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374 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
place on September 21, just in time to meet the enemy and drive them
three successive tim«s into their earthworks, and with a loss to themselves
of less than fifteen.
On the next day began the march to Louisville, arriving October 1,
and from here the Third took up the work of following and harassing
Bragg's rebel army, but on the 20th a detachment of the regiment,
some 250 strong, fell into the hands of the guerrilla, John Morgan. The
prisoners were robbed of their personal effects and paroled and allowed
to return to the Union lines, but subsequently sent to Camp Chase. The
remaining force of the Second and Third battalions was then stationed
along the railroad between Bowling Green and Gallatin, whei'e a battle
Avas soon brought on against Morgan's force and a large amount of
supplies taken as well as many prisoners. The regiment then went into
camp at Ilartsville.
From this place the detachment under command of Capt. Elisha M.
Colver moved up the Cumberland River to Carthage to intercept a drove
of* mules and rebel stores, which Avere being moved by rebel quartermasters,
and accompanied by an escort of Morgan's raiders. After a
chase of twenty-six miles, fording the river four times, the detachment
captured the entire train and drove off 146 mules, besides routing the
escort and taking seventeen of them prisoners.
During the greater part of the month of December the Third was
actively engaged in skirmishing and foraging the enemy's country. On
the 26th it took a position on the right of Rosecrans' army, near Franklin.
On the 27th a battle was fought here and the rebels routed. The
regiment then moved to Triune, and at night again engaged the enemy.
The next few days it saw plenty of service. On the 29th a reconnaissance
in force was made; on the 30th the Third was assigned to a
position on the extreme right, and at 2 o'clock on the morning of the
31st the rebels made an advance, whereupon the brigade to which the
Third belonged Avas advanced as skirmishers; at 4 o'clock the line was
driven in by Wheeler's cavalry, and after a sharp battle of two hours
Avas driven back from the field. The next morning General McCbok's
corps ammunition train was captured, but the Second and Third battalions
of the Third made a dash and recaptured the whole train, as
well as a large number of prisoners. In this efficient work the Third
sustained thirteen killed and a large number wounded..
The year 1863 witnessed many stirring evenls for the regiment. On
the 1st the Third left the field to escort a train of 4,000 wagons to
Nashville for supplies. The train was attacked by the rebel cavalry
under Stewart and Wheeler, but the attack was repulsed by the Third,
supported by Hie Tenth Cavalry. During the whole journey the rebels
hung about and made frequent attacks, but as often were they defeated
by the escorting party. Their duty was at length performed faithfully
and Avell. After this, and after the battle of Stone River, the Third
Avas sent in pursuit of the enemy, and at Middleton, Tennessee, attacked
the rear guard and captured a wagon train. It then went into camp at
Murfreesboro. Here the Second Battalion Avas detached and sent to