FORREST’S RAID INTO MEMPHIS, AUGUST 21, 1864
General Forrest, like most soldiers, had special animosities, and
one of his was General Cadwallader Colden Washburn. It might be said
that they were men of such disposition that they would certainly have
instinctive dislike for each other. Both were brave and extremely
loyal to the Cause they espoused, and neither saw much of good in
those on the opposite side. As they came to face each other in
Western Tennessee and Northern Mississippi, many things occurred to
increase rather than lessen their antipathies.
General Washburn was born May 14th, 1818, at Livermore, Maine.
Beginning life on his father’s farm, he had a brief experience in a
country retail store, then as schoolmaster, then emigrated west and
studied law. In Milton, Wisconsin, in 1842, he began practice. The
law was slow in that section at that period, and he became an agent
for settlers desiring to enter public lands. He was in Congress from
1855 to 1861. Refusing re-election, he raised a regiment of cavalry
in Wisconsin, and in October, 1861, entered active service. He was
associated with Curtis in Arkansas, and was particularly valuable at
the Battle of Grand Coteau. In 1862 he was made brigadier general. By
November he was advanced to major general. He was prominent in the
siege of Vicksburg, became commander of the Department of the Gulf,
warred vigorously in Texas, and came to be commandant at Memphis in
1864.
He had been instructed by General Sherman as to the necessity of
destroying Forrest. General Washburn organized the expedition under
General S. D. Sturgis, which met such tremendous defeat at Bryce’s
Cross Roads on June 10th, 1864. He was cognizant of, and accessory
before the fact, of Sherman’s offer of promotion to General Mower
if he would pursue and kill General Forrest. What is known as the
assault of Fort Pillow had particularly aroused feeling on General
Washburn’s part. When charged by General Forrest with inciting the
negro soldiers in his department to refuse quarter to Forrest’s
men, he parried but did not explicitly deny what Forrest stated he
had done. Reading between the lines, it is easy to discover that if
General Washburn did not suggest or approve this declaration of his
colored troops, he was not unwilling for them to go forth with a
fixed purpose to kill without exception such of Forrest’s cavalry as
by the exigencies and fortunes of war fell into their hands.
The failure of General Forrest under General Lee, at Harrisburg
in July, 1864, had rendered General Forrest anxious to avenge his
losses, and apparent defeat there; and he resolved to give General
Washburn and his troops a real lesson in the uncertainties of war.
When A. J. Smith retreated after his victory at Harrisburg, Forrest
pursued him with his usual persistence. General Sherman, who did
a great deal of telegraphing and seemed to have had an accurate
knowledge of the conditions in West Tennessee, on the 16th of June
had wired E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War, in regard to General
Forrest, “We must destroy him if possible.” On the same day, he
telegraphed, “We must make the people of Tennessee and Mississippi
feel that although a bold, daring and successful leader, he will
bring ruin and misery on any country where he may pass or tarry. If
we do not punish Forrest now, the whole effect of our vast conquest
will be lost.”
In carrying out these instructions, a large part of the northern
portion of Western Tennessee was laid waste, and, like the Shenandoah
Valley, was reduced to the condition, over which it was boasted by
Generals Grant and Sheridan, that if a crow flew, he must take his
rations with him.
General Sherman also said, “I had previously written to General
Washburn that he should employ A. J. Smith’s troops and any others
that he could reach, to pursue and if possible destroy all of
Forrest’s men.” General Sherman seemed to think more of Forrest and
his operations than he did of those who were opposing him in his
march to Atlanta.
When, at this time, it was proposed to give Forrest command of all
the cavalry, operating with Johnston’s army, be it said to the
credit of General Joseph Wheeler that he endorsed General Johnston’s
recommendation, and thereby showed himself to be a man of the highest
patriotism, of transcendent nobility of character, and of almost
unparalleled devotion to the Southern Cause. General Wheeler offered
to serve under General Forrest in any capacity Forrest might suggest.
No one who now studies General Wheeler’s campaigns can doubt that he
was one of the greatest soldiers the war produced, and this proposal
to serve anywhere in any capacity under General Forrest demonstrated
that his manhood and patriotism were of the same standard as his
capacity for leadership. Ranking General Forrest, he waived all such
considerations and cheerfully proposed to become Forrest’s lieutenant
in the contemplated assault on Sherman, and follow where Forrest
would lead.
In the assault on General A. J. Smith’s rear, Forrest received a
severe and painful wound. He never thought of personal danger and
was ever absolutely indifferent to fear. Previous to the Battle of
Harrisburg, General Forrest had asked for a furlough and sought to
be relieved of his command, but this was denied him by reason of the
exigencies of the hour.
Harrisburg was a bitter memory to Forrest. In that battle, three
of his brigade commanders were wounded and all the colonels were
either killed or wounded. Four miles from Tupelo at Old Town Creek,
in pursuing A. J. Smith, Forrest himself was struck by a ball in
his right foot. It was reported that Forrest had been killed.
This created intense consternation among his own soldiers, and
inexpressible joy among his enemies. Forrest felt that in the Battle
of Harrisburg his troops had acted with supreme courage, and on
that battlefield that they did not have a fair chance. This deeply
rankled in his heart. The successes of his previous campaigns had
made him believe that with anything like an even show his troopers
were invincible, and he dreamed of and sighed for an opportunity to
blot out the sad and bitter memories of that dreadful day, when
he saw his bravest and best go down in a conflict which was not
fought according to his judgment, nor along the lines upon which he
was accustomed to operate. After the battle, he issued a statement
in which he said, “Future generations will never weary of hanging
garlands on their graves.” Who was responsible for Harrisburg has
been the source and cause of acute and extended criticisms. Some
have said that Forrest on that occasion failed to fight as he always
fought before and that he hesitated where hesitation was bound to be
fatal.
Forrest was a born leader. He had always done best where he was the
head. Subordinate, he was restive, and he could only do his best and
accomplish most when he was supreme.
General Washburn had sent these several forces after Forrest, and
Forrest resolved to teach General Washburn a lesson he would not soon
forget. The wound which General Forrest received at Old Town Creek
was one from which he never recovered fully. After this casualty he
was compelled to go in a buggy, a plank across the dashboard holding
his leg in an elevated position, but his power as a leader lost none
of its effect from the fact that he was riding in a dilapidated buggy
rather than astride a breathing, moving, chafing war-horse.
On the 20th of July, General S. D. Lee, between whom and General
Forrest there was, probably unconscious to both of these patriotic
men, some feeling, was transferred to the army under General Hood at
Atlanta, and with the departure of Lee came General Richard Taylor,
lovingly called by his friends and his soldiers, “Dick” Taylor. He
and Forrest were kindred spirits. They looked at war through the same
lenses. They were alike brave and aggressive and restless spirits
that enjoyed the dangers and excitement of campaigns and battles, and
were not averse to strife as strife. They were warriors by nature,
and the fury of battle and the storm of conflict had no terrors for
their valiant hearts.
