The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-06-28
coRINTH TO vIcKsBuRG.
A I'd Tex. Man Recalls Few Incidents of
that Campaign.

that Campaign.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Our loss at
Corinth of Col. Rogers and Maj. Muller,
together with 80 many officers and men,
greatly depleted the already-thinned ranks
of the I'd Tex. Capt. Ashbel Smith, now
entitled to the Colonelcy by promotion, was
at this time in Texas recruiting for the regi-
ment; hence, the command devolved on Capt
n. L. McGinnis, who was promoted Lieu
tenant-Colonel.
The regiment was in the brigade under
Gen. John G.. Moore, formerly Colonel Of
the Cd Tex, and West Pointer.
Badly defeated by Rosecrans, our forces
began a retreat, with the I'd Tex, as usual,
in the lead to guard against cavalry sent
forward to cut off our retreat, not dreaming
of Hurlbut's command of Federals meeting
rs as they did just as Moore's Brigade crossed
the bridge over the Hatchie.
To say we were soon routed is too true to
deny but how could it have been otherwise,
with four to one lying in wait for our unsus-
pecting, defeated, jaded brigade? The only
wonder was that all the brigade was not
captured or killed, especially the I'd Tex.
But Col. McGinnis rallied most of the
men left and carried them down Hatchie
bottom, successfully warding off the pursu-
ing cavalry and connecting that night with
the main army some miles below, where
bridge had been examined for crossing.
Thus ended the Corinth troubles. Right
here permit me to say that, although Gen.
Van Dorm was not a capable commander for
an army, yet he had no superior as dashing
cavalryman.
Gen. Forests dash on Holly Springs,
capturing Murphy and the Federal supplies,
ctn IN Granite 81 n, 70 U;nl yuhr, ~ for
time.
After a short stop at Granada, the Cd Tex.
was ordered from the army and hastened by
rail to Vicksburg. We met Sherman's gun
boats at Chickasaw Bayou and drove them
back from effec;ing their landing. Yes,
they had TO cut cable and crawfish quickly.
Our next move was up YaZoo to Fort Penn
berton, to prevent the boats entering YazoO
that came around through Coldwater. And
we did stop them; they retraced their steps.
Then Grant commenced cutting canal
opposite Vicksburg to avoid our batteries;
but getting up big courage and steam one
dark night he ran by with two transports,
and then soon crossed his army and supplies.
At Bakers Creek Penberton met him, but
was too weak to hold him back.
The writer having been detailed from the
Cd Tex, by order of Pemberton, to gather
in supplies to Vicksburg (too late, however,,
was now at Bakers Creek with Gen. Lower
ings reserve ordnance. but as Lowering cut
his way through the Federals, 1 have never
seen him since.
So back we "hoofed it" to Vicksburg,
where Grant held us few days longer than
the food held Noah, but the showers were
different.
Now, the middle Of May came. We
were surrounded by Grants powerful army,
with heavy mortars Smelling constantly from
across the river, and all kinds of Internal
machines about u.s. Some days terrific
charges were made On our works, only to
roll back after great sacrifice.
On one occasion, in charge, sappers and
miners were dropped in our bitches with
picks and powder TO blow US up, but by
throwing over short-fused shell they were
driven out or killed and wounded.
Next was the zigzag ditch, with protection
by big rolls of cane and brush, which we
burned by yarn balls turpentined and rolled
down against the cane. But the Yanks soon
caught on to the rebs' trick, and would take
the turpentine balls in the ditch and put
them out. So we Johnnies took small bomb
shells and wound yarn around them, set fire
to them and rolled them down and followed
WIN III pculiuC1 bEOho up tuOSc UO-
ings.
We expected Johnston to attack Grant,
and while they were engaged we thought we
might cut through but our hope died. So,
after time on mule meat and bread of cow
peas, we all agreed to take Grants permit
to retire for season from active service.
l cannot close without expressing my
kind remembrance of the boys at Battery
Robinett, COrinth, who, after our sur
render at Vicksburg, hunted us up and
camped close by to protect US from insult,
etc. / must say Col. McGinnis and the
writer would have had our horses taken but
for those friends, who said as brave foes as
the I'd Tex. should not be maltreated So
we spent the first night eating, talking, and
drinking coffee, and from them we got Col.
Rogers's picture, taken after he was killed.
j. l. MCGINNIs, I'd Tex, Alexandria, La