Noxubee County MsArchives Military Records.....The Noxubee Squadron Of The First MS Cavalry, Part 2 
Civilwar 1st MS Cavalry, CSA
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The Noxubee Squadron Of The First MS Cavalry, Part 2
OXFORD AND VICINITY.

  Van Dorn's army was transferred to Holly Springs that it might be in front of
Grant, who seemed to be headed down the Mississippi Central railroad. At Holly
Springs were assembled the exchanged Fort Donelson prisoners. Why Van Dorn had
not awaited their coming before attacking Corinth, I do not know. It would
certainly have changed the result of the battle. But fate was against us. "The
stars in their courses fought against Sisera". We rested at Holly Springs till
Grant moved out from Memphis, menacing us with a large force. It would be a long
story to tell of the sullen retreat of this army, now rapidly recovering from
the effects of the late disaster. Lovell's division and Price's Missourians were
again ready to fight. The cold rainy days of winter had come and nothing seemed
more certain than a battle on the line of the Tallahatchie. That line, however,
was abandoned. The enemy made a furious attack on the cavalry rear-guard at
Oxford. Here, while leading a charge by the Second Mississippi Cavalry, Colonel
James Gordon narrowly missed running over Colonel Jacob Thompson, whose horse
had been shot under him and who was looking about him for his spectacles. He had
resigned as Secretary of the Interior in Buchanan's Cabinet and joined our army.
Our cavalry now had orders to hold the Federals in check until the artillery and
the trains were safe behind the Yocona. It was one of those times when all the
woods were alive with "Blue Coats". The following letter, written by a member of
Co. E of the Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, gives a graphic account of affairs:

"Editor of The Commercial Appeal:

  "Whenever I hear the patriotic spirit of Southern women alluded to, I somehow
mentally revert to what came under my own observation one day in December, 1862,
at Oxford, Miss. Price and Van Dorn had been forced to abandon the line of the
Tallhatchie and were falling back to the Yalobusha. Our cavalry were stubbornly
resisting overwhelming odds, endeavoring to hold them in check long enough to
get our trains out of immediate danger. A cold rain was falling and there seemed
to be no bottom to the roads. The citizens were panic-stricken and our army was
sullen. The terrible weather added to the distress. 'Blue Ruin' seemed to stare
us in the face. Colonel Wheeler, temporarily commanding Jackson's brigade, was
trying to hold the Abbeville road. No picket was out in our front, and a call
was made for somebody to reconnoitre. It was not a positive order from the
Colonel commanding, but as he rode along the line, he said, 'Some of you men
with carbines will go out there, if you please, and see where they arc' It was a
time when it was nobody's business in particular, but everybody's in general. I
asked Sam Clinton if he would go with me. We rode forward, followed by a few men
from other companies. We realized the danger and would have much preferred to be
elsewhere. Soon we stirred up 'a veritable hornets' nest.' A gun was fired and a
singing minie passed just above our heads. Instantly, a heavy skirmish line of
Kansas Jayhawkers, who knew well how to shoot, rose up in the bushes on either
side of the road. They fired a volley; we replied in kind, and retreated at a
rapid pace. Private Wilson, of Co. I, was struck, his thigh-bone being fractured
and making him a cripple for life. The gallant Joe Wicks, of Memphis, just then,
came with orders for our squad to fall back,-but we had already taken our orders
from the Jayhawkers. But poor Joe Wicks was never seen alive again! Having other
orders to deliver, he dashed into the forest, and in a few minutes his riderless
horse ran at full speed back to our command. Wicks never delivered his orders.
His body was recovered some days afterwards and buried by the good people of
Oxford.

  "As we came back through Oxford, retiring before the advancing Federals, we
found it a town of tearful women and weeping maids. This but added to our
overwhelming cup of woe. On the verandah of a cottage south of the court-house,
a maiden was standing who did not seem to be weeping. Her spirit had risen to
the occasion. She was most forcibly expressing her opinion, as she saw us giving
up the town to the merciless Yankees. Her short skirts and her youthful
appearance mollified her impeachment; for, if we had taken her opinion as solid
truth and had viewed ourselves as she saw us, we should have regarded ourselves
as the most cowardly aggregation of 'skedadling' cavalry in the whole
Confederacy. But who was this little maiden with such lofty and patriotic
impulses? Everybody wanted to know. We fondly hoped erelong to have her think
better of us. Cad Linthicum, our little Kentuckian, who somehow had a penchant
for knowing all the girls in divers places, said it was Miss Taylor Cook; and so
it was. The 'Miss Taylor Cook' went down the line, repeated by every trooper
affectionately and most respectfully. She had become famous in a twinkling. The
Seventh Tennessee Cavalry would have gladly adopted her as the 'daughter of the
regiment', if she could have appreciated the honor. She was, indeed, worthy to
become the wife of Nathan Bedford Forrest's only son. And she did. Whenever I
pause at her grave in beautiful Elmwood, I recall that sad day in Oxford.

                          (Signed)
                               J. M. HUBBARD, Co. E, 7th Tennessee"

  On the following day, we placed the Yokona between ourselves and the enemy. We
destroyed the bridges so as to obstruct pursuit. Here we committed, perhaps, our
first depredation upon a citizen: we burnt his fences. It was very cold, we were
wet and had no axes. We spoke of it, among ourselves, as an outrage; but it felt
good any way to dry ourselves by the blazing fires. We satisfied conscience by
the reflection, that if a patriot the citizen would not complain, but if not he
deserved no serious consideration. At night, we had a great time, eating sweet
potatoes we had roasted in the ashes and had opened up to let the gravy from fat
bacon drip into them, as we held over hot coals thin juicy slices pierced with a
sharpened stick. It was a feast, indeed, good enough for a king. Some of the men
spent the whole night thus, roasting and eating potatoes. No one in Company G
could eat more potatoes than Mr. G. W. Alford, of the Deupree Mess. He always
contended that potatoes were the best food we could get. Some others, and among
them this scribe, preferred roasting ears, when cooked in the ashes in the
shuck. One of our Mess, whom I need not name, on one occasion gathered
twenty-five long and large, splendid, ears, gave twelve to his horse and
retained thir-ten for himself, contending he had made a fair and equitable
division because the horse got the shucks from twelve ears and the cobs and the
fodder from twenty-five. Reader, be it known that the best way on earth to cook
roasting ears is to cook them in their jackets and thus preserve all their
delicious sweetness and aroma. Thus cooked, in my judgment they surpass even the
roasted potato. Try it and be convinced.

  Suddenly, early next morning Bugler Cox sounded "Boots and Saddles", for
already the Federal cavalry were between us and Water Valley. There was but one
thing to do,-to put on a bold front and ride over them. This was done quickly
and thoroughly by our leading squadron, so that the rest of the command didn't
come in sight of the enemy. Just north of Coffeeville, we assisted in forming an
ambuscade, into which the Federal cavalry rode unsuspectingly, and we gave them
such a defeat that they withdrew rapidly to Oxford.

ANTIOCH CHURCH.

  We next went into camp six miles north of Grenada, at Antioch Church.

  While the army was at Grenada, President Davis made us a visit. It was the
first time he had come into the State since he became Chief Magistrate of the
Confederacy and the last till he had been released from Fortress Monroe. He
reviewed the army. All the infantry and artillery and some cavalry were in line,
totalling more than twenty thousand and presenting a splendid appearance. They
received the President with wild enthusiasm, as he rode along the line, halting
at the centre of each command to return its salute. His courtesy and soldierly
bearing won all hearts.

  We were getting well along into the second year of the war, and our prospects
were growing gloomy. North Mississippi was overrun by the enemy, and it seemed
probable our army might be driven to the Gulf. Though Van Dorn had not achieved
success as commander of an army, or the projector of a military campaign, yet he
was known to be a born cavalryman, and one in every way qualified to lead a bold
movement to cut Grant's communications. Accordingly, a cavalry command was
organized to be led by Van Dorn, with Holly Springs as the objective. This place
had been abundantly supplied with everything needed by an army of 50,000 men,
and it was garrisoned by 8,000 men of all arms. In the reorganization of the
cavalry, Jackson, who had become a brigadier-general, commanded the Seventh and
other Tennessee regiments; Colonel Griffith commanded the Texas brigade,
composed of the Third, Sixth, and Ninth cavalry; Col. Bob McCulloch, of the
Second Missouri, commanded a brigade consisting of his own regiment and the
First Mississippi. Our brigade had their camp at Antioch Church. When not on
duty, the men spent their time in various ways. Most of them were devout
believers in Christianity and read their bibles daily with pleasure and profit.
Many indulged in sports of all kinds, a goodly number playing checkers or chess
on oil-cloth diagrams spread on the ground, with pieces and men hand-carved,
which they carried in their haversacks, but more playing cards for mere
amusement and a number playing for money. In fact, so many games were played in
the church on rainy days that its name was changed from Antioch to Ante-Up. On
Sunday, when not on duty, men and officers usually attended divine service
conducted by the regular chaplain, or by a visiting evangelist, or by some
officer or private, who was an ordained minister of the gospel, for there were
many such in our army, from Bishop General Polk down. The most eloquent and
attractive chaplain we had during the war was Rev. __ __ Osborne, whose initials
I cannot now recall. Not only men from our regiment but many from other
regiments would hang with delight upon his discourses. I recall a favorite
exclamation of his: "If religion is worth anything, it is worth everything." It
cannot be remembered at this time when he left us nor where, but we missed him
sadly. Amusing incidents often occurred. Once as General Polk was reprimanding
severely an offender against military law and order, Mike Callahan, an Irish
member of our company, involuntarily shouted: "Let me cuss him out for you,
Gineral". The general quietly replied, "Thank you, sir, I do not think it will
be necessary; I think, I have said enough". And he had, for the offense was
never repeated.