General Sherman had told his superiors that if Forrest could be taken
care of, he could handle Johnston, and so on the 20th of July, he
telegraphed General Halleck as follows: “A. J. Smith has orders to
hang on to Forrest and prevent his coming to Tennessee.” It was at
this time that rumors came to the Federals of the death of General
Forrest. On the 2d of August, 1864, Washburn telegraphed to Sherman:
“I have a report that Forrest died some days ago of lockjaw.” This
news General Sherman reported to General Grant. It was then that he
wired Washburn, “Is Forrest surely dead? If so, tell General Mower I
am pledged to him for his promotion, and if ‘Old Abe’ don’t make good
my promise, then General Mower can have my place.” (Official Records,
Volume 39, Part 2, page 233.)
Though Mower had not killed Forrest, on the 12th of August, 1864,
he received his commission as major general, and Sherman said to
Stanton: “Please convey to the President my thanks for the commission
for General Mower, whose task was to kill Forrest. He only crippled
him; he is a young and game officer.”
Early in August Generals Washburn, A. J. Smith, Mower and Grierson,
by their joint effort, had concentrated a very large force at
Memphis, consisting of ten thousand infantry, four thousand cavalry,
three thousand colored troops, and three Minnesota regiments. The
infantry of this contingent was moved as far as possible by rail, the
cavalry was marched overland, and on the 9th of August had reached
the Tallahatchie River between Holly Springs and Oxford, Mississippi.
At that time Forrest had five thousand, three hundred and fifty-seven
men, but the tremendous mortality among his officers had seriously
impaired the efficiency of his force. Pathetically, General Chalmers
informed General Forrest, “Both of my brigade commanders are wounded,
also a brigade commander of General Buford’s division, and most of
the field officers of the command were either killed or wounded in
the late engagement.”
This advance looked formidable and sorely taxed the genius of General
Forrest to face. He was opposed by nearly three to one. It was
important to hold the prairie country of the Mississippi, for it was
prolific of supplies. Forrest was given carte blanche by General
Maury, who was then in immediate command of the territory to be
invaded. Forrest was still unable to ride horseback, but nevertheless
he resolved to meet his foes. General Chalmers was ordered to destroy
all the bridges on the railroad leading south from Holly Springs.
By the 14th of August, General Smith had reached a point nearly to
Oxford, Mississippi. The force in front of Forrest was thirteen
thousand infantry and four thousand cavalry. With his small force,
now inadequately mounted, there was no hope for him successfully in
the open to fight this great enemy. By the 18th of August Forrest had
sufficiently recovered to take to the saddle. He could only use one
foot in the stirrup. The other hung loose. The power of no commander
in the war was taxed to a greater tension than Forrest at this
moment. He dare not face and fight his foes on the field. No courage,
no alignment with the past experiences of the Federal commanders and
the caution and care engendered by their numerous failures could
avail to halt this great army, now organized and sent out to rout
and destroy Forrest. Numbers alone, in the field, could defeat this
well-armed, well-disciplined corps, but, alas for Forrest, he did
not have and could not get the numbers. With only one to three in
the coming expedition, the task to most men would have appeared
impossible. Had he taken counsel of fear and even of ordinary
prudence, he would sullenly have retired before the advance and have
been content with delaying his enemies and inflicting what loss he
could by way of unexpected assault and quick reprisal. Strategy,
skill, surprise, must now win, if winning were at all possible.
Forrest sat down to unravel the difficulties of the hour. Something
must be done outside mere resistance. The hour for that expedient
alone was gone. Forrest had something that oftentimes was better
than legions. Nature had lavishly bestowed on this untutored soldier
a something that could now and then defeat the greatest odds, and
out of apparent overwhelming adversity win superbest victory. The
thing Forrest had could not be bought. No education could supply
it. It could only come as nature’s gift and in this supreme hour it
came to the rescue of the Confederate leader. The moment called for
a transcendent military genius, and this gift nature had bestowed
without stint upon the unlearned but born soldier.
There was no lack among Forrest’s men of courage, and upon any
dangerous or difficult expedition which he was to enter, it was not
a question as to whether his men could fight, but a question as to
whether their beasts could carry them to the point to which their
great commander had decided to move. The selection of the best
horses was now begun. All the men were good enough, but on the work
Forrest had now mapped, a strong, dependable horse was as important
as a hard, courageous rider. Each man did his best to put his steed
upon his mettle. Every soldier was longing to go. None knew where,
save the general, but that was all they asked, to be allowed to
follow him. With sad hearts, hundreds of the brave troopers looked
on intently while their horses were examined and condemned, and
with ill-suppressed grief heard the depressing words, “Fall out.”
Danger surely, physical weariness certainly, mayhap death, was ahead,
but every soldier was burning to go, and when the sorrow-bringing
words came that shut out all but one in three of the corps, a wide
disappointment spread abroad in every regiment.
Forrest left Chalmers with four thousand men in front of the enemy.
He was ordered to persistently attack and oppose them in every
way possible, to delay their march and to assail their flanks and
communication. Incessant rains had fallen for some days. The roads
were muddy, and the streams were full to the banks. Forrest’s chance
in the expedition which he now undertook was dependent upon the
secrecy with which it should be consummated. If Smith knew that he
was not in front, he and Grierson and Hurlbut would run over the
small force commanded by Chalmers and march to Vicksburg. No sooner
had the sun gone down on the 18th of August than Forrest left Oxford
with his two thousand men, the best mounted that he could cull and
select. The word to mount was anxiously awaited. These chosen men
had gone with their leader before. It was raining furiously—had
been raining almost constantly for forty-eight hours previously.
With their soggy clothes hanging about their drenched limbs, they
were impatient to try out another conflict, and see what glory had
in stock for them in a new encounter. The darkness of night was
approaching when, amid the thunder and downpour, these Forrest
followers sprang into their saddles, gave rein to their steeds,
and with a long drawn-out rebel yell, set forth, defying weather,
to once again contest with their foes. Rain, floods, mud had no
terror for them where their general and duty pointed the way they
must go. Marching all night west and north, when the day dawned,
notwithstanding the conditions which faced him, he had swung clear
off the route of the Federal Army, and was miles away before any
Federal officer or commander dreamed that Forrest was gone. Traveling
all day on the 19th and part of the night, on the morning of the 20th
he had reached Senatobia. This was a long ride for Forrest and his
followers. One raging stream and insecure bridge were crossed, and by
courier he told Chalmers that he would soon cross another, and, like
Columbus, passing westward with only one command, westward, westward,
he was going northward, northward.
Forrest directed Chalmers again to “Hold the enemy and press them so
as to engage and hold their attention.” Chalmers was faithful to his
trust. He fought all day—all night—all hours, and no whisper came to
the Federal commander that Forrest was gone away. The aggressiveness
of Forrest’s lieutenant hid the mystery of his departure within the
Confederate lines.
General Forrest was too much of a leader not to know that this
extraordinary task which he had undertaken could only be accomplished
by rapid movement and by concealment of his plans. In the early part
of August, in Mississippi, usually copious rains fall. The streams
at that season are almost always full. This rendered them far more
difficult to bridge and made fording impossible. Forrest could ferry
his men and their accoutrements and ammunition and artillery, but
the horses must swim. In a pinch he might, by rafting and swimming,
get his men over the stream, but water was a deadly foe to powder,
and without powder Forrest and his men would ride and swim in vain.
