Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-05-09
- ar poar eEnsoN.

1872
To guard against s possible raid upon the
town by Grierson's cavalry, and at the same
time 70 watch the movements of the ensmy be-
low Bayou Pierre. Ga the 29th of April Gen.
Green, with part Of BIS brigade, was ordered to
/ Port Gibsan. On the Both, learning that the
enemy WAS landing troops at Bniusburg, he
selected an.exceIent position near Bethel church,
some four miles from town, and swRted their
approach. His command consisted Of tho 18th
Arkansas i1fsntry, numbering one hundred and
eighty men, commanded By Lieutensnt-C Colonel
Reynolds part Of the 2lst Arkansas, sixty-6ve
men, commanded by Col. Cravens 10Th bat
TALON Arkansas sbarpshooters, commanded by
Capt. Bayne. Numbering sixty men, and the
9th Mississippi, about three hundred and fifty
men ip all seven hundred men.
TIE eneny's advance encountered the pickeis
about midnight. Some skirmishing ensued,
followed By heavy cannonading, which con
tinued until daylight. The brigade of General
Tracy, having marched rapidly all day, arrived
at night aud took position on the extreme
right. AT the earnest solicitation of General
Green, who fcressw that, as soon as daylight
revealed bis position and strength, his little
| command would be fanked and overwhelmed
by superior numbers, the 23i Alabama was de-
taehed from this brigade, ordered to report to
Gen. Green, and assigned position on the right.
81 sunrise the battle commenced in earnest
Tae position held BY Gen. Green was attacked
by heavy force of the enemy, outnumbering
him three to one. After a fercs conflict the
Federals fed, leaving the ground stIewed with
their dead. Bat after q short interval they re-
termed with augmented numbers, and a second
me were driven back with dreadful slaughter.
BIn the meantime Gen. Trscy's brigade Yves
engaged on tho right, this gsllant officer beipg
killed in the very first onset. The brigade
fJught CALAMITY and succeeded in holding their
ground against fearful odds. General Bowen
arrived on the field about 10 a. 81. He per-
c,ived at a glance that the position Of Gen. Green
must be outAanked by the enemy in such num-
bsrs as to envelope and capture bis gallant little
force or drive them from the fold, unless speed
lily reinforced. Baldwyn's brigade was ordered
forward on double quick, but too late before
they could reach the field, the enemy rallied his
forcss the third time, and brought his Thousands
against the little remaining force Of Green,
hsnking him on the left, and, after a most stub
born and bloody contest, forcing cur boys to fly
ia disorder. NeFer did men fight more gal
lantly. For eleven hours they held their posi-
ton against overwhelming odds. Twice did
they empty their cartridge boxes, firing from
sixty to eighty rounds each, and caug-
lag more of the enemy to bite the
dust than their own forcs numbered at
tie first. The Is h Arkansas being on the ex-
IRENE left, and exposed to the fankiDg FIRE of
the enemy, suffered most, yet were the very last
to leave the field, and many Of than are pris-
oners. OF the one hundred and eighty, only
about ssven'y-fYe escaped from the field. OoIy
niue sre positively known to be killed; several
others MORALLY wounded. and how many fell in
tae last onset Of the foe and the retreat from the
field, is Of course unknown and cannot for
months be ascertained, but ! win venture the
assertion that since the beginning of this war,
no regiment ever suffered the loss of a greater
proportion Of the number engaged, or main
tanned a position longer against equal odds.
An honor to tie noble fifteenth. Nor is less
honor due to the other regiments under Green's
command. Though from thsir position they
safsrsd somewhat less severely, yet they fought
n less gallantly, and covered themselves with
glory.
Baldwyn's brigade having come up, q new
line Of battle was formed two miles in rear of
the first position, Baldwin in the center, Tracy
on the right, and Colonel Cockrell, command.
lag the 81 ani oh Missouri regiments, or the
left the enemy advancing, about noon the bat
tie was renewed with increased fury. Colonel
CoekTell, in gallant, reckless, Missouri style,
charged the enemy's right and found himself in
the very midst of heavy masses of the enemy,
from which he extricated his command by the
most vigorous sort of fighting, and with heavy
loss, falling back tc his first position and hold
ing it until sunset.
In the meanwhile General Green, having raj
lied the remnant of his shattered command,
formed then on tic Oh Missouri, which had
been ordered to report to him, by a skillful
maneuver led them in nll view of the enemy
marching toward our left, and then, counter
marching out Of view, proceeded to the extreme
right near the molth Of Bayou Pierre, and sgsin
attacked the foe. Line of battle having been
formed, Colonel Irving, of the Oh Missouri,
wishing to advance some forty yards to a better
position, gave tie command -" Forward %
Once forward, it was vain to cry aslt. Forward
became a charge, and on dashed the boys until,
ascending a hill, they found themselves in front
Of a tremendous force of Federals, about sixty
yards distant, on an opposing hill with an
almost impossible iavine between. Here, for
two hours, the opposing forces fought, shooting
and shouting at each other, in full view aud
easy distance the MisSourisns defying the
overwhelming odds OF The foe to charge their
own short but stubborn column with the bayonet.
A retreat had been odered and the lines were
falling back, bat the order had failed to reach
Colonel Irving. Accordingly he held his posi-
ten until he perceived his isolated situatiOn,
when he effected a safe retreat from a most haz-
srdous position.
The battle was fought at every point against
overwhelming odds, and the wonder is that
whole regiments were not captured by the enc
my. AS is, so many Of cur wounded bsirg
left in their hands, our loss in prisoners is great.
The boys are cheerful, and ready again to
meet the foe, and will give s good account of
themselves in the coming contest, which we al
regard as imminent. MISS0URIAN.
®TET ON COLDWATER.
GeLDEAFER, April 22Is63Dl
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