CAPTURE OF HOLLY SPRINGS.

  Time sped on. Men and horses were rested and reinvigorated. On the 17th of
December, late in the afternoon, rations for three days were issued to
McCulloch's brigade. Jim Douglass of Co. G at once ate all his rations, saying
they were more easily carried in stomach than in haversack and less burdensome
to the horse. We were ordered to mount and fall into line and to join the
brigades of Griffith and Jackson. From "THE LOST CAUSE" published some years ago
in Louisville, Ky., I clip the following:

  The capture of Holly Springs by Dr. J. G. Deupree, of the University of
Mississippi, is an interesting story, by a survivor of the famous column of
cavalry that rode into Holly Springs before daybreak on a cold December morning,
nearly fifty years ago.

  The narrative opens by describing the military situation as it was about the
middle of December, 1862. Grant's main army was near Oxford, and his outposts at
Coffeeville; and Pemberton was south of the Yalobusha with front and flanks
covered by Van Dorn's cavalry, about 2,500 troopers. The story tells how Van
Dorn with his cavalry moved east from Grenada on the night of December 17th,
ostensibly to destroy or to capture the Federal Colonel Dickey with his 1,000
raiders, operating on the M. & O. railroad above and below Tupelo; how Van Dorn,
when about to encounter Dickey, so maneuvered as to pass through Pontotoc in the
direction of New Albany and allow Dickey to follow him if he chose, or else
simply to note his direction and go and report to Grant at Oxford that he had
seen Van Dorn at the head of his cavalry moving north and apparently bent on
going into Tennessee to join Forrest at Bolivar or Jackson. As the story goes,
Dickey chose the latter course. The narrative brings out clearly the skillful
tactics of Van Dorn in keeping the enemy always behind him and never giving him
an opportunity to obstruct his march or to send to any Federal garrison warning
of Van Dorn's approach. It shows, too, how Van Dorn kept the enemy deceived as
to his objective, as long as possible, and then moved so rapidly that hostile
pickets or scouts could not report his coming far enough in advance to be of any
service.

  After telling of many amusing incidents on the march, and how on the night of
December the 19th Van Dorn's troopers halted at 10 o'clock within five miles of
Holly Springs, dismounted, and in grim silence and without fires, stood holding
their horses, ready to mount at a moment's notice, the story continues, as follows:

  "Before daylight an order was quietly passed along the column to mount and
form fours in the road. It chanced to be the day for the First Mississippi to
lead McCulloch's brigade. Lieutenant S. B. Day commanded the advance-guard of
twenty men, and the front four were Groves Dantzler, Bob White, W. Drewry
Deupree, and J. G. Deupree. Orders were given to move forward on two roads at a
gallop, to capture the pickets or follow them so closely that no alarm could
precede us. The wisdom of the order was appreciated by all, and it was obeyed
with alacrity. The First Mississippi were to enter Holly Springs from the
northeast, charge through the infantry camp without halting to fight or to
receive any surrenders, but to attack the cavalry as soon as discovered. The
Second Missouri were to dismount at the edge of town, charge on foot and capture
or disperse any infantry encountered. Ross' Texans were to approach from the
east, coming in by the railroad station, and thus prevent any reinforcements
from surprising us in that direction; also, a detachment of Texans was to go
south and watch the Abbeville road. Jackson's Tennesseeans were to approach from
the north, preventing possible reinforcements from Bolivar, as well as watching
the road coming in from Memphis on the west.

  As we neared the town, we increased our speed. Pinson's regiment rode through
in a sweeping gallop, ignoring the infantry, though many of them, awakened and
startled by the charge, ran out of their tents in night-attire and fired into
our column, wounding nearly every horse in the advance-guard and some of the
men. As we approached the Fair Ground, where we expected to find the Federal
cavalry, the gallant men of the Second Illinois, under Col. Neill and Maj. Mudd,
were in line answering to roll-call, prepared to go and look for Van Dora, as
they had heard he was coming. Brave and courageous as they were, they boldly
charged upon us with drawn sabres. I shall not undertake to describe all that
occurred in the melee, but simply shall mention some things that came under my
own observation. Little Jere Beasley, a lad of fifteen summers, was just about
to be cut down by a stalwart Federal, when Lieutenant Day shot the bold rider as
with uplifted arm he was about to let fall the fatal stroke. Our Major Wheeler
had his thumb cut off in a sabre duel with a Federal officer. Adjutant Lawrence
Yates, was seriously cut in the forehead, and the blood gushing from the long
wound ran down his face and neck. My horse had been shot twice as we came
through the infantry camp, and here he received the third and fatal bullet and
fell lifeless to the ground. I simply made breastworks of the dead animal until
I could catch the horse of the Federal with whom I had been personally engaged,
and who had been shot by some Confederate. Then, mounting the captured horse, I
was soon with the regiment chasing the routed enemy. Pistols in the hands of
Mississippians had proved superior to sabres wielded by the hardy sons of
Illinois. Many thrilling deeds done by Federals and Confederates on that day
will remain forever unknown. But it may be said that the First Mississippi in
the Second Illinois met foemen worthy of their steel, for as great nerve was
required to make as to receive that charge. Few of our men were killed, though
many were more or less seriously wounded. As victors, we arranged to have the
wounded all well cared for and to send our disabled men south by a detour
eastward."

  Next, this valuable paper gives interesting details of the entry of the other
Confederate commands, of the surrender of the Federal infantry, of the
destruction of the vast stores of every kind, which had been accumulated here
for Grant's army, as well as of the excitement and confusion incident to the
occasion. The scene was described as "wild and exciting, Federals running,
Confederates yelling and pursuing, tents and houses burning, torches flaming,
guns popping, sabres clanking, negroes and abolitionists begging for mercy,
women in dreaming-robes clapping their hands with joy and shouting encouragement
to the raiders,-a mass of excited, frantic, human beings, presenting in the
early morning hours a picture which words cannot portray".

  Most of the storehouses around the public square were full of food, clothing,
and medical supplies. A large livery stable had been converted into an immense
arsenal for storage of arms and munitions. There were three long trains of cars
standing on the track, filled with supplies, ready to be sent south to Grant's
army. The sutlers and small dealers who follow an army were all richly supplied,
as if they expected to stay permanently in the sunny South. The cotton
speculators were in large force and had many hundred bales stored wherever they
could find room. It was hard to realize that we were in actual possession of the
greatest booty captured by any Confederate force thus far during the war.
Everybody wanted to carry off something, but it was difficult to make a
selection. Whiskey, brandy, and wines of the best quality, in original and
unbroken packages, were among the spoils; and everybody so disposed could help
himself;. and a great many were so disposed. A. S. Coleman, sutler of the First
Mississippi, had left his wagon in Grenada and donned his fighting clothes for
this raid. He was a sort of free lance, assuming special privileges. He searched
some of the richest depots and selected such articles as he thought would please
the boys. He soon "hove in sight" with a string of hats as long as a plough-line
wound about himself and horse. What appeared to be the effigy of a man, clothed
in blue trowsers of large dimensions and cut in twain in the middle and
footless, sat bolt-upright on the pommel of his saddle. When the contents of the
effigy were displayed, there was more good liquor than there was room for. Then,
all were soon in fine trim to attack the commissary stores. As with the liquors,
the boys likewise did materially reduce the visible supply of good edibles.
People of all classes, without regard to previous condition of mastery or
servitude, were free to walk up and help themselves, which they gladly did.
Children, too, reveled in the pleasures of the occasion, and grown people
declared it was the grandest day Holly Springs had ever seen.

  The work of destruction was begun in earnest in the afternoon. When our men
had supplied themselves with pistols, sabres, and carbines, and all else they
needed, the arsenal was fired, as well as the trains, and the storehouses. Town
and country were enveloped in smoke, and long after we had gone reports of
explosives were heard. Van Dorn had so completely reaped the fruits of victory
that his praise was on every tongue. Our men rode out of town at night-fall, the
most thoroughly equipped body of cavalry the Confederacy had known,-all in high
glee and eager for adventures further north. On the road next morning after a
brief rest, we looked like a Federal column, as thousands of blue overcoats were
utilized on this bright frosty morning. We reached Davis' Mills, now Michigan
City, early on the 21st of December, on Wolf River about twenty miles north of
Holly Springs. The Federal garrison here was small but well protected by a fort,
rifle-pits, and a barricaded mill-house. The Confederates on foot assailed the
position furiously, but unfortunately without artillery. The firing from across
the narrow river was so galling, that our men on retiring sheltered themselves
for a time behind the mill-dam along the bank. We suffered considerably in
killed and wounded, for retreat to our horses was perilously exposed, while the
little garrison took advantage of their opportunity to the utmost. While we were
lying in the ditch behind the mill-dam, a hat held up on a stick would instantly
receive several bullet-holes. A member of Company F had his new Holly Springs
hat ruined by a minie-ball, passing through it and on through his hair, slightly
wounding his skull.

