Daily union appeal. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-186?, 1862-08-15


brigade, and he discharged this difHoult duty
with equal bravery and skill. Capt. Bowman
led the 81 Kentucky, and did it CALAMITY,
Major johnson not reaching the Held until il
was well nigh won. Lieut.-Col Cofer was in
command of the 9Th Kentucky during the
first of the action. Conspicuous for his daring
bat weak from sickness, and scarcely recov-
cred from a terrible wound received at
Shiloh, he was forced to yield his position
10 Major W. L. Clarke. This young Office
was quite equal to the task. He was in
trepid, skillful and prudent, and brought hh
men safely out of more than one tight place.
The 35th Alabama, which had never befoss
been under fire, acted with all the cOolness of
veterans. Its commander, Col. j. w. Robert
son, was as self-possessed as on dress parade
and led his brave men into every danger. Fall
ing from the effects of q sun-stroke, the con-
mand devolved upon Lieut.. Col Goodwin,
young officer of great promise. The conduit
of this brigade Preston's) was pre-eminently
noble, and regret that its general could not
have been present TO have shared its perls
and enjoyed its constant succession OF triumpS.
Unfortunately he Is confined to his bed with
typhoid fever, at the residence of friend, near
| Clinton, Miss. Col. Thompson. however, as
acting brigadier, proved gallant and intrepid
| commander. OF the members of his staff, Capt.
| W. z. Wallace, aid>de-eamp was wounded
early in the action, having his ribs broken
and Lieut.. Chas. Semple, ordinance officer,
was shot with grape through the leg, being
| this heroic officers second wound in the war,
/ the first having been received at Fort Donel-
son. Major John E. Throckmorton, brigade
+: quartermaster, rendered invaluable services in
removing the wounded He courted danger
| Gus positions, and captured lot of govern
| ment horses and mules. But this was nothing
I L l g.
severe battles. Dr. ). w Thompson, brigade
surgeon, was remarkably efficient in organic
ing and conducting his field hospital arrang-
ments.
Operations on the Right.
While the left was thus forcing the enemy
into town, the right wing, under Gen. Chas.
CLARK, did not lag behind. Gen. Breckin-
ridge was himself with this division, and his
presence had magical effect upon the men.
There was no danger he did not share with
them. His tall form seemed ubiquitous
here, there, everywhere where there was peril
where there was an enemy to drive or posi-
ton to gain. OF the gallantry and noble
bearing of his young son Cabell l should not
speak, were it not that he IS as modest as he is
meritorious-a worthy scion of noble stock.
Gen. Breckenridge led personally several
charges, and towards the close of the action,
coming up to the 4th and 9Th Kentucky, who
had fallen back utterly exhaused he drew his
sword and with one appealing look said, in
his clear, musical tones, Ny men, charge r
This charge is described to SIS by an officer
who participated, as one of the most signal
and effective acts of the battle.
The men rushed forward in no particular
order, firing at and pursuing the enemy with
determination that could not be thwarted,
driving them further than they had yet been
driven. But during the whole engagement
the fourth and fifth Kentucky displayed the
utmost gallsntry, worthy of the laurels they
had won at Shiloh. Better men never fol-
lowed flag or faced an enemy than compose
these two regiments. Col Thos H. Hunt OF
the fifth, was in command Of the brigade, and
receiv ed a serious shot in the left hip while
actively engaged on the field. He is mode
soldier and the becu ideal of an officer, and hi:
fall oceasioned pang of regret in the minds
of all his men. Lieut.. Col Caldwell anc
, Capt. Grips Wicklife were worthy of thei
regiment which exhibits the heaviest loss O
any on the field. The fourth Kentucky wa
without field officers, but under Capt. Millet
, it proved q host, bearing through the heat o
. the fray its tattered and bullet-riddled banner
! now thrice eonsecrsteo to glory by baptism o
fire and blood. I speak OF the kentucky reg
, iments more in detail, because l know NOR
of their conduct, and for the reason that they
bore the brunt of the fight. But this was onlI
in accordance with the promise of Genera
! Breckenridge, who, in a brief address few
, days before, told his brave, noble and ragoet
, kentuckians' that he would lead them wher
, ever there was danger.
The Last Charge-The day Won.
During the frequent pauses of the fight, whel
: the roll of musketry and the sharp crack Of
). artillery was hushed, all ears were strained &
= 1 catch mn of ipFalliraraa ba
Arkansas. Long since she should have bee
engaging the enemy's gunboats, which ha
> already poured dreadful rain of shot an
!: shell into our midst. But there was no wei
: come sound from the guns of our little vessel
Upon all tongues were the queries "Wher
J can the Arkansas be 2" "Why is she not here
: and there came the unwilling thonght has sh
failed us, and can sll this deadly, terribl
struggle have been for nought2
!; We had already driven the enemy one AM
: half miles from the position where he was frs
encountered. We bad siezsd all his camps
> and forced him through the suburbs of tn
!, town. Then came the last charge, and RICH
: nobly did our exhausted soldiers dlscharg
! their duty. Way-Torn, covered with dust an
: consumed By the heat of battle, the gallan
: boys plunged headlong into the fight, and be
: fore them fed The Yankees. In vain did the
= bring up their reserves. We drove them al
. quite to. the river, completely under the pro
!. lection of their gunboats, many of them taking
. TO the water.
!. 1t was then that Gen. Breckenridge ordere,
: q recall He had received message that
: would be impossible for the Arkansas to par
: ticiPate, then, in the engagement, but that, b
' two o'clock, she could take her part Slowl
and with reluctance our troops fell back
! although exposed to the heavy firing of tn
! gunboats. About one mile and . half fron
: town they were halted, and the poor, wearie
!, jaded fellows threw themselves upon tn
: ground to rest "
1t was at this last charge that General Chas
! CLARK had his hip haply shattered, and at hi
: own request he was conveyed to house il
town. Captain Yerger, his aid, remained wit
. him, and both were afterwards made prisoners