This meant delay. Delay meant defeat. But above all, Forrest was a
practical man. There was no emergency to which his resourceful mind
could not rise. Fortunately for his plans on this occasion, the
grapevine life of Mississippi is extremely exuberant. These vines run
to the tops of the highest trees, sometimes one hundred and fifty
feet. Larger than a man’s arms, they would send out their tendrils to
the very top of the highest trees and swinging over some limb would
spread out their branches and cover the tree tops. These vines were
flexible, almost like ropes, very strong. Forrest undertook, as an
engineer, by sending forward his best and most intelligent troopers
under brave and energetic commanders, to find those grape vines and
use them as cables to span the river. Finding the trees convenient
to the banks of the stream, the vines were cut down, twisted around
the trees, tied as best they could be, carried across the river, and
attached to trees on the other side. A ferry boat was placed in the
middle of the stream and anchored. Cypress and other logs were cut
into proper lengths, floated into the stream and attached at certain
distances to these cables. At Hickahala Creek this novel bridge
was first inaugurated. Forrest was kept in close touch with his
engineers, who were constructing this strangely fashioned pontoon.
Within four or five miles from the stream, all the cabins, houses,
barns, stables and gin houses were stripped of the flooring and
shedding. Each horseman carried on his shoulder one of these planks.
Within an hour the planks were laid, the soldiers dismounted, each
man led his horse on the boards and crossed the stream in double
file. The cables began to stretch, and by the time all the command
had passed over, the planks had become submerged, the water was two
feet over the flooring and with difficulty the horses could be led
across. Nature seemed at this point to be piling up insuperable
obstacles in Forrest’s path. He had truly gone seven miles when
another stream, twice as broad and equally as deep stood out with its
currents and floods to bid the Southern men stay their march. No long
drawn out planning was necessary to figure out some way to outwit the
defiance of Cold Water River. If a sixty-foot span could be made of
grapevines, why not one of a hundred and twenty feet, and the answer
was a sharp command to the pioneers to unsling their axes and build
the required structure. One hundred and eighty minutes under the whip
and spur of necessity saw the new bridge completed, and the men,
houses, cannon and caissons speeding across the apparently unsafe
length. The horses were led two abreast, the guns were unlimbered
and willing hands and seasoned arms dragged them over to the side
where Forrest was pointing the way, it may be to danger, but where
glory they believed would crown their army and enterprise with a
deserved and splendid success. This circumstance so delayed him that
on the night of the 20th he was still at Hernando, Mississippi,
twenty-five miles from Memphis. The condition of the roads was almost
indescribable. The tramping of the horses made a foot of slush, and
the wheels of the ammunition wagons and the cannon caissons cut deep
ruts in the roads. The cavalry went at a slow walk, and ten horses
were hitched to each piece of artillery. Notwithstanding all of these
precautions, half of Forrest’s guns had to be left at Penola. It
became apparent that they would not be carried along with sufficient
rapidity to justify Forrest in running the risk their movement
involved. Still twenty-five miles away from Memphis, Forrest knew
he must travel all night. It was a task at which any leader might
hesitate, but now hesitation meant disaster, and the lionhearted
leader was undertaking amongst the greatest feats he had attempted
to perform. Tremendous issues were involved. To save at this period
Northern Mississippi Territory and to prevent the junction of
General Smith’s forces with those of General Sherman at Vicksburg
was vital to the hopes of the Confederate authorities. Rain, storm,
mud, floods, deep currents, accelerated by torrents, were the
contingencies Forrest must face, but he never had stopped for these
things before and through the darkness of the night there was only
one command, “Forward,” “Forward,” “Forward.” It was bad enough for
those who rode. The beasts who bore the men, weakened by the already
grievous burdens laid upon them, were spurred to speedier tramp, but
hard as were these pressed with their human loads, the awfullest of
the terrors of that terrorful night came to the dumb sufferers who
pulled the swaying gun carriages and heavy caissons through the ruts
and slush of the ever-lengthening pathway. No cry of mercy could
avail for these speechless creations. Slashed with hickory or oak
wythes, blood streamed from their mouths from the sawing of their
bits to keep them straight in the sunken depths of the muddy way,
they passed with indescribable suffering the horrible night. When the
limits of physical resistance they reached and no longer left with
strength or will to continue the impossible tasks that were being
laid upon them, with sullen indifference some of these creatures,
ready to die rather than proceed another step, with a determination
born of despair, refused to make another effort and bade defiance to
their pitiless riders and drivers, who were slashing, jerking and
beating in their seemingly mad efforts to urge forward these faithful
brutes who had done all they could to help in the effort to save the
land of those who, with apparently merciless hearts, called for such
terrible strain. Horses have wills as well as men, and defying their
owners, some stood still in their tracks and no cruel blows could
bring them to move a muscle or pull an ounce. The great crisis was
ahead. If the one horse would go down another would be harnessed, and
if the led horses had all been used, then a luckless trooper with a
strong or powerful mount was bade strip his steed, stow his equipment
on a gun carriage or caisson, and take his chances farther on to win
from his enemies a something to ride, which the exigencies of the
hour had taken away from him. The new team took up the burdens their
predecessors had laid down, and the sullen horse was led out into the
woods, or now and then, fearing that he might prove of value to the
enemy, a shot was fired into his heart to end his sufferings or to
destroy that which by some possibility might some day aid those who
were fighting the cause for which he had met so violent a death.
Forrest had intended to strike Memphis on Sunday morning. One-fourth
of all of his horses had broken down under the tremendous strain
to which they had been subjected. There were no horses left in the
country, the Federals and the Confederates had taken them all, and
the dismounted men, dejected, sad and disappointed, were compelled on
foot to retrace their steps along the paths which they had come.
There were three generals in Memphis that Forrest particularly
desired to capture, Generals C. C. Washburn, Stephen A. Hurlbut and
R. P. Buckland. They were scattered over different parts of the city.
By three o’clock General Forrest had reached the limits of the city,
called his troops around him, and gave to each commander accurate
and definite instructions as to what would be done. Scout after
scout returned to bring the details of the Federal positions, and
even citizens, to whom had been secretly and silently conveyed the
news of the coming, slipped by the Federal sentinels to tell Forrest
all he needed to know of his enemies’ whereabouts, in order to make
surprise and capture sure. Above all, it was earnestly impressed on
the squads who rode into the city that there was to be no shouting,
no cheering, no battle cry, and that not a gun must be fired under
any circumstances. The leaders were told that if they met any Federal
troops they were to ignore them, to be extremely careful, bring on no
battle and engage in no fighting, but to rush forward over all that
opposed.
Forrest’s brother, William H., had often rendered most valiant and
efficient service to his brother. He had selected with great care
forty scouts. These were as reckless and as brave as their captain.
They were to advance, capture the pickets, and without waiting for
the balance of the men to ride at full speed to the Gayoso hotel,
surround it and prevent the escape of General Hurlbut. Forrest had
learned accurately the position of the Illinois infantry. They were
stationed at a place close to the road along which Forrest must pass.
