The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-03-31
" Y -III. "'tt"F
tEANC!s 4. NOLFF


Hos. FRh=CIs A. WoLFF-MY Den
SIR: Yours of FEBRUARY 23th received
Tuerc is au inside history OF the battle
Of Harri-burg. fought July l4th and 5th
1864, which is not gene ally known to
the public. ! was IH command Of thc
troops than fought she b3tlle, but never
made au Official report of the action, save
short telegram t1 the War Department
My reason for no. making tie report
was That Gen, Forrest failed 10 carry oul
the plan of battle a5 agreed on between
ms, viz. that at Il given time, the entire
line OF battle should move forward and
attack the cremy. The line Of battle
consisted Of Eoddy's division $500
strong on the right, and Buford dlvis
ION Cot three 1rIG5des) on tine lett. This
was the front line. Chalmers division
and about 500 oi-mouufcd 1eu formed
q second or reserve line. As all the
troops were in Furrrsts corps, Except
ing dism1uuted men) ] gave him choice
of wing- tg personally direct and control
during the battle. He selected the right
wing, or R9day'- division, and / t0ot
charge OF tine left wing. When every
thing was rep rted ready To move.
Forrest was directed to swing R9ddy
around or thc eHemy's lctl. After
awaiting the time agreed on for him to
reach the right, / personally directed
Buford TO move forward and attack the
enemy Ihi, was most calamity and
handsomely done our Juaas going up
10 within CD yards %. the enemy, and our
artillery driving oG the artillery of the
enemy. / soon found there was no
fighting ON the right, as ordered, and
moved to That parto the field. found
Buford' right brigade had been driven
back, rs kaddy bad not been moved
forward by Gen, Forrest, and his right
{ Buiord 81, was uncovered, and exposed
10 au euhiade fire of the enemy. ] soon
met Forrest and asked why he had not
carried out the plan and attacked. He
said, "Buf0rds right had been rashiy
thrown forward and repulsed; that in
the exercise of bis discretion, he had not
moved Boddy forward, but that he had
moved him 20 the left, and formed a new
line" / said "In doing as You did
you have failed to carry out the plan OF
battle agreed on, anc have caused the
loss Of many men in ;he left wing.
Forrest replied, "lf SO, Gen. Lee, it has
been an error Of the head and not Of the
L
10 remedy the matter, and ] ordered the
thee brigades of Dlabry, Bell and
Rucker to retire on the reserve. Not a
CUR WAS fired IN the right wing { Roddy's
divisiou). 1t was great blunder or|
Oaiy Que brigade of Buford
(CrJssland's kentuckiaus) was repulsed.
The other three were close up to the
enemy, and doing as gallant 6ghting as
saw during the war, when ordered to
fall back. The enemy were 50 badly
punished by these three brigaGes that
not a man followed in pursuit, and they
leisurely formed in rear of the second
line of battle. The next day, the enemy
retreated towards Bipley, leaving their
wounded and tine field in my possession,
ana was vigorously pursued. We dli
not have over 1000 men in the battle.
The enemy had l5,000-l0,000 OF whom
were veteran infantry.
Gen. Forrest never sent his report of
the battle to me, or through me, but
this may have been because ! went from
the battle field OF Harrisburg to Atlanta
to a new command, and both OF Us were
50 actively engaged, that his not doing
so was probably the best arrangement
The friendship between Forrest and my
self was not interrupted. l felt that he
did what he thought was best. thought
he made a great mistake IN not carrying
out my orders On the field. | certainly
did what I thought was best. Ipresume
he did the same Nearly all the troops
on the field and in the Department were
his troops. lie had organized them
lie could command them as no one else
could, and / knew the service aud the
cause we both loved could not spare
him. even had ! been disposed to have
quarrelled with him. The mistake, or
bIunder, by whOmever made, was my
misfortune. | 80 regarded it, | was
not one Of those TO lay a defeat on
another, when / was iu command.
regarded the result rs satisfactory any
way. Poor Forrest is dead. lie was a
splendid commander, aud | viii never,
even in stating history, reflect on him.
He is not here to reply, and nothing
said now win add TO his reputation or
mine. have never written an account
of the battle for publication, aud do
not think | ever viii, unless forced to
defend myself This letter Is written
TOR you and not for publication, but OF
course you can show IL 10 any Of yours
friends.
With kind wishes, yours truly,
S. ID. LEE.
p. S-If YOU will read FORESTS
Campaigns" written by Gordon, or
Forests official report, You will see the
facts will agree mainly as stated III this