The Campaigns of General Nathan Bedford Forrest and of Forrest's Cavalry

By General Thomas Jordan and J. P. Pryor

"We are aware of the belief obtaining among the Southern people that the time has not yet come for the publication of
histories or memoirs of the more prominent operations of Confederate commanders and officers...We are conscious, moreover,
how impossible it were so to write the annals we here present, as to steer clear of giving pain to some, umbrage to others,
dissatisfaction also, and some grounds for disputation and criticism.
However, we are of those who believe it to be essential to the truth of history, that the Confederate story of the war
should be told without delay — told with all possible fullness and unreserve..."

T. J.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcadia Publisher
• Release date: Jul 7, 2019
• ISBN: 9788834152805

Book preview

Forrest.

CHAPTER I

June 1st, 1861, to February 12th, 1862

IN the pages which follow we have undertaken to present a sketch of the military career of Nathan Bedford Forrest, and a memoir, in detail, of the campaigns, marches, and battles of those Confederate soldiers whose remarkable achievements, from an early day in the winter of 1861-2 to the 9th of May, 1865, made the name of Forrest’s Cavalry redoubtable to their adversaries, a high distinction with their countrymen, and a designation proudly worn by all who bore it.

At the outburst of the war inaugurated by the evacuation by Major Robert Anderson of his post at Fort Moultrie, in Charleston Harbor, and the hostile occupation of Fort Sumter, he who in the course of a year subsequently, as will be seen, became a renowned cavalry commander was living quietly on his plantation in Coahoma county, Mississippi. Always a strong and decided States Right Democrat in politics, he had been deeply attached, however, to the Union, and was earnestly opposed to its dissolution so long as there were reasonable hopes of an adjustment of the questions in issue between the sections consonant with the safety and rights of his immediate State and section. But that hope having been destroyed by the Proclamation of President Lincoln on the 15th of April, 1861; and, seeing that a great conflict was inevitable, he set to work to prepare his large private affairs for the emergency, so that he might at once and thenceforward take an earnest part in the struggle for the independence or separate political existence of the Confederate States. This arranged as far as practicable, early in June he repaired to Memphis with the intention of joining the Confederate force then engaged in fortifying the position of Randolph, Tennessee. On reaching Memphis, however, following the strong bent of his nature for cavalry, he at once attached himself, as a private trooper, to the Tennessee Mounted Rifles, a company which he found forming at the time, under Dr. Josiah S. White, and in less than a week afterward he became a part of the garrison at Randolph, whither his company was ordered.

About the 10th of July, Private Forrest was called to Memphis by a dispatch from the Governor of Tennessee, Isham G. Harris, at whose urgent desire, united with that of Major-General Polk, Commander-in-Chief of the Confederate Forces in all that quarter, he undertook to raise a regiment of volunteer cavalry, and the necessary warrant was given to that effect.

After making this authority properly known in Memphis, Colonel Forrest, with characteristic energy and comprehension of his needs, hastened to Kentucky, for the purpose not only of procuring arms and horse-equipments in that State, but with a view, also, to recruiting there for his regiment. This, in his judgment, was desirable, inasmuch as a very large portion of the young men of West-Tennessee had already become attached to other organizations of the several arms of the service. Visiting the towns of Paris, Lexington, Mount Sterling, Frankfort, and intermediate places, he found, however, that, while the mass of the people, apparently, were in strong sympathy with the Confederate cause, comparatively few were prepared to take up arms at that moment.

Turning back at Frankfort, Colonel Forrest visited Louisville about the 20th of July, and there purchased, with his own means, five hundred Colt’s navy pistols, and one hundred saddles and other horse-equipments. While thus engaged, receiving information that a company of cavalry was being organized for his regiment at Brandenburg, Meade county, Kentucky, he went to that point and mustered in the Boone Rangers, some ninety strong, under Captain Frank Overton, which thus became the first company of a regiment subsequently so conspicuous.

Returning to Louisville, he found it a matter of no little difficulty to get his arms and equipments out of the city, as by this time the objects of his presence there had become suspected, and a strict surveillance was established over his movements. But with native address and shrewdness, assisted by only two gentlemen, he baffled the vigilance of those opposed to his purposes, and eluded all the efforts made to detect and arrest him. Favored by the happy chance that his person was not known, he and his two associates were able to carry, from time to. time, the pistols, concealed under their linen dusters, to a livery stable, whence they were subsequently taken in a market-wagon to Mr. Garrison’s farm in the country as so many bags of potatoes, while the saddles and other equipments were conveyed, under the guise of leather, to a tan-yard some three miles south of Louisville. Meanwhile, a detachment of Captain Overton’s company had been brought to the vicinage with the necessary wagons; at dusk, these were driven to the tan-yard in question, and, receiving the freight awaiting them, hastened southward, taking up the arms also as they passed on toward the mouth of Salt river. These dispositions successfully made, he mounted a horse and rode leisurely in the direction opposite to that in which the tan-yard lay until he reached the suburbs, when, being now quite dark, he swiftly made the circuit of the city and took the road southward on the track of his wagons, which he soon overtook; and, pushing rapidly on with them to Brandenburg, found the Boone Rangers ready to take the field.

Leaving Brandenburg the same day, he proceeded with the Boone Rangers, via Bowling Green, Ky., in the direction of Clarksville, Tenn. Fed and received on the way with great hospitality by the citizens, they encamped the second afternoon after leaving Brandenburg within fifteen miles of Munfordsville. Here intelligence was received that a Union force of two companies of Home Guards were in wait at the latter town to contest his march. Many gentlemen, relatives and parents of the members of the Boone Rangers, had accompanied their beloved sons or young kinsmen thus far, as indeed for several days thereafter. These Forrest drew up in a line with his men, under the Confederate flag, forming an imposing array, as the railway train approached from Munfordsville. So strong, indeed, was the appearance thus presented, that the passengers in their report magnified this little band into a regiment. The result was, as he drew near Munfordsville, resolved to fight his way, if necessary, through any obstacles, on making a reconnoissance with a squad of five men, it was ascertained the main force of the Home Guards had retired. A small body, however, had remained, and made show of resistance, until put to flight by a prompt charge on the part of Forrest and his petty detachment.

