Benjamin L. Bowen's :
The Exploits of Waul's Texas Legion Table of Contents.
Benjamin L Bowen's
e-history files
The exploits of Waul's Texas Legion
1864
Organization of troops in the District of Texas, New Mexiso, and Arizona, commanded by Major General John B. Magruder, for January, 1864.
WESTERN SUB-DISTRICT.
Brigadier General HAMILTON P. BEE.
EASTERN SUB-DISTRICT.
Brigadier General JAMES E. SLUGHTER.
NORTHERN SUB-DISTRICT.
Brigadier General HENRY E. McCULLOCH.
Camp near San Bernard.
2nd Texas Cavalry, Colonel Charles L. Pyron.
36th Texas Cavalry, Colonel P. C. Woods.
35th Texas, Cavalry, Colonel J. B. Likens.
Camp near Cedar Lake.
2nd Texas Infantry, Colonel Ashbel Smith.
1st Texas Cavalry, Colonel A. Buchel.
Brown's regiment, Colonel R. R. Brown.
Texas Battery, Captain Robert J. Hughes.
Texas Battery, Captain O. G. Jones.
Texas Battery, Captain William G. Moseley.
Galveston Island.
Colonel A. T. RAINEY.
8th Texas Infantry, Colonel A. M. Hobby.
20th Texas Infantry, Colonel H. M. Elmore.
1st Texas Heavy Artillery, Colonel Joseph J. Cook.
Texas Battery, Captain A. E. Dege.
Rocket (Texas) Battery, Captain John S. Greer.
Engineer Troops, Captain M. G. Howe.
Engineer Troops, Captain N. H. Smith.
Sabine Pass.
8th Texas Infantry, Companies C and K.
21st Battalion (Texas) Infantry, Colonel W. H. Griffin.
Spaight's battalion, Lieutenant Colonel A. W. Spaight.
Texas Battalion Cavalry, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Daly.
Texas Battery, Captain William H. Nichols.
Northwestern Frontier.
Border Battalion Cavalry, Lieutenant Colonel James Bourland.
Camp near mouth of Caney.
Debray's Texas Cavalry, Colonel X. B. Debray.
Gould's Texas Cavalry, Colonel N. C. Gould.
Terrell's Texas Cavalry, Colonel A. W. Terrell.
Texas Battery, Captain M. V. McMahan.
Camp near Perry's Landing.
Waul's Texas Legion, Lieutenant Colonel B. Timmons.
Velasco.
3rd Texas Infantry, Colonel P. N. Luckett.
13th Texas Infantry, Colonel Joseph Bates.
Texas Battery, Captain William E. Gibson.
Texas Battery, Captain H. Willke.
Virginia Point.
Brigadier General THOMAS GREEN.
4th Texas Cavalry, Colonel G. J. Hampton.
5th Texas Cavalry, Colonel Henry C. McNeill.
7th Texas Cavalry, Colonel Arthur P. Bagby.
Waller's Texas Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Waller, jr.
Valverde (Texas) Battery, Captain T. D. Nettles.
Virginia Point.
Brigadier General JAMES P. MAJOR.
2nd Texas Partisan Rangers, Colonel Isham Chisum.
3rd Regiment Arizona Brigade, Captain Reuben W. McKee.
Baylor's regiment cavalry, Colonel George Reuben W. McKee.
Lane's regiment cavalry, Colonel W. P. Lane.
Texas Battery, Captain Edmund Crezbaur.
Victoria.
33rd Texas Cavalry, Colonel James Duff.
Battalion Texas Cadets, Lieutenant Colonel Philip Fulcrod.
Texas Battery, Captain George R. Dashiell.
San Antonio.
Major A. G. DICKINSON.
Baird's regiment cavalry, Colonel Spruce M. Baird.
Unattached Texas cavalry company, Captain Alfred B. Menard.
Unattached Texas cavalry company, Captain C. B. Sutton.
Texas Battery, Captain H. H. Christmas.
MO., ARK., KANS., IND. T., AND DEPT. NW. XV. [CHAP. XXXIV.
from A consolidated Inspection report of the Trans-mississippi dept.FEBRUARY 16, 1864.
DISTRICT OF TEXAS, By J.P. Johnson Assistant Adjutant and inspector General.
