The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-01-15

courteous officers 1t was sad blow tina
| struck down these gallant spirits. In un
selfish devotion to the cause and higf
| courage they leave no superiors behinl
among men. Their noble natures and m
| dent patriotism. 1t is hoped, will End ID
| the soldiers grave that peace for which
| their country has thus far struggled II
vain. and for the achievement of which
they have sacrificed their lives. Future
generations will never weary In hanging
garlands upon their graves"
GEN. cHAI.MERs's REPORT.
The report of I:rig. James r
Chalmers, who commanded one of the
divisions of Forests command, gives q
very clear account of movements and bat
tie He, too, like Gen. Forrest, fell into
the error that Gen. Smiths march from
Pontotoc to Tupelo was n retreat: but he
frankly states that the Confederate forces
were repulsed in every attack they made
Following are extracts from Gen. Chal.
mers's report:
"On the morning of the 18th we await
ed an attack from the enemy until about
II o'clock, when, finding he could not be
drawn out from his chosen ground, was
ordered forward and McCulloch's Brigade
what he was doing. After skirmishing
about an hour got in sight of the Ellis
town road, and found him retreating, and
at once reported the fact to Lieut.-Gen.
Lee. As soon as we could get ready our
entire line was advanced on Harrisburg.
The enemy's rear fell back, and the pur-
suit began. Gen. Buford's Division led
our advance. and 1 followed with Nc
Culloch's Brigade. When we reached
(Old) Town Greek, four miles from Tu-
pelo, the enemy's whole force was found
encamped and waiting for the assault.
Gen. Bnford's pursuing column was met
by vigorous attack from the enemy,
who was in position, and he was soon
driven back in confusion.
'Three very emphatic orders were sent
me to hurry forward McCulloch's Bri-
gade into the fight, and they were put
into it by regiments before I could have
tie brigade formed; consequently the ad-
vanced regiments were driven back in
confusion before the rear could be en-
gagged. I was ordered TO send one regi-
ment, mounted. to the cornfield on the left
and taking Forests regiment Qieut. Col.
Kelley, l went with it myself until I re-
ceived a notification from one of my staff
that the enemy was 100 yards In my rear
and on my right, but could not see them,
nor they me, because of the corn and
slight ridge separating us. At the same
time that l received this information re-
ceived orders from Gen. Forrest to as
sumo command and withdraw the troops.
as he was wounded.
81 returned at once to the rear and
found our men falling back and the en-
envy pressing up to the position on which
had left my brigade, and Col. r. Nc
Culloch severely wounded. l sent orders
to Gen. Buford at once to form his men,
and received an answer that he could not
form. On repeating my order ! was told
he had formed three companies. I drew
McCnlloch's Brigade back about 400
Yards in rear of the position from which
we had been driven, and formed them in
line, mounted. We waited abont one hour
to see if the enemy would advance AS he
did not, ordered the brigade back to its
camp in accordance with instructions l
had received to withdraw the troops. and
went in person in search of Lieut.-Gen.
Lee. l found him striving to rally Gen.
Buford's Division, and determined not to
withdraw. Gen. Buford was ordered to
picket the position which we then held.
and l was ordered to relieve him at 3
o'clock next morning; bu. as Gen. Buford
could not collect men enough from his di-
vision to hold the position, McCulloch's
Brigade was ordered back, and held it
during the night.
'The enemy commenced his retreat
next morning, and pursued him two days
with Fuckers and Roddey's Brigades
and skirmished with them slightly as d.
rected. losing FIVE men wounded.
1.-THE enemy returned by way of New
Albany instead of moving straight for
ward from Ellistown to Kelly's Mill, as
scouts reported they were moving. and
thus foiled an attack on his flank which
Gen. Roddey had prepared to make near
kelly's Mill The enemy was superior
to US in numbers, and awaited Us in
strongly-selected positions, acting always
on the defensive; consequently, we were
,epulsed with heavy loss in every engage
ment, vet our men exhibited the most des-
perate courage, and sustained themselves
as well as men could in so unequal a con.
test.
"My brigade commanders (CoIs Rob
ert McCulloch and Edmund ". Rucker,
displayed their proverbial gallantry and
were conspicuous in the fight, and I re-
gret to report both severely wounded In
the front lines of their respective brigades
Col W. L. Duff was wounded in the arm
while charging with his usual impetuosity.
and Lieut.-Col. Chalmers had his horse
killed in the fight: but where al fought
with stubborn vaior, which struck ter
ror to the hearts of superior numbers and
positions, il ID needless to name individ.
uals.
Our loss was severe and much to be
lnmented. The 18th Tenn. mourn the loss
of Capt. Statler and Charlie Claiborne:
the 18th Miss, Capt. Middleton; the I'd
Miss, Lieut. Murray; all noble and daring
young men. and who gave undoubted
promise that with life spared they would
have filed high places in the army of the
Confederacy."
GEN. BUFoRD's DIVISION.
Brig Gen. Abraham Buford's Division
occupied the center of the Confederate
line. and bore the brunt of the battle. His
Kentucky Brigade, commanded by Col
Faulkner, led the assault upon Gen.
Smiths line, followed by the Tennessee
and Mississippi Brigades-Gen. Lee was
present and ordered the assault.
Gen. Forrest in person directed flank
movement, but the valor and f0rtitude Of
ness. courage and confidence never ex.
celled.
Gen. Buford tells the story Of his de.
feat with candor and details with sorrow
the terrible loss inflicted upon his com.
mnnd. Following Is quotation from his
report:
Immediately In front of the enemy's
position. which was on elevated ground
! commanding the entire approach, the
country was open. there being no timber
in front for distance of 100 or 200 yards
at different points of his line. The en-.
emy's administers were driven In. When
the Kentucky Brigade arrived at the edge
OF the timber, discovering the enemy's Do.
sition,- raising shout they charged his
line of works. The enemy reserved his
fire until our men were in close range. and