The National tribune., 1882-04-08

| a portion of the enemy's cavalry. In few
minutes more, l received another message
from him, saying the enemy numbered some
600, and was on the Baldwin road that he
was, himself at Brice's CROSSROADS, and that
! he had good position, and would hold it. He
| was then directed to leave 600 or 700 cavalry
| at the cross roads, to precede the infantry on
its march towards Guntown, and with the
remainder of his force to drive the enemy
towards Baldwin and then rejoin the main
body by way of the line of the railroad, as
did not intend being drawn from my main
purpose. Col. McMillen arrived at this time,
and I rode forward toward the CROSSROADS.
Before proceeding far, however, I sent staff
officer back, directing Col. McMillen to move
up his advanced brigade as rapidly as possi-
bic, without distressing his troops. When /
reached the crossroads, found nearly all
the cavalry engaged, and the battle growing
warm, but no artillery had yet opened on
either side We had four pieces Of artillery
at the crossroads, but they had not been
placed in position, owing to the dense woods
on all sides, and the apparent impossibility
of using them to advantage. Finding that
our troops were being hotly pressed, Or
| dered one section to open on the enemy's
reserves The enemy's artillery soon replied,
and with great accuracy-every shell burst
ing over and in the immediate vicinity of
our guns About halfpast one
o'clock the infantry began to arrive. Col
Hoge's brigade was the first to reach the field,
and was placed in position by Col. McMil-
len, when the enemy was driven little
Gen. Grierson requested authority to with
draw the cavalry, as it was exhausted, and
well-nigh out of ammunition. This 1 au-
| thorized, as soon as sufficient infantry were
in position to permit it, and he was directed
to reorganize his command in the rear, and
hold it ready to operate on the flanks. In
the meantime, 1 had ordered a section Of
artillery to be placed in position some three
or four hundred yards in the rear, for the
purpose Of opposing any attempt of the enc
my to turn our left flank. / now went to
this point to see that my orders had been
executed, and also to give directions for the
management and protection of the wagon
train. Whilst here, the wagon train, which
had been reported still mile and half in
rear, arrived.
The pressure on the right Of the line was
now becoming great and Gen. Grierson was
directed to send portion of his cavalry to
that point. At this time I received a mes
sage from Col. Hoge that he was satisfied
| that the movement on the right was feint,
and that the real attack was being made on
the left. Another section of artillery was
then placed in position a little to the rear,
but bearing on the left of our main line,
and a portion of the cavalry was thrown
out as skirmishers. The cavalry which had
been sent to the entreme right began to
give way, and at the same time the enemy
began to appear in force IN rear OF the ex-
treme left, while Col. McMillen required
reinforcements in the centre. I now en-
deavored to get hold Of the colored brigade
which formed the guard to the train. Whilst
travelling the short distance to where the
head of the brigade should be found, the
main line began to give way at various
points. Order soon gave way to confusion
and confusion to panic. sent an aide-de-
camp to Col. McMillen, informing him that
| was unable to furnish him any additional
assistance, and that he must do all in his
power with what he had to hold his position
until / could form line to protect his
retreat. On reaching the head of the sup
ply train, Lieut.-COl. Hesse was directed to
place In position, in wood the first regiment
of colored troops found. This was done, and
it is due to these troops to say that they held
their ground well, and rendered valuable
aid to Col McMillen, who was soon after
compelled to withdraw from his original
line and take up new position in the
rear. It was five o'clock p. m. For seven
hours the gallent men held their position
AGAINST overwhelming numbers but at last,
oyerpowered and exhausted, they were COM
pelled to abandon, not only the field, butmany
or their gallant comrades who had fallen to
the mercy Of the enemy. Everywhere the
army now drifted to the rear, and was soon
altorather beyond control. I requested
Gen. Grierson to accompany me and aid in
checking the fleeing column and establish
ing a new line. BY dint Of entreaty and
force, and the aid of several officers whom 1
called to my assistance, we at length sue
eeeded in checking some 1 200 men and
establishing line, of which Col. Wilkins,
, of Minnesota, was placed in charge. About
this time it was reported to me that Col.
MeMillen was driving the enemy. placed
little faith in this report, yet disseminated
it freely for the good effect it might pro-
duoe on the troops. In few minutes, how