The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1912-06-27
War Time "reminiscences Of D. T.
BealI


| entered in 81 to do or die,
victory or death being my slogan.
So ! did all in my power, sending
to r. or heaven a bakers doz-
EN-, for which today have no re-
morse, in fact, if in the other
realm when the roll is called if
asked if did it, my reply will be
with a smile. I hope So" since l
fought for constitutional rights,
home and loved ones. Ny first
Night was at Fl Donaldson in Feb
b2.. Was surrounded by Gen.
Buckner and held prisoner of war
on Johnson Island near Sandusky,
Ohio. When exchanged we were
assigned to Pemberton, Loring's
Division. Tillman's Brigade. The
battle was at Coffeeville. In Oct.
81 we met the enemy in battle
at Coldwater near Holly Springs,
Miss, when we retreated south
and at Coffeeville three days later
we beat the enemy back. In April
we again met in battle on Big
Black River, which resulted in a
& drawn battle. Next we met him
May 5th, which was hot all day
fight and we were too weak.to hold
out against the great odds. After
this our army under Pemberton
all fell into Vicksburg except Lor-
ing's Division, to which l be-
longed. We were at the close of
the days fight wholly surrounded
by the enemy and he lay down to
sleep expecting to take us next
morning. But Loring was too
willy for the tired, bloody Yanks.
Leaving our artillery etc we slip
ped out like ghosts. After three
days marching and fasting we
came around to Jackson, Miss,
wnere ] E Johnston met us with
small force. Here we made an
other stubborn fight when John
ston realizing our force was too
weak, gave them the dodge at
midnight. So strategic was this
that they knew nothing of his sly
move till twelve next dsy. We
headed for Meridian and as Penn
berton was Gagged in for good at
Vicksburg, Johnson disbanded
and ordered a portion of his rem
nant to Hood in Texas and part of
us to r E Lee in Virginia where
in May, "a we made the biggest
light of the wharf.-the Wilderness
on May 80. Here l lose count on
battles. Can only say from May
to Oct was an unbroken battle on
to Petersburg Some days we
were not engaged but did not miss
many. l was again captured at
Salisbury, N. c.. in Apr '65 about
the time of Lees surrender. |
was there fighting Stoneman' S
Brigade of cavalry. Was carried
to prison and remained in Camp
Chase till June '65. l was never
sick nor in the hospital during the
years Was only slightly wound
ed. When not in prison was able
and willing to give them what
Paddle gave the drum. l am now
old and feeble and rheumaticy,
but am willingt to put my shoulder
to the wheel and shoot yet if If
was fashionable.
(Thad Bea1l was sheriff of
Tishomingo county in reconstruc-
ton days when the Davenport
gang was lynched. When he ar
rived in huntsville their dead bod
les were stretched out to greet
him. Gillemwaters succeeded
him in office after which he en-
gagged in mercantile business, the
firm being Reece. Beall & Knight.
He then engaged in farming in
Prentiss county where he lived a
quiet life, attending all reunions,
greeting old comrades, many of
whom have passed over the river.
d T Beall's request was to be
buried in Bonneville by his soldier
friends and his body now rests
there till the great day arrives.)