The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-06-25

THE CHARGE AT THE BRIDGE.
scattered, but the leader ordered them t6
move southwark to Estanaula on tho
Hatchie. Gen. Richardson led the way.
crossed the Hatchie on the cath, 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 were
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 and 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 Wolf
river at 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 with
strong opposition, and learned that his enc
mics were advancing in force from several
directions. A train load of Union infantry
coming up from Moscow was checked, and
by clever tactics the willy Confederate led
his opponents to believe he was about to
attack Memphis. Grierson was completely
deluded, and his elaborate preparations to
bag Forrest rendered abortive. On the 2Sth
the Confederates reached Mt. Pleasant, on
the road to Holly Springs, and stood on
solid southern ground.
Forrest had gathered into the Confeder-
ate ranks between 5000 and 1900 recruits,
both volunteers and conscripts, and he
promptly reported to army Headquarters
that he was willing to make second trip
to jackson and get out 5000 more OF
course there were circumstances favorable
to Forrest. The people of West Tennessee
aided him and thwarted the Union officials
Nevertheless, most men upon being assign
ed to such a command would have asked
for an army to invade. conquer aud held
the coveted territory as preliminary 70
securing its resources Of men, horses and
supplies. Jefferson Davis knew his man.
GEORGE L. KILMER