Colonel Longwood was to follow Captain William Forrest. Upon reaching
a prominent place in the city, he was to station a portion of his
troops as a reserve, and the balance were to proceed to the wharf and
capture any transports that might be there. To his younger brother,
Colonel Jesse Forrest, General Forrest assigned one of the most
important and difficult things to be accomplished. He was allowed
to choose his own associates. The service would be furious, fierce,
reckless, dangerous. He was to ride straight to the house of General
Washburn on Union Street, which had been located carefully by General
Forrest, who knew Memphis as well as he knew his plantation, and
Jesse Forrest was to effect the capture of General C. C. Washburn.
It makes one tremble almost half a century after this occurrence to
realize the sensation of these men, however brave, as they engaged
in this wonderful enterprise. Forrest decided with Colonel T. H.
Bell and detachments of Newsom’s, Russell’s and Barteau’s regiments,
and the two pieces of artillery under Lieutenant Sale, to remain in
the suburbs, believing that it would be necessary for these brave
and adventuresome spirits who had gone to the city on this reckless
mission to have support and backing when they returned. Forrest felt
that it was hardly possible for all of the three parties he had sent
into the city to successfully accomplish their respective missions
and then come out without much loss or possible defeat. He hoped that
the boldness of his movements and the recklessness of the execution
would terrorize and paralyze his foes, but even he doubted if all
could emerge without some failure.
The day was just beginning to break when the detachments all moved
forward. The morning was foggy and a pall of darkness hung over the
scene of operations. Captain William Forrest, with ten men well
in advance, rode along the line designated for his approach, and,
challenged by the Federal sentry, replied that he was a detachment
of a Missouri regiment with rebel prisoners. He was ordered to
dismount, but instead he rode up to the sentinel, who suspected
nothing when Captain Forrest had cried out, “All right,” and supposed
that he had dismounted. As soon as Captain Forrest could discern
the form of the picket, sticking his spurs into his horse’s flanks,
he caused him to spring forward, and then using his pistol as a
bludgeon, he knocked the Federal trooper unconscious to the ground.
Forrest directed his companions to follow him instantly, and charged
upon the reserve pickets, but one of these was enabled to fire his
gun before they were surrounded, and this one shot saved the Federals
great loss and deprived the expedition of some of its results.
There was nothing now left but to ride recklessly and rapidly into
the heart of the city. The Rubicon was crossed. The die was cast.
The thrill and enthusiasm of the dangerous work in which they were
engaged so stirred the hearts of the men that they forgot their
orders and instead of obeying the directions of their commander as to
complete silence, they began vociferously to give the rebel yell.
Near the Gayoso hotel, Captain Forrest came suddenly upon a Federal
battery of six pieces. This he charged, and the artillerists, driven
from their guns, sough refuge in buildings in proximity to the
battery. The Confederates were in such a hurry that they failed to
have done what would have afterwards been a very valuable thing—spike
the guns.
It did not take Captain William Forrest long to reach the Gayoso
hotel. He rode into the corridor, and his men were placed around the
building so as to prevent the escape of General Hurlbut. Fortunately
for General Hurlbut, that night he slept out and when Colonel
Chalmers battered upon the door, it was opened by a beautiful young
woman who pleaded for protection, but alas Hurlbut was gone.
Colonel Jesse Forrest rode with great celerity, but the unfortunate
discharge of the gun of the picket had given warning, and a Federal
cavalryman of the 6th Illinois regiment rode swiftly up to General
Washburn’s house, beat upon the door with his sabre, and cried out
that Forrest’s cavalry were in possession of the town and were in
sight of the house, moving for Washburn’s capture. General Washburn
did not even take time to dress, but fled away in his night clothes
through the alleys from the back door, across the garden, and running
half a mile found safety in the fort. A Federal lieutenant, W. H.
Thurston, in his official report, said, “The general ran away for a
safe place in the fort, which was fully a half mile from his home,
when he was but three squares away from the provost marshal’s office;
and all this without giving any orders or commands as to what should
be done by the troops.” All that Colonel Forrest got of the general’s
belongings was a uniform and some personal effects, which he brought
to his brother, the general, and which the next day were returned
with Forrest’s compliments under a flag of truce. That war is not
without its courtesies is shown by the fact that two or three weeks
later, General Washburn returned these compliments by sending to
General Forrest a full, complete, handsome uniform of a Confederate
major general.
The detachments which had been assigned to the capture of General
Buckland also arrived too late. The unfortunate enthusiastic yells
of the Confederates, and an occasional shot from rifles, alarmed the
sentinel who watched Buckland’s house, and the general, hastily and
negligently dressed, sought safety at some other point.
Memphis at this time was garrisoned by about five thousand men,
combining a mingling of cavalry, infantry and artillery. There was
little left to do but to search in the stables and get all the
horses and capture all the prisoners possible. The detachments which
had been scattered in the city now found it wise and prudent to
retreat. The battery which they had captured was again manned and
turned loose upon them. Without questioning whether it was wise or
unwise, the Confederates rode at the gunners and dispersed them,
killing or wounding twenty of their number, and thus were enabled
to avoid further trouble from this quarter. As there were no horses
convenient, they could not carry the pieces away. By this time they
were glad enough to get away themselves. Only when they came to
retire did they realize the hazard and peril of the enterprise in
which they had taken part. Its audacity appalled the participants
when they fully took in the extent of the dangers through which they
had passed and of the all nigh incalculable risks they had assumed.
General Forrest was now ready to retire. He felt sure his mission
had been accomplished. Smith in Mississippi did not want Forrest in
Memphis, one hundred miles in his rear. Sherman or no Sherman, the
capture of Memphis would be an immeasurable calamity. No commander
could safely forecast what Forrest would or could do. Rains, floods,
mud-filled roads, seemed no barrier to this wonderful man of war,
and to leave him alone in West Tennessee with two thousand daring
followers filled the minds of the Federal commander with apprehension
and his heart with dread. Twice he had an engagement to make a
junction with Sherman’s forces at Meridian, but when he made that
agreement, he had not dreamed that Forrest would turn on Memphis,
force the commanders there to flee in their night clothes into the
forts, and his horsemen ride through its streets capturing, killing
and destroying all that came in their paths from daybreak until nine
in the morning.
In the depths of their souls they cried out against the conditions
that made them face the ubiquitous and impossible Confederate leader.
No man’s reputation was safe who was sent against this redoubtable
chief. He came when he was not expected, he fought against any sort
of odds. Nature could pile up against him no obstacles that could
thwart his will, and to them he went and came as he planned, and no
human foresight could avail against his strategy or his onslaughts.
It was a humiliating thing for General Smith to do, but he was
stirred by this strange happening. If he went on, Forrest might undo
all a year’s planning and garrisoning had done and West Tennessee
again become Confederate territory. If he went back along the line
he had come, he must march on roads, the very sight of which made
cavalry wish they had never come to war. The Federal commander
debated earnestly and long. He talked with his associates and then
resolved to turn his face northward, forego the meeting at Meridian
and save what Forrest had left in his trail to Memphis.
