The Chattanooga Daily Rebel. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1862-1864, 1863-03-11
conurnrA. thy. Feb. 18th. lst

COLUMBIA, TLNN., Feb. 10th, 1868.
Eaiiors oftle Rebel Justice has never yet
been done Gen. Forrest, for the services he
has rendered the country. His raid in West
Tennessee was the most brilliant of the cam
paign, and was more disastrous to Gen. Grants
army, than every other move that has been
made. At the time Forrest entered West
Tennessee, the enemy had full possession Of all
w. Tennessee, Notth Mississippi to Cofoville,
and the Kentucky purchase with an enemy re-
ported at from $4,000 TO 10000 we'll drilled
and disciplined troops, strongly fortified at
Corinth, Memphis, Fort Pillow, jackson, Boil
var, TrentoA, Island No. 10, Hickman, Colum-
bus, Paducah and Fort Heiman. Gen. Forrest
entered West Tennessee with less than 1000
effective men, and six piecesof artillery, and
successiyely captured Lexington, Spring Greek
HUMBOLDT, Trenton, Dyer, Rutherford, Kenton,
Crockett Troy Station, Union City, State Line,
Moscow, Mt. Pelier, and Dresden, killing
wounding and paroling more than 1000 federal
soldiers, and then retired in the face of an
enemy FIVE times as large as his own, which he
encountered at Red Mound or Parker's Cross
Roads, with loss of less than three hundred
msn. The history Of that fight is very impor-
fecty understood. Gen. Forrest moved from
Dresden, on Monday morning the 20th, in the
direction of Huntingdon. He arrived at
Mckenzie Station, on the Memphis, and Ohio
Railroad, and onoamped. Shortly aftor, scouts
reported the enemy strongly posted at Booths
Mill, on the Huntingdon and Paris road, where
our pickets slSirmished with the enemy all
night. AT o'clock that night, the command
was ordered "a move by the.way Of Kings
bridge, and Succeeded in crossing the river by
an early hour next morning, continuing his
march by the way Of MoLemoresvillo, and en-
camped on Tuesday night, at Flakes's Store,
four miles northwest Of Parker's Cross Roads,
The command moved az 8 o'clock Wednes-
day morning, and had proceeded but a short
distance before encountering the 'enemy's in
fantry and artillery, posted at tho mouth Of
.Britte lane and at his house. Forrest gallant
ly charged and forced the onony to fall back
to the main body Of their army, which was
found heavily posted in an advantageous po-
sition, behind fence and under cover Of
wood Shortly after ii o'clock, the fight be.
came general and for over three hours the
field was holly contestedj at last the enemy
gave way and hoisted several white flags, and
while wo were preparing to receive the sur
render, we were attacked in tho rear by al
largely superior force, which forced Gen. For
rest to retire and loose tho fruits Of a hard
fought battle. During the entire engagement
Gen. Forrest was exposed in peraon to the
enomy's fire, encouraging his men by his ex-
ample. He was the first man in the
fight and the very last to leave the 6eld
Con. Forrest early that morning dipatched
four companies to CarlSsburg, to watch the
movement Of the enemy and give notice of any
approach Of tbe division believed TO be in the
vicinity Of Huntingdon, and had they done
their duty, that division would never have
reached tho field until wo had secured tho
fruits Of one OF the hardeet fought battlos of
tho campaign But these companies were nNy-
or heard from until the command had looross
OF tho Tennessee river. During this raid
Gen, Forrest destroyed tho Mobile and Ohio
Railroad from Humboldt to Moscow. IN ron
miles Of Columbus. So faithful did the c,eno.
raj do his workthat il will 30 impossible to
rebuild tho road before next Summer. Il was
over THIS road that Graut's army received their
supplies, and It's destruction forced him "a
OvacuatO tho interior of West Tennessee and
North Mississippi, leaving small garrisors d
Jackson, Corinth and Bolivar, thus relieving
toa great oxtont the interior Of West Tonnes.
see and North Mississippi.
Gen. Forests whole military career has
beer that Of success. 70 him and the gallant
Morgan the West is more indebted than any
other mon, and yet when tho hour Of promo
tion comoo their Chains arc entirely over
locked, aud one their inforioriu point Of ser
vice, and also IN years, is, without word
promoted ovor thom. The writer has no IN.
kind feelings toward Gen. Wheeler. Tlo isa
brave and galhnt officer, and lho country owes
him much yet ] DO not belioyo no sbonld
have boon prcmolcd over his senior Brigadiers.