Major- General Magruder Comrnanding.-He is energetic in the discharge of his duties, and possesses to a considerable degree the confidence of his army and the people; but there is a great want of system pervading his district, caused by the great number of orders he issues, and in some instances their clear violation of law; but when his attention was called to it, I have found him ready and anxious to correct all errors.
Adjutant General's Office.-In tolerable condition; his assistant adju-tant-generals are attentive officers to their duties.
Papers marked "0" will show the number of staff officers in district.Inspector- General's Office.-This duty has been greatly neglected, and I could not learn of any thorough inspection having been made by dis-trict inspector. Colonel McNeill has been placed upon the major-gen-eral's staff as inspector since I made my inspection. When I inspected the troops he was in command of a regiment, so I was informed,in Louisiana.
Division and Brigade Gornmandcrs.-The District of Texas has been divided into three sub-districts, Brigadier-General Slaughter command-ing in the Eastern Sub-District, he is a good officer, and, if his health continues good, will render valuable service.
Brigadier-General Bee,
commanding in the Western Sub-District, is an excellent man, but has seen but little service.
Brigadier-General McCulloch, in Northern Sub-District, has but few troops; is said to be a good officer. The troops
were just being newly organized into brigades, and would be commanded by senior colonels. I did not find a single brigade in the district commanded by a commissioned Brigadier-General.
Brigadier-General Waul arrived while I was in Texas, but was not in command of troops in the field whilst I was there. It is just to him to state that, having been along time absent from home, I was informed he had gone home on short leave.[Cornell university]
CONFIDENTIAL.] HEADQUARTERS FORREST'S CAVALRY,
Columbus, March 12, 1864.
Colonel R. McCULLOCH,
Commanding Division:
COLONEL: You will send the First Mississippi Partisans up the railroad as far as Corinth, with orders to breast the country from thence to Holly Springs, south of the memphis and Charleston Railroad, and from thence to Oxford. You will send also another battalion or regiments as far up as Yazoo, with orders to move west and south of the tallahatchie River to Oxford; you will also send another command from Starkville through Choctaw, Chickasaw, Yalobusha, Panola, and La Fayette Counties. You will order the officer in command of the above troops to breast the country, and arrest all men found absent without proper leave; also all men subject to conscription. They will also collect all squads and unattached companies of cavalry, and report with them to your headquarters. You will take your wagon train with you, also your dismounted men, to Oxford, also the wagons belonging to Colonel Duckworth and McDonald's battalion, leaving ten of your best wagons in charge of a competent wagon-master to be repaired and fitted up as an ordnance train. They will report to Major C. S. Severson, assistant quartermaster, at this place. You will leave a detail of 20 picked men to remain with and guard the ordnance wagons from this place to Oxford, directing your ordnance officer, so soon as the wagons are ready and loaded with the ammunition, say 40 rounds to the man, for your division, to move with them to Oxford. You will instruct your ordnance officer to make requisition for 40 rounds of ammunition for your division. Leave one squadron under a competent officer two days behind you, for the purpose of gathering all stragglers and men who may be left behind of your command. All the stragglers and conscripts that may arrested in Tippah, Tishomingo, Itawamba, and Pontotoc Counties you will send to this place; the others order taken to oxford. All absentees and deserters from other commands you will have forwarded to the provost-marshal at this place, to be sent to their respective commands.
Impress upon the officers commanding the regiments sent out to scour and breast the country to do the work thoroughly and catch, if possible, the men who are going through the country and impressing and stealing horses without authority. You will send out and scout thoroughly in the direction of Memphis. Should the enemy move after me you will follow in his rear, and communicate with me. Establish a courier-line form Waterford to Saulsbury, and one from Oxford to Pontotoc, to connect with a line established by General Gholson from Tupelo to pontotoc. You will re-open the telegraph office at waterford, so that dispatches can be sent you at Oxford; also to Panola via Grenada.
In the absence of any move of the enemy on me, use your discretion as to any operations in your front. You will order one commissioned officer from each regiment of General Richardson's brigade to report to my headquarters at Jackson, Tenn., or wherever they may be, with complete lists of all absentees from their respective regiments.
By order of Major-General Forrest:
J. P. STRANGE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS FORREST'S CAVALRY,
Numbers 33.
Columbus, March 13, 1864.
Colonel R. McCulloch, commanding division, will order one battalion to move to Bankston (10 miles south of Greensborough), and report to J. M. Wesson, president of manufacturing company, for the purpose of arresting some detailed men (as shoemakers) that have been disturbing the citizens and producing disorganization, and will send them to this place.