When Forrest learned definitely what General Smith had determined
to do, he rejoiced with exceeding great joy. He felt that his work
was not in vain. He had not destroyed the army that was capable of
inflicting immeasurable injury upon his country, but he had caused it
to withdraw and stayed for a while the impending blow which, had it
fallen, would have brought down with it all hopes of maintaining any
great Confederate force between Atlanta and the Mississippi River.
The consciousness of having delayed the inevitable, if only for a few
weeks or months, was a source of profound satisfaction to the man who
in the past summer had done more constant, difficult fighting than
any officer who wore the gray.
As they marched away, a portion of the 6th Illinois Cavalry under
Colonel Starr viciously assaulted the Confederate rearguard. As
Forrest was always at the post of danger, he was on hand there.
They were so close together that in the charge Colonel Starr and
General Forrest engaged in a hand-to-hand encounter, and the Federal
commander was seriously wounded and rendered unfit for further
battle. A short distance away from Memphis, General Forrest sent back
a flag of truce, proposing the exchange of prisoners and telling
General Washburn that a number of his officers had been captured and
were without clothing, and informed General Washburn that he would
wait at Nonoonah Creek for a reply. When General Forrest arrived
there he found a note from General Washburn, stating that he had no
authority to exchange prisoners, but that he would be very glad if
General Forrest would allow his officers to have the clothing which
he sent with his note. General Forrest was ready to be humane. The
half-clad, bare-footed soldiers touched his sympathies. He had no
reason to love General Washburn and those he commanded, but he had
such profound satisfaction in the work of the night in Memphis that
it softened his animosities and he cheerfully did all that he could
to mitigate the woes of his unfortunate and dejected captives, who,
now six hundred in number, were encountering woes and hardships that
touched the hearts of even the foes, some of whom had urged negro
soldiers to give no quarter to Forrest’s men. Those least able to
travel were paroled and turned loose, while the stronger and best
clad were kept for yet another day of marching. It was during this
march that General Forrest skillfully and craftily managed to get
some supplies for his nearly famished men. In Memphis, the work was
too fierce for food contemplation, and when some miles from the
city, hunger began to assert its claims with no provisions to meet
its outcry, General Forrest then despatched a flag of truce to say
to General Washburn that if he would not accept Confederate parole,
he would at least feed those he was forcing him to carry away as
prisoners on a trying and debilitating march. Two wagon loads of
supplies were sent by the Federal commander in response to this
appeal, and it pleased General Forrest greatly to see that after
giving his prisoners all the rations they could consume or carry,
there was enough to shut out hunger in his command for at least
thirty-six hours.
Here, eager marching was the order of the day. There was nothing
now between Forrest and Smith. He had a wide country in which to
operate. The streams were full and the roads were bad, but these same
difficulties would face his enemies.
There was no telegraphic communication; Chalmers was anxiously
waiting news from Forrest and so, to relieve his anxiety and
distress, at Hernando he despatched a courier with a message stating,
“I attacked Memphis at four o’clock this morning, driving the enemy
to his fortifications. We killed and captured four hundred, taking
their entire camp, with about three hundred horses and mules.
Washburn and staff escaped in the darkness of the early morning,
Washburn leaving his clothes behind.”
The prisoners were cumbersome. Prisoners are not a good asset on a
trip like this, and so Forrest paroled them and proceeded on his
march to Panola, where he arrived on the 22d of August.
Forrest was not altogether without some apprehension as to what his
enemy might do in case they heard that Forrest had gone, and so from
Panola he sent the swiftest courier he could find with the following
message to Chalmers: “If the enemy is falling back, pursue them
hard. Send Buford to capture their foraging parties. Keep close to
their camp. Order Captain Henderson to scout well to their right to
ascertain if there is any movement this way.” Forrest told him in
addition that he would rest for two or three days at Grenada, if
possible.
By the 23d of August General Smith had paused in his advance into
Mississippi. Smith had turned around. The strategy and genius
of Forrest was too much for him and so he retreated north from
Mississippi and left Forrest a clear way to his friends and comrades.
Forrest was able to telegraph to General Maury on the 29th: “Enemy
left Holly Springs at two o’clock yesterday, marching rapidly in the
direction of Memphis and La Grange. They say they are ordered to
reinforce Sherman.”
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In the preparation of these sketches I have relied greatly upon
Dr. John Allen Wyeth’s “Life of General Forrest,” one of the most
entertaining war books ever published; General Basil W. Duke’s
“Morgan and His Men”; Major H. B. McClelland’s “Life and Campaigns
of Major General J. E. B. Stuart”; “Hampton and His Cavalry,” by
Colonel Edward L. Wells; “Shelby and His Men,” by Major John N.
Edwards; “Campaigns of Wheeler and His Cavalry,” edited by W. C.
Dodson, and published under the auspices of Wheeler’s Confederate
Cavalry Association; “Confederate Military History”; Captain John W.
Morton’s “Artillery of N. B. Forrest’s Cavalry,” and the compilations
of official records of the Union and Confederate Armies, published by
the United States Government.
This last work is one of the most remarkable of its kind ever issued
by any government. It contains all despatches, letters and reports
of every kind, bearing upon the conduct of the war. It tells, day by
day, in the words of the actors, the events which were taking place
in the four years’ struggle. In these contemporary writings, those
who were carrying on this mighty struggle speak for themselves,
and they furnish the historian with the most truthful and accurate
accounts of what those who were engaged in the bitter war were doing
or thought they were doing each day.
Governor Joseph D. Sayers and General W. T. Hart, of Texas, have been
most generous in giving me data concerning items dealing with Texas
troops. Dr. John A. Lewis of the 9th Kentucky Cavalry and Major A. E.
Richards, Second in Mosby’s Command, and General Theodore S. Garnett
of Virginia and Colonel J. Will Hall of Missouri have laboriously and
thoroughly perused copy and made many valuable suggestions. Captain
H. H. Mathews of Breathed’s Battery, Stuart’s Artillery, sent
accounts of many things that were new concerning the campaigns of
Stuart.
The principal agency used by General Hampton in securing information
for the cattle raid of September, 1864, was Colonel George D.
Shadburn. His courage, intelligence and energy secured the most
important facts necessary for the movements of General Hampton’s
forces, and in the pursuit his valor and intrepidity won the highest
commendation of his commander. Colonel Shadburn still survives, and
lives in San Francisco, California.
Captain O. F. Redd of Lexington, Kentucky, sent valuable data about
the campaigns of Shelby and Marmaduke. I am particularly indebted
to Rev. R. Excell Fry of Gadsden, Alabama, for investigations
and report about Forrest’s pursuit of Streight. Mr. W. P. Lay of
Gadsden, Alabama, has rendered the South his debtor for investigating
important matters concerning Forrest’s pursuit and capture of
Streight. He secured from John H. Wisdom the facts of his great ride
from Gadsden to Rome, in his effort to head off Colonel Streight.
Without his help, it would have been impossible to have secured the
facts of the wonderful performance of this patriotic Alabamian.
