Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-06-22


EprroRs LEDGER: You will hear the general
particulars of the disaster which bee the Federal
arms near Tupello, Miss. on the 10Th inst from
other sources will tell you specially OF the
SD Indianr the only Indiana regiment of in
fantry in the engagement.
The expedition left Memphis on the lst OF
June On the evening OF the 9Th Il point one
hundred aud four miles distant was reached,
without incident worthy of note. The cavalry
took the advance next morning At y clock
word came back that Gen GrieTsOu was skr-
mishiug heavily with the enemy. four miles dis
tant. A few minutes later a messenger came,
requesting the infantry to be sent to his support
as soon as possible. Following him came an
other, with word that Gen Grierson was hard
pressed, aud that he considered his position of
vital Importance
Col Mcmillan, temporarily in command OF a
division. gave the order of "quick time
march," The men sprang forward with a will
The sun was broiling hot. and the late incessant
rains had made the roads knee deep in mud in
places, aud every valley mirey swamp Fifteen
minutes later Grierson himself came dashng
back, and told Mcmillan he could not hold his
position longer than twenty minutes Mcmillan
said, "Hold it, General, in twenty minutes will
relieve you" The command was forward
double quick Two miles and half TO make
in only twenty minutes; the necessity one OF life
or death The men struggled forward. Many
OF them could not stand the intense heat, and
fell by the way The cavalry held the enemy in
check and as the infantry came up, they gave
way and galOped to the rear. There was no time
to form a line of battle, and each regiment
ordered into action they arrived upon the
field, to the right or lett as necessity demanded,
for the enemy were pressing close on the front
and both TANKS.
The 93d took position on the extreme right
The underbrush was SO thick that the officers
were compelled to dismoant Colonel Thomas
formed his regiment in good line as posi-
bic, and ordered charge across an open space
in his front. The Colonel himself led the way.
The distance was not fifty yards, but it i'm
possible to make it, They were met by a most
terrific fire of artillery and musketry The men,
already weak and exhausted, staggered back. but
rallied again. and once more sprang 10 the
charge. only again to be repulsed In this charge
Adjutant Moody tell, in the front of the regi-
ment, urging the men to follow. Col. Thomas
gathered him in his arms; be saw that the wound
was mortal, and said, Moody, am sorry, but
| can do nothing for you Yes, you can,
said Moody "stand by the men ':Don't fear"
said Thomas, "I'll do my duty. Goodbye; God
bless YOU" But Moody did not reply nor re-
turn the earnest grasp OF the Colonel; he was
dead
Again the regiment rallied, and the struggle
now was not TO advance, but to hold their posi-
ton. regiment made Its appearance IN their
front bearing the stars and stripes and in Federal
uniform Surprising them to oe friends. they
were permitted TO advance to within less than
twenty yards, halted, and delivered most muir
derous fire RICH; in the faces of our men xty
FIVE men fell under the fire, among them Lieut.
Col Pool mortany wounded he received i've
balls. \ drawer, truer man never Tell
To stav longer was useless sacrifice of life.
The Col. drew his men of, and formed again
two hundred yards To the rear. A nasty account
OF the men was taken, ana the regiment was
found to number less than two hundred. wo
hours before they went into the ngagement with
three hundred aud sixty five Slaughter like
this they could not stand much longer. Orders
now came from the General commanding Tor them
to retreat, which they did as deliberately as II
going to dress parade.
Our troops had been repulsed at every point,
and all that was left 10 save the trains II
possible Gen Sturgis rode up TO the trains anu
told them to retreat instantly. The wagoners
were in an open field. but deep IN mud. he
teamsters cut the mules loose, and started Tor
Memphis. where some OF them arrived early
Sunday morning. having rode one hundred ana
nine miles in thirty hours
Rebel cavalry soon cut off the line OF retreat
The scene now became one of disorder Col.
Wilkins commanding the lst brigade beng cap
tured or lost. the command fell To Col Thomas
tie placed Capt " F. Swift IN command OF us
regiment. with orders never 10 surrender but to
cut his way through at all hazards. Smith had
lost both legs-of his psntS--ab0ve the knees,
barefoot, hat. and vest gone. and all covered
with mud He did not look like gay cavalier,
but he had the spirit of true one. tie caught
rdeTless cavair, horse, and finding spar at
taehed TO the saddle. be buckled il 10 his bare
heel, mounted formed the men. and with 0aY
onets at charge they plunged iato the reoei
cavalry with veil Most of them got through.
The retreat was kept Up all through the night,
hoping TO pass Ripley before daylight. Just as
tue day dawned they entered the village. but the
enemy were there before them. They scattered
into the words in every direction, each endearor
ing 20 save himself Ammunition being all
gore, guns were DO longer of use. The men
broke them over stumps and trees, threw away
coats. shoes, and every thing that would impede
them. One hundred miles TO march; no pFovis- .
ions, not a mouihful to be had in the country,
the enemy harTassing them on every SIDE, Inere :
was no time TO lose On thew went all that not
sui,ry day and the next night not stopping to
rest FOR A moment, arriving IN Memphis about
noon on Sunday. feet blistered, bleeding aud torn
by briars and stones, almost iamishec, having
eaten nothing since breakfast at o'clock on
Friday morning. The horrors oil THIS terrible re- 4
treat never be told The heroism with which i
ii was borne is above all praise
The 93d lost three officers killed. Lieut. Col .
Pool. Adgtant Irwin Moody, and Lieut.. teo. +
" Reeves Eight officers we're captured. Five .
officers and one hundred and forty three enlisted .
men have returned out of three hundred and .