He will also order the distillery at springfield to be destroyed, and all others from that place to Bankston. On leaving Bankston you will order the officer commanding the battalion to proceed, in returning by way of Grenada, to destroy all distilleries and arrest all men found absent from their commands without proper authority.
By order of Major-General Forrest:
J. P. STRANGE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS,HDQRS. DEPT. OF ALA., MISS., AND E. LA.,
Numbers 77.
Demopolis, Ala., March 17, 1864.
* * * * * * *
IV. Brigadier General James R. Chalmers will resume command of his division and report to Major General N. B. Forrest, commanding, &c.
* * * * * * *
By command of Lieutenant-General Polk:
THOS. M. JACK,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
DEMOPOLIS, March 17, 1864.
Captain W. A. GOODMAN,
Oxford:
Have the pontoons at Panola and Abbeville constructed at once, and everything ready for immediate movement. If necessary, let McCulloch act promptly in my absence.
JAS. R. CHALMERS,
Brigadier-General.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY IN THE FIELD,
Wharton, Tex., March 13, 1864.
Brigadier General J. E. SLAUGHTER, Chief of Staff:
SIR: Your dispatch of March 12 are just received. I consider it necessary to leave Colonel Duff's command at its present location; the Second Texas, Waul's Legion, and Jones' battery at the mouth of Caney; Colonel Bates' regiment, with Gibson's battery, at Velasco and mouth of the Barnard, with Brown's regiment of cavalry for scouting duty on the coast. This leaves for the march to Louisiana the following commands: Buchel's, Debray's, Gould's, Pyron's, Woods' regiments of cavalry, Luckett's regiment of infantry, Moseley's, Hughes', and McMahan's batteries of artillery.
Should this disposition of the troops not be in conformity with your views I request that the necessary orders issue direct to such troops as you may wish to include in the march. All of the regiments named by me are on the march. Luckett's regiment, being ordered by way of Houston, will receive their orders more direct from your headquarters, although I have sent the necessary orders to him. So soon as the necessary arrangements may be made and the troops on the march I shall proceed to Livingston, Polk County.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. P. BEE,
Brigadier-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF TEXAS, &C., Numbers 118.
Houston, April 27, 1864.
I. Waul's Legion will proceed by train to-morrow, 28th instant, to Galveston, and report for duty to Brigadier-General Hawes.
II. Captain P. A. Work, with his command, will proceed without delay to camp San Jacinto, Montgomery County, and report to Colonel D. S. Terry for duty.
* * * * * *
By command of Major-General Magruder:
E. P. TURNER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
SHREVEPORT, May 5, 1864.
Brigadier General P. O. HEBERT,Commanding, &c., Houston:
Send Waul's Legion ( Timmons Regiment) to Alexandria via Niblett's Bluff, to report to General Taylor as rapidly as possible. Send Terry's or Bradford's regiment to relieve Colonel Spaight, and with Nichols' battery to drive off enemy from Calcasieu Pass. Spaight's battalion may be used for same purpose, if necessary, after which Spaight will proceed to Alexandria, escorting Nichols' battery. Depots of corn and provisions will have to be established at Lake Charles, and also in smaller quantities at intermediate points between Niblett's Bluff and Alexandria. Should Spaight and Nichols start to march from Lake Charles to Alexandria depots of corn will have to be established beforehand. General Hebert must be the judge.
By command of General Smith:
S. S. ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HOUSTON, TEX., May 5, 1864.
Colonel S. S. ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Shreveport:
Dispatch received. Arrangements already made to drive enemy from Calcasieu River. Colonel Griggin attacks in the morning. Enemy's force increased on the peninsula; much larger number of tents; force estimated now by officers there at 5,000 to 6,000. Whole available force between Sabine and Colorado does not much exceed 4,000. Sabine Pass, Galveston, San Luis Pass, Brazos, Caney, &c., to defend. Prisoners expected at Hempstead must be guarded by an efficient force. Order issued for Waul's Legion to move. Hope it will be countermanded. Bradford's and Terry's regiments not yet complete. Terry's fire companies had already been ordered east of the Sabine.
P. O. HEBERT,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI.
SHREVEPORT, May 7, 1864.
