it and soon after found part of Vaughn’s forces, under Colonel Gillespie, drawn up in line of battle just beyond the town, Vaughn having continued the chase of Harrison with a small body.
Gillem immediately commenced a spirited fight, charges being made on both sides. In the mean time General Burbridge and his command were rapidly closing up on Gillem, and, hearing the fighting, General Stoneman sent Burbridge’s First brigade forward to support Gillem; but before it reached him that general had driven the enemy from the field, killing and wounding fifteen, and capturing seventy-five of the enemy.
Gillespie retreated in the direction of Wytheville, hotly pursued by Gillem, who harassed his rear so severely that the former found it necessary to make another stand near Mount Airy, when Gillem fell upon him with fury, being now supported by Colonel Brown, who had come up with him. The rebels were soon forced from the field in confusion leaving a number of prisoners and seven pieces of artillery, among which were two of the guns captured from General Gillem by Vaughn a short time before at Morristown.
The joy of the General and his men at the recapture of their favorite pieces was inexpressible. Gillespie continued to push towards Wytheville; but his retreat soon degenerated into a rout, Gillem following him hotly with his own and Brown’s brigade.
At Wytheville the home guard was got out, with four pieces of artillery, and Gillespie rallied his men and made a desperate stand; but Gillem charged with his whole command, capturing the home guard, with their battery and all of Vaughn’s wagon train, which had just come in by another road. Gillespie fell back into the town, where he was immediately surrounded, Vaughn being reported to be in the place. Gillem charged through the town; but Gillespie made his escape with about one hundred men, which was all he had left of his sixteen hundred, the rest having straggled, been killed, wounded, captured or deserted and gone to their homes in Tennessee. In the mean time Major Harrison had swung around Wytheville and rode down Rye valley for Bean Station. Generals Stoneman and Burbridge, having reached Marion with the balance of the command, Colonel H. M. Buckley was dispatched with the Second brigade to destroy the lead mines. General Stoneman ordered Gillem to destroy the railroad for ten miles above Wytheville and then return; which destruction was accomplished most completely by Colonel Brown’s brigade, who also burned the immense bridge four miles from Wytheville. After burning three large rebel storehouses filled with supplies of all kinds, and two arsenals, General Gillem returned and joined Generals Stoneman and Burbridge twelve miles from Marion.