  After the affair at Davis' Mill, we withdrew to the Lane Farm and rested part
of the night, and our horses had a bountiful feed. What was to be done must be
done quickly. According to orders, we mounted and moved off in a gallop. My
Yankee horse seemed to know instinctively just what to do at all times and under
all circumstances. At every halt he would lie down like a tired dog, but was all
full of life and animation when the column moved. Across Wolf River at Moscow in
the early morning, we took the road towards Somerville, Tenn. It was rumored we
were to repeat the Holly Springs business at Bolivar. All hopes ran high. We
were ready to lead a surprise party or an assault. But we moved on to
Danceyville, and that did not look like going to Bolivar. But after a short halt
to feed horses, we countermarched and felt sure we were on the way to Bolivar.

  We had traveled over much of Fayette and Hardeman counties in Tennessee, when
we bivouacked on Clear Creek early in the night of December 23d. The rank and
file confident that next morning we would go into Bolivar, only a few miles
away, and there spend a jolly Christmas. But this was not to be. Our scouts and
spies reported that the Federals were in great force there, strongly fortified,
and ready to give us a warm reception. They had evidently heard from Holly
Springs. Van Dorn drew off to Middleburg, seven miles southwest from Bolivar,
where a small garrison was protected by a large brick church, with hall above
through the walls of which they had made portholes. Here, again, we needed one
or two pieces of artillery. The Federals stood bravely and rejected every
invitation to surrender. It was a detachment of the Twelfth Michigan Infantry,
which the citizens represented as the most devilish lot that ever came south.
Here we saw the prettiest line of battle we had ever seen up to this time. It
was Col. Sul Ross leading his Sixth Texas dismounted, with a firing line of
skirmishers several rods in advance. As we sat upon our horses in reserve, some
distance in the rear, we could not but admire this fine body of young Texans.
Sul Ross had been a gallant Indian fighter, became a Confederate
Brigadier-general, and after the war was an incorruptible statesman, governor of
Texas, and conceded to be the most popular man in the Lone Star State.

  Finding it impossible to get the Michiganders out of the church, Van Dorn drew
off without molestation, for the garrison was doubtless glad to see us go. Now
Grierson and Hatch with two thousand cavalry and mounted infantry were at our
heels and threatening to crowd us. Van Dorn turned eastward and later southward,
passing through Ripley, New Albany, and Pontotoc, keeping up constant battle for
some time with his cautious pursuers, and at the same time beating off Mizener
and others that attempted to intercept him. We reached Grenada after an absence
of thirteen days, during most of the time fighting by day and riding by night.
Horses and men were exhausted and enjoyed rest once more. Before going on this
raid, the First Mississippi was taken from Jackson's brigade and given to Bob
McCullough's. General Jackson now took occasion to express his regret at losing
the regiment and his gratitude and admiration "for their cheerful attention to
every military duty, their hearty cooperation at all times, and their cool and
determined courage in every engagement while under his command." 

THOMPSON'S STATION.

  In January, further reorganization of the cavalry was effected. The First, the
Fourth, and the Twenty Eighth Mississippi were thrown together into a brigade to
be commanded by Brigadier-General G. B. Cosby. Late in February, Van Dorn began
his march into Middle Tennessee. Forrest's brigade, already at Columbia, was to
become a part of Van Dorn's corps. Whitfield and Armstrong preceded Cosby on the
march. Forrest informed Van Dorn that a reconnaissance was expected to be made
by the enemy at Franklin, Tennessee, because early in March Rosecrans had become
desirous of more definite information as to the positions and intentions of the
Confederates. On March 4th, Van Dorn concentrated the brigades of Forrest,
Whitfield and Armstrong, south of Thompson's Station, on the pike on which the
Federals were advancing. Cosby was still beyond the swollen Duck River, coming
as rapidly as he could. General Jackson, commanding the division composed of
Whitfield's and Armstrong's brigades, had been facing the Federals. Seeing their
column of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, stretched along the pike for miles,
he had concluded that they were too numerous for him to attack without
additional support. He, therefore, retired a short distance. Col. Coburn with
nearly three thousand infantry and cavalry, in addition to the Eighteenth Ohio
Battery, followed him closely. As night fell, Federals and Confederates
bivouacked almost in sight of each other, the Federals about Thompson's Station
and the Confederates not far south. "During the night", says Van Dorn, "my
scouts reported the enemy to consist of a brigade of infantry, two regiments of
cavalry, and a battery of artillery". The Union commander, Colonel Coburn, was
not pleased with the outlook. In his imagination, Van Dorn's force grew to
exceed fifteen thousand, and he did not know whether to fight or run. Spring
Hill seemed more remote than when he set out from Franklin by order of
Brigadier-General James A. Garfield to go thither and ascertain the positions
and numbers of the Confederates. Greatly perplexed, he sent a message disclosing
the situation, as it appeared to him, and asked, "What shall I do?" Getting no
answer, early on March 5th he sent back to Franklin eighty wagons of surplus
baggage, resolved to obey Garfield's order and proceed to Spring Hill despite
opposition.

  By daylight, Van Dorn was in the saddle and his forces in line of battle
awaiting the approach of the enemy. Armstrong's and Whitfield's brigades, on
foot, occupied a ridge crossing the pike at right angles, Armstrong west of the
pike and Whitfield east. Deliberately and with grim determination, Coburn's
brigade came on, but slowly, so slowly in fact, that the engagement did not
begin till after 10 o'clock. The Thirty-third and Eighty-fifth Indiana
regiments, with two rifled cannon, forming the right of Coburn's line west of
the pike, and the Twenty-second Wisconsin and the Nineteenth Michigan, his left
wing, east of the pike. Still further to his left, in a dense cedar thicket, on
a considerable knoll, were several companies of dismounted cavalry, and just
behind them, screened by the knoll, mounted and in line stood the remainder of
Jordan's regiment of Federal cavalry. On our extreme right, to watch these
cavalry was Forrest's brigade. The One Hundred-twenty-fourth Ohio was in reserve
with the Federal train. As the Federal cavalry made a demonstration on our
right, the Indianians charged Armstrong on our left, while the artillery of both
sides thundered incessantly. King's battery was a little to the right of the
pike and Freeman's with Forrest. A lively fusilade of rifle-fire arose, when the
Federals in gallant style charged King's battery, supported as it was by the
Texans behind a stone fence. When the enemy had gotten within two hundred yards,
the Texans fired a volley, leaped over the stone fence and counter-charged,
driving back the Federals more rapidly than they had advanced. Meantime, the
Fourth Tennessee under Colonel Starnes had driven the dismounted Federal cavalry
from the knoll, and Forrest had pushed forward Freeman's battery and so posted
it as to enfilade the Federal infantry and also to sweep their artillery and
drive it from the field, just as their cavalry had been dispersed. After a brief
interval, Coburn, being reinforced, compelled Armstrong and Whitfield to
withdraw to their original positions. Van Dorn, learning that Sheridan was
rushing additional reinforcements to Coburn, ordered a renewal of the charge by
Whitfield and Armstrong. A fierce encounter at close quarters ensued, in which
both sides suffered heavily. Forrest began to close down on the left and rear of
the enemy, with a view to cutting off their escape north or east, causing the
Twenty-second Wisconsin to break into a stampede. Cosby's brigade was crossing
Duck River, the men of the First Mississippi and of the Twenty-eighth coming
over in a ferry-boat, their horses being forced to swim the swollen stream. In
obedience to an order from Van Dorn, we rode at full speed to gain our extreme
left, and then wheeled into line so as to close avenues of escape west or
northwest. Here we did but little fighting and lost only three men. Coburn,
perceiving the disaster occasioned by Forrest's movements, withdrew slowly and
with fixed bayonets in order to receive Forrest. Then, when Forrest had
approached within twenty feet and his men were drawing their pistols from
holsters, Coburn, realizing that his last avenue of escape was hopelessly closed
against him by the Mississippians, and that further resistance would be futile,
raised the white flag and surrendered. Thus closed this spirited battle. We
captured more than 1500 officers and men, unwounded, while our loss was less
than 350, mostly in Whitfield's and Armstrong's brigades.

  In the late afternoon, after burying their dead, the Federal prisoners were
escorted to the rear by Col. James Gordon's regiment. We of the first
Mississippi held the battlefield and made the wounded of both armies comfortable
by building for them great fires of cedar rails and keeping them replenished
with ample fuel during the night.

GRANGER OUTWITTED.

  Next day we were ordered back to our cantonments near Spring Hill, in a
beautiful grove of sugar maples, such as few of us had ever seen before. By
tapping the trees, drawing and boiling the sap, most delicious maple syrup was
obtained, which greatly improved our breakfast menu of wheaten cakes and butter,
so abundant in this garden-spot of Middle Tennessee. But the Federals had
determined to keep us busy. On the 8th, General Granger, with a column of 10,000
infantry and half as many cavalry and artillery, moved out from Franklin and
down the Columbia pike. Heavy skirmishes resulted, but the Confederates, largely
outnumbered, retired slowly and deliberately. For several days, heavy rains had
fallen, greatly swelling Duck River and its tributaries. Behind Rutherford
Creek, Van Dorn ordered us to make a stand, in order to gain time to send his
trains across Duck River, hoping for an opportunity to repeat on Granger the
tactics he had used against Coburn. But as Rutherford Creek and Duck River
continued to rise, Van Dorn decided it would be imprudent to risk battle between
those streams against a force so far superior to his own. If beaten, he would
probably lose the greater part of his command and leave Columbia exposed. He,
therefore, determined to ride up the river to a bridge twenty miles away and
return down the river by a forced march and cover Columbia again, before
Granger's men could cross both streams, though to do this Van Dorn had forty
miles to ride and Granger's cavalry only four. This bold and desperate movement
was successfully accomplished despite the fact that his vigilant enemy was aware
of Van Dorn's perilous position and was pressing his right vigorously in order
to force him into the fork of the river and the creek. So soon as they
discovered that Van Dorn had outwitted them and extricated his cavalry and had
reached Columbia before they could make preparation to cross Duck River, they
retired. They evidently feared lest longer absence from Franklin would tempt
their resourceful and fearless foe to ride around them and by a rapid march get
into Franklin behind them. Then, Van Dorn at once resumed his position near
Spring Hill.

