The National tribune., 1892-09-29
BATTLEOF BONNEVILLE.
Recollections of the Fight, by Sheridans
HeadIuarters BugIer.

-G-N the issue Of March "a appeared arti-
Gle on Gen. Sheridan at Bonneville, Miss
Il As l was at that time July /, 1852
Buger at Gen. Sherdan's Headquarters
I will give account Of that affair as | recolect
it. On the morning Of July the I'd Mich. Cav
and I'd Iowa Cav, under the command OF Col.
P. H. Sheridan, was camped at the village of
Bonneville, Miss. About sunrise on the morn
ing of July l we heard sharp firing q: our
picket-posts, which were in command Of Lieut.
Scranton, of the I'd Mich. Col. Sheridan or
dered me to sound boots and saddles In 10
minutes the command was ready to mount.
Capt R. A. Alger of Co. c. I'd Mich, was
ordered to take two companies and make a
detour to the rear of the enemy, and charge
through, if possible; If not, to come back the
way he went. Capt. Campbell, Co. K, 2d Mich.,
was ordered to take the balance of the I'd Mich.
to the support of the pckesline.
How well remember the noble Capt. Alger
as he rode out of camp at tito head of that small
bnt devoted band of rough riders on that calm
July morning 30 years ago. with orders to
charge the rear of whole division of the en-
emy under the command of the rebel Gen.
Chalmers But Alger and the noble officers
and men Of his command were never known to
finch when duty called. They rode to the
rear of Chalmerss Division and struck the
Blackland road short distance in rear of
Chalmers's Headquarters. Capt. AlGer gave tho
charge" In an instant so bright sabers flashed
in the sunlight, 80 brave voices rang out shrill
and clear on the morning air. and away they
rode pell nell into and through the rebel ranks,
cutting and riding down the enemy IN their
front until they met the forces, or front limo
of Chalmers, which Sheridan had driven back,
but had in no way demoralized, as they showed
q solid front.
Alger then gave the command to return
saber and draw pistols. BY this time the rebs
in the rear of Alger had somewhat recovered
from their surprise, and were massing their
forces on his rear and fanks, evidently intent
on wiping him from the face of the earth.
After firing the last shot from their Colts
revolvers, Capt. Alger ordered his command to
about-face and charge to the rear; which was
obeyed in grand style, although men and
horses went down like the falling leaves in
Autumn all along the line of that fearful
charge to the rear. Capt. lger's horse became
unmanageable by the breaking of his BRIDE
bit and ran under the limb Of tree, knocking
him off and he was left for dead on the field.
But happily he was only stunned, and soon re-
turned to his command to carve 9 name IN hls-
tory that all old vets are proud OF. Now, to
return to the balance of the command under
Sheridan, do not recollect what disposition
was made of the grand old I'd Iowa, but will
say that they always stood shoulder to
shoulder with the old I'd Mich. in every emer-
gency in which they were placed while bri-
gaded with us. A short time after Capt. Camp
bell went to the support Of Scranton on the
pickct-line Col. Sheridan rode out to the front
and found Capt Campbelrs command dis
mounted at the forks of the BlaekIand road,
with led horses in the rear. At the forks
of the road there was heavy timber,
with underbush on each side OF the road, with
q cleared field south or in 'front.' Capt. Camp
bell sat OIL his horse like statue at the forks
of with hat fnry nf ms in oh
The rebels were coming cut OF the timber on
the other side of the clearing in columns Of
fours and forming in line of battle. They
formed in two lines, one quite distance IN
rear of the other. They formed in line as
though they were on dress parade. Col. sheri-
dan rode up to Capt. Camphell and, not seeing
many OF his command, said Capt Campbell,
where are your men2"
"Oh they are around here" said Campbell.
"Great Cesar" said Sheridan, I" the enemy
are forming for charge; they VIII be on to
you in a minute"
"Well let 'em come, - 'em; let 'em
come" said Campbell.
About this time Campbell sang out to his
men, Steady boys, steady" His men were in
line and every man under cover. The rebel
bugle sounded forward, and they moved out
towards us on walk in splendid order. Then
the bugle sounded trot, gaiiop, and charge.
On they came in two lines about 100 yards
apart.
Capt. Campbell now rode along the line to
hold the boys steady to the work that was be-
fore them, and the Click, click click of the
Colts revolving rifles told Col. Sheridan palmer
than words where the men were. Tho Johnnies
came within about 100 yards of our line, when
Capt. Campbell sang out TO the men to give
them -, and to feed it to 'em and how those
old Colts rifles did talk aud the Johnnies reel
from their saddles.
About tho second voliey they came to halt,
and at the third they broke and ran back into
the woods from whence they came, leaving
their dead and wounded on the field. Col.
Sheridan Immediately ordered charge and
think the Cd Iowa made the final charge and
the rebel Gen. Chalmers, with whole division
of cavalry. was outgeneraled and whipped by
Little Phil and two regiments of Union cav
airy.
Now. boys, I have written this from memory,
and If have made any mistakes please call me
down.
We Of the old I'd Mich. Cav. are proud OF its
record and proud of its officers and men. We eare
proud of the records of our old Coonels, John
son and Campbell Gordon Granger, Phil Sher.-