The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-04-28
OUNT0WN.
sturs,s's wrescn} 8 q smanaxsm:ns ana
Shamful Retreat.

0otISAU.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Gen.
Grierson's Cavalry accompanying Sturgis
Oh the expedition THAI resulted in disas-
ter at Guntown. Miss, consisted of two
brigades. The I'd y. j., 4th Mo-. Sd and
9th Iii. Cav. and Lees Battery-four
light field pieces,t constituted the First
Brigade, commanded by Col. George War
Of the Sd and 4th Iowa. 9Th Ill.,, 10th
Mo. Cav, and Joyees 10th Mo. Battery
four guns. Col f.. +. Winsow command
ing. The small infantry division. with II
guns, was commanded, by Col VIM. Nc
Millen. of the 93d Ohio, a capable and ell
terprisins officer.
Sturgis, ver-confdent. had failed to
keep his column closed up. the infantry
and wagon train being far in rear of the
cavalry when the latter became engaged
with Forrcs.. Desiring to use the cavalr,
on the TANKS, Sturgis ordered the infantry
to make forced march. The day was
hot and the road muddy. When the in
fantry reached the battle-ground they were
xhausted-pra ctically unfit for service.
When they went into the fight, the cavalry
were withdrawn and ordered to their
horses, which were held back at the creek
west of the battlefield. Warnings Bri-
gade crossed to the west side of the creek,
but Winslow was held OH the east side.
awaiting orders. BY this time Forrest
was driving the infantry. Col. McMillen,
however, valiantly contesting every foot
of the ground, only gave way when at
tackled by overwhelming numbers.
When Winslow saw the infantry falling
back he ordered the Sd and 4th Iowa to
dismount and go to their assistance.
own artillery, he having captured nearly
all of McMillen's guns. The shot and
shell fell fast and thick among the was-
Ons and camp followers on the further
side of the creek, creating an indescrb-
able panic. Sturgis then ordered Wins
low to withdraw his brigade to the west
side of the creek. BY the time Winslow
and were moving toward Stubs planta-
ton, where Sturgis declared he intended
to stop the retreat and repel Forests
advancing columns. This being his al
legged plan, Sturgis ordered Winslow to
hurry to Stubs plantation and stop every
thing that was running away. However
when Sturgis himself arrived at Stubs
he abandoned the idea Of making a stand
there, and continued to retreat, himself
and numerous staff riding out at the head
of Warnings Brigade.
Gen. Grierson remained in the rear With
WinslOw's Brigade, and when night came
went into camp, the night being dark anG
rainy.
On the following morning Forrest Wig
orously renewed the pursuit. Sturgis had
said he would make a stand at Ripley,
but when Winslow's Brigade arrived al
that point Sturgis had gone, still leading
the retreat. Wnslow was forced to fight
Forrest at Ripley, and fighting disadyan-
tageously, lost a number of men: We
moved on toward Collierville, Forrest.
flushed with victOiy. pressing our rear.
Gen. Grierson and Col. Winslow heroic
ally and ably covered the retreat with the
one brigade, the battaions successfully
acting as rear-guard.
When the brigade reached Colliervlle.
men and horses were in sorry plight. with
out rations or forage. Fresh troops having
been sent to Colliervillc, Forrest did not
pursue any further. Sturgis, however,
was still scared, believing that Forrest
would attempt to cut him off from Mem
phs. Not an intelligent man iu the ranks
anticipated any such thing. However, We
were glad when we reached Memphis
and forage. and an opportunity to enjoy n
much needed rest. e <
From the battlefield to Collierville, we
were followed by three OF FORESTS Rri-
sades, commanded by Buford, Bell and
Lyon. r, : ~, q ,--.r~-.
After our arrival at Memphis Sturgis
disappeared. He was sent to Columbus,
Ky, to command the small garrison a.
Gen. A. j. Smith succeeded Sturgis in
command of the troops in the field. and
in July following signally defeated For
rest at Tupelo, Miss.
l wish some of the Confederates would
write about Guntown and Tupelo, giving
the story from their viewpoint. Some 9th
er member Of Winslow's Brigade, especial
ly Of the 4th Iowa Cav, might send The
National Tribune more elaborate and
interesting story than l have been able
to write.-J. Nj. PEARSON, Co. I. 4th
Iowa Cav, 200 Nessmith Ave-, South
Falls, s. d.