  Just here I shall quote a pertinent letter written soon after these events and
published in the Macon Beacon of April 1st, 1863:

"Camp Pork and Biscuits,
          March 15th, 1862.     Not far from Spring Hill, Tenn. 
"Dear Pa:-
  I wrote you last from near Spring Hill, directly after the battle of Thompson
Station. I was mistaken in the estimate I made of the prisoners taken. The
number did not exceed 1500, exclusive of the wounded that fell into our hands.
But my estimates of the killed and wounded on either side may be regarded as
very nearly correct. Several days afterwards, the Federals again advanced from
Franklin with an overwhelming force of twenty regiments of infantry and five of
cavalry. On the 9th, Van Dorn with his whole cavalry force retreated in good
order and took up a new line of defence behind Rutherford Creek, swollen by
excessive rains so as to become impassable at the ordinary fords. It was Van
Dora's intention to hold the enemy in check, until a bridge of boats could be
constructed across Duck River for the transportation of his artillery and wagon
trains. On the 10th, the heavy rain began to fall and continued incessantly
during the night to descend in torrents upon our soldiers drenched to the skin
and shivering with cold, as they crowded around their feeble fires. Our company
and Captain Chandler's, having been detailed as sharp-shooters, had taken
position on the banks of the Rutherford in two little stockade-forts, built last
summer by the Federals. It was in one of these that little Jere Beasley came to
his untimely and melancholy end by the accidental discharge of a pistol in the
hands of his dear comrade. The ball entered Jere's head immediately behind his
left ear and passed through, coming out two inches behind the right ear.
Contrary to all expectations, Jere survived three days and was buried in Rose
Hill cemetery, in Columbia, on yesterday. Lieutenant T. J. Deupree had a neat
stone properly engraved and placed over the spot to mark it permanently. The
death of no one else could have caused such deep grief in the company. "Jerry,"
as he was familiarly called, was dearly beloved by all who knew him.

  "On the evening of the 10th, the Federals were in considerable force in our
front on the opposite bank of the creek. By night the Duck River had so risen
and the current had become so strong, that all hopes of successfully
constructing the bridge had vanished. Our condition began to grow critical.
Prospects were gloomy. Hemmed in by a force double our own in front and with no
means save a single small and frail ferry for crossing the turbid river in our
rear, we expected nothing on the morrow but a desperate and bloody engagement or
a melancholy and unconditional surrender. But when the morning sun arose
beautiful and clear for the first time in many days, our hopes revived and
general confidence in our officers was restored. The wagons had been conveyed
across the river during the night, and only the four pieces of artillery and the
caissons awaited transportation. These were speedily carried across. The
Federals began early to reconnoiter our position and to shell our camp from
adjacent hills. They doubtless thought from the numerous fires, which we had
kindled by Van Dorn's order, as well as from the excessive yelling that
prevailed, that we had received heavy reinforcements. After detailing Colonel
Woodward's Kentucky regiment to cover the retreat, Van Dorn by skillful
maneuvering succeeded in drawing off his forces and proceeded up the river some
twenty miles and crossed on a bridge near White's Mills. The enemy did not learn
of the withdrawal till about night. They believed that we intended to get in
their rear again, and began a hasty retreat to Franklin, whence they came. We
reached our present camp yesterday. Duck River has fallen so as again to be
almost fordable. Our lines now extend beyond Spring Hill. Horses generally need
shoeing, and many are now unfit for service on account of lameness caused by
traveling over those rocky roads and pikes.

  "We believe that God has been with us and pray that He will still bless and
protect us. Especially, we pray for peace and national prosperity. Love to all,
                            Affectionately,
                                        JOHN."

  The pontoon bridge at Columbia was rapidly reconstructed, and the cavalry of
Van Dorn had advanced beyond Spring Hill by March 15th.

THE DASH INTO FRANKLIN.

  Cosby's and Whitfield's brigades, now of Jackson's division, on the Columbia
pike were keeping up continuous skirmishing with the Federal outposts, while
Armstrong's and Starnes' brigades of Forrest's division did likewise on the
Lewisburg pike. On the 28th, Forrest assailed Brentwood and captured the
garrison of about 780 men, with their arms, munitions, and baggage. Then the
usual routine of outpost service continued without noteworthy incident till
about April 9th, when General Jackson, commanding the advance, was led to
believe that Granger was evacuating Franklin. With a view to a reconnaissance
and to creating a diversion in favor of Bragg's army in front of Tullahoma, Van
Dorn moved early on the morning of April 10th to attack Franklin. Unluckily, as
the sequel proved, he was twenty-four hours too late, for Granger had received
reinforcements, including Stanley's strong brigade of cavalry which was destined
to save Granger from overwhelming disaster. Jackson's cavalry, with the First
Mississippi in advance, under the immediate eye of Van Dorn, rode at full speed
on the Columbia pike, running over the opposing cavalry and right up against the
bristling bayonets of the Fourth Ohio Infantry, strongly posted as a reserve.
Within less than five minutes, the Noxubee Squadron had lost a dozen horses, and
some men wounded. By this time, the regiment had wheeled into line. Colonel
Pinson ordered us to draw pistols and charge the Ohioans. With a wild yell, we
rode at full speed, leaping the ditch and forcing the enemy to seek shelter
within the fort. To our left, the Twenty-eighth Mississippi with drawn sabres
swept into the town, winning plaudits from Van Dorn, while Jackson complimented
the First Mississippi. Armstrong's brigade on the Lewisburg pike, under the eye
of Forrest, had likewise driven the enemy within their fortifications in the
edge of town. All were now preparing for a final assault. Whitfield's brigade on
the Columbia pike and Starnes' brigade on the Lewisburg pike were approaching.
But about this time Armstrong's attack suddenly ceased, for something untoward
had occurred two miles rearward of his position. In disregard of orders,
Stanley's cavalry including the Fourth Regulars had withdrawn from their
position and had ridden westward, intending to strike Armstrong's rear at
Hughes' mill, and was moving rapidly towards the Lewisburg pike, along which
Starnes was marching in column and in fancied security towards Franklin to join
in Armstrong's assault. Unexpectedly, Stanley's men collided with Starnes' column.

  At the mill, the road leading to the Lewisburg pike forked. By one fork it was
a mile to the pike, and by the other it was a mile and a half. On the shorter
road, Stanley dispatched three regiments, and on the longer two with the Fourth
Regulars leading. The Regulars arrived within a hundred yards of the pike,
before their presence was discovered. Captain Freeman promptly put his four
cannon in position; but before he could fire, the Regulars were upon him,
driving off the few cavalry that had gathered to support the battery, and
capturing Captain Freeman, his guns, and 36 of his men. Starnes at once
retrieved the error, of not guarding his flanks, by leading a furious assault
against the Regulars, driving them off, and recapturing Freeman's battery. The
Regulars hurried off with their prisoners, shooting down Captain Freeman and
others unable to run as rapidly as the Regulars wished to retreat before
Starnes. This retreat of Stanley ended the fighting,-but he had saved Granger.

  Here I beg to quote the following pertinent letter, copied from the Macon
Beacon of April 29th, 1863:

          "In camp, near Spring Hill, Tenn., April 11, 1863. 
"Dear Pa:-
  Thinking you will doubtless hear of the terrible battle in which Cosby's
brigade was engaged yesterday, knowing you will be uneasy until you hear
definitely of casualties in our regiment, I write at once; and to dissipate your
uneasiness, I state at the outset that no one was seriously hurt in the Noxubee
Squadron.

  "About 10 o'clock yesterday morning, our brigade being in advance and supplied
with two days' rations and forty rounds of ammunition, began its march towards
Franklin, to make a reconnaissance in force in order to determine whether the
enemy were evacuating their works or not on Harpeth River, as scouts reported
they were doing. Our regiment was in front and was ordered to drive in the
Federal pickets and outposts. Within two miles of Franklin, we discovered a
small force of hostile cavalry strongly posted on Winston Hill. We advanced on
them in a gallop; they fled precipitately, without firing or being fired on. We
pursued closely till within a half-mile of Franklin. Here they rallied,
supported by two or more companies of infantry, and thus checked for the time
our further advance in that direction. At this point, one man was killed in
Taylor's company and one wounded in Cravens'. Colonel Pinson, seeing the
strength of their position and not being able to learn their exact number,
concealed as they were behind the brow of the hill, immediately dispatched a
courier to state the facts to the general and ask for reinforcements. Orders
came to move to the right and, if possible, to turn the enemy's flank and thus
dislodge him. We had gone about one-fourth of a mile east of the pike, when we
were thrown into line to receive the charge of a party of Federal cavalry. But
as soon as we began to move towards them, they 'turned tail' and moved off
rapidly. At this time, General Van Dorn, attended by his own and General
Jackson's escort, appeared on the field.

