The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-06-04
RGtOll CtiOTS Of the Battle Of Num-
fOrdSTlllG.

EDITORS CLARION: "reminiscences OF
the Tenth Regiment. and its members,
excites in me emotions that are deep and
pleasant brood over For this reason
am constrained to write what do, be-
lieying that some Cne should do so, in
consideration of what has transpired in
other quarters in past twelve months
relative to this same battle.
Our last Legislature passed an ACT
providing an appropriation for the re.
moval of those of Chalmers Brigade
who were killed in the battle of Mum
for,lsville, KY, on the l4th Septembe
1862 This most worthy act was mainly
encouraged because of its exceptional
features. 1t was originated by, cham
pioned and pushed to success, through
the efforts, energy and devotion of our
worthy comrade. Capt. f. I. Sykes, who
is in his proper place as a member OF
our State Senate from LOwpdes county.
Now that so graceful and generous an
act has been done for our dead comrades,
feel it to be the duty of those OF us
living to manifest in some way our
earnest and heartfelt appreciation to our
representatives. We are also due our
sincere gratitude To Mr.. James Smith, OF
Scotland, for manifest philanthropy, for
his unswerving exhibit of patriotism,
and for his crowning act of generosity
in thus coming from across the broad
waters to purchase the land and erect a
monument on this our most sacred bat
tlelield of all the war; also for his kind
ness in granting permission that our
dead friends might be gathered from
their Unmarked graves and placed near
this monument. This purchase of his is
a private one, and the monument he
erects near the railroad opposite Nam
fordsville will be massive and appro-
pirate one.
On the part of Mr.. James Smith this
example of patriotism, generosity and
love, is something too pure and grand
not to command our respect and ac-
knowledgement in these selfish times.
The battle of Mumfordsyille was par
ticulsrly disastrous to the Tenth Missls-
sippi Regiment. Quite number of our
noble comrades were killed and wound
ed. The exact number / cannot now
recall, nor can | remember many OF
their names. The dead are all in onr
long, wide grave, placed according to
rank. Lt.-Uol. Bullard is the first; 1t.
Graham, of Co. &c. - is next to him, and
so on with the rest Each wrapped IN
his grey blanket, with no other covering
than mother earth. This battle was our
hardest of all the war, because we had
no chances to strike back, and by many
Is considered one of the most uucalled
for. am prone to charge some blame,
but exactly where to place it | am not
certain. We were all fresh, buoyant
and eager for fight. This spirit per
vaded the file as well as the rank, and
knowing this to be so, am disposed to
judge leniently. / think the nature OF
the ground should have been better
understood by those in authority.
The facts, as near as | can now re-
member them, are these: In Gen.
Bragg's famous Kentucky Campaign our
brigade (Chalmers headed the column
on the route approaching the Louisville
and Nashville railroad at Cave City. In
the night of September 18th, We were di'
rected by forced march to reach this
point, where We expected 70 intercept q
train coming north. In the latter part
OF the night We quietly marched into
the town and IN 9 few moments bad
sentinels at every house and on every
road leading away from the town. Onl
mission as TO the train was q disapp0int
ment, but we soon found something else
Our officers got intelligence of another
prospect not far away and began arrang
ing for its capture. This was littls
Fort and Camp Of instruction Of ths
enemy on the south bank Of Green river
Immediately opposite MumfofdsVille
and q the Intersection Of the river and
railroad. Our information, as near Il
remember, was that there were abnul
1000 recruits and some regulars IN ihl
Tort The whole thing would make onl
eflgadea good, nice little breakfast, and
We could dispose Of ItbefoFe the balanc.
q the army would come up. On til
10th We moved forward 10 Horse Cave
where We cooked rafi0ns and waited foI
night before advancing further Tia
A.en1 Ne proceeded on the way fo o1l
re distant some four a ave miles
- re morning of the 18th: dann f5uns
g the edge Of an cid ||eId, On
ksae vas here divided into tI|
ses sas ieL1 wines. respectively nA'E =
'.,' .ee.'a q. g Col HaIIh1I| 6I {fe 11It
s. smith Of LA1 I0IE nI6a.
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