Colonel Henry George and General H. A. Tyler have furnished me much
new matter in regard to the Battle of Bryce’s Cross Roads.
In no case have I completed a chapter without referring it to one
or more soldiers who participated in the events undertaken to be
described. To General Basil W. Duke, Colonel William A. Milton and
General John B. Castleman, and to Governor James B. McCreary I
acknowledge my obligation, for not only facts but timely suggestions.
The preparation of this book has been a work of love. It has cost
immense labor and much of ease and time. But for the industry and
patience of my secretary, Miss Mary McNamara, I could not have
prepared the manuscript or made the investigation necessary to write
this book. I am deeply indebted to Mr. Logan N. Rock and Mr. S. G.
Tate, my associates in the practice of law, and to George T. and Mrs.
Settle for proofreading and correction.
INDEX
PAGE
Adams, Col. Silas, U. S., 593, 596, 598
Alger, Gen. Russell A., 351
Allen, Lieut. R. O., 6th Va., 515
Allen, Brig. Gen. William W., C. S. Cav., 572
Allen, Capt. Thomas, Ky., 97
Anderson, Brig. Gen. Robert H., C. S. Cav., 572, 584, 587
Anderson, Gen., 263, 266
Ashby, Col., C. S. Cav., 585
Bagby, Lieut. Col., 161, 164
Baker, Lieut., 399
Balch, Maj., 133
Banks, Maj. Gen., 367
Barringer, Gen., 45
Barteau, Col., 33, 35
Battle of Hartsville, 222, 247
Baylor, Col., 312
Bayou City, Steamboat, 164, 167, 168
Beale, Gen., 45
Beauregard, Gen., 346
Bell, Gen. Tyree H., 19, 29, 32, 272, 617
Bennett, Col., 226, 237, 424
Biffle, Col., 151, 480
Boone, Col., 224
Bowles, Capt. James W., 97, 104, 120
Bowles, Lieut. Robert, 597-600
Boyle, Gen. A. T., 116, 118, 441
Bragg, Braxton, 69, 86, 133, 134, 135, 222, 225, 247, 367-369,
416-418,
419, 421
Breathed, Lieut., Art., 34
Breckenridge, Gen. John C., 101, 222
Breckenridge, Col. W. C. P., 68, 69, 422, 423, 436, 438, 574
Brent, Maj., 6th Ky., 372, 373, 448
Brown, C. S. Art., 292
Brown, Gen., 213-215
Bryce’s Cross Roads, Battle, 2-41
Buckland, Gen., U. S., 615-619
Buell, Maj. Gen. Don Carlos, 116, 118, 222, 223
Buford, Gen. John, 14, 15, 34, 501
Buford, Gen. A. S., 284
Bugg, C. S. Art., 292
Bull Run (1st Battle), 3
Bullock, Maj., 436
Burnside, Maj. Gen. Ambrose E., 383
Butler, Maj. Gen. Benj. F., 346
Butler, Gen. M. C., 52, 356, 361, 523
Canby, Maj. Gen. E. R. S., 301, 302
Capron, Col 594-598
Carter, Brig. Gen., 541, 543, 545
Castleman, Capt. John B., 102, 112
Cavalry Expedition to New Mexico, 295-315
Cavalry, Confederate Services, 1, 2
Fighting With Rocks, 60-81
Chalmers, Brig. Gen., 278, 284, 609, 610, 611, 624
Chambliss, Col., 350, 507
Cheatham, Maj. Gen., 420
Cheeseman, J. W., U. S. Str. Captured, 289
Chenault, Col., 11th Ky., 227, 237, 238, 373, 423, 424
Chew, Capt., C. S. Art., 360, 361
Cleburne, Gen. Patrick, 22, 77, 79, 420
Clifton, U. S. Gunboat, Captured, 160
Cloud, Gen. John, 226
Cluke, Col. Roy S., 171, 191-194, 226, 227, 237, 238, 241, 423, 432,
436, 437
Kentucky Raid, 171-194
Cobb, Capt. Bailey, 238
Coleman, Lieut. Col. Cicero, 176, 240
Colored Infantry, “No Quarter Badge,” 11
Colt’s Revolvers vs. Rifles, 11
Cook, Col., 165, 584
Cooke, Gen., U. S., 326
Coopwood, Capt., 302
Corbett, Capt., 433
Cowan, Lieut., 3d Ky., 373
Cranbury, Col., 75, 79
Crittenden, Col., 218
Crossland, Col. Edw., 37, 275
Cunningham, Lieut., 172, 176, 181
Curtis, Maj. Gen., 547
Custer, Brig. Gen., 357, 366
Davies, Gen., 54, 55, 56
Davis, Pres. Jefferson, 319
Davis, Col., 515
Dawson, Col., 290
Dearing, Gen., 45, 47, 54, 55
Dennison, Col. Geo. Taylor, Cav., 398
Dibbrell, Col. G. G., 151
Dodge, Gen. Granville M., 456, 460
Dortch, Maj., 68
Douglas, Capt., Art., 152
Duff, Capt., 415
Duffie, Gen., 397, 514
Dug Creek Gap, 72
Duke, Brig. Gen. Basil W., 230, 231, 232, 236, 370, 423, 436, 437
Dumont, Brig. Gen., 224
Dunham, Col., 146, 147, 149
Dunnovant, Gen., 45
Eastham, Vincent, 8th Ky., 379
Eastin, Geo. B., 446, 447
Elliott, Maj. ——, 209
Ellsworth, Geo. A., Telegrapher, 108-110, 125
Ewing, Gen. C. S. A., 215-217
Faulkner, C. S. Art., 275
Ferguson, Lieut., 5th Ky., 373
Fleetwood Hill Casualties, 3
Battle of, 498-531
Flournoy, Maj., 515, 524
Freeman, Capt., Art., 134
Forrest, Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford, 1-6, 420
Sherman’s Order, 6, 7
Atlanta Campaign, 67,100
West Tennessee Raid, 126, 164
Biography, 126-129, 250, 251
Johnsonville Raid, 270, 295
Pursuit of Streight, 452-497
Memphis Raid, 601-625
Forrest, Brig. Gen. Jeffrey, 127, 151, 272
Forrest, Col. Jesse, 617, 618
Forrest, Capt. William, 460, 461, 616, 617, 618
Gano, Col., 102, 104, 120, 226, 227, 232, 423
Gardner, Maj. Gen., 367
Garrard, Gen. Kenner, 570, 571, 576, 590
Gartell, Capt., 16
Gantt, Edw. W., 130
Gearey, Gen., 76
Gholson, Gen., 273
Gibson, Maj. Thomas, 399, 406, 407, 515
Gilmor, Col. Harry, 399
Gilmore, Gen., 187
Gordon, Capt. Geo., 559
Gordon, James B., 355
Gordon, Gen. John B., 343
Gracey, Capt., C. S. Cav., 288, 291
Granger, Brig. Gen., 268
Grant, Gen. U. S., 52, 70, 292, 237, 341, 349
Green, Gen. Thomas, 161, 162, 299, 306, 312-314
Gregg, Gen., 54, 56, 350, 364, 514, 520, 521, 529
Grigsby, Col. J. Warren, 68, 69, 73