  Our regiment was now divided: the major part under Major Wheeler, moving
further east, being dismounted and posted in the woods, was briefly engaged, but
without loss, as each man was protected by a tree or stump; the remainder of the
regiment, i. e., companies A, D, I, and G, led by Colonel Pinson in person,
charged across an open field, 400 yards wide, for the purpose of routing the
enemy, supposed to be in small force on the opposite edge of the field. These
Federals, concealed by a slight elevation of ground, waited till we were within
100 yards and then arose, about 500 strong, and poured a galling fire into our
ranks, doing dreadful execution, as regards horses. We halted and calmly stood
the fire, though unable to return it as our guns had previously been discharged.
We then retired with deliberation for about 100 yards, when we halted and
prepared to make another charge upon the enemy. Though we charged desperately,
the result was as before. Pinson dispatched to Van Dorn, that it was impossible,
when so outnumbered, to dislodge the enemy; and this is the reply he received,
which I know to be true, for Latt was the bearer of the message: "Hold your
position as long as possible; you shall be reinforced". In order to hold his
position, Pinson again charged but with like result. As we began the third
charge, my horse was rapidly growing weaker from loss of blood flowing freely
from a wound received in the first charge, and I was ordered by Cousin Jeff in
command of the company to fall out of ranks and go to the rear. This order I
obeyed with alacrity. I was immediately joined by Cousin Latt and several others
with wounded horses. Soon Starkes' regiment, commanded by Major Jones, came up
in gallant style to the support of Pinson, forming on our left. Then Ballentine
formed left of the pike. A charge was immediately made, and the Federals were
routed and driven into town. Major Jones and Colonel Ballentine followed them
closely through the streets and, like Pinson's men, punished them severely. The
Federals, howver, under cover of their artillery, succeeded in crossing Harpeth
River. After collecting a considerable amount of valuable spoils, and being
shelled by the Federal batteries, we rode out of Franklin. Had not many of the
Federal infantry taken refuge in the courthouse and other brick buildings and
kept up therefrom such a continuous fire, many prisoners might have been brought
off with us. We remained in the vicinity of Franklin, keeping the enemy beyond
the Harpeth, till late in the day, when we withdrew into camp.

  "Bill Jackson, of Co. G, was slightly wounded in the chin; Montague's,
Holberg's, Billy Pagan's and John Hudson's horses were killed; Latt's and mine
so badly wounded, that they were condemned; Tom Brooks's horse was slightly
wounded; Lieutenants Deupree, Day, and Foote led the company bravely in every
charge, the two last untouched, and the former struck by a minie ball on the
shin bone below the knee and receiving thus a black and sorely bruised spot that
lingered many days, though no bone was broken and no blood was shed. Company F
had J. J. Hunter painfully wounded in the foot, and suffered some in
horse-flesh. Company A lost one man killed, and had two wounded by a grape-shot,
and lost in horses about as we did. Company E had one man killed. Company C lost
one man killed and had four wounded. Companies D and I, each, lost four men
wounded; but their loss in horses did not equal ours. Companies E and C suffered
some loss in horses, I do not know how much.

  "Starkes' regiment lost eleven men killed and forty-two wounded. Ballentine's
loss was slight.

  "I am grateful to God for His preserving care in answer to the prayers of
loved ones at home.

                           Affectionately, your son,
                                                  JOHN."

THE ASSASSINATION OF VAN D0RN.

  It was now dark and our cavalry withdrew to Spring Hill. Not long afterwards,
Forrest was sent in pursuit of Streight who was bent on destroying the
Confederate munition-plant at Rome, Ga. Van Dorn and his staff occupied the
house of Dr. Peters, a prominent citizen of Spring Hill, while his body-guard
bivouacked not far away. Being alert, fearless, and skillful, Van Dorn gave the
enemy great cause for vigilance and anxiety, and some of them would not have
scrupled to employ any means, however reprehensible, to get rid of him. On May
7th, General Van Dorn sat at his desk in conference with a member of his staff
in his office on the second floor. Dr. Peters, with evil intent, though
pretending the greatest friendliness, entered the room and requested a passport
to go into Nashville through the Confederate lines. The staff-officer withdrew,
as Van Dorn turned to his desk to write the passport. Then, just as Van Doin had
finished the signature, Dr. Peters, standing at his back, fired the fatal bullet
through his head, seized the passport, walked quietly out of the room and down
stairs through the hall, mounted his horse at the gate, and rode rapidly across
the fields to the Federal lines before the alarm could spread and troopers be
sent in pursuit. But soon all was excitement and confusion, for thousands of
desperate horsemen were prepared to chase the fugitive, but too late! Had they
caught him, he would have been instantly torn to pieces. He remained under
Federal protection till the war ended. It was rumored that he went directly to
Nashville and received his reward. It is a fact, at any rate, that after the war
he soon recovered his plantation on the Mississippi and held it till his death.
Unfortunately for us, thus passed away the brilliant Van Dorn, hero of more than
a score of battles and just on the verge, as we believed, of entering on the
greatest enterprise he had ever conceived, to wit, the invasion of Ohio with his
invincible corps of cavalry. General Joseph E. Johnston telegraphed to Adjutant
S. Cooper at Richmond, Va., "I have just received the painful intelligence of
the death of the distinguished Major-General Earl Van Dorn, which occurred this
morning at Spring Hill." General W. H. Jackson issued General Order No. 3, from
which I quote these words, which so fittingly depict Van Dorn's character: "Upon
the battlefield, he was, indeed, the very personification of courage and
chivalry. No knight of the olden time ever advanced to the contest more eagerly;
and, after the fury of the struggle was over, none was ever more generous and
humane to the sufferers than he. As a commanding officer, he was warmly beloved
and highly respected; as a gentleman, his social qualities were of the rarest
order; and for goodness of heart he had no superior. His deeds have rendered his
name worthy to be enrolled beside the proudest in the Confederate Capitol and
will ever be fondly cherished in the hearts of his command".

BACK TO MISSISSIPPI.

  Brigadier-General W. H. Jackson was now the ranking officer of the cavalry
corps until Forrest, after capturing Streight, returned to Spring Hill and
assumed command on March 16th. A few days later, General Jackson was ordered
with his division of Whitfield's and Cosby's brigades to return to his former
field of operations in Mississippi. Cosby's brigade now included King's battery,
Pinson's First Mississippi, Starke's Twenty-eighth Mississippi, Gordon's Second
Mississippi, and Ballentine's regiment, mostly Tennesseeans but containing one
Mississippi company, commanded by Captain R. H. Taylor of Sardis,-a splendid
company and admirably officered. After a long and monotonous march, we reached
Mechanicsburg the latter part of May, on the right wing of the army which
General Joseph E. Johnston was assembling to relieve Vicksburg, after General
Pemberton, in violation of orders, had allowed himself to be shut in. Captain
Herrin's Squadron, which had been on detached duty near Pocahontas, to our
gratification, rejoined the regiment; and we also welcomed the return of
Lieutenant-Colonel Montgomery, who in consequence of ill-health, had been absent
on furlough for several weeks. Colonel Ross was now commanding Whitfield's
brigade, which at this time also included Jackson's old regiment, the Seventh
Tennessee, and also, perhaps Wirt Adams' regiment. We were in constant touch
with the enemy, and frequent skirmishes along our picket lines resulted in small
losses to either side. Perhaps, the letter I find in Montgomery's Reminiscences,
will more clearly reveal the situation, as it was written in our camp here. It
is as follows:

                     "Camp near Mechanicsburg, June 28th, 1863.

  "* * * A few days ago, two regiments from the command were sent out on a
scout, and had a pretty sharp fight with the Yankees, killing 30 and capturing
unwounded as many more; our own loss being 20 killed and wounded. Howell Hinds,
a free fighter with Adams' regiment, was dangerously wounded. A few days later,
General Cosby led us out again, but we saw no Yankees. Colonel Pinson is out of
camp, sick. I expect him back today. * * * It is impossible to say where or when
General Johnston will move. No one knows but himself. * * * At this camp we hear
every cannon fired at Vicksburg; and for days and nights the firing has been
terrific. I hope Johnston will move against the enemy in time to save the city.
But his plans are known only to himself. The other day, a lady asked him some
questions, to whom he replied, 'If my hat knew my thoughts, I would burn it up'.
He keeps his own counsel".

  The Howell Hinds mentioned above was a son of General Thomas Hinds, who won
fame under General Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812. Though badly wounded,
Howell Hinds recovered, only to be killed in Greenville two years after the war,
while trying to separate two of his friends engaged in a pistol duel."

  Every day we anxiously awaited orders to advance, ever ready to move at a
moment's notice. But the fateful day found us still in camp here and on that day
Colonel Montgomery in a letter wrote, as follows:

               "Camp near Mechanicsburg, July 4th, 1868.
  "* * * We are living pretty hard at present, some days faring moderately well
and on others badly. Nearly every day, however, some of the boys bring me a pint
or more of blackberries, which are very plentiful now and which I enjoy very
much. Roasting ears are ripe, too, and we cannot starve, nor can our horses.
Time drags on. We have not yet attacked the enemy. But the attack may begin at
any time, and I believe we shall be able to whip the Yankees and relieve our
gallant army in Vicksburg, who have been shut up for so many weeks and exposed
to incessant storms of shot and shell. More than 50,000 shells have been thrown
into the city, according to the best estimates, and our army loses many killed
and wounded by these missiles every day; among them, valuable officers. * * *
The signs are favorable. A New York paper a few days ago advocated peace upon
terms which would recognize our independence, equitably divide the territories,
and grant the border States the privilege of choosing for themselves whether
they will remain in the Union or join the Confederacy. Nothing now but some
great victory, like the fall of Vicksburg, can reanimate the North. But even
with the loss of Vicksburg no true Southerner would despair.   It would only
prolong the war."

