Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-05-13
'fhe Annals of the Army of TeE mes.
see and Early Western History"


lication is out, and gives gratifying evi-
dence of what its friends may expect in
future. Its material and makeup indi.
Gates the thoroughness of the work un-
dertaken. The initial papsr is letter
from Senator l. G. Harris to Governor
Porter on the subject of General Hood's
failure to arrest the retreat of the Unisn
forces on franklin from Columbia. 1t
supplies an important link Of historical
Information which has never before been
made public, aud relieves General Cheat.
ham, who was upjustly blamed at the
time aud siEee, from the untoward event.
Another exceedingly interesting paper
is the letter of Colonel A. s. Colyar to
his cousin, Judge Albert s. Marks, writ.
ten in 1864, and giving the views OF the
late General Pat Cleburne on the subject
Of slavery.
Other papers are history of the per-
formances of "The Second Tennessee
Regiment at Chickamauga,' by "Vieux
Seconde, adjutAnt. G. B. Guilds &C.
count Of the charge of the Fourth Ten
nessee and Eighth Texas cavalry, led by
Colonel Baxter Smith; Diary Of Private
w. j. Davidson, Company G, Forty.frst
Tennessee; Tales of Forests Escort;
A Camp Chase Letter 10 the Richmond
Enquirer giving graphic sketch of life
inside of prison walls, by Edgar 81. Ran.
som, Of North Carolina, etc. a
0fthe Early Western History Sketches
the most notable are Characteristic
Letter Of Andrew Jackson to General
Richard G Dunlap. and the Killing of
William McMurrsy," near Bledsoe 8
Lick, nearly hundred years ago. The
regular Departments Of Correspondence
and the Soldiers War Bag are full of in.
teresting historical miscellany.
The "Annals" appear on the finest
quality Of book paperand the typography
is model Of art. Tie numbers should
be carefully preserved. Bound in a
volume, they will make handsome
library edition, and one, the intrinsic
value of which, will increase with years
and serve righteous purpose ia pre-
serving and maintining the truth of his
tory.
The following is taken as specimen
OF the Interesting sketches to be found
in this number of the "Aunals":
FORESTS ESCORT AT MEMPHIS.
10 the attack on Memphis, the escort
was the first to break through the infant
ry camp to the right of the fernando
road, and soon after took battery. In
this affair Cooper killed two of the enc.
my at successive shots, while his horse
was 10 full speed One of these was a
Dutehman, who might have escaped. but
his habits of thrift detained him too
long, arranging his heavy knapsack and
other accoutrements the other was a
negro soldier. who fell in few PAGES OIL
his companion. After passing the bat
terry it was renamed, and shot fired
into the escort tore of Tom McCord
leg and put thirteen grape shot into his
mule. A regiment was ordered TO
charge, but being slow, the escort pro.
posed to take it, and the general told
them to 60 to work at it.
Their pistol practice soon told on the
enemy, who abandoned their guns and
aimed to make their escape across a
held, IN which a number of them were
overtaken and killed at a run.
But the crowning feat was yet to come.
General Forrest, ever on the alert, sent
Lieutenant George Cowan and Cooper
to watch on the fernando road, on the
left. They had been on the ground bat
a short time when atqusdron OF cavalry
was seen approaching, but in the early
morning light its character couldn't be
made out. Lieutenuut Cowan now rode
forward to reconnoitre, when the officer
in command dashed upon him with
drawn saber, and forced him to retreat a
short distance to where Cooper stood
with his cooked carbiue concealed be.
hind tent, As soon as Cowan cleared
the way, Cooper fred, and his daring
antagonist fell headlong from his horse
The facts were Immediately reported to
General Forrest, who started at once
with the escort to meet the movement.
Taking advantage of the obscure light,
the general led his men to convenient
position, ,and burst upoa the enemy so i'm
petuously that they were quickly turned
backward and endeavored to escape
At the frat dash Sam Donelson aud
Cooper broke for crossing to intercept
their retreat Donelson being mounted
on fast horse, known throughout the
command as the "Yaller Ram. was the
first to reach the spot, and reined across
the road; horse and rider we're quickly
overthrown by the impetuous mass, but
fortunately for Donelson, his horse fell
to the side of the road. As be lay
stunned and bruised, Federal officer
reined in TO give him the coupe de
grace with his pistol. At this critical
moment Cooper reached the scene,
and, seeing his comrades peril,
fred on his antagonist, repeating
the shot as he fell to make sure. AT
that instant another was bearing down
on him with drawn sabre, and he had
just time to club his Spencer rifle and
deal his opponent g heavy blow Ia the
face as his sabre grazed his head; bis
own weapon was broken off at the breech
by the force OF The blow. He also gave
number two shot tor surety, He then
lesped his horse across a pit and went to
work on the passing horsemen with his
pistols, OF which be had four. After this
party had passed, be deserted two on
loot, making off across the open field.
AS he galloped up in easy range, he
called upon them to surrender; be saw
at once the resrmost one meant fight by
the way be handled his gun, and as this
one turned to fire he killed him with bis
pistol while still in gallop; the other
threw up his hands and surrendered. A
great number Of Federal dead we're left
on the scene of this combat, aud of these
Cooper had killed six or eight, at least.
The pistol was the favorite weapon
with this corps, ard, in fact, With oil the
Western cavalry; and . saber charge,
though formidable in appesrance, had 90
terror for the escort. Lieutenant Nath
Boone, Jack Eaton, aud q number Of
others, were splendid shots from horse
L Il