The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-07-05
.aFoRREsF's LATE v1CToRy.

"ri'tns from 1upelo, Miss under date of June 15,
gives tie annexed account of Forests late FIGHT.
Oa the lst Of june Gen. Forrest moved East.
ward He bad been apprised for some time that
foree of from 5000 to 10000 was being fitted out
In Memphis for an expedition to Shermans army,
IN charge OF 400 wagon loads of supplies, asd for
the purpose also of furnishing this much more
transportation, with large ambulance train aud
twenty of artillery, with the troops that
accompanied them to Sherman His force, consist
lug only OF two brigades, mme ediately returned to
pounce upon the enemy. Fuckers brigade ne.
turned from Oxford and Johnson's command came
down Atrom North Alabama Thus this force.
though not half as large as that of the enemy, vas
at once, and unexpectedly to the enemy. coneeu.
trated on the Mobile and Ohio Road, and just in
time to head him at Brices Cross Roads, six miles
from Baldwin. Skirmishug began about O'Clock
in the morning by Col. Rucker; Col JohDson soon
up and assisted to hold the enemy in check;
Col Lyon, with his Kentucky brigade, came in
before II o'clock, and Col. Bells gallant brigade
with the exception of the Sd Tennessee, command
ed by Col. Barteau, who sent to the enemy's
rear-reached the field at o'clock The enemy
seemed frustrated by this sudden resistance on his
front, yet pushed vigorously forward and endeayor
Cd to oVerrun our forces. The fighting for the next
three hours was severe, and charge alter charge was
made, column after column was hurled with head
long impetuosity by the enemy against us, and by
US against the enemy. At o'clock, the I'd Ten
nessee had reached the rear of the enemy, and
made furious attack. The enemy at first sent
back regiment of infantry then 300 cavalry, and
becoming still more alarmed at the obstinacy Of the
attack in front and the appearance of force in his
rear, sent back all his cavalry aud commenced a
retreat. His forces in front driven in dismay
and the whole body of his troops demoralized
Wagons, artillery, cavalry, infantry, negroes and
wounded went back III one confused mass, block
ing up the roads and running through woods and
fields Over two hundred wagons and fourteen
pieces Of artillery abandoned in less than one
hour after the retreat began.
Our forces pursued until dark and then camped
for the night. The greatest injury Inflicted upon
us during this engagement was by ambuscadc.
Wilson's and Russelfs regiments, of Bells brigade
suffered severely. 1t is unfortunate that more eau
ton was not exercised to prevent such ecessary
damage. The number of killed and wounded in
this fight. on side was over three hundred
The loss. Of enemy in killed and wounded was near
a thousand.
The cnemys force was four brgades, two of ca
valry, commanded by Grierson, and two of infantry
all under Brig. Gen. Sturgis and the commands
being full, numbered not less than 5000. Two
negro regiments served a train guard. But few
negroes were captured. They made good theil
escape. !
The pursuit was renewed early in the morning
Gen. Forrest following before daylight with his
escort and 7th Tennessee, fighting the enemy until
the other commands came up. At Ripley, a des
perate fight ensued, in which Bells brigade and
Lions greatly distinguished themselves, charging
into the town and driving the Yankees from every
stronghold they had taken, killing, wounding and
capturing five hundred more. The enemy took
the Salem road, and were pressed every inch of the
way. A terrible ambuscade was given them by
Col Barteau, near Salem. Having gained posi-
ton on their flank in advance Of the column, he
dsnounted and marched his command within sixty
yards Of the road. As the column came on, the
road was crowded with infantry and cavalry. One
sheet of fire from his line, and hundreds lay hors
du combat. Charging Immediately, upon the road
still further execution effected until compelled
to give way. The 95th Ohio regiment, which was
in the rear of the column, aud hard pressed by
Col. Lyon, surrendered. The various troops Of
Gen. BufUrd's command in this, the second day
of the pursuit, captured thousand prisoners.
Having followed the enemy nearly to LaGrange,
aud put his column to flight in fragments, the
troops co., penced their return the morning Of
the 18th, and secuted the woods the left of the
Salem road back to Ripley. The result has been
tha, seven eight hundred more struggling Yam
KEGS were caught. Grierson and Sturgis deserted
their commands .beyond Ripley, and fed to La
Grange
The outrases committed by the enemy in the
were robbed Of every article necessary to the sup
port of families. Ladies insulted and outraged;
children robbed Of their clothing and left naked.
crying and hungry; old men choked aud gagged,
and in some instances beaten nearly to death;
women kicked out of doors for murmuring at these
wrongs, and knocked down by buck negroes in the
presence of their husbands. These some Of
the injuries that the poor people of North Missis
sippi have had to endure, aDd it is things like
these that nerved the arms of Forests soldiers to
fight like demons and to perform deeds of daring
unequaled in history The Southern who
would not fight now, is unfit fer freedom, and
ought MOTTO enjoy 1t.
The Mississippi Prurie Nr'es gives the follow
ing facts derived from Forests chief quarter
master:
Yankees killed 1,00O; wounded 800; captured
1000 Also 200 wagons; so ambulances; IL
pieces of artillery with cassions; 500 mules; iOo
horses; 100000 rounds small arm ammunition;
0,000 rounds cannon ammunition: 5,OO0 stand
small arms; 200, 900 pounds pilot bread; 30 barrels
sugar; 80 sacks of coffee; $780, worth of medi-
cines; 10 barrels of wbiskey, and shovel, spades,
axes, carpenters tools, etc, in large numbers.
Mrs. Stephen A. Douglass is Vice President Of
the Ladies' National League at Washington, whose
nurnose ;s IN consume no foreign fabrics during