Taking the route by Bowling Green and Russellville, Ky., and Clarksville, Tenn., the Confederate flag flying at the head of his little column all the while, Forrest reached Memphis, without incident or delay, about the 1st day of August, thus achieving an operation seemingly insignificant, but really, at this juncture, one of much delicacy and hazard, requiring for its success no small sagacity and resolution. For, until he had crossed the Tennessee river, a superior force of Home Guards was organized or mustering in every county through which he passed.

A fine company for his regiment had been raised and organized in Memphis in his absence, under Captain Charles May, which had been named the Forrest Rangers, and this and the Boone Rangers formed the nucleus around which, in the course of the next six or eight weeks, was formed a battalion of eight companies.

An election for field-officers, held in the second week of October, of course resulted in the choice of Forrest for the Lieutenant-Colonelcy, while Captain D. C. Kelly was made Major.

The day following the final organization by this election of field-officers, one squadron was put in motion, under Major Kelly, for Fort Donelson, (Dover,) Middle Tennessee. In a day or two the remainder followed, and the whole battalion was assembled at that point during the last week in October. The immediate commandant there at the time was Colonel A. Heiman, Tenth Regiment Tennessee Volunteers, and the garrison, a small command of infantry, did not exceed four hundred men, who were engaged throwing up fortifications. Going into camp, some four or five days were employed in drilling and other camp duties. But a Federal gunboat, the Conestoga, having made its appearance in the Cumberland as high as Tobacco Port, Colonel Heiman ordered Colonel Forrest to proceed with his battalion in that direction to watch this movement. Under these orders, having proceeded as far as Canton, Ky., an order was received from Brigadier-General Lloyd Tilghman, commanding the defenses of the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers, to bring the command to his headquarters, at Hopkinsville. At that place orders were again given, about the middle of November, to proceed to the Ohio river, and report any movement of a hostile character observed between the Cumberland and Green rivers. Proceeding on this errand as far as Princeton, Ky., there the main body of the battalion halted, while Major Kelly was detached with a squadron, with orders to repair to the banks of the Ohio and intercept a steam transport which was to pass on the following day. Soon after the Major had reached the river and disposed his men for the execution of his orders, the expected steamer made its appearance, and was speedily brought to without resistance. It proved to be freighted with sugar, coffee, and considerable quantities of other army stores, including blankets, all most desirable supplies for the Confederates. Meanwhile, the Federal gunboat Conestoga having gone up the Cumberland river with the object of seizing some clothing in store for the Confederates at Canton, a gentleman of Smithland, made aware of it, hastened, on horseback, from that place to Princeton, to give Forrest the information, riding the distance of eighty-four miles in twelve hours with one change of horses. Major Kelly having returned, Forrest immediately set out with the whole battalion for Canton, which place, thirty-two miles distant, was reached early the next morning, after a fatiguing night-march of eight hours. Scarcely were the Confederates at the village and disposed for the then novel operation of an attack by cavalry on a gunboat, when the Conestoga came in sight. A small four-pounder piece of artillery, under Lieutenant Sullivan, which had been brought along from Princeton, was placed in position, and so masked as to be hidden from view from the approaching vessel. The greater part of the men likewise were concealed, while a few were displayed with the hope that, a party of marines might thus be inveigled ashore and entrapped. The Conestoga, however, coming to anchor at the Canton Landing, remained there half an hour without landing any one; then she dropped back some few hundred yards, anchored again, and prepared for action. Scarcely were her ports unclosed than the four-pounder was opened upon her, and the few men in sight delivered a rapid fire with their Maynard rifles through her wide-open ports. Firing two rounds, Lieutenant Sullivan, of course, was obliged to withdraw: but, meanwhile, the whole battalion joined in a rapid fire, returned from the Conestoga by all the guns she could bring to bear upon the shore, which was swept with grape and canister from her heavy battery. Forrest’s men, taking advantage of every possible shelter, directed their fire at her ports, and the people of the country report the Federal losses in killed and wounded were some seventeen. After six or seven hours of this combat, the commander of the Conestoga closed her ports and made off, leaving his opponent in possession of the field.

This affair, as may be readily supposed, was the source of no small elation in this command of untried soldiers, especially since it was a decided triumph over a species of adversary that hitherto had been regarded with actual terror by the raw troops of the Confederate service, on account of the large calibres of their armament and their comparative invulnerability. The effect upon the spirit of the men was most salutary, giving them that confidence in themselves and their commander which, doubtless, was sensibly felt on many subsequent occasions.

Immediately after the departure of the Conestoga, Forrest set out, by way of Cadiz, to return to Hopkinsville, which, by making a night march, he reached on the 21st of November, and remained there to the end of the month, Brigadier-General Charles Clark being in command of the whole force assembled in the vicinage. It was here his command was increased to ten companies by the accession of Captain Charles McDonald’s company, The McDonald Dragoons and Captain D. C. Davis’s company of cavalry, from Huntsville, Alabama.

