Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1919-06-27
"Reminiscences Of the TenSaS Cavalry.
W. C. MORLEY OF alexandria. La
CHAPTER vi.

lOIScI OCCuPdtioit VI tuC IOII was
not only inexpedient and inadvis-
able, but absolutely untenable. They
announced to him their determine
ton not to surrender the Fort, there
by subjecting themselves to capture
as prisoners Of war, but to leave
while there was yet opportunity and
communication with the outside still
open for that purpose. This decis-
ion they proceeded to put into exc
cution Immediately, and succeeded
in effecting their escape.
i have no authority available. to
which to refer, but my recollection
is, that General Buckner concluded
to hazard another battle-the Fed
eral forces largely exceeded those of
the Confederates-before resorting
to the humiliation of final surren-
der. / shall have occasion again
to refer to General Buckner, but on
an entirely different subject, and
from Tensas parish. on an occasion
while the ''Tensas Cavalry" was in
the parish temporarily.
As / have already stated, Col.
Adams regiment was the rear guard
of the army and the last of the
troops to leave Bowling Green. 1t
was very cold day. with the snow
several inches deep on the ground.
Some supplies, corn, meal, etc. had
been left behind, because of inabil-
ity to transport them. We were
ordered to apply the torch to them
to prevent them from falling into
the hands of the enemy.
In the meantime, the pickets had
been Withdrawn from all the roads
on the opposite side Of Barren river,
converging on Bowling Green, and
the wooden traffic bridge across the
river had been partially consumed
by fire.
| While we were aware OF the fact.
THAT Buell's army was marching on
Bowling Green, we did not know
that it was in such close proximity
to us, as we soon learned. While
we were busily engaged in burning
the stores left behind, the vanguard
of the enemy rode up on the oppo.
site side of the river as close as they
could approach to the still burning
bridge and began to fire on us.
We did not return their fire, hut
continued to apply the torch to thu
stores of provisions until they were
all consumed. Their missels Of de-
struction fell harmlessly about us
not a single man of the regimen
being injured thereby. 1t seemed t.
be species OF pastime or diversion
| for them, in shouting at an enemy
who would not return their fire, al
they were not mourning the slight
est hazard Of jeopardy therefrom
! But it occurred to me. that as w
had completed our task. and wer'
| in the act Of leaving Bowling Green
finally and forever. as future, events
disclosed to US, Col. Adams nigh
have directed Dhe. regiment to fir
a parting salute at them. In requita
of their kindness to us, but l as
sumo that he had concluded they
were beyond the range of our gum
and it would only be an unneces
sary waste of ammunition.
i l have no means OF computing
the distance we marched, after th,
final evacuation Of Bowling Green
but it was nearly night when w
camped and it was showing. w
found supper prepared for us, fo1
which our appotites were keenl,
j whetted, as we had had nothing Il
eat during the day.
One of my mess mates. Sim An
derson, and l hitched our horses
to a wagon, fed them, spread ou
blankets under it as a protection
against the falling snow, and slep
soundly all night from fatigue and
J exhaustion.
ontinued.)