General E. KIRBY SMITH,
Camden, Ark.:
Your dispatches in regard to the disposition of Pyron's and Duff's regiments, Waul's Legion, Dashiell's and Nichols' batteries, have been received and orders sent in accordance with your directions. I have just received from General Hebert the following dispatch, dated at Houston to-day:
Griffin attacked the enemy at Calcasieu yesterday morning; captured 2 gunboats (Granite City and Wave), 16 guns, and about 80 prisoners.
S. S. ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
SHREVEPORT, May 7, 1864.
Brigadier General P. O. HEBERT,
Houston, Tex.:
The following dispatch has been received from General Smith:
Dashiell's and Nichol's batteries, Waul's Legion, Pyron's and Duff's regiments, will remain in Texas, subject to order of Major-General Magruder.
Orders have been sent to all but Waul's Legion to halt. Where is it? Your dispatch of the capture of Calcasieu has been received and sent to General Smith.
S. S. ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPT. NO. 31.- ( Union Army )
Shreveport, La., May 28, 1864.
I. The following is published for the information of all persons concerned and the guidance of officers commanding independent armies and detachments in the field. Officers capturing prisoners of war should immediately prepare duplicate lists, setting forth the Christian and surnames and the companies and regiments to which the prisoners belong. These lists should also show when, where, and by whom the captures were made. Should one or more officers be included in the capture the signature of the highest in rank should be obtained to attest the correctness of the list. One of these lists must be forwarded at once through the regular military channel to department headquarters and the other retained by the officer making the capture.
In the present situation of affairs paroles had better not be given. The Federal authorities recognize no delivery of a paroled man, except at Vicksburg or City Point, unless made in accordance with an agreement between commanders of opposing armies. Where there are prisoners on both sides they can be exchanged, man for man, on the spot. The above instructions will be implicitly obeyed as thousands of prisoners have been lost by failing to comply with them. If captures are not correctly reported nothing is gained in making them.
II. The following exchanges have been made:
1. All officers and men captured and paroled at any time previous to September 1, 1863, except such as were captured at Vicksburg, July 4, 1863, and are not mentioned under the following heads:
2. The general officers captured at Vicksburg, July 4, 1863. The staff of Generals Pemberton, Stevenson, Bowen, Moore, Barton, S. D. Lee, Cumming, Harris, and Baldwin, and of Colonels Reynolds, Cockrell, and Dockery; the officers and men of Steventson's division, Bowen's division, Moore's brigade, Waul's Legion, and the Second Texas Regiment. The officers and men of the engineer corps, sappers and miners, and the Fourth and Forty-sixth Mississippi Regiments, all captured at Vicksburg July 4, 1863. All officers and men captured at Vicksburg, July 4, 1863, who reported at Enterprise, Miss., at any time prior to the 14th of November, 1863, and whose names were forwarded by Major General J. H. Forney to the commissioners of exchange.
3. All civilians who have been arrested at any time before the 6th of May, 1863, and released on parole are released from any and very obligation contained is said paroled. If any such person has taken an oath of allegiance to the United States or given any bond or if his release has been accompanied with any other condition he is discharged from the same.
4. All prisoners heretofore held by the United States, whether officers, soldiers, or civilians, received at City Point before the 1st of January, 1864.
By command of General E. Kirby Smith:
S. S. ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Organization of Forrest's Cavalry, Major General Nathan B. Forrest, C. S. Army, commanding, May 10, 1864.
CHALMERS' DIVISION.
Brigadier General JAMES R. CHALMERS.
First Brigade.
Colonel JAMES J. NEELY.
7th Tennessee, Colonel William L. Duckworth.
12th Tennessee, Colonel John Uriah Green.
14th Tennessee, Lieutenant Colonel Raleigh R. White.
15th Tennessee, Colonel Francis M. Stewart.
Tennessee Scouts, Captain Wiley Higgs.
Provost Guard, Captain D. J. Murchison.
Second Brigade.
Colonel ROBERT McCULLOCH.
5th Mississippi, Captain William B. Peery.
7th Mississippi, Major James M. Park.
8th Mississippi, Colonel William L. Duff.
18th MISSISSIPPI Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Alex. H. Chalmers.
2nd Missouri, Lieutenant Colonel Robert A. McCulloch.
McDonald's (Tennessee) Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel J. M. Crews.
Waul's (Texas) Legion (battalion), Lieutenant Colonel Leonidas Willis.
