Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-01-08
FORESTS Raid ON the Memphis and
Charleston Railroad --- Letter
from the O5th Ohio.
CAMP AT COLIIRRsvILLE, Tenn,
ruEgDAY lice. % iSB3.


TUESDAY, Dec. %, 1863.
We came very near having fight last
Sunday night with the rebels. They drove
our pickets in close upon us, and our regi-
ment (the 05th Ohio was stationed mt suit
able places under arms. A few shells, how
ever from the fort, silenced their scattering
musketry, and in the morning we found
they had "yamosed the ranch" Morgan's
| brigade of infantry and cavalry pressed
them so hard in the rear that they consider
ed it ineXpedient to attack this place. The
brigade came up us far rs Lafayette from
Moscow in the cars just as Forests men
were crossing the railroad, and welcomed
them with volley of shot from their car
bines. Our men filed out, shooting in every
direction, soaring the rebels so badly that
they "lit OUT in grand style. We had one
man killed, and eight or ten wounded. The
loss of the rebels, if any, have not learned.
Yesterday morning, at daylight, four or
five of us took n hand-car and went out to
Lafayette to see what damage had been
done. We found bridges burned, and the
railroad torn up in several places. At La
fayette the track was DESTROYED for three
quarters of a mile, and the telegraph wires
cut and torn down. The depot was burned
and about three hundred cords of dry wood.
There are only two houses now left in La
iayette, both occupied by widows. The
rebels declare they will burn thesebuild-
ings the next time they visit the place. A
party of rebels, on Sunday night about
twelve o'clock, burned the bridges and cut
the telegraph wires between this place
(Colliersville) and Memphis thus cutting
off all communication. Company A of the
95th slept on their arms all that night in
the depot, ready for any emergency. Com
I.NaN IL nl-nff ttxr
Sunday evening, slowly falling back, and
fighting all the time. Two of their men
Corporal GEORGE CoRBIN and BARTON DU-
RANT-were captured, being cut off from the
rest, as they were on the extreme left of the
skirmish line.
1t seems that Forrest did not get his entire
train across the railroad, and he says he will
give us a call next Saturday. If he comes
he will surely find us ready for him. Nor
gan's brigade started from here in pursuit
of the rebels, and are undoubtedly long be-
fore this on the other side of Coldwater.-
But hardly think Forrest will be caught.
This forenoon Company A of the 95th was
guarding the train engaged in repairing the
railroad. Every thing is now in running
order. Trains will be making their regular
trips tomorrow, and all 90 ''merry as a
marriage bell" -i-A
j must not omit to mention our prisoners.
Sunday night, after Forrest had been driven
from Lafayette, an aid rode up to the Adju-
tant of the 9th Illinois cavalry, and inquir-
ed where Forests headquarters were. The
Adjutant asked him what he wanted. The
aid replied that he had thirty head of cat
tie with only ten men to guard them, and
by Cd he wanted more men. The Adju-
tant very politely informed the gentleman
that he could show him and his comrades
1.-TWO in number) headquarters" and con-
Quoted them to safe retreat.
%, 6. w. @.