The National tribune., 1903-07-23
SMITH-GRIERSON RAID.

1900 men Of all arms.
SMITH-GRIERS0N RAID.
Story of Cd Iowa cavalryman who Partici-
patsd in the ul-Fated Expedition.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Comrade
Skaggs, Co. X, I'd Iowa Cav, is way
Off" Having read his story, Gen. Sooy
Smiths Raid" which appeared in The
National Tribune March ), l sent it to
Col. Horton, who, on the occasion to which
Skaggs refers, was Captain of Co. A, I'd
Iowa Cav, and in command of one of the
rifle battalions. Ir reply the Colonel
says: I'm that unfortunate affair the rifle
companies bore conspicuous part"
Turning to the history of the I'd Iowa
Skaggs's own company, find that not one
man of Co. X was killed or wounded
Feb. p, and on the 22d only two of that
company were wounded, none being killed.
In the same history 1 find that Comrade
Skaggs enlisted in January, 1864, just two
Memphis. 1t would seem that he was too
fresh to know much about raiding, though
he may have been familiar with the pack
train" His ''Tombigbee River" was
probably the Sookatanchie, which We call
ed a creek. difficult to ford on account Of
its steep banks.
The raiding expedition, commanded by
Gen. W. S. Smith, was composed of three
cavalry brigades, the First Brigade con-
sisting of the I'd ILL.,, I'd n. j., 4th No., 1th
Ind, and 18th Pa. The I'd Iowa, 9Th, 1th,
and 9th Ill. composed the Second Brigade,
KY, I'd, Sd, and 4th Tenn. Sd H., and ith
Regulars. Additional to the cavalry were
II or IA pieces of light artillery. Accom-
panying the I'd Iowa was a battery of
brass howitZers. and with the 9th Ill. was
a battery Of steel guns, rified and very
Enrbt Vbo o1rv wall fal fha
entire force consisting of 5000 or 5000
men.
Gen. B. n. Grierson accompanied the
expedition as supernumerary, so he said.
He assumed command, however, after
Gen. Smith had given up the fight, when
we reached OkalOna, returning to Men,
phis.
On Sunday morning. Feb. 81, Gen.
Smith began his retrograde movement,
and on that day the Cd Iowa lost AZ men,
killed and wounded, Comrade Barnard's
statement in The National Tribune to the
contrary Notwithstanding; he saying there
was no fighting on the 21st. The sun was
just rising when Gen. Smith ordered Maj.
, Coon with the Second Brigade to hold the
enemy in check at Sookatanchie River, or
creek. When the fight opened, our line
being on one side of the creek, the rebels
on the other. Capt. Horton was in COM
mand of my battalion. Our little battery,
in rear of the Line, was throwing shells
over our heads, when Capt. Horton or
dered the guns to the front, where they
did effective service while their ammuni-
ton lasted. We remained at the crossing
two hours or more. holding the rebels at
bay, meanwhile using our ammunition
freely. We supposed that supporting
troops were near by, which, however, was
not the case. Having nearly exhausted
! our 40 rounds of ammunition, we sent for
q supply, and then learned that Gen.
Smith was in full retreat toward Memphis,
going by way of Okalona. When We began
to fall back, Maj. Coon having received
orders to retire, Forrest Immediately
pushed his troops across the creek, press
ing us fiercely. We resisted his advance
as best We could until We overlook the
column. BY that time Forrest was not
| only pressing our rear, but with strong
| forces was threatening our fanks. Eight
companies. with rifles, then dismounted
and formed squares to resist the attack of
the rebels. who were both mounted and
dismounted. Having us nearly surround
ed. and cut off from our horses, Forrest
evidently expected to capture us. Our
Colts revolving rifles discouraged the too
sanguine ConfedeTateS. holding them off
until the 1th and 9th III. came to our re-
lief. we beisg G then about out of ammuni-
ton. The 9th Ill. was mounted infantry.
| an excellent regiment. During the day, at
| intervals. Forrest charged the brigade fu
riously, always failing to break our lines.
After nightfall the 9th Ill. dismounted
and formed along one side of the road.
| When the advancing rebels We're well in
the trap the Illinois boys opened upon
them with their revolving rifles. and then
and there was stampede" the rebels
being the 'stampeders." Just after mid
night we went into camp, remaining there
until sunrise on the 22d. when the march
was resumed our brigade being in ad-
vance. We understood that the First Bri-
/ l. L. ~
rear. We learned later that the battery,
or part of it. was left with Forrest.
Early in the day. while We were passing
| through Oklahoma, Forrest made n deSper-
| ate charge upon our rear and flank. with
better success than ON the previous day.
| The rear regiments were stampeded, For
rest having a fine view of the spectacle.
| About this time Gen. Grierson took COM
mand. Our brigade, in advance, was order
ed to form a second line. upon which the
two other brigades could rally. Some des-
perate fighting then occurred. the enemy
making repeated charges and being re-
pulsed by c0urter-eiiarges. Having been
| repulSed, Forrest would draw off. reform.
and charge again. Under the command Of
Grierson the division was well handled and
did more effective service than when COM
manded by Smith. The troops that be-
came so demoralized as to throw away
their guns did not belong to the Second
Brigade.
As to Comrade Skaggs's story Of "cor-
railing" I think when Gen. Grierson took
command he did so with the intention Of
whipping Forrest. He corralled the train
and refugees TO one side, where they would
not be in TIE way of the fighters" Com
rade Skaggs. with the pack train" may
have seen some of the New Jersey men
there looking for fresh horses" The ID
Iowa Cav. has 10 occasion TO refer TO John
Laird Wilson's history. We made a rec
crd of which we are not ashamed rec
ord made with our rifles. not with our
pens. The oft-auoted saying '-The pen is
mightier than the sword" may be true,
hut the Second brigade put their .rust in
their guns and kept their powder dry
| 7 4 z DARPOrT "a IL 0l Inwn Eay-.