The National tribune., 1910-06-30
BRICEs CROSSROADS, MISS.
The Part Played by the Cavalry i'm the
Fight and on the Retreat.

Editor National Tribune: In answer
to Comrade Riley in The National
Tribune of March 10 I will give con-
densed report from Col. Noble cd Iowa
Cav.) to Adj't-Gen. Baker, of Iowa,
which ought to satisfy him as to the
part the cavalry took at Brice's Cross
roads:
HEADQUARTERS Sd Iowa Cav, Near
Memphis, Tenn, Aug. 9, 1864.
"Sir: / have the honor to report as
to the part taken by the Sd Iowa Cav.
in the expedition under Gen. Sturgis-
Approaching Brice's Crossroads at IL
a. m, this command went into line of
| battle by battalion on the right of the
main road and soon after the artillery
opened in front. We then advanced
beyond Brice's about 500 yards. After
| forming in line with the balance of the
brigade the cavalry was dismounted
| and the horses sent to the rear. Soon
after we became heavily engaged with
the enemy, and held them in check for
an hour. On the left of our brigade
the enemy was driven back three diff
| ferent times. At this 1uncture my whole
| command was relieved by regiments of
| infantry, and was retiring when the
| infantry became engaged. We formed
new line in their rear, rather than to
appear to leave them in an emergency.
THE contest lasted but short time
after this, and the enemy was hotly
pressing his victory, and we took Sec
| ond position. mounted, to protect the
retreating column. A column of squad
rons was again formed facing the enc
my and retired by alternate squadron,
keeping the enemy in check. We soon
closed in, and rested at Stubbs's plan
tation for the first time.
"Our greatest difficulty was to cross
| the swamp in our rear, and in 1T were
caught most OF the artillery and train
of the army. Arriving at Stubbs's
plantation, we rested from IL p. m. to
2 a. m, when we again moved toward
Ripley, holding the rear. At Ripley
and was notified that the enemy was
/ about to attack on the left. I formed
a column of squadrons, faced to the
rear, and at the same time was ordered
to support the 4th Iowa Cav, then in
action. Deploying battalion, / or
dered it to the rear. and at the same
| time pushed forward another battalion
| in column to hold the road of retreat
| for the other troops My advance in
| line was made under severe fire, but
officers and men were cool and kept a
| steady line. The enemy was checked
and the position held until his object
attained. Then Gen. Grierson ordered
me to retire
ITO retire was difficult, for the ene-
my, having no resistance elsewhere
were flanking as well as pressing from
the rear. Their fire was redoubled as
we moved again upon the road. In this
stand we lost several men. Much re-
lief was given to the infantry regiments
who were retiring from Ripley, and
the enemy did not escape without pun
ishment; his flag was seen to fall three
times under our fire and many of his
men were killed and wounded. Platoon
after platoon was thrown out right and
left along the road, presenting a front
to the rebels. This method of defense
was continued thruOut the day. cav
airy force and an infantry command
finally appeared and gave my regiment
temporary relief. But the enemy, still
pressing the cavalry, failed to hold theil
place, and a portion of the infantry was
thrown into confusion and captured
Col Thomas commanding the infan.
try, applied to me for relief, and
. formed another battalion line, support.
ing it with several squadrons placed al
advantageous points The infantry
passed thru my line, and l was once
more contending with the enemy.
was finally relieved by the 4th Iowa
Cav. The losses in my regiment wer,
. 81 killed, wounded and prisoners
John w. Noble, Colonel, Sd Iowa Cav
w. +. Hayden, Co. ID, 4th Iowa Cav.
i Portland Orr