A Charge of Bare Necessity

A CHARGE OF BARE NECESSITY Five volumes of the OFFICIAL RECORDS are filled with reports and correspondence relative to the Atlanta Campaign, May-September, 1864. Because of the large mass of this material, one of the oddest assaults of the Civil War has remained for years in oblivion. It is herein quoted as it appears in O.R., XXXVIII, pt. 2, pp. 760-761. The attacking unit was the First Tennessee (U.S.) Cavalry, commanded by Colonel James P. Brownhw (son of William G. "Parson" Brownlow), and attached to Colonel Joseph Door's First Brigade of General Edward McCook's division. Hdqrs. First Cav. Drv., Dept. of the Cumberland July 9, 1864 General: I have the honor to report that a detachment under Colonel Door crossed the pontoon this afternoon, and scouted the country in front of General [John M.] Schofield. They found the enemy's cavalry there in force. Brownlow performed one of his characteristic feats to-day. I had ordered a detachment to cross at Cochran's Ford. It was deep, and he took them over naked, nothing but guns, cartridge-boxes and hats. They drove the enemy out of their rifle-pits, captured a non-commissioned officer and 3 men, and the 2 boats on the other side. They would have got more, but the rebels had the advantage in running through the bushes with clothes on. It was certainly one of the funniest sights of the war, and a very successful raid for naked men to make. Everything is quiet along the line, and citizens on the other side say the enemy were totally unprepared for a crossing on this flank. Very respectfully, yourobedient servant, E. M. McCook Brigadier-General, CommandingDivision [Brig. Gen. W. L. Elliott Chiefof Cavalry] 258 ...