"Confederate Wizards of the Saddle, Being Reminiscences and Observations of One Who Rode with Morgan" by Bennett H. Young [1843-1919] first published in 1914, ISBN 1-879941-48-1, Reprint J. S. Sanders & Company, P.O. Box 50331, Nashville, Tennessee 37205.

Chapter XXIII: General Wheeler's Pursuit and Defeat of Geneal Stoneman, Garrard and McCook, July 27-August 5, 1864.

[Page 596]"Colonel W. C. P. Breckinridge, who was commanding General William's Kentucky brigade, and was foremost in pursuing Capron, realized his entire force could not ride with such speed as would enable him to overtake Adams and Capron. He had hung savagely on their rear, and also kept the inner line to Atlanta, to drive the Federals as far east as possible; but his horses had limitations, and Colonel Breckinridge, with grief and apprehension, saw man after man drop out. He beheld steed after steed with the white frost [Page597] upon its skin, which betokens the failure of its physical vigor, lie down upon the road and refuse to move further. Hastily assembling his entire brigade, now numbering less that five hundred men, for review, he had his inspector general ride down the line and order out from the several regiments and battalions the men who had the hardiest and freshest horses. When these were counted they numbered only eighty-five. He placed these under command of Lieutenant Robert Bowles, one of his trustiest officers, and bade him ride hard and follow the trail of Adams and Capron, and attack them wherever and whenever found. Thes eight-five men caught the inspiration of a great opportunity, and so cheering, yelling and waving adieu to their comrades, whose going had been prevented by the weariness of their mounts, they rode away. Those left to come on by easier stages groaned in spirit as they saw their more fourtunate comrades ride away. They cursed the fate that deprived them of the chance to win glory in this pursuit.

Colonel Breckinridge told Lieutenant Bowles that he would follow him with the remainder of the brigade, with all possible haste; thus the eighty-five men set out to run down their demoralized enemies.

Capron and Adams had finally gone to sleep on the bank of a small stream known as Mulberry River, which was crossed by a wooden bridge. Out in the woods and timber the animals were tethered, and the men laid down anywhere and everywhere, if they only might catch a few moments' rest. Five hundred and fifty Federals comprised all who were left of these two brigades. Many were dead and wounded. Scores had [Page 598] been captured, as wearied they fell from their horses, on the rapid marches they had made since leaving Macon. Just before daybreak, on the morning of the 3rd of September, they heard the Rebel yell and the sharp crack of the revolvers resounding through their camp. Around the outskirts of the camp a number of the negroes, who were riding the mules and horses they had taken from their masters, were asleep At the first charge of the Confederates. the mules immediately stampeded, and with the terror-stricken negroes rushed through the camp of the sleeping Federal soldiers. The cries of the frightened negroes combined with the shouts of the attacking forces, added to the confusion and discomfiture of the Federals. Thus rudely aroused from their slumbers, they mounted their tired steeds and started in a wild rush and dashed across the bridge, along the road they believed would lead to safety. The galloping of the steeds and the crowding of the animals onto the wooden bridge caused it to give way and dropped those who were passing over it into the river below, and cut off the escape of those who were behind. The eighty-tive Confederates were busy everywhere. The Federals were completely demoralized. They gladly surrendered when called and asked for protection. They had not realized in the darkness how small the force that had assailed and scatterd them, but without arms they were helpless, and they were so completely exhausted that their powers of resistance had vanished.

[Page 599] This combat at Jug Tavern was always held by those who participated in it to be, considering nunmbers, one of the really great victories of the war."