THE FALL OF VICKSBURG.

  We know now that even while Colonel Montgomery was penciling this interesting
letter to his wife, negotiations were in progress between Grant and Pemberton,
and the great victory for the North and disaster for the South became an
accomplished fact, though several hours must pass before we could know it.

  On July 4th, we broke camp and in the afternoon marched down the west side of
Big Black about twenty miles and bivouacked near the river. Not far away
pontoons had been laid, and our infantry and artillery had received orders to
begin crossing the river by daylight on the 5th; and, with our cavalry in
advance, they were to assail Grant's right wing, with a view to giving Pemberton
an opportunity to withdraw his army from Vicksburg. But, unfortunately for the
South, this was not to be.

    "Alas! for the Southron, that struggle was o'er;
    Our banners were waving over Vicksburg no more;
    The Stripes of the Yankees were floating instead;
    And the hopes of Mississippi were broken and dead."

  More than half a century has passed since this sad surrender, but I still feel
that Pemberton chose the wrong day for capitulation. Many pronounced him a
traitor; if so, may God forgive him! But this victory fired the Northern heart
with renewed determination to redouble their efforts to subjugate us. and this
defeat spoiled for us the joy of July 4th forever, for how can we participate in
its celebrating and thus apparently rejoice in the surrender of Vicksburg?
Pemberton must have known Johnston's intention and should have held out a few
days longer, at all hazards.

  Just before daylight on the 5th, a courier reported the surrender of
Vicksburg, and we were ordered to cross Big Black. Our wagons went towards
Jackson, while we proceeded south and struck the V. & M. railroad between
Edwards and Bovina. We began to destroy the track, removing and twisting the
rails and burning the crossties, as we retired slowly towards Jackson, followed
closely by the enemy in great numbers. We found Jackson entrenched and defended
by Johnston's army. We passed through the city and went into camp east of the
Pearl. We rested here till Jackson was evacuated on the night of the 16th, when
we were ordered to fall behind the army and to cover its retreat. We took
position between Jackson and Brandon. One day Pemberton rode through our camp to
get to the railroad and take a train for Richmond, Va. His downcast and
sorrowful countenance excited commiseration. Reaching Richmond, he resigned his
commission as Lieutenant-General, and we heard of him no more during the war.
Afterwards, to his credit be it said, he died poor and obscure, and thus he was
relieved of the suspicion that he had been a traitor.

IN RANKIN.

  The infantry and artillery moved on to Meridian. We remained in Rankin County,
inactive for sometime. One day, a company of Federal infantry with several
wagons had crossed the Pearl and were plundering the citizens. Captain Herrin's
squadron was sent to intercept them. Within a few hours he returned to camp with
60 prisoners and four wagons heavily loaded with all sorts of plunder. He had
surprised the Federals. In the resulting fight, he had suffered no loss and but
one Federal was killed. A few days later, a terrific thunderstorm passed over
our camp and private High of the Pontotoc Dragoons was killed by lightning. The
following extract from a letter written by Colonel Montgomery will give a good
idea of the prevailing sentiment in our command at the time:

                                "Near Brandon, August 4th, 1863.
  "* * * The people from all parts of Mississippi are fleeing to Alabama and
Georgia, and I don't know what is to become of them all nor how they are to
live. I am convinced some effort ought to be made to save negro property by
sending it off, yet it is best for families in the present state of affairs to
remain at home, as they will lose less, besides saving themselves the annoyance
and trouble inevitable from running away. Besides, the best place they can run
to may eventually prove unsafe. Mobile, doubtless, will soon be invested and
probably fall, if the war lasts long. So may every stronghold; but we will not
be conquered, nor will we ever be, while our armies are in the field and our
people are unsubdued.

  "Never despair; we shall yet have peace on terms honorable to the South. News
from Europe is by no means unfavorable. I am satisfied, Mr. Yancey is correct,
when he says that England and France will intervene, whenever they think there
is danger of our being conquered. But while there is no danger of that, there is
danger that the war will yet last a long time, unless they intervene, and this
they will do before the war ends. Louis Napoleon has brought his war with Mexico
to a close, and so certain as the sun rises and sets he will soon recognize our
independence, whether any other nation does or not.

  "I believe a great battle will soon be fought in Virginia with important
results, for just now the North believes that, if Lee can be whipped, the war
will be practically over. * * * But, even should Lee be defeated, and though
Richmond be captured, tens of thousands of Southern men will never lay down
their arms nor give up the struggle till they have wrested victory from their
enemies; and among that number, if life and health be spared, I know, my dear
wife, while you would mourn the necessity, you would be proud to count me. For
we are fighting for all we hold dear on earth; and eternal shame and dishonor
await those who may refuse to sacrifice all in defense of home and liberty."

FAYETTE.

  Of course all hope of foreign intervention in our behalf proved to be but the
"stuff dreams are made of". By 6 o'clock next morning, we were ordered to
Jackson. The Federals had withdrawn, and we proceeded to Fayette. General Clark,
who had been desperately wounded, was living here, still unable to walk, but
still defiant. He had been exchanged; and later, incapable of military service,
he was made governor. After a brief stay in Fayette, we moved eastward and then
northward, passed through Terry and encamped near Jackson for a few days. The
object of this scout, I suppose, was to encourage the people, for we had not
seen even one enemy.

LEXINGTON.

Next, our regiment was ordered to join Jackson's division at Lexington. Here we
participated in a grand review, in which the division made a magnificent
display. This, too, tended to cheer the spirits of the people, who could not
fail to observe that the cavalry were again ready for active work and sanguine
of ultimate success. Horses and men were in excellent condition, wdl prepared
for fall and winter campaigns. Winter-Quarters were not thought of. Even tents
had long ago disappeared. But under any and all sorts of weather conditions,
wherever and whenever even a temporary halt was made, the men had learned to
improvise adequate shelter. For convenience in procuring subsistence from the
country, brigades and regiments had been separated by intervals of miles, but
all were so located as to watch the enemy and to be within easy call of division
headquarters, in case it became necessary for them to be massed quickly and
unexpectedly. For some weeks we had little to do except to send out pickets and
scouting parties so as to keep in touch with any hostile movements of the enemy
along the Mississippi or the Yazoo River, where they had considerable forces.
The Sixth Texas and the First Mississippi were thrown together, Colonel Sul
Ross, as senior to Colonel Pinson, being in command of the brigade; for General
Cosby had been assigned to duty elsewhere, and we never saw him again. He was a
splendid officer, when sober; and, when not, the adjutant-general would
invariably let the ranking colonel of the brigade know it. At any rate, we were
happy to be under Ross, one of the best cavalrymen in the service, in whose
subsequent promotion we all rejoiced. Also, I will say incidentally, just here,
that those of us who survived the war and for a time lived in the Lone Star
State, were especially delighted when he was elected governor and were proud of
his splendid administration of that high office, as well as of the universal
esteem and love which the people always manifested for him.

RICHLAND.

  One day at Richland, General Reuben Davis visited our camp and made an able
and very eloquent speech, which we all thoroughly enjoyed. He had seen service
in the war with Mexico, and at this time he was a candidate for governor against
General Clark. Confederate soldiers were by law entitled to vote for governor;
and, in exercising this privilege, we cast our ballots overwhelmingly for
General Charles Clark, who because of his wounds could not make a canvass. Some
years after the war, General Davis published his "Reminiscences of a Long Life,"
which easily rivalled in merit and interest Baldwyn's "Flush Times in Alabama
and Mississippi."

  The citizens of Richland and vicinity gave our brigade a great barbecue. Long
tables were filled with perfectly barbecued and highly seasoned beef and mutton,
roasting ears, sweet potatoes, and many other good things too numerous to
mention here. We all eagerly showed our appreciation in the most direct and
practical way. For once, at any rate, every man in the two regiments had all he
could eat and as much as he could carry away in his haversack. Next day, the
fair ladies of Richland presented a new battleflag to the First Mississippi. The
field was blue. The red diagonals formed a cross bearing eleven white stars, for
the eleven Confederate States, the largest star being at the intersection of the
diagonals in the centre of the flag. A bright yellow border encircled the whole.
A most beautiful young lady mounted on a handsome horse made the
presentation-speech in most charming style, to which this scribe responded in
the purest and tersest English he could command. The flag was exceedingly
beautiful and the regiment in appropriate resolutions expressed their thanks and
appreciation. Soon it was to wave in face of the foe; and, ere the year closed,
two brave boys had shed their precious blood while bearing it to victory. It was
our battle flag till the end of the war.

THE TENNESSEE VALLEY.

