Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-02-01
THE LATE ATTLR

IVA A- "~A -l
On yesterday morning we published a state
ment, which was got from one Of our exchanges
attributed to Capt. Sheliha, a member Of Gen
Crittenden's staff, which he thinks was not &C
curate, and he has therefore furnished us th
subiOined circumstsntial account Of the opera
tons of the army, ON the approach to the fell
Of battle at Fishing Creek, at the battle ground
On the retreat, and in tie entertainments.
Capt. S. states that Gen. CritJenjen's forces
LETT ca mp on Sunday morning, 18th inst, march
ing in the following order, namely: /. Gen. +
X. Zollicoter's brigade, composed Of BIsdsoe's
Independent cavalry company, Col. Statham's
18th Mississippi regiment, commanded by Lieut.
Col. Welthall, Col Battles 2Oth Tennessee reg
imenb Col. Cummings 18th Tennessee regi-
menta Col. S~tanton's Tennessee regiment and
two sections Of Capt. kutledge's battery Of AZ
tiIery.f
2. Gen. VIM. II Caroll's brigade, composed
Of Col. Muray's, Col Nswman's and Col. Pow
els Tennessee regiments, Col. Woods Alabama
regiment, one section of Capt. Meetings. bat
terry, Lieut-Col McClelan's cavalry battalion
and Branner's cavalry.
They marched about nine miles over a very
heavy road Bledsoe's independent cavalry,
which was the advance of the army, was fred
on at 10 minutes to Z o'clock.
Zolicolfer's infantry, d|eployed as skiruishars,
in the following order: The 10Th Mississippi on
the right, supported by Battles. Cummings
regiment on The left, supported by Stant0n's /;
Rutlcdge's artillery in the center. The fOrma-
lion of the ground was Unisvorable for artillery
maneuyers.
Gen. ZoIlieofsr fell about Q o'clock, and soon
afterward the regiments gave way to the supe-
riOr numbers of the enemy. The men Tetreated
within our breastworks, and the enemy pursued
us without cavalry, and commenced a weIl-di-
--,+-1 aov,--aAa Of = On - n wIfoh NEE Laak
I'D until dark, when they ceased firing. Our
breastworks were then abandoned during the
night, for want Of supplies, there not being a
single days rations in camp, except those pre-
pared by the men before marching. We lost
one piece of artillery on the field, the horses be-
ing too much exhausted to e~xtricate it from the
mud. Eleven pieces were lett during the night,
Tor want of transportation over the river.
Most Of our ammunition was lost. Many
wagons were left for the same reason. Perhaps
eight hundred horses were left OF drowned in
the effort to cross. All the commissary's and
au-artermasteT's stores were destroyed by burn
aud the hatboats sunk. The enemy's loss in
killed and wounded was probably greater than
ours.
More promplness in the execution Of field ma
neuvers, a higher degree of discipline, together
with the proper means OF distinguishing friend
hom foe, during an action, are most sadly
needed.
Col. Whites regiment was ordered fron the
bank to the right after the men reached their
in~trenchments from the battle field. orr force
did not exceed $500. That OF the enemy, judg-
ing rom he report Of tue muskety, amounted
probably to 5000 men. Their artillery was well
served and its range was greater than oufF. 1t
is impossible to give sn accurate list Of the
killed aud wounded, at present, in consequence
Of tia enemy having possession ofsths battle
field and there being many s~Tagglers absent,
whom it is impossible TO classify.