, 1862-08-05

men, although wa look around and miss m8uy
q companion in arms :Who has fallen while |
bravely: contendlng for the honor OF his coun-
Try. |
TIE RECENT FIGHT OF THE NINTH ILL
NOIS CAVALRY. |
CArp ASHLAND, ARkANsAs, July 26, 1864
Editors Of Chicago Tribune:
In your Issue Of the ed inst. notice CON-
munication from your correspondent at Mem
phis, giving an account Of an acEion in which
our regiment (the 9th minois) was engaged
on the 29th Of June Last. The matter cou-
tanned in the article allnded to is SO at Tari-
ance with the truth that cannot let it pass
uncontradicted. There Is no disposition to
cast any reflections upon your correspondent,
on the contrary, have 10 doubt he gave his
Information as he got It from the hero Of the
stora.
Not wishing to sail under false co1ors, but
believing that our regiment can afford to have
the truth told Of its acts and doiugs, and
shove all not wishing to appear as heroes be-
fore our friends upon any such fulsome bal
derdash, I have been requested by q number
Of officers Of the regiment to give you plain
aa3 euccint statement Of the facts, over my
proper signature. On the day In question,
forage train, guarded by companies Z,
C, L and B, under the command Of
Major Wallis, left the camp at village
Creek in quest OF forage, about two miles
from camp, and within our line, We came to
farm, halted the train, and proceeded to search
the premises for forage; while the search was
going on horseman came up the road at full
gal!op and informed us tfat forage train
Of the Sd Iowa cavalry, about four miles ahead
Of US, had been attacked by the enemy, and
that their leader, q 1ieutenunt, with three men,
| had been kl1ed-that the Iowa boys, with
| small detachment Of the S5d Illinois, were
making stand, defending themselves the best
ance. the enemy being as four to one Major
| Wallis ordered me to take halt OF my troops
| and 60 their relief had but thirty men with
| me, and suggested that fifteen men could give
| but little assistance, the enemy being in con
siderable force. Capt. Booth and Lieut. Bay
ley begged permission to go, saying to the
| tile major, We we're not yet outside of our
camp lines, and that no harm could come to
the train. His reply wa5, Capt. Cameron. take
| yonE troops and 90 to the support Of our
friends.
We moved forward at ga}Iop and shortly
come up to the ttain, which we found in con
siderable confutfo1, the lii utenant and three
1ntn Of the Sd Iowa killed aud several wo md
ed. l found squad Of the asa Illinois posted
in advance down the road. enquired whers
The enemy Was. The lieutenant replied in the
edge Of the woods just below the cornheld.
ornerea nim t. throw out his men al skir-
| Irislers, through the woods which flanktd the
zi5h, Of the road. threw down the fence upon
ny left, formed my men in line in the
ecTnfe1d, and in this manner proceeded about
arni}e occasionally driving in rebel. We were
close upon the woods when messenger from
Msj. ". ordered us back to Lis command at the
forks Of The road, where We had left him.
counteTmarched nsy rnen, go: the train in Or
~ left tie farm when I met Col. Bussey
IF the Sd Iowa, with his command On Iii.
way to support his train. I asked
him where he left Major ", he said back at
tie forks OF Tie road. Just at this time Col.
Bracket ca1ae up with two battalions Of his
him with hie three companies, he protesting
I to Col. Braekett that there was no use Of go.
ipg down there, that their was no enemy
there and no corn: Col Braekett replied, !"
Bfsckett said to Col Bussey, "Iet me 90 down
| there, want to clean these fellows o1t;'' and
! of he dashed at full trot at the head # the
column, Major " at the head Of his battalion
We passed the corn field and entered the
woods, and had not advanced over halt mile
when we came upon the enemy, concealed il
I the thick uuderbrnsh and canebrake. On tht
, | first yolley Captain Knight was severely
/ wounded. his horse killed under him, and fiyt
| or SIX of his men badly wounded, one Of whom
( has sirce died ShorLly after the firing com
menced Adjt Stevenson came down to the lef
] fthc column, ,and ordered me to take my troo]
} to the front and hold the position, aud, il pos
+ sible, dis1odge the enemy. I dres my troo]
: out Of the co'umn, leaving Major Wallis there
? ard went up to the front at gallup, an
t formed my men front iuto line diagonal
= across the road Just at this time vol1-
/ came pouring out Of the bushes and cane
4 brake, throwing the men into some confu
= sion. They Immediately rallied and poure
d in upon them deadly ire from our lon
It ranged Russian rided muskets, driving thef
e from their fastness. We also discharSe Sed GU
+ revolvere, and were proceeding to reloai
# when Capt. Booth came up and formed o
IS my left, rs did Capt. Clifford, both Of whot
0 did most excellent execution on the enemy
is leave the ground, Capt. Baoth returnin
g nearly at the same time. If Major Wallis va
It there, neither OF us saw him. He was nc
here in command Of his battalion, as you c.
le in tie calf Of the right 1eg but with SO smal
as a slot that the surgeon was uuab1e to enter
s, with bis probe. II this engagement our To-:
x was tblrIy-s!x or seven wounded. two
ID my WAS fourteen killed We have no meat
ID ct knowing the number Of their wounded
It The Hghtiog was severe and the men behave
at we'll. Col. Bracket directed every movemeI
n that was made, and this he done in person, e;
posed all the time to 3 CALLING fire from a
unseen foe, and this notwithstanding be WI
- struck with bail, infl1cting severe injur
~ ~ hi7 life being saved because he was proteete
Is Hy steel vest. So well did he manage ii
-. -. affair, that the enemy came with flag
as ,se truce next day and begged permission Of Ge
ae Burton TO bury their dead.
1s le This is ali, and is but the simple, nakt
u : truth, as every officer will testify that VI
u present. would like to say many things
u. you upon different subjects. 1ha7e refra,nt
e. from writing to any Of my friends, for reaso
)" satisfactory to myself We want no mo
=. words, We want oioses, deal squarely upon 4
Ut Ut head Of the monster that has caused tt
" " wicked rebellion. congratulate the peoI
't ae of Illinois upon the defeak Il: the propos
" y. new constitution. Your paper is looked
1e 1e with anxiety and read with ayldity. I Wou
a ae like to say more, but cannot
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