About the 1st of December, weary of the routine of camp service, and of short tours of scouting duty through the surrounding country, Colonel Forrest applied to General Clark for authority to make a reconnoissance, in force, to the immediate presence of the enemy at or near Calhoun, on the north bank of Green river, where General T. L. Crittenden was reported to have assembled a force of some 10,000 infantry and 1,200 cavalry. This having been granted, he straightway took the field, with about 450 rank and file, and scoured the region between Green river and the Cumberland, approaching close to Henderson, but first reaching the bank of the Ohio at Cayceville. Twelve days were occupied with this expedition; twelve days of rigorous December weather, in the course of which these raw troops, wholly unaccustomed to such exposure, and many of them affected by the measles, suffered greatly. However, their commander bivouacked with them, shared their hardships; and the substantial advantage of the expedition was, that it served to temper and harden the young men who mainly constituted the force, served to develop their martial qualities, and to accustom their chief to military command and the handling of men in campaign.

Without noteworthy events, there were, nevertheless, several incidents connected with this march which, though not of military moment, must be related as characteristic of the men engaged and of the time.

Near Marion, in Crittenden county, Ky., just before Forrest’s appearance there, a man, at the instance of a Union neighbor, had been arrested, and carried off from his family. The wife reporting these facts to the Confederate officer, it was determined to capture the informer, which he proceeded to do in person, with a small detachment. Unhappily, this attempt cost the life of Dr. Van Wick, surgeon of the regiment, who, riding abreast with Colonel Forrest as they approached the house, was shot through the heart by the object of their quest, who then made good his escape rearward, and eluded all pursuit. Dr. Van Wick was the first man of the regiment slain. ‘He was, says one of his comrades, a gentleman of the highest education and refinement; his heart warm with the loftiest patriotism and purest friendship; a skillful surgeon and an humble Christian.

A few days previously a Federal detachment had crossed the Ohio, from Illinois, and abducted some Kentuckians charged with sympathy for the Confederate cause. One of Forrest’s detachments sent in pursuit of the murderer of Dr. Van Wick happened to meet ten Baptist clergymen, who had just returned from Illinois, whither they had been to attend one of the yearly Associations of their church. Well known for their stringent Unionism they were brought to the Confederate commander, who at once determined to use them as the means for the recovery of the gentlemen, then prisoners, northward of the river. Accordingly, placing eight of the number under guard as hostages, he set two at liberty on condition that they should follow the Illinois kidnappers, effect the release of the Kentuckians, and return with them in twenty-four hours, remarking, with an emphasis of tone and language which carried assurance of seriousness, that, unless it were done, he would hang the remainder all on one pole. At the appointed time they reappeared at Marion, entirely successful in their mission; and they and their associates were then dismissed, to return to their respective homes.

It was about the 20th of December, when Forrest and his battalion returned to their station at Hopkinsville, which, it should here be noted, was an outpost of the main Confederate force at Bowling Green, holding in observation the approaches from the mouth of the Cumberland and from Green river, and being at the junction of the railroad from the Ohio, at Henderson, with one to Nashville. The men of the command were set to work to arrange their camp for winter, and had been several days engaged building huts, when rumored movements of the Federals, looking to an advance upon the Confederate lines into Kentucky, led to orders from General Johnston for a cavalry reconnoissance for the definite ascertainment of the military situation. This duty was assigned to Lieutenant-Colonel Forrest and his battalion. On the 26th of December, therefore, taking 300 of his most effective men, he was again in movement in the direction of Green river, by way of Greenville, Muhlenburg county, the quarter of apprehended hostile approach. The roads, deep with mud and rough with ice, were excessively severe on the animals; and it was the 28th when the several detachments, moving and observing on different roads, assembled at Greenville. Having learned nothing definite of the enemy in that direction, Forrest concluded to reconnoitre on the road toward and also in close proximity to Rumsey, directly opposite to Calhoun, where it was understood General Crittenden was still in force. Moving on that road, with proper military precaution, but at a good pace, some eight miles beyond Greenville, on the morning of the 28th, it was there reported that a detachment of Federal cavalry, some four or five hundred strong, had crossed from Calhoun that morning to the southern side of the river at Rumsey. This news, quickly communicated among the men, exhilarated them perceptibly, notwithstanding the fatigues of their long march; and with one impulse the whole command moved ahead, at an accelerated gait, which was soon increased to a gallop under the inspiration of the kind greetings and hearty cheers of many of the women of the country, from their houses by the roadside. Pushing on, in this spirit, several miles, before reaching the small village of Sacramento, the column was met by a beautiful girl, riding rapidly, her features glowing with excitement, her fallen tresses swayed by the air, who reported that, returning from the village ahead, she had been obliged to pass through the Federal column, which was but a very short distance in front. The road, as before said, was very rough and heavy, a gentle rain having been falling for the twenty-four hours preceding; but the Confederates dashed onward so rapidly that in a little while the rear-guard of the Federal force was overtaken by the Confederate advance, one mile from Sacramento. Apparently in doubt as to the character of the latter, the former had halted for some moments. This doubt, however, was speedily solved, as Colonel Forrest, taking a Maynard rifle from the hands of one of his men, fired at their ranks as a sort of gauge or challenge to battle. At this, they retired hurriedly upon their main force, which, ascending through a lane to a wooded ridge close by, drew up in line just along its brow, at right angles ‘to the road, evidently ready to contest the further advance of the Confederates. Their position was highly advantageous and sheltered; but, as soon as Forrest had assembled a sufficient force — about 150 men — to satisfy him, he, too, pushed onward through the lane. The enemy opened a sharp fire, but the Confederates moved up steadily, only returning the fire when within less than seventy-five yards of their adversary, who, giving some indication of a disposition to retire, Colonel Forrest ordered his men to fall back, with the hope of drawing the Federals after him. In this he was successful, for they quickly advanced, as if aiming to turn his left flank. Just then the remainder of the Confederates reached the scene; dismounting a portion of his men, armed with Sharp’s carbines and Sharp’s and Maynard’s rifles, Forrest also directed flank diversions, under Major Kelly and Lieutenant-Colonel Starnes, on their right and left respectively, while he, with the mounted men, bore down directly upon the centre. This was done with an animating shout, and all possible spirit and resolution, but in face of a sharp fire, under which the brave Captain Merriwether, the Confederate guide of the expedition, fell, shot with two balls through the head, by the side of the commander. Seeing the movement upon their flanks, despite the zealous efforts of a few gallant officers, the Federals could not be made to stand the brunt of the Confederate charge, but broke in the utmost disorder at such speed through Sacramento that, though hotly pursued by Forrest and his mounted detachment for some time, only occasional discharges could be delivered from his shot-guns. But gaining upon them, Forrest and a number of his best mounted men at last were in the thick of a stream of panic-struck fugitives, many of whom, having thrown away their arms and accoutrements, depended solely upon the speed of their horses for further safety, deaf, in their dismay, to all demands for their surrender. On sped the Federals, and on followed their Confederate adversaries, with the rage of a first battle fierce upon them. And the road was soon, and for several miles, thickly dotted with the wounded and slain — a number of whom had been cut down by the sabres of the untrained but heavy-handed Confederates who followed Forrest that winter afternoon. For three miles beyond Sacramento this bloody pursuit was continued — its course, howbeit, marked by a hand-to-hand conflict between the Confederate leader and two Federal officers and a private, whom he overtook and engaged, his excited horse having carried him somewhat in advance of any of his men. Shooting the trooper, whose ball had passed through his collar, Forrest was assaulted simultaneously by the two officers with their sabres; but, eluding the full force of their thrusts by bending his body suddenly forward, their sword-points only touched his shoulder. Carried a few paces ahead by the impetus of his horse, checking and drawing which aside in time to shoot one of his opponents as he came up, he thrust his sabre-point into the other, who, by this time, was in his front. Ordering his wounded opponents to surrender, they still made show of battle, obliging him to run his sabre through one, (Captain Bacon,) and disable the other (Captain Davis) by a heavy blow on the sword-arm. Both these officers, now gravely wounded, fell from their horses, which, riderless, coming in sharp collision at full speed, knocked each other over at the bottom of a short, abrupt hillock, where, a moment after, Forrest, eagerly resuming the head of the pursuit, also came in contact with them, and horse and rider were thrown prone to the earth, he falling headlong some twenty feet in advance of the heap of horses that had wrought his downfall. Some of the enemy who chanced to be still behind, now dashing on, in their reckless flight, likewise encountering the fallen horses, too much exhausted to rise, were also overthrown in quick succession, and added to the floundering mass of fallen horses and men, and the latter were taken prisoners. The main force of the fleeing Federals being out of sight, and their camp and other troops not being more than three or four miles distant, further pursuit was abandoned.