Grierson, Gen. B. H., 9, 37, 610, 42, 56, 349-366, 519, 525
Hale, Maj. Henry S., 40, 275
Hall, ——, C. S., 21
Halleck, Maj. Gen. W. H., 117, 246, 346
Halisey, Col., 439, 445
Hampton, Col. Frank, 530
Hampton, Maj. Gen. Wade, Trevillian Station, 3
Cattle Raid, 1864, 42-59
With J. E. B. Stuart, 42, 56, 349-366, 519, 525
Hancock, Maj. Gen. Winfield S., 3, 343, 347
Hannon, Gen., 254
Hanson, Brig. Gen. Roger W., 226, 227
Hanson, Col. Chas., 63, 374, 416
Hardee, Gen. Wm. J., 77, 79, 273, 567
Harlan, Gen. John M., 224, 234, 245, 439
Harman, Col., 522
Harriet Lane, U. S. N., Capture of, 100, 167
Harris, Gov. Isham G., 129
Harris, Gen., 103, 104, 344
Harrisburg, Casualties, 3
Hart, Capt., C. S. Art., 360
Hartsville, Tenn., Casualties, 3
Hathaway, Col. Gilbert, 455, 464, 468, 469
Hewett, Maj. James W., 226
Hindman, Gen. Thos. C., 98
Holloway, Lieut., 5th Ky., 373
Holmes, Maj. Gen., 540
Hood, Gen., 250
Hood, Maj. Gen., 566, 568
Hooker, Gen. Joe, 74
Hooper, ——, 219
Hopkins, Lieut., 172, 174
Hoskins, Col., 439, 445
Huey, Capt., 130
Huffman, Capt., 102, 436
Hunt, Col. Thos. H., 226, 231
Hunter, Col. A. A., 102, 104, 353
Hunter, Col. Daniel, 208, 217, 218, 292
Hurlbut, Gen. S. A., 10, 272, 611, 616
Hutchinson, Col., 436
Ingersoll, Robt. G., 140
Iverson, Brig. Gen. Alfred, 571, 575, 577, 589, 591, 593
Jackson, Gen. (Stonewall), 318
Jackson, Brig. Gen. W. H. H., 583, 584
James, Capt., 479
Jennings, Capt., 125
Johnson, Gen. Adam, 15, 370, 420, 423, 440
Johnson, Andrew, 427
Johnson, Gen. Bushrod, 341
Johnson, Col. Wm. A., 457
Johnsonville Raid, 1865, 270-295
Johnston, Gen. Albert Sidney, 100, 101
Johnston, Gen. Joseph E., 1, 60, 61, 70, 71, 496, 566, 590
Jones, Gen. Wm. E., 428, 508, 511, 516, 570
Jordan, Maj. ——, 104
Joyce, Capt., 238
Kautz, Gen., 54
Kelly, Gen. John H., 70, 133, 268, 573, 574
Latane, Capt., 9th Va., 324, 334
Lawrence, Maj., 555
Lee, Lieut., U. S. N., 168
Lee, Lieut., U. S. Cav., 323
Lee, Capt., C. S. Art., 168
Lee, Gen. Fitzhugh, 321, 324
Lee, Gen. Robert E., 1, 51, 52, 60, 319, 320, 321, 340-349, 605
Lee, Gen. Stephen D., 14
Lee, Gen. W. H. F., 46, 47, 54, 55, 56, 321, 328, 350, 339, 504, 511
Leper, Capt., 543
Lincoln, Abraham, 117, 246, 337
Longstreet, Gen., 338
Longwood, Col., 616
Lyle, Clark, 181
Lyon, Gen. Hylan B., 15-18, 39, 275, 28
Magruder, Maj. Gen. John B., 155-170
Marmaduke, Gen. John B., 1
Marmaduke’s Cape Girardeau Raid, 536-561
Marshall, Gen. Humphrey, 189
Martin, Col. Robt. M., 423
Martin, W. T., 321
Martindale, Capt., 399, 411
Maupin, Lieut., 186
Maury, Gen., 607
May, Capt. Charles, 129
Mazeppa, U. S. Str., Captured, 290
McClellan, Gen. Geo. B., 13, 317
McClellan, Maj. H. B., 522
McCown, Gen. C. S., 416, 418, 569, 570, 580, 583, 586, 587
McCook, Gen. E. M., 223
McCreary, Col. James B., 373, 448
McCulloch, Col., 272
McNeill, Brig. Gen., U. S., 220, 522-547
McPherson, Maj. Gen., 12, 74
Meade, Gen. Geo. G., 52, 337
Merritt, Brig. Gen. Geo. W., 399, 502
Morehead, Capt. James T., 226
Moore, Col. Absalom B., 226, 245, 246
Moore, Col. O. B., 23d Mich., 322
Morgan’s Cincinnati Raid, 1863, 367-390
Morgan’s Christmas Raid, 416-451
Morgan, Gen. John H., 69
Kentucky Raid, 96-125, 190, 420, 424, 426-451
Hartsville Raid, 222-247, 325, 369, 390
Morgan, Lieut. Thomas, 374
Morton, Capt. Jno. W., 19, 25, 34, 36, 291
Mosby, Col. John S., 391-415
Mower, Gen., 6, 7, 606
Munford, Brig. Gen. Thomas T., 510
Muse, Capt. John M., 549
Neptune, C. S. Str., 164-167
Overton, Capt. Frank, 129
Palmer, Gen., U. S. A., 417
Palmer, Brig. Gen., C. S. A., 420
Palmer, Capt., C. S. Art., 423, 433
Pendleton, Capt. Virgil, 186, 437
Peyton, Samuel O., 428
Phillips, Col. John F., 542
Pillow, Gen., 130
Pleasanton, Maj. Gen. Alfred, U. S., 501-531, 535
Poague, Capt., Art., 341
Polk, Gen. Leonidas K., 64, 129, 223, 416
Porter, Gen., U. S. A., 326
Porter, Col., C. S., 544, 545
Price, Capt., 540
Price, Gen. Sterling, 1, 540
Quirk, Capt., 241, 429
Radcliffe, Capt., 187
Renshaw, Commodore, U. S. N., 160, 169
Reynolds, Gov., Mo., 1862 207
Richards, Maj. Adolphus E. With Mosby’s Men, 391, 415
Richardson, Gen., 272
Riley, Col. James, 299
Robertson, Brig. Gen. Beverly F., C. S., 507, 511
Roddy, Brig. Gen. P. D., 88, 489
Rosecrans, Maj. Gen. W. S., 94, 222, 246, 367, 416, 419
Ross, Brig. Gen. L. S., C. S., 574, 584
Rosser, Gen., 45, 47, 55, 56, 350, 359
Rousseau, Gen., 268
Royal, Capt. U. S. Cav., 323, 324
Rucker, C. S. Cav., 17, 33
Runkle, Col., 45th Ohio, 180, 181, 187
Russell, Col., 134
Russell, Capt., U. S., 489
Sale, Lieut., C. S., 617
Sansom, Emma, 470-479
Sayers, Capt. Art., Joseph D., 311
Shank, Col., 219
Sheets, Col., 461, 462
Shelby, Col., C. S., 543, 547
Shelby’s Missouri Raid, 195, 221
Shelby, Brig. Gen. Joseph C., 196-203
Sheridan, Maj. Gen. Philip, 338, 343, 349-366
Sherman, Gen. Tecumseh W., 260, 261, 272, 280, 292-294, 496, 568, 570,
588, 602, 603, 604, 606
Shuck, Lieut., 172
Sibley, Gen. H. H., 298
Sigel, Maj. Gen. Franz, 345
Smart, Col., U. S., 543, 544
Smith, Gen. A. J., 6, 277, 602
Smith, Gen. E. Kirby, 1, 222, 545
Smith, Gen. Green Clay, 122
Smith, Gen. Gustavus W., 319
Smith, Col. Howard, 5th Ky., 373
Smith, Col. H. S., 432
Smith, Capt. Leon, 161
Smith, Gen. Sooy, 272, 293