Escort, Company C, 18th Battalion MISSISSIPPI Cavalry, Captain C. T. Smith
Page 325 Chapter LI. EXPEDITION TO TUPELO, MISS.
front in any way up to this time and know nothing of the strength, position, or movements of the enemy. I ordered McCulloch's brigade to Pontotoc and moved with Rucker's brigade to the infantry camp and sent Major Crump, of my staff, to Tupelo to ask for instructions, as I had received none, except to communicate with the major-general at Gorman's Mills, to which place all of our troops had been ordered. Major Crump returned at daylight with instructions for me to join General Buford, who was in front with his DIVISION and Mabry's brigade, assume command of the whole force, skirmish with
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FORREST'S CAVALRY,
Oakland Church, July 23, 1864.
MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the action of the troops under my command during the late engagements with the enemy Pontotoc and Tupelo:
About 11 o'clock at night on the 9th of July I received a telegraphic order to send one of my brigades to Pontotoc, to precede the enemy there, and to move the other to a point four miles WEST of Tupelo, known as the infantry camp, at the crossing of the Tupelo and Pontotoc with the Chesterville and Okolona roads. I had not been connected with the the enemy, and make him develop his strength, but not to bring on a general engagement. I had some difficulty in finding General Buford, but at length came up with him on the evening of the 10th near Pontotoc, and then made my dispositions to carry out the instructions I had received, General Buford, acting under instructions from General Forrest, had sent to Okolona one of his brigades and a section of artillery. I wrote at once to the major-general that the enemy was moving very slowly, and usually with a line of battle and skirmishers about one mile in length, and that I could not without artillery make him develop his strength without endangering a general engagement, which I was instructed to avoid. He replied declining to send me artillery, but direction me to hold the enemy in check two days longer, if possible, until he could prepare to receive him near Okolona. This order was received on the night of the 11th instant. We had been skirmishing with him since the evening of the 10th, and held him in check very easily. Colonel McCulloch had skirmished with him on the morning of the 11th from a point two miles north to one four miles south of Pontotoc, losing 1 man killed and 1 wounded. Here he was relieved by General Lyon's brigade, which was dismounted and well posted in a strong position on Pinson's Hill.
The enemy's main force reached Pontotoc about 9 a. m. on the 11th, but did not attempt to move out farther than our picket on that day. Being instructed to prevent his moving in any direction without my knowledge, I placed Barteau's regiment on the Tupelo road, and Rucker's brigade on the Cotton-Gin road with orders to watch the Tupelo road and to re-enforce Colonel Barteau if necessary without awaiting further orders. General Lyon's and Colonel Mabry's brigades, under General Buford, were placed on the Okolona stage road, and McCulloch's brigade was stationed on the Houston road, and all these dispositions were communicated to Major-General Forrest. On the night of the 11th instant, under orders from Forrest, Barteau's regiment was sent to the rear.
On the morning of the 12th a brigade of the enemy's cavalry made an attack on General Lyon's position, but were easily repulsed. They also moved out three miles on the Houston road and were checked by Willis' battalion of McCulloch's brigade, and five miles on the Tupelo road, where they were driven back by a portion of Rucker's brigade, under Colonel Duff. About this time (9 a. m. on the 12th.) I received orders from the major-general to send one of my brigades immediately to the rear, and to let the enemy come on if he would, as everything was ready to receive him. Under this order I started Rucker's brigade to the rear, and all the wagon and ordnance trains six miles back on the Okolona road, and about 6 o'clock in the evening was withdrawing the whole command, when Colonel Galloway, of General Forrest's staff, came up and ordered me to remain where I was, stating that Generals Lee and Forrest would be up that night with all the force, to give battle there, and that he had ordered Rucker's brigade and the wagon trains back. The sudden change of orders, being made at night, produced some confusion.
HEADQUARTERS FORREST'S REGIMENT CAVALRY,
August 30, 1864.
