The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-12-12

he was only mortal and adds
glory to his innumerable bril-
liant exploits. He was squarely beat
en- at Parker's Crossroads, Tenn, the
S0th of December, 1862.
During the last two weeks of De
cember Forrest had raided the line of
the Mississippi Central railroad in the
rear of Grants army operating against
Vicksburg and contributed to the de-
feat of the Federal campaign. There
were swarms of Federals in west Ten
nessee at the time, but so swift had
Forrest moved from point to point that
his enemy failed to bring him to battle
until he was about to return whence
he came, east of Tennessee river.
Forests column was mounted, but
it's speed was regulated by long train
Of wagons laden with the spoils of the
raid. In order to reach the river cross
ing near Lexington the raiders must
pass Parker's Crossroads, which hap
pened to be only five miles from the
camp of Colonel Cyrus L. Durham, q
Federal officer who had been sent into
the region with an advance guard Of
1900 men to watch Forrest and bring
him to bay.
Dunham's men had marched and
countermarched In search Of Forrest
since the beginning of the raid and
were travel worn, but under the hope
Of at last trapping the foxy raider
they had made their last stretch of
twelve miles in three hours. During
the night Dunham's scouts brought
word that Forrest was making for the
crossroads and was but a few miles
away. He telegraphed word to his
superior that he would "coax or force
a fight out of Forrest in the morning"
and hurried his pickets out on the road
In Forests pathway.
Early in the morning Forests ad-
vance rode up in detached parties and
was met on every hand by Dunham's
wary vedettes. Durham pushed the
skirmish fight with great vigor. The
raiders at the front drew back to
await the main body. The encounter
was complete surprise to the troopers.
for during two weeks the enemy had
failed to force or coax fight, and
Forests men believed they didn't
want to.
While his pickets were sl1irmishing
Durham formed his line on ridge
covering the crossroads and the APP
proaches from FORESTS position.
There was no way out of the trap for
Forrest except to smash Durham.
I, NJ, A,,;o 30 u
lery, his soldiers and the train mean
while attempting to pass around the
Federals by the flank. Durham or
dered his own battery to return the
fire and also to shell the escaping col
unn, but the Federals were short of
artillery ammunition and could only
keep two pieces in action.
The Confederate artillery fire was
severe upon Dunham's line-just what
Forrest wanted-but instead of re-
treating from the ridge Durham Or
dered charge upon the hostile guns.
At that moment Colonel Napier's Con-
federate battalion charged Dunham's
front, and Forrest led three regiments
around the hill to attack the Federal
rear. Dunham's men were facing Ma
piers, but his two guns were doing
some execution in that direction, and
he faced his line about, rushing at For
rests cavalry with bayonets. The
Confederate troopers backed off from
the cold steel, and Napiers men, seeing
the confusion in the force led by their
chief, thought the day was lost and
also retreated, leaving their artillery
between the lines. Dunham's sharp
shooters had cut down the horses of
the calssons and cannon, and the raid
ers could not save them.
But the battle was not over; Dun
hams danger had increased in spite of
the repulse Of Forrest on the crown Of
the ridge. The flank march of the
cavalry had cut Durham off from his
base and the supports he looked for to
come in response to his message that
he would fight Forrest at Parker's
Crossroads. The nearest supports left
their camp many hours march away.
at the time the fight began, and con-
sisted of two regiments, the Twenty
seventh and Thlrty-ninth Ohio. led by
Colonel ]. w. Fuller.
When Fuller got within sound Of the
guns, he was overtaken by a message
from his chief ordering a halt. At the
same time an aid rode back from the
direction of Dunham's battlefield with
the news that Forrest held the road,
cutting off the re-enforcements from
Durham, who was fighting against
odds. Fuller marched on to the help
of Durham. Meanwhile the situation
had become critical for Durham, while
even Forests fortunes rested on the
turn of a hand Durham held the
ridge, but having no ammunition for
his guns could not control the road nor
keep Forrest at distance. In fact he
was as good as surrounded. Forrest
rallied his discounted troopers and at
tempted his favorite game of blufing
the enemy. One of his aids sought out
Colonel Durham and said. General
Forrest understands that you have sur
rendered"
'"The general is mistaken" respond
ed the dauntless Hoosier colonel 1--WE
have never thought of surrendering."
The aid rode away to report to For
rest, then came back with new tune.
Said he, General Forrest demands an
unconditional surrender"
Colonel Durham replied: Give my
compliments to the general and tell