  In the last days of October, Ross with his own and Pinson's regiment was
ordered to the Tennessee Valley to retard the progress of Sherman on his march
from Corinth to reinforce Grant at Chattanooga. We rode across the country to
Pontotoc. Leaving our wagons there, we carried five days' cooked rations and
reached Pride's Station on the M. & C. railroad about ten miles west of
Tuscumbia, just ahead of Sherman's advance detachment, which our scouts reported
as coming on rapidly. About six miles west of Tuscumbia, on a high and rocky and
wooded hill stood a country church. At the base of the hill ran the railroad,
and a mile away towards Tuscumbia flowed a creek, fringed with forest trees. At
the church, Ross made his first stand. Late in the afternoon, a company of
Texans, deployed as pickets and standing on a hill a mile in front of us, saw
the advancing Federals as they moved steadily forward. Between the hills, the
country was open, and from our hill we could plainly see the Texans holding
their own against odds, until the ever-increasing numbers of the enemy compelled
our Texans to yield ground, which they did slowly, deliberately, and in perfect
order, with the loss of many horses and a few men wounded, most of them but
slightly. The enemy's infantry and artillery seized the hill which Ross's men
had left, and with a rain of shells made our position at the church quite
uncomfortable, especially as we had no artillery and our carbines could do them
but little harm a mile away. How we got off with so few casualties is among the
marvels of the war. It was late and the enemy did not follow that night. Ross
led his command across the creek, which seemed a good line of defense. Though
our strength was totally inadequate, Ross determined to contest every foot of
ground and to delay Sherman as much as possible on his march towards Chattanooga.

  As soon as day dawned, rifle-firing began. Our pickets, a company of Texans
and a company of Mississippians, were not easily driven. As they were well
posted and well protected, the sun was up more than twenty degrees, before they
withdrew, as they did in good order and with slight loss. Heavy lines of hostile
infantry and two batteries of artillery followed them closely. When they came
within range of our two regiments holding the line of the creek, the firing
became fast and furious. Here we held our position firmly till a large flanking
force was reported to be moving south of us; and then we retired, having lost a
few men killed and about forty wounded. As the enemy came forward in close array
through the open, while we were more or less screened by the timber skirting the
creek, their loss must have greatly exceeded ours, especially as we were
veterans and well armed. We buried our dead near Tuscumbia and placed the
wounded in a hospital improvised for the occasion. But alas! among the wounded
was our youthful, gallant, and dearly beloved adjutant, William E. Beasley, whom
Colonel Pinson sent home to Macon, Miss., in care of Dr. Shelt Wellbourne, a
physician in the Noxubee Cavalry, in which Beasley still claimed membership.
Though he was seriously wounded in the leg, it was believed he would be able to
endure the long trip through Alabama in an ambulance; and so he did. But his
wound had not been thoroughly disinfected, nor had it been properly dressed for
several days before he arrived in Macon. Consequently, gangrene had set in, and
amputation below the knee was imperative. After a few days, gangrene again
appeared, necessitating a second amputation, this time above the knee. A day or
two passed, when suddenly a tie of the artery gave way and this patient and
heroic sufferer quickly bled to death. He was a mere boy, under twenty years of
age, as chaste and modest as a maiden, yet as brave and fearless as Julius
Caesar. His memory will be cherished and loved as long as a member of the First
Mississippi Cavalry survives. The noble spirits of his father and younger
brother, as previously recorded in this narrative, had preceded him to the
glory-land, their lives like his having been sacrificed in the same holy cause.
At this writing, a sister, Mrs. Connie Beasley Owen, is the only survivor of the
illustrious Beasley family of Noxubee County.

  This was our hardest struggle with Sherman's men. We fell back, sometimes
directly facing the enemy and sometimes hovering on his flanks. Sherman
evidently did not like our close and persistent attention; for, ere we reached
Decatur, he crossed the Tennessee and continued his march north of that river.
We then withdrew and camped a day or more at the biggest spring I ever saw. A
thousand horses could easily be watered there at the same time. As we could
render no further service in the Tennessee Valley, we were again transferred to
Mississippi. We crossed the mountains, and the latter part of November we were
again in Pontotoc.

PONTOTOC.

  Here, to our great gratification, we found our wagons, for we had been without
regular rations for weeks. However, if cavalry be given food for their horses,
the men will contrive somehow to live. We remained in Pontotoc several days. The
people all gladly contributed to our enjoyment. This was the home of Colonel
Pinson, and Pontotoc County was the home of two of our best companies; and all
did their utmost to extend a hearty welcome and entertainment to their comrades
in the First Mississippi and Sixth Texas. Of course, while here we saw little of
our beloved Colonel, for this was also the home of the accomplished Miss Sina
Duke, whom a few months later he led as a bride to the altar. At this writing,
she still survives and with her sister lives in a handsome and commodious home
in the city of Memphis, honored and revered by all the survivors of the
thousands who knew and loved Col. R. A. Pinson.

MOSCOW.

  From Pontotoc we were ordered to New Albany to report to General S. D. Lee,
who had assembled here other commands. Under Lee, we marched north, striking the
M. & C. railroad between Middleton and Saulsbury, in order to escort General
Forrest and his small force into West Tennessee, where Forrest was to encourage
the people and to gather recruits. As Forrest proceeded north, Lee moved west
along the railroad, destroying it as he went and making it useless to the enemy,
while also diverting attention from Forrest. Having passed La Grange and gone
around Moscow, which was strongly garrisoned, we struck the railroad again
several miles west of Moscow and tore up the track, especially to prevent
reinforcements from Memphis coming to the aid of Moscow. Then with the view of
assailing Moscow, General Lee headed his column east and proceeded at a rapid
trot. Lieutenant S. B. Day, of the Noxubee Cavalry, as daring an officer as the
regiment could furnish, led the advance-guard of twenty men from the Noxubee
Squadron, ten from Company F and ten from Company G, including George Alford, T.
S. Brooks, J. G. Deupree, Chesley Jarnagin, Jake Holberg, and others whose names
cannot at this time be recalled. We were about one-hundred yards in front of the
regiment, and Lieutenant Day had orders to charge whatever hostile force he
might encounter. From the top of a ridge which overlooked the Wolf River bottom
lying between us and Moscow, the country was open, with the exception of a
fringe of forest trees a hundred yards wide, or less, immediately along the
river's bank. Wolf River was narrow and deep, with precipitous banks and
well-nigh impassable otherwise than by means of the bridge. Lieutenant Day, on
ascending the ridge and looking towards Moscow, saw several hundred cavalry and
some artillery that had evidently just come across the bridge, and others
following. He promptly ordered and led the charge. Raising the rebel yell, we
followed Day at full speed. Intuitively taking in the situation, Colonel Pinson,
with General Lee riding beside him, likewise led the regiment at full speed;
and, fronting into line, struck the enemy like a thunderbolt from the clear sky.
For a brief interval, we were exposed to a severe fire, especially those of us
in the advance-guard. The Federals used cannon as well as carbines, one small
piece being fired several times from the "business-end" of a mule. But quicker
than the story can be told, we drove them into the river and many of them were
drowned. Some of them escaped across the bridge. Never was victory more swift
and complete. They lost not less than 175 in killed and wounded. Besides, we
captured not less than 40 horses and unwounded men. Reinforcements from Moscow
held the bridge and prevented our crossing into town. However, from our side of
the river we poured into them from carbines and pistols such a fusilade as to
drive them to the fortifications. We suffered severe losses. Lieutenant Miller,
the promising young son of our former Colonel, was killed while bearing the
regimental flag; after him, another brave boy was shot down, as he raised it
over his head; but the third, who seized the falling colors, bore them till the
victory was achieved. Colonel Pinson as always, was in the thickest of the fray,
sitting erect on his horse and cheering his men. Seeing one of his old company
firing from behind a tree, he suggested that better sight and better aim could
be had, if he would step in front of the tree. The soldier at once took the hint
and stepped in front. As he did so, he was wounded in the right arm, but he
continued firing till the fight ended.

  Of our twenty with Sam Day, scarcely one escaped entirely, every one being
shot or having his horse shot under him, though most of the wounds were slight.
I remember some of the unfortunates now: J. Chesley Jarnagin, eldest and noble
son of the eminent lawyer and jurist, Hampton L. Jarnagin, of Macon, was killed
by a bullet through his brain. Jake Holberg, as brave a trooper as ever drew
sabre, was painfully wounded by a cannon ball, which passed through the shoulder
of his horse and then carried away his stirrup and his great toe. From excessive
pain Jake was impelled to exclaim, "Mein Gott! O mein Gott!" At once I asked
where he was hit. He continued to scream, "O mein Gott! mein Gott! mein toe!"
Alas! his toe was gone forever! and henceforth Jake was assuredly to be to a
certain extent, no-to(e)-ri-ous. But he survived the war and lived a long and
useful life, always ready to help a Confederate veteran and to serve his city
and State to the best of his ability. Macon had no better citizen. I wish I
could name every hero who on that day shed blood for his country. About 40 were
killed in the First Mississippi. The Sixth Texas got into the firing line just
as the fighting ceased.

SOUTH MISSISSIPPI.