CAPTAIN: Leaving camp near Gunn's Church August 4, we moved with the brigade to Pontotoc. Were ordered from Pontotoc on the 6th to picket the fords of Tippah River. Returned to Pontotoc on the evening of the 11th, and ordered on the morning of the 13th, in company with Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, to strike and destroy the railroad between Grand Junction and Holly Springs and between Memphis and Grand Junction. Received the order at 2 a. m., and moved at daylight with six days' rations for men and two for horses. I expected Colonel W. L. Duckworth, as senior officer, to command the expedition until we reached New Albany. Here I found he would not join us. I was totally unacquainted with the country and railroad, had no tools of any kind to tear up the road, and has been ordered to avoid the fortifications, which were to be found at all the important trestles. I halted nine miles beyond New Albany, having sent forward to get guides who were acquainted with the country. Small scouts were sent forward under the guides to report to me at Salem. The enemy had fallen back from Oxford to Abbeville, and I was especially careful in my efforts to obtain information as to the locality of his cavalry. When I reached Salem I found that the enemy were so industriously scouting all the principal roads that my scouts were all in my rear. The most reliable information from citizens and scouts led me to believe that a great change had taken place in the locality of the enemy since the time my orders were issued. I pressed forward as rapidly as possible to Lamar, having secured as many sledge-hammers and crowbars as could be obtained. I had dispatched another scout from Salem in the direction of Holly Springs, a man who knew the country entirely. We reached Lamar and commenced work, when a party of sixty Yankee cavalry struck my advance in flank by a road which the guide had not advised them of. I was but a short distance in rear of the advance when firing commenced, trying to get information of the enemy and of our locality. As the enemy advanced, supposing them to be my advance, I fell in with them and ordered them to move slowly and in better order, which order they promptly obeyed, rallying on me. The moon shining out a little move brightly, when I was within forty steps of my own line I saw the orderly sergeant near me was a Yankee. I shot him, and as he fell ordered the battalion to charge. Major Allin's mule became ungovernable, and the battalion, not knowing friend from foe, was thrown into momentary confusion. So soon as I reached them and they discovered the locality of the foe, they promptly poured in their fire and the Yankees broke in every direction. I ordered a company in pursuit, but no guide could be found. The enemy report their loss as 9 killed. We captured 1 prisoner and 3 horses. Lost 1 mortally wounded and 3 severely. Work on the road was ordered to recommence, and search instituted for the guides. Information had now reached me that a brigade of cavalry (Colonel Karge) was in Holly Springs. My own scout informed me that between 300 and 400 (equaling my force) were encamped at Goodman's Mills, in my rear; that a heavy column of cavalry had passed from Holly Springs in the direction of Coldwater. My own scouts failed to report. My guides now, when found, could give no information about the neighboring trestle. the citizens refused to give information of any kind for fear of the Yankees. Not having been placed originally in command of the expedition, and finding that the circumstances around me were different from those anticipated by the major-general commanding, I asked for the opinion of the accompanying field officers. they agreed that we could do no injury to the railroad at Lamar; that the enemy could repair more rapidly than we could destroy, as the fencing was destroyed, and there was nothing to burn the iron with. The country was open, admitting of attack from every side. Major Allin and Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor both thought it best to withdraw, as the retreating enemy would in a few hours report our position to superior forces of the enemy to our rear. We were informed after moving back a few miles by a courier from Holly Springs that we were reported about sunset at Holly Springs, and a brigade of cavalry immediately commenced preparation to intercept us. We awaited orders at New Albany. Reached Oxford with men worn out and horses unfit for duty. The following day was ordered by Colonel Wade to the front. Spent the day in the saddle. The ensuing day again in front skirmishing with the enemy for several hours in a heavy rain. We could only fire guns in the command, but remained snapping caps and bursting tubes in the enemy's front until ordered to retire. Lost 1 man wounded. The following evening Major Allin, with seventy men (all remaining fit for duty after the numerous details had been made), picketed the mouth of Tippah road. I learned that the enemy were advancing, and went to the front early in the morning. Found the command with-drawn to the junction of Tippah and Abbeville roads. Received a few minutes after a written order from Colonel Wade to assume command of the Fifth Mississippi, and hold both regiments in front of the enemy, skirmishing with him as he advanced. Lieutenant-Colonel Shacklett, of the Kentucky brigade, having withdrawn, I pressed forward, and after light skirmishing the enemy retired to Isham; s house. Sent a courier to Colonel Wade, but received no reply. At 12 m. sent another, who returned stating that all the troops had retired, and Colonel Wade was not to be found. Sent courier in search of General chalmers. Found his telegraph operator, who, after communicating with General Chalmers, sent me orders to retire. I remained until 6. 30 p. m. in front of Oxford, and then retired five miles to rear on the Oliver's Bridge road. I had dispatched another courier to Colonel Wade at 4 p. m., who found him five miles south of Yocona at 8 p. m. By General Chalmers' orders I reported to Colonel Wade next morning south of Yocona.
