The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-01-04
AeJ0soee

hard and captured guns and prisoners.
They were evidently beaten. We had
crushed our enemy's right wing; had
opened road of exit, could have
marched our small army out and ND the
river road to Nashville and on to Shiloh
Then came the blunder. BY misappre-
hension, every command was ordered to
occupy their former position This was
attempted but we found the enemy had
captured our extreme right while we were
absent on the left, and we of the forlorn
hope We're beaten A council of war was
held, and it was decided to surrender.
General Floyd passed command to Gen.
Pillow; Gen. Pillow as quickly passed it
to Gen. Simon b. Buckner; Gen. Buckner
at once opened negotiations with Gen.
Grant; Gen. Grant gave his own wishes
as to surrender; they were accepted by
Gen. Buckner. Out of that Inflated fort
rode one lofty spirit no fates could chain.
Col Nathan Il. Forrest bowed not to men
or environments, and led his command
victors over adverse fate, and won name
that has ripened with the years. OF such
stuff soldiers are made
On the evening of the 10th, at D. M,
my faithful nurse and cook, now DR.. VIM.
M. Key, awoke me and said, 1--WE are
prisoners There is no English to me
so foul as 1--WE are prisoners / looked
at my man moment and saw he had
VI rye. Sa1Q, BILL ere L
confiscated, hand me dpper of that rye
and l will begin the confiscation." 1 then
asked him to get me a suit of citizens
clothes, and one for himself, all of which
he did with promptness, also a steaming
breakfast, and by a. M, he and I were
we'll on our way to Nashville by way of
the River road. We encountered no enc
my, nor saw any signs of return of the
enemy on or near the field of battle Of
the previous day. All assertions to the
contrary are opposite to the facts The
federals did not occupy their former
right wing until after nine O'clock on
February &c. if at all.
In conclusion, will say, 1 made that
day forty miles In retreat nor did I stop
to rest till 1 arrived in Nashville. When
! landed at my depot, hundreds of excited
citizens greeted me to know of their bows
in gray. My old school teacher came to
the platform of the car and, taking me
on his shoulders, lifted me to the plat
form OF the station, and waving the crowd
back, told me to tell all 1 could in five
minutes. and then he mounted me on
good horse and babe me God-speed to
my fathers. One incident of nv eseane
is OF too much interest to pass over
Three negro cooks esca ping by same route
in passing through the battlefield. got
into yankee uniforms, and stealing
farmers horses. came laundering on our
rear. Surprising them to be yankees, we
stampeded to the woods AT a ferry iust
ahead they were overtaken By us, and
repeatedly dipped in Ice, snow and water.
and their blue torn in shreds
On arriving at home. l mounted a good
horse and Joined my fortunes to that me-
teor of war who was worthy of all trusts
and honor; the wizard. N. B. Forest; who
knew no defeat, who despised fear. who
honored the heart in friend or foe. And
In after years l had my heart satiated
with victories. When the G. A. r. mer
say to me, I'VE whipped you." l retort,
Il rode and fought with Forrest