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posing them to "bo Georgians , ordered a small scoutto the front. In these few minutes the enemy,having discovered us and being concealed by thecharacter of the ground and the forest, had formedline of battle, while our column had become moreconfused by many of the men dismounting to rest.Between us and the foot of the mountain was afallow cotton-field, on tho near edge of which wasa row of deserted cabins. The road ran along thisfield a few hundred yards with a gradual descentuntil it passed through a fringe of willows andunderbrush, beyond which there were other openfields, and" then on both sides of these open fieldswere also thick woods.
Suddenly a long skirmish-line broke from thewoods, ran to the fringe of willows, and directlythrough toward the row of cabins, keeping up abrisk fire as they ran. Behind the skirmish-linowas developed a line of infantry. For a momentthe fire staggered tho head of tho column, and thoorder to fall back and form could not be executed.The 9th Kentucky was in front, and very quickly itsfront companies were dismounted and a dash madefor the cabins. Fortunately our men reached themfirst and drove the Federal skirmishers back. Thisgave breathing time, of which immediate and brill-iant advantage was taken by Major ,T. (}. Ghcno-with, who led a portion of the 1st Kentucky , onhorseback, on a detour to tho right through thewoods until he reached the fringe of willows, whenat full run he charged the skirmish-line on tho left,and the dismounted men of the 9th Kentucky charged on foot through the open field. The au-dacity of this sudden and unexpected dash caused
the skirmish-line to run at breakneck speed, i,ntthe lino of infantry to halt and to await rein-forcements. This gave amplo time to form ^ 10brigade for its day’s work of retreating fight.
The immediate result of this was a delay to t' 10Federal column of several hours, increased e| vtttion on the part of McPherson in his march duringtho day, and prompt information of his movem eIto our army headquarters. ,
Tho force under McPherson was so large lh‘ l
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our small brigade of cavalry could not force wdevelop its line. All that was possible wascause tho march to be as slow as that of a si' 11
mish-line. This was done. It was late mafternoon when McPherson drove us into
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works before Itesaca, which were defended 011 1by Cantey’s brigade and ours. It was a glo 01Il rprospect. "Wo knew that McPherson had a h> rCof from 1 5,000 to 20,000, and that, there waspossibility of our receiving any reenforeem® 11that afternoon or night. One serious attack wMcPherson, and Kosaca must have been captuH 1 jFortunately McPherson know that Hooker h-*failed in his attompt to seize Dug Gap, and tl'^consequently the road from Dalton was fr<?°,any Confederate column moving on him. The 11 ^trenchmonts at Kesaca were formidable, andw'hMcPherson felt tho lines, tho response was rosm’and spirited. As Hardee came to reenforceat Dug Gap, so hero Hood joined us. Ho andl’ 1of his staff came to share our fate. Galrnly ^waited for tho inevitable assault. Wo did 1 ^doubt that it would bo made. McPhersonyoung, ambitious, and ablo. In our ranks ho '