I am indebted to the discretion of Lieutenant-Colonel Nesbit and the promptitude with which he acted in obeying an order to cover a flanking road, thereby preventing a party of the enemy from passing my right flank and to my rear, the roads to my rear all being exposed after the withdrawal of our troops without my knowledge.
August 23, we moved with the brigade after the retreating Yankees. Attacked them at Abbeville. My command was mounted; the Fifth MISSISSIPPI dismounted. We held the position against three regiments of infantry until they had not only flanked us on both sides, but almost closed in our rear. When the order reached me to retire my flag (the staff and material of which are riddled with shot) was in forty paces of the flag of the advancing infantry.
We lost in this engagement First Lieutenant J. T. Crews, Company E, killed, an officer of highest worth and coolest bravery; Second Lieutenant C. A. Douglas, Company F, severely wounded; Captain Wood, Company E, slightly wounded; 3 privates severely wounded.
Brevet Second Lieutenant Nichols, Company F, is specially worthy of notice for gallantry in the last skirmish.
Respectfully submitted.
D. C. KELLEY,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.
Captain V. B. WADDELL,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
ADDENDA.
Report of killed, wounded, and missing in engagement on 23rd instant of Second Brigade, First DIVISION, Forrest's Cavalry.
Killed. Wounded. Missing.
5th MISSISSIPPI Regiment. 4 10 12
7th MISSISSIPPI Regiment. 1 . . . . . .
8th MISSISSIPPI Regiment a. . . . . . . . . .
7th Tennessee Regiment. 1 1 . . .
26th Tennessee Battalion. 1 4 . . .
Willis' battalion. . . . . . . . . .
Total. 7 15 12
a No report. Is on detached service.
WM. B. WADE,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
AUGUST 24, 1864.
GENERAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS FORREST'S CAVALRY, Numbers 73.
Grenada, August 30, 1864.
I. The troops of this command will be organized and designated as follows:
Rucker's brigade, Colonel Edmund W. Rucker: Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, Colonel William L. Duckworth; Neely's regiment Tennessee cavalry, Colonel James J. Neely; Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, Colonel Robert V. Richardson; Stewart's regiment Tennessee cavalry, Colonel Francis M. Stewart; Twenty-sixth Tennessee Battalion Cavalry (General Forrest's old regiment), Lieutenant Colonel David C. Kelley.
McCulloch's brigade, Colonel Robert McCulloch: Seventh MISSISSIPPI Cavalry (formerly First MISSISSIPPI Partisans), Lieutenant Colonel Samuel M. Hyams, Jr. ; Second Missouri Cavalry, Lieutenant Colonel Robert A. McCulloch; Fifth MISSISSIPPI Cavalry, Major W. G. Henderson; Willis' Battalion Texas Cavalry, Lieutenant Colonel Leonidas Willis; Eighth MISSISSIPPI Cavalry, Colonel William L. Duff; Eighteenth MISSISSIPPI Cavalry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander H. Chalmers.
Lyon's brigade, Brigadier General Hylan B. Lyon: THIRD Kentucky Cavalry, Colonel Gustavus A. C. Holt; Eighth Kentucky Cavalry, Lieutenant Colonel A. R. Shacklett; Seventh Kentucky Cavalry, Colonel Edward Crossland; Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry, Colonel W. W. Faulkner.
Bell's brigade, Colonel Tyree H. Bell: Barteau's regiment (Second tennessee), Colonel C. R. Barteau; Nineteenth Tennessee Cavalry, Colonel John F. Newsom; Twentieth Tennessee Cavalry, Colonel Robert M. Russell; Twenty-first Tennessee Cavalry, Colonel Andrew N. Wilson.
