We perceived, however, that their intention was to flank our left, and we hastened to our lines on top of the hill to report. Arriving alongside of the battery, we dismounted and formed a line in advance of our guns, all the time under a severe fire from the enemy’s artillery.
Meanwhile, one regiment after another was seen passing in the direction of our left, we occupying the center. Very soon after the officer guarding our left reported by a courier that the enemy was at his front, the next courier said they were hard pressed, and the third courier from the officer reported that he was compelled to give way before such odds, and not until then was the Third Regiment sent to his support, followed by the Fifth.
It was too late, however, to render the assistance needed or to regain the position thus lost, though not too late to hold the enemy in check until the withdrawal of our forces, which we had commenced to do. This was our only alternative, for we were certainly outflanked.
The regiments withdrew in order, leaving us deployed as skirmishers, in front of where our battery had been stationed, which was now on the way to the rear, where we were soon ordered.
On reaching the road by which we were flanked the guns of the Third and Fifth were opening sharply, and, not being under orders, “Tom” led us in that direction for new adventures. In a few moments we were in it as hotly as the rest, but to no effect. They had gained the position and it was impossible to dislodge them.
Again, at all hazards, we were instructed to hold the rear, so that the others could move off; but we did not tarry long however, though we stayed long enough to have seven men badly wounded.
Retreating over a mile, we met Colonel Duke, who took command, to the entire satisfaction of all, and formed his line of battle. This was done to no purpose, however, for when the Yankees struck the main road they took the Liberty end, expecting to capture at least a portion of the command. In this they were mistaken, for we had withdrawn in time. They went back to Liberty and encamped, while Duke kept the hill.
The scouts were sent out after dark to watch the enemy’s movements. We had not proceeded far before we engaged a force which seemed to be equal to us in number. We had a hot skirmish to drive them back. This force was afterward discovered to be General Morgan and escort, who had just arrived from McMinnville, and not knowing what had occurred, had struck the road between us and the enemy. He laughed heartily the next morning as we were pursuing the enemy through Liberty.
The enemy thought to hold his ground, but we made it so hot that to save himself he was compelled to give way. However, a part of the rear-guard was captured before they gained their lines. The enemy’s force consisted of four brigades, two each of cavalry and infantry, with artillery attached, while we could muster but one brigade and a limited amount of artillery. Such a large force could not be handled successfully by us, and all we could do was to work on their edges.
Before the winter was over this same force met the General and gained a decided victory over him at McMinnville by driving “himself, wife and staff, and one company of couriers” out of town, the brigade being stationed at several different points some distance from his headquarters. Even then he handled them so roughly that they pressed him very timidly.