Colonel Starnes likewise was greatly distinguished in this affair for his personal courage; and another individual combat deserves notice as showing the spirit which animated these raw Southern soldiers in their first battle, fresh from their civil avocations, and untrained in the imminent deadly perils of war. Private W. H. Terry, of Lieutenant-Colonel Starnes’s detachment, riding with his commanding officer, after conspicuous gallantry, while engaged single-handed with a Federal trooper whom he was hammering with his exhausted rifle, was run through the heart by Captain Davis; and thus fell one of the most daring members of the command.

Nor must we omit another incident of this field, personal to Colonel Forrest. Among those whom he had felled to the earth in the pursuit, there happened to be a man from Greenville, who, being found afterward severely though not dangerously wounded, was carefully carried back with the Confederate’ command, and delivered to his wife on his parole.

The fighting and pursuit being at an end, the Confederate commander set his men about collecting the wounded, including Captains Bacon and Davis, who were removed as soon as possible to the nearest farm-houses, and turned over to be nursed by the inhabitants; to whom, also, was assigned the duty of giving proper burial to the dead, which was faithfully done. The Federal loss in this encounter was comparatively very severe. Sixty-five were found dead on the ground, including two captains and three subalterns; also seventeen wounded, some mortally; and some eighteen were captured. A number of wounded must have made their escape.

The affair gave great satisfaction to the Confederates engaged, and had an admirable effect upon the morale as well as the physical training of the command.

Returning leisurely to Hopkinsville, and reporting his operations, Forrest and his men resumed their position in camp, with its routine duties, for several weeks, or until about the 10th of January, 1862, when General Clark again threw him forward on the road toward Calhoun via Greenville, to observe in that quarter the movements of the enemy, supposed to be concentrating for an early advance upon Bowling Green. Assured by the recollections of the combat at Sacramento, the Confederate cavalry commander led his now confident men very close to the Federal forces on Green river, and carefully reconnoitered their position, thus ascertaining that, not less than ten thousand strong, they were evidently on the point of an early forward movement. Reporting these facts to his superior at Hopkinsville, by a dispatch he was ordered to return, burning the bridges on Pond river, a tributary of Green river; and this was duly executed.

The several weeks ensuing were unmarked by adventure, though detachments from the command were actively employed, from time to time, scouring the country in advance of that outpost; and its commander improved the time in giving attention to its interior administration and organization, in which he was exacting of all subordinates, especially of his staff officers, from whom he required a ceaseless attention to the wants of both men and horses.

