The National tribune., 1900-08-30
FIGHTING FORREST.
An Iowa Cavalryman's Tale of
Soldiers Labor Lost.
By THOS. II. GOODWIN.

filled with new recruits, the 10th Mo. and
4th and Sd Iowa Cav. were formed into
a brigade.
We left Memphis with the army under
command of Gen. Sturgis in the first week
in June, 10000 strong for a raid through
Tennessee and Mississippi against the reb-
els under command of Gen. Forrest.
Never did army break camp in more
buoyant or jubilant spirits, better prepared
rs far as the men were concerned for Il
campaign than this. AS we marched
away that beautiful Summer morning,
with bands playing, colors flying. men
cheering, it was to viewing rebels n dis
heartening sight. The first few days the
weather was delightful, making soldier
ing pleasant. Everybody enjoyed it. We
recruits were led 10 believe that the stories
told us of hardships were jest from the
old vets, as the duties of advance guard,
rear-guard and picket were at this time
a picnic. PicDics all end, so our good
time did.
About the fifth day ont we lost it in n
big rain. 1t just poured down for two
days and nights. We learned how nice it
was to dismount, tie long ropes to wagon
tongues, string out up the muddy road and
pull, while others thrashed and yelled
wicked swear words at the dumb mules.
When we had dragged the wagons up the
muddy hill or out of the miserable
swamps, had given helping hand to the
artillery, having finished very healthy ex-
erclse, we would mount and ride away TO
find camping place about l o'clock a. III.
A FAVOR TO FORREST.
Little did we know the great favor we
were doing Forrest in our hard labors to
get our wcll-supplied train and artillery
ready for him to capture. We marched un-
til we reached the town of Ripley, Miss.
There we recruits had our first chance to
smell rebel powder and hear the zip-zip
of rebel bullets.
Our regiment being on the advance, our
adyance-guard coming on to the rebel out
post, shots were exchanged rapidly. We
were quickly thrown into line of battle.
Two companies deplOyed as skirmishers,
advancing through the woods over fields,
crossing creek, and met the rebel line.
The skirmishcrs quickly retired to our
line. We went forward on foot, finding
their line in few moments. We forced
them back through the town of Ripley,
out through the woods, across a field,
through an orchard and up hill, where
we were halted, keeping up long range
fire for half an hour or so.
Word came some We're moving to our
left flank, trying to get between us and
our horses. We were ordered back As
we were going orders were given us to
halt.
1t so happened that we were in an old
washed-out road, making n capital place
for fight. We lay on the side of the
bank, waiting for the rebels. While there
two battalions were ordered off to our
right. Two companies of our battalion
were moved away back and around to the
left of our horses.
After waiting about 10 minutes for reb-
els to put in their appearance, our Cap
tain ordered a Sergeant to see if they were
coming. An old fellow we had named
"Blowhard," for the reason that he was
always Dragging how many rebels he
would kill when the chance came, asked
to go instead Of the Sergeant.
"All right" said the Captain: ego" He
went mp the hill until nearly to the top,
when he came down to almost n crawl, so
'he could see over. He did not stay long,
but rolling over and over until be was
out of sight Of the rebels he jumped to his
feet, leaving his gun, and came back as
fast as his legs would carry him, yelling:
Get out of hyar. There's q hundred
thousan' of 'em over thar; they'll kill every
mothers son of u.s."
He was ordered to his place in the ranks
and called 4 coward for leaving his gun
behind.
ONLY A HUNDRED AND FIFTY.
hlltl hdlllHS ~ HulHuteS anu no TcDelS
appearing, the Sergeant was sent to see
what was the matter. Going up and look
ing at them, he turned, picked up BLOW
hard's" gun, and came back with the in
formation that there were about $50 reb-
els over there standing in line.
We were ordered forward with instruc-
tions to keep ourselves out of sight until
we got to the top of the ridge. Up we
went, fiat on the ground, and poured
n rpI-hpt fro info tbair limo ,,-bi i,h 4
them to get away in haste. They ran
just because they couldn't fly. Back to
our horses we went Arriving there we
found old ''Blowhard" with seven shots in
his Spencer, none fired. Never from that
time on did he go out. He was always
sick until the boys had gone, then was
able for camp duty and rations.
We lay in camp one day at Ripley then
moved on south after Forrest again. We
had fine weather and plenty of rations.
Good cheer was abroad with the army
again, with n nice little victory on our
side, and no deaths and few wounded.
All went quietly for a soldiers life until
Thursday night. We had to cut poles and
carry rails to build a corduroy across n
swamp nearly mile wide, which task
was not completed that night. Next morn
ing we finished the job early. Our brigade
began crossing about II O'Clock; all were
over by | o'clock. We had not gone over
half mile when we met the rebel ad-
vance. Our skirmish-line was quickly
thrown out and advanced, which met with
a hot fire.
We quickly formed our line of battle.
The 10th Mo. was on the left, the 4th
Iowa center and Sd Iowa on the right,
Under this formation we were the ad-
vance, while the infantry, artillery and
trains were crossing the swamp.
As we stood in line waiting orders came
to dismount and fight on foot.
FORCING THE FIGHTING.
Pushing ont heavy skirmish line they
advanced, quickly finding the rebels. The
firing became heavier and hotter. The line
of battle advanced rapidly, overtaking our
skirmish line.
Back we forced them across Black Jack
Flats, over the hills, across the creek: thus
it went for three miles. 1t was impossi-
Bile for them to stop our advance Those
we captured asked what troops they were
fighting. Iowa and Missouri" was the
answer. well, you're hot proposition -
Everyone we captured admitted we were
licking them on all sides. They were
surprised when told we had less than 5000
men fighting. They supposed they were
lighting the whole army.
Forcing them back across Old Town
Creek out across a cotton field, we were