The National tribune., 1894-07-12
A COMPARISON.
The Difference Between the Defense of Mid
dIeburg and That of Holly Springs

dIeburg and That of Holly Springs.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In recent
issue, in Picket Shots, Comrades A. M. Reach
and /. w. Lacy, Co. F, 9Th Wis, take ex-
ception to what Comrade M. L. Moore said
about the surrender of the 9th Wis. at Holly
Springs. / refer these comrades to Gen. U.
S. Grants Orders, Nos. and a, taken from
Michigan in The War;" page 1913:
HEADQUARTERS Posi- OF BOLIVAR, TEEN.
Jan. 20, 1868.
General Order No g.
The following General Order from the Head
quarters of the Department of the Tennessee is
promulga to be read on dress-parade Mt the
head of each regiment and detachment in this
command.
The General commanding, avaing himself of
the appropriate occasion, made immediate report
Of the circumstances attending the gallant and
successful defense of Mddieburg. and gratefully
commend Col. w. II. Groves and his heroic little
band OF the 18th Mich. to the notice Of the General
commanding lie district and department.
II is gratifying to find their conduct appreciated
in OF filling praise. Incidents like these re-
ferred to by the department commander serves TO
develop ti,e sterling qualities of officers and SOL
diers more strikngy thnn great battles.
Passing by in melancholy silence the painful
contrast which the suDjoined order discoses. the
General commanding the post of Bolivar has
again TO thank the defenders OF Middleburg that n
most determined and apparently overpowering
effort of the enemy defeated by their vaor and
for.itude.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT. OF THE TENN EssEE,
HOLLY oPRINGs, NILES, jan o. 1000. }
General Order No 4. 5aits
The Major-General cdmma nding the department
takes just pride and satisfaction in congratuating
the small garrison of the posts of Cold water Davis
Mills and Mddleburg fdt the heroic defense of the
positions the 20th, 2ls and oath ultimo, and the
successful repulse OF an enemy many times their
number.
The 9Oih ILL., at Coldwaler (its first engagement)
the detachment, of the veteran 25ih Ind. and two
companies of the 5th Ohio Cay. at Davis Mills. and
the detachment of the t2th Mich. at Middeburg,
deserving Of the thanks of the army which
was, in a measure, Experimentation the road they
nobiy defended for supplies. brave.y and sue
entitled 10 nscribe upon cir banners respectively,
Coldwater Davis Mills and Middleburg, with the
names of other battlefelds made victorious by
their vaor aud discipline. 1t is gratifying 10 know
that every point where our troops made stand
during the late raid OF the eBemy's cavalry success
followed, and the enemy was made TO suffer q loss
in killed and wounded greater than the entire gar
rson of the places attack ed; especially this the
Mt Davis Mills and Middleburg. The only
success gained by Van Dorm at Holly Springs.
where the Whole garrison was left by the COM
mander in ignorance OF the approach of danger,
Col. X. G. Murphy, Of the 9Th Wis, having, while
in command Of the post Of Holly Springs, Miss,
neglected and failed to exercise the usual and ord
nary precautions to guard and protect The same
having, after repeated and timely warning of the
approach OF an enemy, failed to make any prepare
ton for resistance or defense, or show any DISPOSE
ton to do and having with force amply sufff-
cient To have repused the enemy aud protected
the public stores intrusted to his care, disgracefuy
permitted him TO capture the post and destroy the
stores and the movement of troops III the face OF
the enemy rendering IL impractcable to convene a
conrtmariial for his trial. is therefore dismissed
the service OF the United States to take effect from
The Goth day OF December, 1862, the date OF his
By order of MAJ. GEN. U. s. GRANT.
JOHN A. RAwLIss, A. A. G.
The above general orders explain the stu
ation and need no comment.-JAMEs HILL,
Co. A, 18th Mich, Lincoln, Ill.