  This was the last fight on this raid. By December 22d, we were again not far
from Jackson, brigaded with the Twenty-eighth Mississippi, Starke as Senior
Colonel now being in command. The month of January, 1864, was bitterly cold, and
we did only as much as was absolutely necessary. We remained in front of Jackson
and the railroad was in operation to Meridian. Early in February, Sherman began
again to invade Mississippi. General Leonidas Polk was in Meridian in command of
the Department, but his army was small. Jackson's cavalry could hope only to
delay and harass the march of Sherman's large and well-equipped army, so that
Polk might be adequately reinforced and prepared to give battle between Jackson
and Meridian. With three regiments of cavalry and King's battery, we were well
posted on a hill ten miles northwest of Clinton, on or near the plantation of
General Joe Davis, when the Federals were seen a mile or more away on another
hill. Several regiments of infantry, with one or more batteries of artillery,
preceded by a heavy line of skirmishers, advanced steadily in battle-array,
evidently despising the smallness of our force. A little dog trotted gaily along
in front of them, as if they simply meant only to set him on us in order to show
their contempt for our cavalry. At any rate, we felt it as an insult. By a few
well-aimed shots, the little dog was either killed or driven out of sight. But
we could never learn whether the dog was the "mascot" of some regiment or merely
a "scalawag" deserter from the loyal dogs of the State. In the brief engagement
that followed, few of us were hurt and-but one man killed,-a member of King's
battery. What casualties occurred among the Federals we never ascertained. Next
morning not far from Clinton, in a sharp skirmish without dismounting, we
inflicted considerable loss upon the enemy, while we had only a few horses and
men disabled. We made our next stand in the breastworks at Jackson on the
Clinton road near the present home of Bishop Bratton. Holding this position, we
did considerable execution, before the enemy by a flank movement on our left
threatened our line of retreat. Then we hastily mounted and rode rapidly till we
had crossed the railroad into Capitol street, and then somewhat less rapidly
till we came to West street. Here, as we turned north, we passed Judge William
Yerger standing on the sidewalk that borders the Governor's Mansion. Many knew
this famous lawyer and greeted him affectionately. He returned most graciously
the salutes; and, as we passed on, he was still standing and gazing towards the
railroad station, while the Federals were approaching it in great numbers. We
rode on at a slower pace and bivouacked north of the Insane Asylum. Next morning
we crossed the Pearl and followed a road leading east, parallel with the A. & V.
railroad and north of it, while Sherman's army was marching along a similar road
south of the A. & V. R. R. Our force was too weak to make effective resistance,
and we could only restrict the sweep of devastation by compelling the Federals
to march in compact masses and keep their columns well closed up.

  We reached Meridian on February 18th, and General Polk had already crossed the
Tombigbee into Alabama. It was a part of Sherman's plan for Smith and Grierson's
forces to converge and join him in Meridian; but the ubiquitious Forrest had
thwarted this well-conceived strategy. While under orders to go to Forrest's
support, soon after passing through Macon we learned of Forrest's brilliant
victory over Smith and received orders to go towards Jackson and harass Sherman
on his retreat to Vicksburg.

  By March 1st, we had reached Sharon a few miles from Canton. In a fight next
day with a detachment from McPherson's corps, in which we had a few horses
killed and a few men wounded more or less seriously, Colonel Montgomery had a
narrow escape when his horse was shot and killed under him. On this occasion,
Dr. Montgomery, our brigade surgeon, thought it would be fine sport and rode out
to the firing line, but not liking the music of the minies soon reached the
conclusion that a doctor would better be at his own business, dressing the
wounds of others than risking a wound himself. He had ridden only a hundred
yards towards the rear, when a Federal battery opened fire and the first shot
killed the doctor's new blooded horse, which he valued very highly.

  In the afternoon, the First Mississippi was ordered on a scout near Canton. To
avoid a large part of McPherson's corps, we made a detour by a neighborhood road
running west, which would lead into the main road that ran nearly due south into
Canton. The Noxubee Squadron was in front with Lieutenant Foote in command of
the advance-guard, which included T. S. Brooks, Nat Pierce, Dallas Pack, Henry
Foote, and some others, whose names I regret I cannot recall. Just before coming
back into the main Canton road, Lieutenant Foote detected the rear of a Federal
wagon train passing the intersection of the roads and moving south, towards
Canton. The infantry guard following the train was fully a quarter of a mile
behind it. As usual, quick to take in the situation, Lieutenant Foote led a
charge against the wagons while the Noxubee Cavalry joined him. We thus captured
and brought off nine splendid six-mule teams and as many wagons loaded with food
and forage enough for our brigade for many days. But as Capt. Craven, at the
head of the Noxubee Troopers, immediately following us, reached the forks of the
road, the rear guard of Federal infantry was approaching at double-quick,
determined to save their wagons. Without the slightest hesitation, Craven led a
brilliant charge against the infantry, routing them completely and bringing off
about forty unwounded prisoners. Craven's loss included a few horses shot and
fewer men wounded, among them J. J. Hunter, brother of Lieutenant Charley Hunter
and one of the bravest of the patriotic Hunter family. He carried the scar of
honor till death many years after peace had been declared. As it was now
night-fall and our proximity to McPherson's corps was too close to be
comfortable, we withdrew, leaving the Federal dead and wounded to the care of
their own comrades.

  Around our campfire that night, among other incidents related was an adventure
by Lewis Perkins, one of the best soldiers of the Noxubee Cavalry. He had
pursued a fleeing Federal trooper to the edge of the woods, when the latter
suddenly wheeled and began shooting at him with one of the army pistols drawn
from the holster on the pommel of his saddle. Perkins reined up, drew his own
navy-six and returned the fire till but one ball remained in the cylinder. Then,
while the Federal continued to fire, Perkins very deliberately took careful aim,
knowing it was his last and only chance; and, as he fired, his foeman threw up
his arm and fell to the ground, exclaiming, "You have kilt me, Sir". Perkins
found in his pockets money, jewelry, and a lady's watch marked with her
initials. Next day, guided by an old citizen of the neighborhood, he found the
lady, who told him how rudely the German villain had robbed and insulted her and
how she had said to him, "I shall pray to God that you may never live to enjoy
what you have stolen". To this, he replied, "I don't not fear dein Gott".
Perkins then said to her, "Madam, your prayer has been answered". He then handed
her all her jewelry and her watch. Of course, Perkins declined any compensation;
but it may be added, that in answer to the prayers of this good lady, Perkins
survived the war and was permitted to live many years as an honored and useful
citizen of Noxubee county.

  Within a few days, Sherman's army withdrew into Vicksburg, but we followed
them closely, so as to circumscribe their depredations within the narrowest
limits possible. About March 10th, we went into camp at Moore's Bluff on the Big
Black, after having been almost constantly in the saddle for more than thirty
days. Of course, we rejoiced to meet our wagons here. It is needless to say wa
spent a pleasant month, till men and horses could be made ready for further
service. Colonel Pinson was furloughed that he might go to Pontotoc to marry the
highly accomplished Miss S. E. Duke. Early in April, Jackson's division was
ordered to Grenada and thence to Columbus to prepare for a long march to
Johnston's army in Georgia. Colonel Pinson rejoined us ere we reached Columbus.
About a day's march from Grenada, that dashing cavalryman, General Frank C.
Armstrong met us and was assigned to the command of our brigade, which he
retained till the end of the war. From Colonel Montgomery's "Reminiscences", I
clip the following pertinent letter:

                       "Woodburn, Va., August 16, 1900. 
"Colonel Frank A. Montgomery,
      Rosedale, MISSISSIPPI.
"My dear friend:—
  Yours of the 12th received. I am here for a few weeks during this very hot
spell. I was very glad to hear again from you, for I love to be in touch with my
old comrades of the war. Yes; you are correct; my first service with your
gallant regiment was our raid around Bolivar, Tenn. I assumed permanent command
of the Mississippi Brigade near Grenada, en route to Johnston's army in Georgia,
and retained command till the end of the war. After the battle of Chickamaugua,
I went with Longstreet to East Tennessee, and by request of Forrest and Lee was
transferred to Mississippi. When orders came to send Jackson's division to
Georgia, I expressed a desire for service in front of Atlanta, and was assigned
to the old brigade, each regiment of which I had known well before. Though I
gave up a larger command and district, I never regretted it, as the honor and
satisfaction of commanding that glorious old Mississippi brigade, the First, the
Second, the Twenty-eighth, and Ballentine's regiment, with King's Missouri
battery, was my pride. Always ready, perfectly reliable, and under all
circumstances and conditions efficient, it was then, and has since ever been my
pride to be remembered as the commander of such patriotic and heroic men.

  In Georgia, and on Hood's advance into Tennessee, and on the retreat from
Nashville to the Tennessee River, they were always nearest to the enemy and they
never faltered. Often without rations or forage, with nothing but their
determination and honorable sense of duty to sustain them, they stood their
ground, yielding only under orders. When we returned to Tupelo, you will
remember, with General Dick Taylor's consent I furloughed the brigade, and I
pledged myself that these regiments would return at the appointed time better
equipped and mounted than they were when furloughed. They faithfully kept my
pledge. I can truly say that they were always loyal to their duty and to the
cause, and they never failed me in a single instance. My love and respect for
you all will only end when I am dead. Of the dear old First Mississippi Cavalry,
Colonel Dick Pinson, yourself, as well as all the officers and privates, nothing
is too complimentary. My confidence never wavered with the old First on the
line. I hope to see some of these old friends of mine again. I cannot close
without expressing to you, my dear old comrade, the great satisfaction you
always gave me in the discharge of duty, as you frequently commanded the
regiment. I was sometimes temporarily commanding the division, Pinson the
brigade, and you the old First. You both did your duty so perfectly, that I
always thought it a pity it could not be permanently so. I send you a photograph
taken a few months ago. Would you know it?
                 Always, as heretofore, yours sincerely, 
                               (signed)
                                    FRANK C. ARMSTRONG."




Additional Comments:
Volunteer transcription

Extracted from:

pages 54-93

PUBLICATIONS OF THE
MISSISSIPPI HISTORICAL SOCIETY

EDITED BY
DUNBAR ROWLAND, LL. D.
Secretary

CENTENARY SERIES VOLUME II


JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY
1918

DEMOCRAT PRINTING COMPANY MADISON, WISCONSIN


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