II. Colonel E. W. Rucker is assigned permanently to the command of the brigade designated as "Rucker's brigade. "
III. Colonel Robert McCulloch is assigned permanently to the command of the brigade designated as "McCulloch's brigade. "
IV. Brigadier General H. B. Lyon is assigned permanently to the command of the brigade designated as "Lyon's brigade. "
V. Colonel T. H. Bell is assigned permanently to the command of the brigade designated as "Bell's brigade. "
VI. Brigadier General J. R. Chalmers is assigned to the command of the DIVISION composed of the two brigades designated as Rucker's and McCulloch's brigade, and will be known as "Chalmers' DIVISION. "
VII. Brigadier General A. Buford is assigned to the command of the DIVISION composed of the two brigade designated as Lyon's and Bell's brigades, and will be known as "Buford's DIVISION. "
By command of Major-General Forrest:
J. P. STRANGE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS,
Camden, September 17, 1864
Brigadier-General BOGGS,
Chief of Staff, Shreveport, La.:
GENERAL: I have the honor to state that I do not regard Texas as in danger, nor will it, in my opinion be threatened until next spring. I request therefore respectfully but earnestly that you will order the cavalry regiments of Anderson, Brown, Terry, and Bradford to proceed through Louisiana to this district will still have left the following disposable cavalry force, viz: Daly's battalion, Showalter's regiment, Pyron's and McCord's regiments of cavalry. If the following dispositions are made, viz, Daly's battalion at Sabine Pass, McCord's regiment at Galveston, Pyron's regiment at Galveston, two companies of Showalter at Velasco, and rest at or near Galveston all the cavalry to be temporarily dismounted, except sufficient number of do picket duty, the following infantry regiments will be free to be ordered to Arkansas at once via Louisiana, viz: Spaight's battalion (large), Elmore's regiment (very large), Cook's five companies of infantry now stationed at Hempstead. The garrisons on the coast of Texas will then be defended as follows: Sabine Pass, Griffin's battalion (large) and Daly's mounted battalion; Galveston, including Bolivar Point and Saint Louis Pass by Cook's five companies of artillery (loyal), Hobby's infantry regiment, Second Texas Infantry, Waul's legion infantry, Pyron's regiment of cavalry, McCord's regiment of cavalry, Showalter's regiment, when it shall arrive from the Rio Grande; Velasco by Bates' infantry regiment, two companies being used as mounted infantry; Saluria, by Hughes' company of light artillery and three guns from the flotilla and 100 mounted men under Lieutenant Colonel Steele (the mounted portion of Waul's old legion). The Reserve Corps might be organized into regiments at once al all those not required for agricultural purpose, and not more than one-third might be ordered to these places, take the places of these troops, and be drilled and prepared for active service in the spring. Since the enemy has developed his plans on Mobile and Arkansas it is only necessary to secure the coast of Texas against a fleet, which can best be done by forts and heavy guns. It is the opinion of some of the most intelligent and influential men of Arkansas who are now here that this large concentration of force by the enemy indicates an immediate advance movement for the purpose of conquering the rest of the State. I have some other reasons to believe also that this is Steele's intention, though I cannot see how he can support an army except on the Arkansas and Bartholomew, or unless he captures our stores at Fulton. All this should be guarded against without the least loss of time. I would respectfully suggest that as Duff's regiment has gone to join Maxey, Bourland's and Martin's regiments be ordered to Fulton or Washington, and Duff's regiment also diverted to one of these points if it can be overtaken on the march. I have no means of knowing where he is. Should General Smith be able to send me Thomas' brigade and some other troops from Louisiana I shall be able to place 1,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry in front of Washington. This would leave me some 8,000 men at Monticello. Should I be threatened by a much heavier force I could fall back on my coming re-enforcements. Steele may be diverting my attention toward the mouth of the Arkansas whilst he marches on Washington or Shreveport. I had ordered Mitchell's brigade (600 men) from Washington here before I received news of Steele's heavy re-enforcements and they are now here; only State troops, about 700, in front of Washington. My object was to concentrate and attack Pine Bluff. I leave for Monticello to-morrow morning.
I am, general very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. B. MAGRUDER,
Major-General, Commanding, &c.
P. S. - A plan similar to the one indicated above by me concerning the defense of Texas, in connection with the Reserve Corps, was contemplated by me and recommended in a conversation with General Smith before I left Texas, and before I had any idea of being ordered to Arkansas, and I think urged it in a written communication.
Respectfully, &c.,
J. B. M
Material contained herein may be copied in whole or part
by non-profit , personal, genealogical and historical reference web sites
by citing
Benjamin L. Bowen's :
The Exploits of Waul's Texas Legion
at the following url :http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~bowen/legion/waulstexaslegion.html
The Bowen family web
The Rootsweb edition 2000-2003
~~~