Under orders from headquarters, in view of threatening Federal movements, both from the direction of Cairo, up the Tennessee river, and from Louisville, General Clark evacuated Hopkinsville, on or about the 7th of February; and in this movement the cavalry under Lieutenant-Colonel Forrest covered the rear as far as Clarksville, where he was detached, and ordered to report with his own force to Brigadier-General Pillow, from whom he received orders to repair at once to Fort Donelson, on the west bank of the Cumberland river, and for the attack of which a large Federal force was then assembling. Reaching the vicinity on Sunday, the 9th of February, the regiment was not ferried across the river, however, to the fort side until the next day. As the senior cavalry officer, he was immediately assigned to the command of all the cavalry present; that is, his own ten companies, Lieutenant-Colonel Gantt’s battalion of Tennesseeans, and Captains Huey’s, Wilcox’s, and Williams’s Kentucky companies — in all not more than eight hundred troopers.

A camp was then selected rearward of the intrenched lines; forage was drawn and the horses were feeding when orders came from General Pillow to move out at once upon and observe the road toward Fort Henry, only ten or twelve miles distant on the Tennessee river, and which, having fallen into the hands of the Federals on the 6th, had now evidently become the base of formidable impending operations hostile to Fort Donelson. Scarcely had Forrest advanced three miles, pursuant to his orders, when he encountered suddenly a squadron of Federal cavalry, evidently the escort of staff officers making a reconnoissance. This detachment, dismounted as the Confederates appeared, quickly springing to their horses, made off precipitately to the rear, eagerly pursued by Forrest to the immediate vicinity of Fort Henry, with a running discharge of fire-arms all the way, resulting in the loss to the Federals of several killed and wounded, a prisoner, some twenty stand of arms, and a lot of overcoats and cavalry equipments. In examining the intermediate country, another detachment of Federal cavalry was observed, and an ambush laid to entrap it; but the men as yet had not been reduced to that subordination essential for the nicer stratagems of the field, and a premature discharge of fire-arms from some over-eager men upon the advance warned the enemy in time to withdraw by rapid flight. From all the movements within the Federal encampments, Colonel Forrest was satisfied that General Grant was on the eve of moving against Fort Donelson with all his army; and this was reported to his superior.

CHAPTER II

THE operations embracing the attack upon and surrender of Fort Donelson, in February, 1862, are so closely connected with the military career of General Forrest that we are obliged not only to relate the part which he and his immediate command bore in that ill-fated affair, but must adventure upon a detailed sketch of the investment, the attack, and the defense of the position, together with such observations, from a military point of sight, as have seemed fit and proper in regard to one of the most important events of the war.

The position immediately occupied by the Confederate troops rested on the Cumberland river on the north. Westwardly, it was limited by a deep ravine, with precipitate sides, through which meandered a considerable creek, swollen at the time by backwater from the river. A valley and backwater slough separated it on the east from the county-town of Dover; and a line of rifle-pits, with positions for field-guns, formed its exterior southward boundary, along the crest of the ridge, about twelve hundred yards distant from the river’s edge. A field-work of an irregular bastioned trace, fronting southward, surmounted a plateau which rose about one hundred feet above the level of the water, in which direction it commanded and protected, at close musket-range, the water-batteries that were established so as to sweep the river approach, which, by an abrupt turn in the course of the stream at that point, is almost due north. Unfortunately for the Confederates, this work was commanded by a chain of ridges southward, and by an eminence between it and Dover, where the Confederate hospitals and depots were situated. It was necessary, therefore, to enlarge the intrenched area considerably, so as to encompass and hold those otherwise menacing positions. This led to the construction of a new series of intrenchments, fully three miles in scope, along the irregular ridges indicated, and including a space divided into two parts by the valley and backwater westward of Dover, the communications between which were so difficult as to add materially to the perplexities of the defense.

The ground in front or southward, and environing these lines, is a rugged, undulating upland, densely wooded, covered with undergrowth, and broken into ridges by deep, narrow ravines, with a general direction perpendicular to the river. Unfavorable for the free movement and maneuver of troops, especially artillery and cavalry, it afforded, however, excellent cover for sharp-shooters, and strong positions for field-batteries, once established there. The declivity, directly southward of the field-work, was thickly spread with abatis, which, being now inclosed within the new line of infantry epaulements, were not only useless, but an absolute hinderance to the operations of the Confederates within their exterior intrenchments.

At the time Fort Henry fell, not more than one third of these outer works had been thrown up. An experienced military engineer, Major J. F. Gilmer, was at hand, however, to lay them out and superintend their erection. Meanwhile, on the 7th, Brigadier-General Bushrod R. Johnson, also an officer of military education and experience, had likewise reached and assumed command of the place. And, on the 9th, Brigadier-General Pillow, coming upon the scene, brought to bear upon the works under construction the natural energy of his character. Much delay, however, was inevitable, in consequence of the scanty supply of tools. Nevertheless, by the night of the 12th the water-batteries had been greatly strengthened; and the infantry cover placed in a fair defensive condition, though somewhat vulnerable in the valley and ravines. The heavy guns available had also been mounted in the water-batteries, giving an armament of one ten-inch Columbiad, (128-pounder,) one rifled 32-pounder, (64-pound bolt,) eight 32-pounders, and three 32-pound carronades.

In the interim reinforcements had been gathered thither from different quarters. Brigadier-General Buckner, regarded as one of the most accomplished officers of either service, came with one division of these new troops, and was assigned to the command of the right wing or flank of the defenses, while Johnson was placed in charge of the left. And, finally, at daylight, on the 13th, General Floyd arrived with two small additional brigades, making the total Confederate force of all arms assembled somewhat over fourteen thousand men.

Two divisions of the Federal army, on the 12th, had been thrown forward, by two roads, from Fort Henry toward Fort Donelson. These were McClernand’s, of eleven regiments of infantry, and one or two regiments of cavalry, and at least four field-batteries; and C. F. Smith’s, also of eleven regiments of infantry, including Birge’s sharp-shooters, and four or five field-batteries — in all about fifteen thousand men. At the same time six regiments were dispatched by water, while seven more, known to be en route, were ordered to proceed at once from Paducah, on their transports, to the scene of operations on the Cumberland. These thirteen regiments constituted a third division, nearly ten thousand strong, under command of General Lew Wallace.

