In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

110 5. From Iuka to Holly Springs The battle of Iuka,1 fought in September [1862], demonstrated the fact that the rebels were concentrating their forces to make vigorous effort to regain the territory they had lost. From their movements, it was plain to see that Corinth was their objective point. The attack of Van Dorn, on October 3, was precipitated with a view of gaining that important position before General Grant could succeed in getting reinforcements there. Although the defeat of the rebels at Corinth was not followed up as vigorously as it should have been, yet in my judgment General [William S.] Rosecrans deserves great credit for his decisive victory in repulsing the desperate attacks of the rebels.2 The result was of great importance. His achievement was not fully appreciated at that time, but the general’s assignment to an important command in middle Tennessee soon thereafter was only a just reward for the services he had rendered. The necessity for an aggressive movement of the Union forces into Mississippi became imperative. General Grant, who had been assigned to the command of the Department of the Tennessee in the latter part of October, soon proceeded to make his arrangements accordingly, and the inspiriting effect upon the troops so long kept fighting on the defensive was readily observable. From the middle of October until the latter part of November, numerous scouts were made in West Tennessee by myself and command, all of which were successful. General Sherman, when he took command at Memphis, was somewhat inclined to undervalue the service of the cavalry and, in a general way, looked upon it as more expensive than useful. But, seeing was believing with the general, and he was soon led to recognize its worth when he saw that it could be effectively handled. A much larger force of rebels had been ordered for duty in the vicinity of Memphis and greater efforts were being made to organize and recruit their forces in northern Mississippi and western Tennessee. During that time, much was done by my command, under the direction of General Sherman, to “nip in the bud” those rebel organizations. I well remember an expedition made [during] the latter part of October. From Iuka to Holly Springs • 111 Information had been received of a regiment forming northeast of Memphis, in the direction of Covington, Tennessee. The general did not like to risk sending me with the cavalry alone so far, lest I might be intercepted and cut off from return. In looking over the map, I proposed that instead of returning direct to Memphis, we make for Randolph on the Mississippi River, if boats could be sent there to transport my command back to the city. “The very thing,” said the general, delighted. For, by such arrangement, I could get along with less men and accomplish the object without loss or serious injury to my command. To disguise the movement, a large force of infantry under command of Colonel [David] Stuart was sent out on the Somerville road while I, with 150 picked men, marched rapidly east from Memphis some twenty-five miles, where we had a broken skirmish with the enemy a few miles north of Collierville. [We] then swooped around, joining the infantry about fifteen miles from Memphis, on the Somerville road, where we encamped for the night. The next day, after making a forward demonstration, Colonel Stuart with the infantry returned leisurely to Memphis, while I moved on northward across the Loosehatchie. While carefully approaching and preparing to cross that stream, I rode forward to the bank to reconnoiter. [I] was recognized by the enemy as the commanding officer, and suddenly received the concentrated fire of a company of rebels that had been screened behind a bank that lined the opposite shore. It seemed a miracle that I was not shot and, fortunately , did not lose my presence of mind. My men, who were near at hand, charged upon and drove the pickets from the bank. In less time than it takes to relate it, we were on the other side of the stream in pursuit of the retreating foe. We proceeded rapidly to Wythe’s Station, where we had another skirmish. Moving forward at a gallop, we captured and destroyed their camp, and chased the amazed and disgruntled rebels for miles in every direction, killing a few, wounding a good many, and taking over twenty prisoners. Meanwhile, the enemy had assembled...

Share