The Nashville Daily Press [202}, page 2, col. 3
Monday, February 29, 1864

Our Army Correspondence
Motley's Ford, Monroe Co., Tennessee
February 19, 1864

Dear Press - When last I wrote you, we were encamped very near the front of the enamy's center. Now, it is entirely different. We have turned our backs upon Longstreet and the French Broad, and are now busily engaged in attending to the interests of Thomas and his copper-colored banditti. How this "change of base" was brought about - how we "left the stag to pursue the fox" - will form the burthen of this epistle.

After having driven the enemy's cavalry to their holes at Sinking Caves, in the last days of December, we remained in undisturbed possession of our camps at Mossy Creek until the 15th of January, when we marched to Dandridge and took up position about upon a line with and immediately to the enemy's left. Upon this march, and upon the same day we left Mossy Ceek, while about six miles from the latter place, occurred one of those horrible incidants that occasionally shocks society, and places an additional argument into the hands of the temperance lecturers. I allude to the killing of Lieut. Col. Thomas T. Vimont, of the 7th Kentucky Cavalry, by Major William W. Bradley, of the same regiment. A mean article of apple brandy, (though the negro emlistment question was the pretext), was the cause of the fatal shooting, Col. Vimont, you will remember, when stationed at Nashville, was very violently opposed to arming the "colored brethern", and, when under the influence of liquor, expressed his opinions with about as much noise as freedom. Two Lieutenants of the 7th Kentucky Cavalry, it appears, have made application for positions in negro regiments, to the intense disgust of Col. Vimont, who, when under the influence of liquor, was very outspoken on the subject, and frequently used language altogether inexcusable in one occupiying his postition.

On the day of his violent death, he had given his tongue all the rein, and Major Bradley, who was the guardian of one of the applicants for negrophilian honors, assumed the quarrel, finally ending the dispute by deliberately drawing his revolver and shooting Vimont from his horse. Five shots were fired by Bradley, two of whch took effect upon Vimont's person. Vimont did not use his pistol as Major B.'s first shot stunned him, as well as took him wholly by surprise. Vimont died of his wounds on the afternoon of the 17th. Bradley is under arrest at Knoxville. The 7th is now commanded by Major Robert Collier, Col. Faulkner being a member of the Kentucky Legislature, and absent at Frankfort attending its sessions.

On the afternoon of the 18th our pickets at Dandridge were driven in by the enemy. We immediately made every preparation for his suitable reception. Two or three hours pretty brisk skirmishing wound up the day and fight - the enemy retiring in considerable disorder, and with pretty heavy loss. Our loss was insignificant.

We captured a goodly number of prisoners, and for the first time learned the true value of intelligence that we had obtained at Knoxville regarding Longstreet's movements. We captured a number of men, some of whom had arrived from Richmond the day before. The enemy had been largely reinforced, and had advanced from Morristown in the direction of Strawberry Plains. A large infantry and artillery force was coming down the banks of the French Broad upon us. Heavy columns of cavalry had already nearly reached Mossy Creek. I suppose this intelligence was credited to the source from which it was derived and valued by those in authority accordingly; for we lay all night without taking any extraordinary precautions to guard agains suprise. On the ensuing morning (Sunday 19th) they were upon us - cavalry, infantry, artillery and all. We did the best we could - fought all day like the devil - whaling their cavalry, but not holding a hand sufficient to beat their infantry. At nightfall we commenced a strategic movement upon Knoxville, which was carried out with signal success. Out loss in killed and wounded, and prisoners, was quite severe. Do you remember the little white-headed soldier of Wallace Gruelle's company, "Major Matthews", who was so expert in drawing champaign corks on the occasion of your visit, in company with Co. Houck and Squire Knott, to the camp of the 7th Kentucky Cavalry. He poor fellow, was one of the gallant sourls who laid down their lives that day as a sacrifice upon their country's altar. In a lonely grave, at the foot of a lofty pine, on a high hill near Dandridge, he sleeps that sleep which bugle call never more may break. The mourning harp in the pine boughs hidden, moans a sad song of grief over the fallen brave. (Requiescat in pace)

Arrived at Knoxville, we crossed Holston at that point, and encamped fifteen miles out on the Sevierville road. Next day we reached that village, and bivouacked a day or two in its vicinty. We then marched on to Fair Gardens, and from thence to the French Broad, going into camp on the south bank some two or three miles below Dandridge. Going, you see, "all the way around Robin Hood's barn", out of the front door of which we had just energed. Here we stopped two or three days, and then off again for Sevierville.

We reached out old campground at that place on the evening of the 26th. On the 27th, late in the afternoon, the enemy made his appearance on the east bank of Pigeon River, some four mile east of Sevierville, and immediately in front of a portion of our Division, who had advanced out to meet him. That night we were all "fornnest" him. Bright and early on the morning of the 28th we invited him through the medium of Capt. Lilly's "shooting sticks" (a printerial "goak", meaning cannon), to the dance. He stepped out pretty lively at first, then didn't like the music, and, finally not understanding our calls, he backed down and left the party (sans ceremonie). Not liking to be treated so shabbily by a guest, and not particularly admiring the manner in which he left us, we followed him up, remonstrating with him all the way to and beyond Fair Gardens. He finally got away from us, leaving in our hands two ten-pound Parotts, over one hundred and fifty dead and wounded, and some two hundred prisoners. Next day we followed him to Swansee, perceived the flea in our ear before it began to bite much, retraced our way to Sevierville, thence over the Cove Mountains to Weare's Cave, thence through the Tuscaleeche Mountains to Maysville, thence to this point. The camp rumor is that we are on our way to our own Department - the Cumberland. We will soon be forced to leave here on account of the scarcity of forage. In a short while no army can sbsist in East Tennessee. I see that Chattanooga letter-writers state that Longstreet has left this section. That is a mistake. He is now, or was a few days ago, this side of the French Broad, with his headquarters at Pigeon River, three miles from Sevierville, and his army is increasing daily from new levies they are running to him. A portion of our force has gone to Cherokee County, North Carolina. When they return I will let you know the result of the expedition.
OLD SOLDIER.

This was researched, typed and sent to me because of my interest in the actions, movement and personel of the 7th Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry, U.S.A. from 16 August 1862 at Camp Rogers, Paris, Bourbon Co., Kentucky to 10 July 1865 when they were discharged at Edgefield, Davidson Co. Tennessee. My thanks to Steven L. Wright, 984 Kings Way, Elizabethtown, Kentucky 42701. Can anybody out there elaborate on this report from the battlefield???

David L. Bush, 3401 Crane Avenue, Huntington, West Virginia 25705-1717 Ph: 304-529-4447