The weather being mild for the season and highly favorable, the land column reached the vicinity of the theatre of war early in the afternoon of the day of its departure from Fort Henry. Meanwhile, Forrest, who had been sent forward with his whole cavalry in observation, encountered the Federal advance-guard about two miles from the Confederate intrenchments. Promptly dismounting his men, he formed a line of battle along the crest of a ridge obliquely across the road, to command which specially he placed May’s and Hambrick’s companies of his own regiment, armed with Maynard rifles. In front of his centre was a narrow vale of cleared land, through which the enemy must advance; and, accordingly, as this was attempted, he opened with a lively fusilade, which led to an immediate halt, and soon a retrograde movement to a neighboring ridge, along which a little later a detour and advance by another road were attempted, with an evident purpose to turn his left. Observing this, his force was quickly redisposed to confront and check that movement, while May’s and Hambrick’s companies, remounting, made a gallant charge down the road upon some Federal cavalry, driving them back upon the infantry. And soon after, Major Kelly, with three squadrons, making a vigorous advance from the centre, resolutely engaged a large infantry force in that quarter. For several hours was this maintained, with the effect of keeping the whole Federal column in hesitation and check, until about three o’clock p.m., when General Buckner, in command during the temporary absence of General Pillow, directed Colonel Forrest to return behind the intrenchments. The Federal column was then pushed forward without further resistance, and, deploying along the ridges, in proximity to the Confederate lines, their sharp-shooters, about dusk, drove in a working party engaged in planting abatis in front of Johnson’s line, in the quarter of the Wynn’s Ferry road, killing one, wounding one, and capturing another of his men outside of the trenches. And by the morning of the 13th they had completely invested the position, McClernand’s Division occupying the extreme right — Confederate left — and C. F. Smith’s holding the left — Confederate right. Batteries had also been established, without opposition, in the night upon salient eminences along the Federal lines, at points highly favorable for annoying the Confederates, and a regiment of sharp-shooters, a picked corps, had taken up an advanced position, from which it began early, from easy range and well sheltered, to give excessive disturbance to the Confederates at work on their intrenchments. But General Pillow, calling on Colonel Forrest for May’s and Hambrick’s companies, with their rifles, these were led to the trenches, accompanied by their Colonel, and matched with the Federal riflemen in an animated, effective skirmish for about an hour, in which the latter suffered so sharply as to compel them to withdraw from the conflict for several hours.

In the mean time the Confederates had not rested inactive, but labored in the trenches throughout the night of the 12th with very much their whole force, General Bushrod Johnson and Colonel Forrest, as an example and stimulant, sharing in the work with their men. Every possible disposition was made for the most efficient defense. Buckner, as before said, commanding on the right, had under him the Second Kentucky, (Hanson,) Fourteenth Mississippi, (Major Doss,) and Third, (Brown,) Eighteenth, (Palmer,) Thirty-second, (Cook,) and Forty-first (Farquharson) Tennessee regiments, some 3588 men, and Porters and Graves’s batteries, each of six pieces. Heiman, on the right of Johnson’s wing, held the salient and nearly central position of the Confederate line — a hill separated by broad ravines on the right from Buckner, and on the left from Drake’s Brigade of Johnson’s command — with a brigade formed of the Tenth, Thirtieth, Forty-eighth, and Fifty-third Tennessee and Twenty-seventh Alabama, with Maney’s Battery; and on his left were posted, in succession, the Fourth Mississippi, Fifteenth Arkansas, a small battalion of Alabama troops, another of Tennessee infantry, the Fifty-first Virginia, Third Mississippi, Eighth Kentucky Regiment, Seventh Texas, Fifty-sixth Virginia, and First and Twenty-sixth Mississippi regiments; with the Forty-second and Twenty-sixth Tennessee, Twentieth Mississippi, and Thirty-sixth and Fiftieth Virginia regiments held in reserve at different points in rear of the lines, with French’s, Green’s, and Grey’s batteries, disposed at suitable intervals. At the same time, two regiments, the Forty-ninth and Fiftieth Tennessee, formed the garrison of the field-work near the river.

Between eleven o’clock a.m. and twelve a.m. on the 13th, during a warm artillery practice from many of the Federal batteries along their whole line, a dashing assault on the salient of Heiman’s position, occupied by the right wing companies of the Fifty-third Tennessee, was made by four regiments of McClernand’s Division. The left of the attacking force advanced along a ridge obstructed by abatis, but the right made the assault handsomely up the hill. Repulsed in their first effort, the Federals were rallied and brought forward with great nerve to the charge, but to be again driven back with much loss. Federal officers on horseback urged their men up to within fifty yards of the breastworks, while a number of the Confederates, mounting the parapets, would take deliberate aim, fire, and jump down, reload, and again deliver their fire in the same manner. The brunt of this attack was borne by the left of the Tenth Tennessee, Lieutenant-Colonel McGavock, the Fifty-third Tennessee, Lieutenant-Colonel Winston, and the right of the Forty-eighth Tennessee, (Voorhies,) and Captain Maney’s Battery; and during the second assault, the Forty-second Tennessee, Colonel Quarles, shared in the perils, the losses, and the glory of the repulse. An important and distinguished part is justly to be ascribed to Maney and his men, who handled their pieces, greatly exposed, with equal skill and courage, losing Lieutenants Burns and Massey, slain, and so many of their number were either killed or disabled that only enough were left to man one section of the battery after the action. Graves’s Battery, on the left of Buckner’s position, also brought to bear very effectively upon the Federal storming party, contributed to the general result. While this attack was going on in the centre, another was attempted, with more spirit than judgment, by a demi-brigade of Smith’s Division on the Federal left, but it was easily repelled, with some casualties to the assailants. Meanwhile, too, the only gunboat — an iron-clad, the Carondelet — that had yet arrived, steaming up within range, had opened a fierce cannonade upon the water-batteries, throwing about one hundred and fifty shot and shells. She then drew off, discomfited and damaged by a one hundred and twenty-eight pound bolt in her engine-room.

