The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-17

the Cumberland to gunboats compelled a
hasty vacuation-quantities of provi-
sions had been stored in the Capitol
building. This is situated on a gentle
eminence with ornamented ! grounds en-
closed by a stone wall. The populace
heard of the intended evacuation and col
lected in the grounds around the Capitol
hoping to get portion of the provisions.
The Generals tried to disperse them by
moral suasion but in vain. Squads OF
soldiers with fixed bayonets were march
ed in, the crowd would good naturediy
retire before the bayonets but close IN
behind them The Generals knew not
what to do Just them Forrest rode up
and the problem was stated to him. Get
rid of the &rowd without injury. on,
He'll says Forrest, that's easy. BRING
up some tire engines. 1.-The engines were
brought, the hose turned on and IN lew
minutes the grounds were empty.
EXAMINING BOARD.
During that same winter an Examining
Board of Generals was appointed to pass
upon the fitness for promotions of the
most promising Colonies. One of the test
questions was this: Suppose your COM
mand marching along the road in column
of four to be suddenly assailed in flank,
what military manOuevre would best ex-
tricate it? The proper technical answer
involved some very nice calculating of the
cube root. When the question was pro
posed to Forrest his instant reply was:
.1? Run the damned fianking party
away"
SMITH GRIERSON RAID.
The following incident was related to
me by Judge Livingstone, of the Tennes
see bench who ut the time it occurred
was q captain of cavalry in Forests COM
mand. Forrest had inflicted terrible de-
feat ON this expedition organized especl'
ally of pickeu men for his destruction
He was pushing the pusuit with all his
energy. Livingstone was IN the lead with
only his own company. He came to the
edge of forest overlooking large clear
ing. In the middle of the field large
BODY of Yankees were trying to form so
as to resist further approach. From the
number Of flags Livingstone judged then
TO be at least a brigade strong. Having
ONLY about 40 OF 80 men in his company
he was in doubt what to do. Just then
Forrest rode up, Livingstone pointed to
the Yankees and told Forrest his diff
Guilty How many men you got?' says
Forrest About 40 or So says Living
stone. "Oh HE'LL says Forrest, that's
more than l need; scatter your men along
the edge of the woods about 10 yards
apart and all at once let EN- rush out
firing and yelling like hell 1t was done
and the Yankees at once dispersed in all
directions. correct estimate OF the
morale of defeated troops.
DANIEL DODSON.
negro named Daniel Dods0n was in
this rout on the Yankee side. He worked
with me nearly fourteen years in West
Tennessee, and | have frequently heard
him tell this experience: 1t was very
hot and dusty and Dan had been running
hard, he thought, if he could only get to
! water he would drink if they got him the
next minute He hurriedly came to a
roadside we'll "scrouged' up to a bucket
of water just drawn up and got his
mouth to 1t, when bang, bang! yell, yell
went the rebels close by. Fore God l
jes' drapped dat ar bucket, split all dat
good water and lit out faster than ever
OLD WHITE HAT.