The Tupelo journal., 1905-05-19
TUPELo, MISSISSIPPI FRIDAY NAY 10, 1905.
Forests COngratulalory Address
To His Men at Tupelo, Miss

From the Appeal, while OF
wheels at Atlanta, is culled thu
following congratulatory address,
of Gen. Forrest to his men:
Head quarters Forests Cav
airy, Tupelo, Miss, June %, 1864
Soldiers; After a long anC
laborious campaign, the Mayor
general commanding deems it ar
appropriate occasion to address
you a few words of recapitulation
acknowledgment and congratula
ton.
About the 18th of FEBRUARY
last the campaign which so glo.
riously terminated at ''Tishomin.
Igo Creek, was inaugurated.
Major-General Sherman, with q
large and well-appointed army,
undertook to penetrate the cen
trail counties of Alabama and
Mississippi. His object was
avowedly to capture Selma and
Mobile, and to desolate that
productive region of country,
| from which the granaries of a
large section of the Confederacy
were supplied. Generals Smith
and Grierson had their duty as
signed them and were to act a
conspicuous part in the work of
spoliation and piracy.
with a large cooperating
cavalry force, thoroughly armed
and equipped, they were to de
scend through Northern Missis-
sippi, carrying fire and sword
with them. On they came, like
| a blighting sirocco. At West Point
| you met them. There you threw
| yourselves across the rich prair-
lies, a living bulwark, to stay the
desolating tide. Compared with
| the enemy you were few in mum.
bers, but every man became q
| hero, for all seemed impressed
with the Importance Of the
momentous struggle. You proved
yourselves equal to the ex-
pectations of the country. Yor
met the proud and exultant en-.
emy. The result is known tx
the world; you drove him howl
ing back in ignominy and shame
broken and demoralized. Sher
man 'scampaign was thus brough1
to an abrupt conclusion, ane
Mississippi and Alabama saved
The victorysWas a gloriou.
one and with heartfelt pride thu
general commanding acknowl
edges your unexcelled gallantry
This great work was accomplish
ed by Col. Bells brigade, com
manded by Col. Barteau, Col
McCulloch's and Col. Forrest
brigades. But great as was thi
victory, it is not without alloy
The laurel is closely entwine,
with the cypress, and the luste
. of a brilliant triumph is darkene,
by the blood with which it wa
purchased. 1t was here that Col
Barksdale gave up his life viii
ling sacrifice upon the altar of hi
country He fell in front Of tn
battle, gallantly discharging hi
duty. He sleeps, but his nam,
is imperishable. Here, too, fel
the noble brother of the genera
commanding Col. Jeffrey E
Forrest. He was brave ant
chivalrous spirit ever foremos
lin the fight. He fell in the favo
of his youth aud usefulness. Blu
his dying gaze was proudly turn
ed upon the victorious fied d
which his own valor had aided il
winning. Peace to the ashes O.
these gallent heroes.
After short repose you wer'
called to a new theater of action
By long and rapid marches, which
yon endured without murmur o.
complaint, you found yourselves
upon the waters of the Ohio
sweeping the enemy befor yol
wherever you meet him, captur
ling hundreds Of prisoners quar-
!, termaster's and ordnance depart
ments, while securing for your
selves a character for endurance
yalor and efficiency which Nigh
mnll excite the envy Of the mos
famous legions in military history
AT Fort Pillow you exhibite'
the same conspicuous gallantry
In the face of a murderous fir
from two gunboats and six piece
ol artillery ON the fort, you storm
ed the works and either killed o
captured the entire garrison,
1lmotley hord Of negroes, traitor
|. and yankees, This noble Worl
was accomplished by Chalmers
{ and Buford's S divisions, compose,
ilof Bells and McCulloch's bri
] gades, commanded by brigadier
! General Chalmers; and for hi
!. gallantry on this occasions, Gen
eral Chalmers deserves the en-
I during gratitude of his country
men.
For the exhibitions of higl
soldierly bearing on these fields
! YOU have earned from your coun
;. tfy and its government the mos
grateful and well deserved plaud