Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1864-03-24
FORR EST'S VICTORY In MlSSISSIP

tOkR ES1 y f1C1Oh1 LIN MICOlOOII
PI.
The recent victory of Gen. Forrest in
Northern Mississippi, by which the grand
plan of the yankees in the West was SO eff
fectualy defeated, was one OF the most
remarkable achievements OF this war. We
have eonversed with gentlemen recently
from that section, whose accounts all con-
cur in the main facts cf that almost mar
vellons exploit.
Owing to the exhaustion of his horses,
the want of arms and munitions, and other
causes, Forrest could array force Of only
8. 100 men TO confront Smith and Grierson' g
column of 1000 of the best equipped cav
airy the yankees have ever put in the
field. Forests men, too, were mostly
new aud untried. lie had recently re-
cruited them in West Tennessee. 1t seem
ed the extreme of rashness and reckless
ness, to attempt with such force to arrest
the march OF a column of 1000 splendidly
mounted and equipped men, led by expe-
rienced officers, whose march thus far had
been uninterrupted, who were buoyant
and Confident, and were charged with such
an important mission. The junction of this
cavalry force with Sherman at Meridian,
was the key of the whole scheme of the
yankee plan for the occupation and subju-
CATION of the Southwest. IT successful,
Sherman would have been in condition
to advance upon Demopo!is and Selma, Or
Mobile j; and these important points, as
we'll as the rich counties adiacent, would
have been at tile mercy Of the enemy.
They could only have been driven back
at the enormous risk of weakening Johns
tons army, SO as to open Northern Geor-
gia and lsome and Atlanta, to Grants ar
INV. Gen. Polk with his scant infantry
force, quickly perceived the momentous
Issue, which depended upon the result of
the cavalry movement from Memphis, and
after securing his small army OH the east
side of the To,nbigbee, aud removing all
his supplies and munitions and returning
to Mobile the troops he Lad borrowed from
Gen. Maury, sent Imperative orders to Lee
and Forrest to unite their forces, and at
every cost to crush and drive back Smith
and GriersoD's cavalry. @
Lee did not receive these orders in time
to reach Forrest. Forrest was, therefore,
left alone with his 2,4UO men to perform
tllis Immense undertaking, Confronting
the enemy on the broad prairies near West
Point, ON the Tibbee liver, he prepared
for action. The enemy formed in long
and most imposing line, outhnnking For
rest, aud threatening the instant dernoli>
tion OF his small force. The charge was
given, and the yankees advanced with
great boldness and an air of certain victory.
Great was their surprise when, as they ep-
preached Forests line, they observed his
men slip from their horses, and converting
themselves into infantry, each man taking
the most favorable position, ayailing them
selves Of every advantage the ground at:
forded, and awaiting with the utmost coo.-
ness the impetnons charge Of the Yankee,
cavalry. On came the sp1endidly mount
ed dragons, under those far famed Yankee
chiefs, Smith and Grierson, with such fierce
displays Of valor and discrimination as
augured badly for Forrest'sinfantry scouts,
scattered through the bushes and, over the
prairie in rather an irregular and nnmili-
tary STYLE. Bat these valorous horsemen'
did not advance far before the balls of
1000 riflemen'b began to rattle through their
ranks with fcarfnl effect. Scores Of men
and horses fell at the first fire, and fhefr.
onward movement was checked, and be-
fore they could recover and reform. the.
volieys was repeated -lagafnni and again gain
until disniay and tsrror began to prevail