Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-06-06


scattered, but the leader ordered them to
move southwark to Estanaula on the
Hatchie Gen. Richardson led the way,
crossed the Hatchie on the oath, and soon
met the Seventh Illinois cavalry of Grier
sons command across his pathway.
After some sharp skirmishing Richard
son was repulsed. Forrest, coming up, de-
ployed his escort, and by clever display
Of his unarmed men bluffed the Union
cavalry leader and forced him to retreat.
The Confederate column and trains now
passed through the gap and started hope
fully southwark. The train consisted of
forty wagons loaded with subsistence
stores, and 200 cattle and 300 hogs we're
driven. The armed guards numbered only
600 men, the remaining troopers being
scattered in different directions to protect
the TANKS. On the 26th Forrest turned
to the southwest, toward Memphis, in
order to avoid the strong Union detach-
ments awaiting him in the direction Of
Corinth. At Somerville he again met the
Seventh Illinois cavalry, but cut his way
through ami proceeded rapidly to Wolf
river. A large detachment Of unarmed
men with a small escort was sent off di-
rectly toward Memphis to mislead the
Union authorities. This body passed with
in four miles Of Memphis, the Union head
quarters, and got through to Mississippi
without losing man.
In anticipation of Forests attempt to re-
cross into Mississippi all the bridges on
| Wolf river had been ordered destroyed by
| Gen. Hurlburt, but the Union commander
| at Lafayette Station, on the Memphis road
| simply removed the planks of the bridge
at that point and piled them on the south
ern bank under cover from his rifle pits
! Forests men charged across on the bare
stringers, boldly attacked and dispersed
the guard. relaid the planks and passed
over without molestation. This achieve
ment virtually decided the fate of the en-.
terprise, although Forrest had plunged
into the midst of the Union forces supposed
to be on the alert and prepared to head him
off. While his column was crossing VOL
river Mt Lafayette on the 9th he sent de
tachments right and left along the railroad
to prevent a sudden surprise.
At Collierville, on the west, he met will
strong opposition, and learned that his enc
mics were advancing in force from severn
directions. A train load of Union infantry
coming up from Moscow was checked, ant
by clever tactics the willy Confederate led
his opponents to believe he was about Il
attack Memphis. Grierson was completely
deluded, and his elaborate preparations Il
bag Forrest rendered abortive. On the 28tl
the Confederates reached Mt Pleasant OF
the road to Holly Springs, and stood OF
solid southern ground.
Forrest had gathered into the Confeder
ate ranks between 5000 and 1900 recruits
both volunteers and conscripts, and b
promptly reported to army headquarter
that he was willing to make a second tri
to Jackson and get out 5000 more. Q
course there were circumstances favorabl
to Forrest. The people of West Tennessee
aided him and thwarted the Union officials
Nevertheless, most men upon being assign
ed TO such command would have aske'
for an army to invade, conquer and hol
the coveted territory as preliminary t
securing its resources of men, horses an
supplies. jefferson Davis knew his man.
GEORGE L. KILMER.