The weather, for several days unusually mild and pleasant for the season, in the afternoon of the 13th changed suddenly and radically. It began to snow, which later turned into a sleet, and, during the night, a keen north wind made the cold so excessive that both sides suffered acutely, especially the Confederates, who continued to strengthen their incomplete intrenchments without intermission.

That night the Federal reinforcements, en route by water, reached the landing near their left flank, and, disembarking, were put in motion by midday on the 14th, to take position on the line of investment between Smith’s and McClernand’s divisions, which was accomplished by nightfall.

In the mean time, however, about three p.m., the Federal fleet which had convoyed these reinforcements to their place of debarkation made a prolonged and truly formidable attack upon the water-batteries, testing their defensive value to the utmost. Two wooden and four iron-clad gunboats were engaged, and these last, at one phase of the action, were brought up within three hundred yards, or, as it were, into the very teeth of their antagonist batteries. The cannonade was appalling, yet the conflict was bravely maintained on both sides. The Confederates, wholly unpracticed as artillerists, and more exposed than their adversaries, fought with ordnance very much inferior in weight of metal, with two exceptions, as in all other respects, to those employed against them, a battery of twelve of the heaviest guns at a broadside. For thirty minutes the battle raged at these close quarters, when the iron-clads succumbed, and one by one dropped out of action, badly crippled and worsted in the encounter, with a heavy loss in killed and wounded.

At this juncture, as the flag-ship, the St. Louis, disabled by a crushing shot in her wheel, began to drift back before the current, a feeling of intense anxiety filled the hearts of the Confederate officers and men, and the apprehension was fast forcing its way into and chilling their souls that the new-fashioned armor of their redoubtable foes had indeed been made impenetrable. Their heavy projectiles, hurtling through the air, tore up the parapets of the water-batteries in great, gaping fissures, almost burying the guns beneath the mass of earth dislodged. For thirty perilous minutes it seemed inevitable that the Confederate batteries must prove altogether overmatched by adversaries fighting from behind an impregnable shelter; and, as a consequence, the garrison, taken unavoidably in reverse, in a short while would be exposed to an insupportable fire from the rear. And already numerous shells, thrown with ease from the wooden gunboats at long range in all directions, were falling and exploding with a continuous din in the valleys and on the ridges occupied by the Confederates, though so far without harm to men or animals. Nevertheless, the Confederate artillerists, standing to their guns, worked them with astonishing intrepidity and skill under the circumstances, coolly throwing back the unsettled earth with their shovels as fast as it incommoded the service of their pieces. Such, too, was the interest of the garrison in this conflict that all whose duties did not call them to posts in the trenches were eagerly watching its progress, heedless of exposure to themselves. Among these was Colonel Forrest himself. Taking a position near to the principal battery, with profound solicitude he observed the spectacle so novel at the time in its character to him, and was the first to dispatch tidings of the happy issue to General Floyd. Grown deeply fearful previously of disaster, the reaction wrought by the triumph of the batteries was broad-spread, and many who had witnessed the scene, sinking spontaneously to their knees, gave utterance to devout thanks to their Heavenly Father for the result. The heartiest cheers and shouts from the great body of the men resounded from one end of the line to the other as fast as the good news spread. The effect on the morale of officers and men was electrical, and all were inspired with the highest hopes of ultimate success.

Before this occurrence, on that morning, a council of general officers had met. In view of large Federal reinforcements for the reduction of the position, it had been determined to make a sally that afternoon upon the Federal right flank with the Confederate left wing, under General Pillow, and attempt to reopen communications with Nashville and an outlet for retreat, while to General Buckner was assigned the duty of covering that retreat with his division when attempted. Accordingly, the troops of Johnson’s Division and Forrest’s Cavalry had been disposed for such an operation, and were held for some time in expectation of orders to begin it. But instead, General Pillow, becoming indisposed to essay the movement that afternoon, procured a countermand of the order from General Floyd, and the several regiments were remanded to their respective positions.

Friday night, soon after dark, another council of war was called. Generals Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner were present, and apparently all the brigade and regimental commanders. All now saw that, completely invested and cut off from reinforcements, the Confederates must either break through the well-set toils of the enemy or resign themselves to the fate of ultimate surrender, as the Federals could be reenforced at pleasure from abounding resources. It was, therefore, unanimously decided to make, at the first streak of daylight on the following morning, a resolute, in sooth desperate, sortie upon the enemy’s right wing, McClernand’s Division, with the purpose of sweeping it aside and back behind the Wynn’s Ferry road upon the other wing, so that the road to Nashville by way of Charlotte should be left open.

Pillow was to lead in the inauguration of this operation, with General B. R. Johnson as his second in command, and was to move out of the trenches with the whole force on the Confederate left flank, (including the cavalry,) except Heiman’s Brigade and the garrison of the field-work, in all some seven regiments. Heiman’s regiments were to be retained in their position, except the Thirtieth Tennessee, Colonel Head; that was to repair to and occupy the trenches belonging to Buckner, who was then to proceed to the Confederate left, and likewise advance thence, in aid of Pillow, upon the enemy along and leftward of the Wynn’s Ferry road. And this plan of operations seems to have been fully understood by all the subordinates who were to execute it. Colonel Forrest having already made himself well acquainted with the surrounding country, important parts in the drama were assigned to him and his command.

