The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-07-12
GUNTOWN.
The disaster as a CaYalryman Saw It.

furlOugh before the Guntown expedition, ana
had received but few horses, for the regiment
had turned over to the Quartermaster all their
horses before going on Through.
About June ], 1864, detail of 140 men and
Capts A. r. Mock, William McManis, j. ii.
Avery, and Lieut.. Samuel Purviance (if there
were any other officers from the 9th, do not
now remember them started from near Mem
phis on this expedition. The men were de-
tailed from the several companies of the regi-
ment A detail of 20 men under Lieut.. Black,
or Blackburn, of the Sd III. Cav, was at
tached to this command of the 9th. This de-
tachment was divided into two parts or COM
panes, one commanded by Capt. William Nc
Manis, and the other by Capt. J. ii. Avery;
Capt. A. E. Mock commanded the whole de-
tail.
We marched by the way of Collierville, Mos
COW, La Mar and Salem, arriving at Fuckers
vile, Miss, on the evening of June 5; moth
ing occurring except the usual routine and
incidents of marching except that it rained
nearly all day and night of the I'd and Sd Of
June
On the morning of the 9Th, at Ruckersville,
the main column turned and went south to-
ward Ripley, while this detachment of the 9th
was sent on east to the Tippah River, five miles
east of Ruckersyille, to guard and protect two
bridges one at Meeks Mill and the other
about two miles below. This detachment re-
NAMED at Tippah River guarding these bridges
until about 3 o'clock p. m. of the 7th when
they received orders to return and join the
command then near Ripley, Miss. by way OF
Ruckersville. The whole command remained
near Ripley until the morning of the 9th, when
it moved east turning to the cast two or three
miles south of Ripley and camped for the
night II miles from Ripley, near Stubb's farm.
On the morning of the 10th of June, 1864, the
whole command continued eastward 10 miles
to Brce's farm, about 100 miles from Mem
DhiS Tenn Hpra hp road forks Ona road run-
ming in a somewhat southea5terly direction,
while the other starts northward, and after
going perhaps half a mile, turns and runs al
most east, bearing somewhat to the north, des-
ignated as the left-hand road
At this time this detachment was attached
to the brigade commanded by Col. Waring, OF
the 4th Mo. Cav. We formed line OF battle on
June 10, 1861, dismounted, about two miles east
of Brice's farm; Warnings Brigade forming the
left of the line of battle, covering the road
! leading to the left, while another brigade,
commanded by Col. Winslow, of the Sd Iowa
| Cav, formed the right of the line of battle and
! covering the road leading in the southeasterly
! direction. Gen. Grierson commanded all the
! cavalry. The detachment of the 9th was formed
across the left hand road and was the extreme
! left of our whole line of battle, the 9TH Ind.
| Cav. being on our immediate right. We had
not been in position long before the rebels adj
vanced in line upon us. We stopped that part
of the rebel line in our front and held our po-
! sition, but the 18th Ind. Cav, being armed with
| an inferior carbine, were forced to fall back,
/ but not until after hand -to-hand conflict
with the rebels. and the Colonel-the gallant
! Thomas NJ. Browne, now a Member of Con-
gress from Indana-was severely wounded.
We still held our position across the road under
hot fire from the rebels until the 9TH Ind. fell
! back and the enemy gave us a cross or emf
| lading fire. In this engagement our little
/ Of oh inns mt had lpd n
We then fell back, unsupported, under heavy
fire to our line at the crossroads, and again at
tempted TO form our line. But the rebels were
advancing and so near to US that we could not
form, but fell back one-half mile and there
| formed again. Our detachment was thrown
out on the extreme left flank, and to the front
Of our main line, dismounted, and again unsup-
ported.
We had not been in position long before the
enemy were upon US again, advancing in line
of battle, and gave us a terrific fire. Soon our
whole line gave way, and we fell back q short
distance. Our horses were brought TO US and
we mounted under hot fire from the enemy's
guns, and having deep raYine with high
steep banks between US and our commander
with bridge across it some distance away di
rectly to our right, we came near being cut of
before reaching and crossing the bridge, which
by this time the rebels had nearly reached
Then general stampede and confusion of oul
army commenced, and an utter disorganizatiof
prevailed through the whole command anC
they were badly mixed up
Our detachment maintained and kept its or
ganization intact. III this second stand there
was one man killed and several wounded 0
our detachment. Our whole command ther
commenced to fall back, and after travelling thu
balance of that evening and night, we arrived
at Ripley On the morning Of the 18th. Abou
8 o'clock d. ~. of the 18th our detachment wa
| ulaced in he rear IF oTr straupliup pOlurnY
and became the rear-guard, with instruction
to delay aud hold the advance Of the rebels a
long as possible At the time of recei vim
these orders Capt. Mock was also informed tina
, ne must look out for himself; that support wa
! doubtful, and he must not get fanked. Thi
: detachment acted as rear-guard alone and un
supported until about o'clock p. m, CONSTANT
/ fighting and falling back, taking advantage Q
positions when their TANKS were protected b.
the nature Of the ground, and holding the rebe
, advance in check until forced back by over
whelming numbers.
z About o'clock p. m. this detachment wa
relieved as rear-guard by the 18th No. Cav
? commanded by its Colonel, but wa
| ordered to remain with and support the 4tl
j. The Lieutenant Colonel of the 4th informe
Capt Mock that he was then nine miles in rea
l Of the command.
s The retrcating column had made good timt
: it seemed toward home. The Lieutenant Co
0 Ouel OF the 4lu $40. renamed with Capt, Moe
g and directed some officer of his regiment
t take the rear. This Lieutenant Colonel ha
h just got out Of Libby Prison, and this was b
: first expedition after returning to his con
mand. He said that he would rather die tina
:? be captured again.
& Just about this time, while VIC were follow
r, ing meandering road over low bottom Ian
G through the timber, the rebels came upon an
If charged the rear Of the 4th No. and that who
:, regiment was driven. Capt. Mock directed Cap
McMauis to form his command on the right an
to the rear and open fire as soon as possbl
Capt. McManis was not long in getting his me
in position and opened fire on the advanciI
rebels Capt. Avery was at the same time d
!. rected to take supporting position short di
4 lance to the rear. While Capts. McManis an
y Avery were getting theiS positions some of ii
: rebels had charged in and among our comman
20 and in some way again captured the Lieute
- ant-ColOnel of the 4th Mo-, and also cap
= ured Capt. Mock's Orderly, Bugler and Sc
- eral others. This was done in the short tin
: while Capts, McMans and Avery were gettir
: their men in position, and they never &
- them in line more lively than they did tn
I time. The firing from McManis's compar
. stopped and SEM back the advance of the robe
- and sent those who charged into our commar
- galloping to the rear Capt. McManis's men, aft
! emptying their Colts revolving rifles fell bac
> and Capt. Avery opened telling fire upon an
held the rebels in check until the brok,
~ 4th had got out of the way and MeManis b;