Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-06-24
THELATE DISASTER IN MISSISSIPPI.

pedition recently sent out from memphis nn- |
der the command of Gen. Sturgiss, and
so disastrously defeated near Guntown, Miss.
The account he gives of the affair is inielligi-
bic, and highly interesting:
MEMPHIS, Tenn, June IA, 1864.
DEAR MoTHER:-I arrived here yesterday
afternoon. Before this reaches you, you will
have heard of the terrible disaster to our lit
tie army, in Northern Mississippi. More than
half of it has been killed, wounded or taken
prisoners since last Friday. Our regiment
lost heavily, particularly in officers. Out of
twenty-ons that started out with US only nine
have returned. Several of them are known
to have been killed on the field. Lieut. Kel-
ton, of Columbus, formerly student at Gam
bier, was among the number. We lost heav-
lily also in men, and the regiment can now
muster only about $50 all told, though they
will probably come struggling in for several
days yet.
The battle occurred about forty miles south
of Corinth, Miss, near GuutOwn, and to all
appearances we were led into a trap. The
blame for the whole affair rests with General
StuIgis, who had command of the expedition
He marched US at almost snail's pace, giving
the enemy fair chance to concentrate all the
forces they had in this part of the country,
which they did not neglect to do, as it is sup
posed they had about $4,000 concentrated
sgainst as. Our forces did not amount to
much over 5000. They. the enemy, had di-
rect railroad communication with the South,
and had no doubt been preparing to meet Us
there for some time. A short distance this
IL q 10 6oR EoI1 fha i1
called the Hatchie Bottom, which is an awful
place to cross, especially with wagons. When
the enemy where found to be on the other side
of it, instead of fighting them first, and find
ing out how strong they were, the train was
taken right along with the troops, and was
directly in our rear during the engagement
When we were obliged to retreat, here We had
this train behind US to block up the road, and
save if possible. The confusion that ensued
is beyond all description. The enemy keeping
a continual fire upon US; wagons and artillery
rushing this way and that; men lying dead
and wounded along the road; others fallen
from sheer exhaustion, and the road strewn
with every kind of camp equipage- -altogeth-
er presented most painful sight. Of course
there no time then to move a long wagon
train across such a swamp was in our rear;
and besides it was nearly night. The conse-
euence was over two hundred wagons bad to
be abandoned or burnt right where they stood.
Those that attempted to take their wagons
across soon had them stuck fast in the mud
Ambulances bad to be left standisg there, filed
with our wounded, as there was no possible
means of bringing them farther.
But the fighting was still not over, although
it ceased for while that night. We were
more than hundred miles from the Union
lines, and were in disorganized condition; in
fact, but little better than a rabble. The en-
emy OF course took advantage of this, and
kept up close pursuit all the way. Our men
were scattered in every directions; some start
ing out in small bodies armed, others going it
on their own hook. On this account, we lost
very largely on the retreat. Just after our
regiment was ordered to retreat, lent my
horse TO a Lieutenant in the regiment to eDR-
BILE him TO collect the men together to protect US
on our retreat. He hadnB the decency to re-
turn it to me, and l had to foot it all the way
back, and such tramp never had before
We marched the first night and all the next
day, without halting, except when we were OBJ
liged to do so by the enemy, who were using
their greatest efforts to capture US, and con-
tinually firing upon US. During that time we
marched nearly forty-ive miles and the wealth
er was very warm at that. I was so much
exhausted from the previous days work that
1 fairly reeled backward and forward on the
road as we marched, not being able to keep
my eyes open was SO overcome with sleep.
But l knew if fell behind at all, would be
a prisoner, and of course stretched every
nerve. On the next day we marched nearly
as far as we did on the first day, still continu-
ally pursued by the rebels, and at times near
ly overpowered. On the following morning
(MOnday) we reached Colliersville, Miss,
near which place we met forces coming to our
relief; so that from Friday night until Mon
day morning, we travelled betweeH 80 and
100 miles on foot, most of the men having
nothing TO eat except what they could pick
up along the road. 1 started with one hard
cracker in my pocket, but had SO little appe-
tite that had only eaten half of it when we
reached Memphis. 1 suffered more from want
of water than any thing else, aud would drink
out of almost any mud-hole I came to, as it
was often impossible 10 procure good water.
The party | came through with was about
the largest that got together, and numbered
perhaps 1900 men, though not more than 300
were armed, and they had very little ammuni-
tiOn; the rest having been obliged to throw
away their guns in order to get along at all.
What little cavalry started with US, soon went
on and left US, so that the rebel cavalry could
harass us continually and pick up every man
that did not stick close 10 the main column
We got on the wrong road several times and
in that way did some unnecessary travelling,
and did not reach Memphis as soon as come
others. AT headquarters here they had about
given me up as captured.
While the battle was in progress I was on
the 6eld with Col. Mcmillan and his staff, and
rode about carrying orders whenever it WAS
necessary, though | had not much to do as he |
had plenty of staff officers and orderlies-
When gave up my horse received gun
and accOutremeDts and marched with what
was left our regiment, and from that time was
not with the Colonel till we reached Memphis
The Colonel was placed in quite responsible
position on this expedition, be having COM
maDd of all the infantry, consisting of three
brigades. He was very active ou the battle |
field, at times exposing himself in the Ihickest |
of the fight, and did his duty, think, as far
as be was able. OF Sturgiss can't say so
much, and everybody that was on the expedi- |
tion are perfectly disgusted with him.
We all of course lost everything except |
what we carried ourselves. / unfortunately |