After another bitterly cold night, by which the men were greatly harassed, at four o’clock Saturday morning, 15th, the hour appointed for the formation of Pillow’s attacking column, Forrest had promptly taken his designated position on the extreme Confederate left, south-eastward of Dover. Detaching Overton’s Company to reconnoitre, the enemy were found, already formed in battle order, not more than five hundred yards distant. And, meanwhile, their sharp-shooters or skirmishers, early as it was, had opened a brisk fire along the whole front.

The column assigned to this urgent, paramount work was composed of Forrest’s Cavalry, not exceeding eight hundred troopers, Baldwin’s, McCausland’s, Wharton’s, Simonton’s, and Drake’s brigades of infantry, fourteen regiments, and two small battalions, with an effective total of not more than six thousand five hundred rifles and muskets.

Some delay ensued in forming the column in consequence of the omission of a brigade commander to communicate the proper orders. Nevertheless, all were in their assigned positions by five a.m., when the operation began, Baldwin’s Brigade leading the infantry, and Forrest, somewhat yet in advance, covering the left flank, with a view at the same time to a movement around the extreme Federal right. As reported by Overton, the enemy were found ready for the onset. The rugged character of the ground and abundance of tangled brushwood made the advance tardy, and greatly hindered the deployment of the Confederate regiments as they reached the scene. Especially difficult was it for the cavalry to act with celerity and cohesion, so dense being the undergrowth that the horses could scarcely be made to push their way through.

Baldwin began the action, encountering Oglesby’s Brigade of McClernand’s Division. McCausland’s Brigade, coming up on the left, was followed quickly by Simonton, whose regiments were pushed into action, however, between Baldwin and Wharton. The enemy fighting stoutly, the rattle of musketry soon was swollen into a deafening uproar. The Federals gave way, but, quickly reenforced by W. H. L. Wallace’s Brigade, increased to six regiments of infantry, a resolute, prolonged resistance was made. The enemy being now in a favorable position, over seven thousand, strong and well supported by an ample artillery, the combat grew fierce and obstinate. Drake’s Confederate Brigade had also become engaged. Both sides unquestionably displayed excellent martial qualities and spirit. The Confederates, though on their first field, pressed forward with the deliberate vigor of veterans, and the Federals met the shock of their onslaught with uncommon steadiness. And so splendid, in fact, was the courage of the assailants, that a Federal chronicler and an eye-witness observes: It was only by a bravery that equaled that of the Confederates that they were withstood. The enemy, howbeit, had to yield the ground, and fall back from ridge to ridge toward their left flank, nearly parallel with the exterior Confederate intrenchments.

While the infantry were thus effectively engaged, Forrest had been moving steadily around the enemy’s right until he found he had turned it. Thereupon, changing direction, he swept down upon the Federal flank and rear, just as the combat had become general with the whole of McClernand’s Division.

This, at the moment, was a most opportune auxiliary to a charge made by the Confederate infantry. It assisted notably to break the stubborn stand made by the enemy, and forced them again to recede still more to the left or northward. Following up eagerly, he continued the pressure upon the Federal right and rear over some very rough ground and through thickets, until an open field was reached, across which could be seen their flank greatly exposed, as they were falling back in much disorder. Attempting to charge across this field, it proved marshy and impracticable for cavalry. Meanwhile, the enemy had rallied somewhat, and formed a line at the edge of a second field to the front and right, with a flanking relation to the left of the Confederate infantry. Unable to get at their flank, as before said, because of the boggy character of the intermediate ground, Forrest so maneuvered in their front and to their right as apparently to disquiet them, while the infantry made a gallant advance; and again they gave back, leaving the ground, as previously, thickly strewn with their dead and wounded. There was now, after much steadfast fighting on their side, a good deal of disorder in the Federal ranks, and strong indications of an impending panic, such as so often seizes and in a moment destroys brave armies. Believing that such a crisis was at hand if energetically pressed, Forrest, at the moment in the presence of a superior, General Johnson, requested permission to make a charge upon the disordered masses of the enemy in sight, many of whom, indeed, had halted and hoisted white flags, while other evidences of demoralization were numerous. But General Johnson, apprehensive of an ambush, regarding such an advance at the moment hazardous, withheld his assent, and the enemy retreated in haste out of sight. Shortly after this, moving somewhat westward, with orders from General Johnson to guard the left flank, Forrest came upon a battery just preparing to quit its position, after having several times repulsed the efforts of the infantry to seize it. A narrow ravine separated him from this battery, and fallen timber and thickets concealed its supports. Charging as he delivered a volley, the most of the artillerists who were not disabled fled and left the pieces, six in number, in his hands, as also many of the horses and a number of prisoners, while the ground was thickly spread with dead and wounded, the effects of his charge as also of previous attacks on the position by the infantry.

It was about this phase of the conflict that Wallace’s Division was brought up to support McClernand’s — that is, thirteen regiments, or about 8500 fresh rifles — thus opposing a Federal force of fully 15,500 men, only diminished by the casualties of the morning, to Pillow’s force afield, including Forrest, of about 6500 men, or less than one half of those attacked. For as yet Buckner’s Division had not advanced, as had been arranged in the plan of operations for the day, beyond the trenches; and Pillow’s men and Forrest’s alone had thus far been engaged, though they had been substantially supported by a fierce and admirably served cannonade from Graves’s, Porter’s, and Maney’s batteries, from three several positions within the intrenchments.

Cruft’s Brigade, of four regiments, was first thrown into the vortex of the battle. This was about ten a.m., and Oglesby’s Brigade, breaking through his ranks, caused some disorder; and Cruft’s too, like