Stanton, Sec., 428, 603
Starnes, Col., 147, 148, 151, 467, 480
Starr, Col., U. S., 623
Steedman, Gen., 256, 268
Steele, Maj. Theophilus, 171, 177
Steele, Col. William, 299
Stoneman, Brig. Gen. George, U. S., 569-600
Stoner, Col. Robert G., 171, 174, 183, 422, 432, 436
Stoughton, Gen., 397
Stuart, Gen. J. E. B., 316, 330, 345, 393, 394, 511
Stuart’s Chambersburg Raid, 532-536
Streight, Col. Abel D., 452-497
Sturgis, Gen. Samuel D., 9, 13-15, 23, 38
Sullivan, Brig. Gen., 146
Sutton, Lieut. Col., 299
Taylor, Gen. “Dick,” 1, 279, 605
Terrill, Capt., 186
Thomas, Maj. Gen., 71, 72, 246
Thrall, Capt., Art., 91
Thurston, Lieut., U. S., 619
Tool, Capt., Art., 302
Torbert, Brig. Gen., 350, 365
Treble, Capt. Alex., 11th Ky., 373
Trevilian Station, 3, 337-366
Tyler, Capt. H. A., C. S., 8, 35, 41, 273
Undine, U. S. Str., Captured, 288-290
Vandever, Gen. William, U. S., 548
Venus, U. S. Str., Captured, 289, 290
Wainwright, Capt., U. S. N., 160, 168
Ward, Brig. Gen., 109
Waring, Col. Geo. E., 8-10, 16, 19, 272, 273
Washburn, Gen. C. C., 8, 15, 277, 601, 603, 605, 606, 617, 619,
622, 623
Webb, Wm., 428
Westfield, U. S. Str., 160
Wheeler, Gen. Joseph, 67-70, 417, 418
Defeat of Gen. Stoneman, 564-600
Tennessee Raid, 1863, 82-94, 133
Tennessee Raid, 1864, 238-258, 269
White, Col., 129, 523, 524
Wickham, Col., C. S. Cav., 350, 506
Wickliffe, Capt. John C., 96
Wilcox, Capt., 130
Williams, Col. Solomon, C. S., 530-563
Williamson, Brig. Gen., 72, 130, 266
Wilson, Brig. Gen., 350
Wilson’s Creek Casualties, 4
Windom, Col., U. S., 522, 523
Winslow, Brig. Gen., 17, 19
Wisdom, Capt., C. S. Cav., 33
Wisdom, “Deacon” John H., 482-489
Woolford, Col. Frank, 123, 371
Wyatt, Henry, Private, Killed at Big Bethel, 156
Young, Gen. P. M. B., 45, 350, 359
Transcriber’s Notes
pg vii Changed: Forrests’s Raid into West Tennessee
to: Forrest’s Raid into West Tennessee
pg ix Removed comma after: CAPTAIN MORTON AND GENERAL LYON,
pg 24 Changed: had discomfitted and driven away their foe
to: had discomfited and driven away their foe
pg 31 Changed: hopes of victory and driven them discomfitted
to: hopes of victory and driven them discomfited
pg 75 Changed: Later, when it was dark (full moon), Cranbury’s
to: Later, when it was dark (full moon), Granbury’s
pg 116 Changed: command of Kentucky with headquarters at Lousiville
to: command of Kentucky with headquarters at Louisville
pg 160 Changed: He only purposed to make this attempt
to: He only proposed to make this attempt
pg 166 Added period after B in: GENERAL JOHN B MAGRUDER
pg 173 Changed: dirt roads over which the march was progresisng.
to: dirt roads over which the march was progressing.
pg 179 Changed: Only the completemy stification and demoralization
to: Only the complete mystification and demoralization
pg 231 Changed: go on and succeed or meet direfuldefeat.
to: go on and succeed or meet direful defeat.
pg 251 Changed: then reaching to Chattannoga
to: then reaching to Chattanooga
pg 370 Two sentences after: “The First Brigade” were switched by
the book printer and rearranged.
pg 371 Changed: campaign would not be completed wthout
to: campaign would not be completed without
pg 371 Changed: It did not take long to drive Wolford’s
to: It did not take long to drive Woolford’s
pg 413 Changed: Federal prisoners had been corraled
to: Federal prisoners had been corralled
pg 416 Changed: The center, under General Leonidas Pope,
to: The center, under General Leonidas Polk,
pg 421 Changed: inclement weather and with an illy-equipped
to: inclement weather and with an ill-equipped
pg 425 Changed: and the hope and promise of homegoing
to: and the hope and promise of home-going
pg 426 Changed: filled his mind with ecstacy
to: filled his mind with ecstasy
pg 439 Changed: by three o’clock next day it bivouaced
to: by three o’clock next day it bivouacked
pg 497 Added period after: his transcendent power passed their way
pg 500 Changed: from Kelley’s Ford to Beverlys’ Ford
to: from Kelley’s Ford to Beverly’s Ford
pg 502 Changed: He was on General Pope’s staff
to: He was on General Polk’s staff
pg 503 Changed: and be witnessed some of the most desperate
to: and he witnessed some of the most desperate
pg 532 Added period after letter B in: GENERAL J. E. B STUART
pg 547 Changed: NcNeil, who had one day’s start
to: McNeil, who had one day’s start
pg 550 Changed: tried the horses, but it laid grevious
to: tried the horses, but it laid grievous
pg 571 Changed: served in the Mexican War when olny seventeen
to: served in the Mexican War when only seventeen
pg 582 Changed: success meant to his beleagured army
to: success meant to his beleaguered army
pg 594 Changed: When the Confederates cut Stomenan’s
to: When the Confederates cut Stoneman’s
pg 606 Changed: of August, 1864, he received his commision
to: of August, 1864, he received his commission
pg 619 Changed: uniform of a Confederate major genreal.
to: uniform of a Confederate major general.
pg 630 Changed: Grainger, Brig. Gen., 268
to: Granger, Brig. Gen., 268
Corrected punctuation where necessary in the Index.
Many hyphenated and non-hyphenated word combinations left as written.