The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-06-09
HOwFOrreSt Won NewLaureIS
FoRTlETH ANNIVERSARY WAR STORY
JuneIo
A FoRTlETH ANNIVERSARY WAR STORY
JvAe 10. 1864

copyright, ISIS, py nnmer.I
General n. B. Forrest added to
his reputation as q great horse
back fighter by winning a re-
markable victory at Brice's farm, Mis-
sissippi, June 10, 1854 An army Of
5000 Federals under General S. d.
Sturgis marched out of Memphis with
flying colors to sweep Forrest and bis
rough riding band off Sherman's line
Of communications. Sherman was then
closing in on Atlanta with a large ar
my and drawing his supplies by rail
from Nashville, Tenn, hundreds Of
miles from the scene of operations.
Twice before within the space of six
months the ubiquitous raider Forrest
had been slated for destruction by his
anxious foemen for the purpose of
safeguarding Sherman's march. Gen
eral Sturgis himself led an expedition
out of Memphis to entrap Forrest at
the time of the Fort Pillow affair in
April, but the movement had failed,
like many others of the same nature in
the course of the war. When Sturgis
came within sight of Forrest at Briees
farm he wanted to turn back, but was
dissuaded by his officers and formed
for battle on the arc of a circle three
fourths of mile in extent about half
mile from Brice's house, his right
resting upon the main road along
which be was marching southwark
His force comprised two brigades of
cavalry and three brigades of infan-
try, with two six gun batteries of light
artillery.
Forrest had with him Lyons, Ruck-
er's and Johnson's brigades. all mount
ed men, and two four gun batteries.
about 5000 troops in all. The ground
where Sturgis formed his men was ele-
waited and thickly clad with stunted
trees and tangled underground, which
furnished cover for the troops A eau
/ tous soldier in Forests place would
have taken good position across the
! valley and compelled his foe to assume
| the initiative, but the impetuouS fighter
] was C0AAui VI anu gave lIt Or
der for a general attack. Sturgis' men
received the assailants with a terrible
fire, and the southern line was repuls-
ed, with confusion in some places Op-
/ portunely Forests batteries came to
the front at gallop and opened brisk
ly on the FederaIs confronting Ruck-
er's brigade. Under cover of the
cannonade Rucker pushed his line for
| ward, but the carnage inflicted by
Sturgis' firm line again caused the
southerners to waver.
Sturgis was not on the field during
Forests first attack, and his brigade
commanders failed to take advantage
OF the confusion in Forests column
! No effort was made to follow up when.
! ever one of the southern battalions re-
coiled from the deadly fire. Neither
did the Federals attempt to turn the
tanks of the enemy's shorter line. Stur
gis was FIVE miles In the rear, bringing
up brigade which had been DELAYED
by Quagmire in the road produced by
recent heavy rains. His officers at the
trent advised him to form the infantry
for battle at some point in the rear OF
the fighting line and withdraw the cav.
airy to that position. This he declined
to do and massed his whole command
in front Of Forrest, with his artillery
stationed along the road.
1t was past noon when Sturgis
brought up the last troops and For.
rest saw that his foe was being re.
enforced. Ordering his artillery cap.
tafns to double shot the pieces with
canister Forrest led them to within
sixty yards of the Federal line Just
as Sturgis was taking the offensive
and bis troops emerging into open
ground near Brice's house. After two
or three discharges from each Of the
eight guns in position the brigades
of Lyon and Johnson charged upon the
Federal left flank. The Federals were
pressed slowly back upon Brices
house by this flank attack. Meanwhile
Fuckers brigade, REINFORCED during
the fight by two regiments under Colo
mel Bell moved forward across the
fields and over fences, using their re-
volvers freely, toward the house. At
this point the slaughter was fearful.
Fully 800 Federals, according to Con-
federate accounts, lay dead and
wounded around the house
For time this assault was held in
check by the steady fire of Sturgis'
cavalry on the front line. Finally,
when Forests men pressed up to
within seventy PAGES of the center of
the Federal line, it gave way, expos
ing the flank of Colonel George E.
Warnings brigade, which held a posi-
ton in the woods and up to that time
had beaten back every advance of the
foe. Waring fell back and carried
along Winslow's brigade as we'll
Forests line, now shortened and
strengthened, pressed on after the re-
treating Federals. Six of Sturgis'
guns were captured around Brice's
house. In charge of the Eighth Ken
lucky cavalry upon this battery the
color bearer was disabled by a shot,
and Sergeant Brown of Company A
seized the falling flag, rushed ahead
Of the line and placed it upon ane of
the Federal guns
! EorpoSt's artil1arictS Dromntlv rnop