Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-04-08
IcoDyrlsht. lsqs. by G. L Knmer.l

quarters, demonstration In favor OF
the attack by another and larger
force upon the Confederate strongholds
at Mobile Wilson made the enterprise
something more than "A parade OF
forces. He turned IL into lighting
campaign. which resulted i'm the de-
struction Of FORESTS cavaAry. the cap
ture Of Selma and the conquest Of all
central Alabama and Georgia.
Wilson's force was a heavy one. num-
bering 1900 &lfrs. But il was new
/ command whies had been hurriedly
formed in the excitement OF the cam
paign against General Hood in Tennes-
see the previous autumn. The leader
was new man I'm the west. He had
earned his spurs as general Of caval.
~ division in the Army OF the Poto-
mac. His opponent General Nathan
! Bedford Forrest. had never found his
4 match as raider and a fighting caval-
] ryman. II was a byword I'm De Missis-
sippi valley that an the territory OF
western tennessee. northern aud cen
/ tral Mississippi and Alabama belonged
10 Forrest because his squadrons rode
over it at viii. FORESTS country" had
become new geographical division on
the military maps
! 40 the beginning OF the raid Wilson
captured courier with dispatches on
his person showing FORESTS plans Of
action. lie learned that the scattered
Coufeatratcs were alert and riding i'm
hot haste 10 yet between the Federal
columns and Selma. Orders were given
20 Wilson'S divisions 60 drop the scent
in ali other directions and meet In front
OF Selma. The game was 10 he a man
D. hunt; tie prey. FORESTS troopers.
The Confederate cavalry had nossol
the winter IN central Mississippi. $50
miles from the border n had been re-
organized ANA numbered about 7Ooo
men. When news reached Forrest that
/ W iison was moving he accepted the
challenge His troopers had been under
orders 20 march eat SIX hours notice
Tor several days. S., there was no time
lost in throwing his hricades across The
line Of marcel taken up by the enemy
Selma. IUScalooSl AMI Columbus worn
the exposed POINTS. selma came first
and In front ~ DO. northwest. the clans
gathered. an booted and spurred with
their swords alarpcued FOR the FRAY.
Aprl ]. 1876. the advance guard 90
Wilson and - rear guard OF Forrest
met in pitcher battle. Upon learning
'l"t me Federal cavalry was gallopine
| toward Selma the Confederate leader
ordered his troopers 90 concentrate for
'He defense OF that point After "a dav
OF lively skirmishing FORESTS sound
ronS had been driven back upon Al.
ans reserve division at the CROSSINGS
or The Selma roads over Bocler's creek
near Maplesvillc The Confederates
claimed % have 100 men Inn posifiou
FORESTS line OF battle extended along
a ridge where steep. wooded hills com.
manded the passes over the stream. the
right resting on height. the Ieft Sc.
cured from attack by an mpa.sable
swamp. Two cannon were posted ON
each OF tie two roads converrin. near
there from Randolph and Afnnlesville
General Ell Longs division. marcbin-
upon the Maplcsville road. held the od.
vance OF Wilson's column. As soon os
the Confeleratcs were discovered in
position Long REINFORCED his vanguard
a battalion OF the Seventy second Indi-
ahn' 10y the remainder OF the regiment
spirited charge OF the whole com.
mand or foot drove FORESTS heavy
Skirmish line back 10 confusion. and
Long Immediately followed up the ad-
vantage 10y sending forward a battal-
ION Of the Seventeenth Indiana under
Lieutenant Colonel Frank White.
Colonel Whites charge at Naples-
Ville was worthy OF the brave six hun
dred who rode into the jaws OF death
az Balaklava. His men dashed onward
at a SWIFT gallop with drawn sabers
breaking through the Confederate main
line and n ng completely over the
guns. After sahering some artillery
men and their supports. who resisted
the Indiana tcooncrs wheeled and sNept
on i'm lateral conrsc along the line OF
FORESTS men. both sides shooting and
Sabering vigorously Whites men cut
their way ONT leaving Cantain Taylor
and sixteen troopers dead within the
enemy's canp.
Taylor had carried his men into the
midst OF 4 e COME lcr.tcS banded
about the guns There he end his fol
lowers. singly. fell upon FORESTS body
guard man for man and engaged In n
savage running light OF a couple OF hun
dred yards. FOrrest and Taylor mel IN
duel. and the gallant captain was
shot dead while trying 10 saber his an
tagonist. The melee arornd tie guns
is described In the III u~y Of For
rests Cavalry" as follows
Forrest had at the moment avall,bIe
only his famous escort and STAFF and |
section OF Adams artillery From the |
latter one discharge was secured. but the /
artiierists abandoned their guns and re- /
treated abruptly. On came the Federal 4
cavalry, with their sabers drawn. when |
Forrest sprang TO meet them and became |
involved IN one OF those persona! cncoun-
ters that have marked his life and his /
escapes from which appear incredible. Ife |
was set upon by four troopers IN the Il
wood at one moment. Shooting one :h..
others were down upon MIN with uplift~ /
ed sabers. which he attempted 20 parry |
with his revolver. but received only slight |
wounds and bruises. both on hts head and |
arm. Three Others came UP meanwhile
and took part 50 that actually as many |
as six troopers were either attempting 10
saber or shoot him. BY this time the
MANNER OF his pistol had been hacked
away. so that the weapon was useless
while lis right arm was weakened bv fhe
mo