it had a population of about ten thousand, and was considered the most flourishing little city below Louisville, it being the principal dépôt for that portion of Kentucky known as "Jackson's Purchase." Upon the breaking out of the rebellion, the secession mania took deep root in the minds of its citizens, and when, in September, 1861, General Grant occupied it for the first time, the streets and houses were found decorated with rebel flags in anticipation of the arrival of Polk's army. Of its original population, not more than one third is now remaining, those who make up the four or five thousand inhabitants which it possessed up to the time of Forrest's attack being recent arrivals from other States. one to the mouth of the Tennessee, the other a little below. These boats have a light armament, and are known on the river as tin-clads," their plating being only sufficiently thick to resist the missiles of small arms, and perhaps grape-shot. Nearly all of the woods back of the city have been cleared away, either by the hand of improvement or from military necessity, and there is an almost unobstructed view for half a mile, and in some places much further. The ground intervening between the city and the timber is somewhat undulating, but not sufficiently so to afford any considerable advantage to an advancing line of battle. A little before one o'clock, the enemy's advance came in sight, and in a moment afterward the main body appeared in the act of forming line-his right extending toward the Tennessee and being nearest to town, while the left was partially concealed by timber at long cannon range. The men on either flank were Positive information was received by Colonel Hicks on the twenty-fourth, of the arrival of Forrest at Mayfield, twenty-two miles south from Paducah, and an attack was not unlooked for. Your correspondent was on that day at Columbus, having come up to that point from Memphis in anti-mounted, while the bodies of dismounted men, cipation of an attack upon the former place, and who at that distance seemed to be a little in adit was there considered certain that Forrest would vance of the others, appeared in occasional interattempt to capture either Columbus or Paducah, vals in the line which was little less than two but most probably Paducah. In fact, his occu- miles long. pation of Mayfield indicated this place as his objective point. The forces under Colonel Hicks's command were five companies of the Sixteenth Kentucky, three hundred and eleven strong; three companies of the One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois, numbering one hundred and twenty-four men, and a detachment of the First Kentucky artillery, (colored,) two hundred and fifty men-in all six hundred and eighty-five. Any information of the strength and position of the fortifications, and number of guns, beyond what the enemy has already learned to his sorrow, cannot be given with propriety. It will be sufficient to say that the works occupied by Colonel Hicks are toward the lower end of the city, and cover the roads from the interior. The enemy seems to have entered on his campaign with an accurate knowledge of what was to be done, and was evidently posted as to the strength of our garrison here as well as at Union City. There was no delay in the advance. He pushed his line forward rapidly and steadily, while at the same time a detachment from the right flank several hundred strong, dashed into the now deserted city, and down Market street, and the other streets back of it, until, coming within rifle-range of the Fort, they opened a galling fire from the houses upon the garrison. But before this detachment had succeeded in getting in town, several shots had been exchanged between the enemy's artillery and ours. boats had also begun to play upon them, when, upon finding the city being rapidly occupied by a continually increasing force, the fire of the gunboats, as previously concerted, was turned upon the houses occupied by the rebels, the vessels dropping down the river until proper range could be had. The gun Next morning, (twenty-fifth,) scouts reported that Forrest was only eight or ten miles distant, and was moving in this direction with a heavy column, which rumor broadly stated to be from five thousand to fifteen thousand strong. Immediately upon learning that we were to be attacked, Colonel Hicks notified the inhabitants of It seems that Colonel Hicks, prudently, did that fact by special order, and commenced mov- not strain his men at the commencement of the ing them to the other side of the river. The anx-action, and although his fire was accurate, it was iety of the citizens for the two preceding days, delivered slowly-the range being different at consequent upon the rumored approach of the almost every discharge. The necessity he was enemy, now found expression in the wildest ex-under of turning some of his guns upon the town citement, and men, women, and children rushed so slackened our fire that the enemy was enabled through the streets and down to the wharf in to make a charge upon the Fort. But the movedread of the approaching conflict. Fortunately, ment was perceived and prepared for, and the means were at hand to transfer them to the op- first signs of an advance were greeted with a posite shore with despatch, and when the first heavy and well-directed fire, which created some attack was made, but few were remaining in the confusion. The rebels continued to advance, city. Knowing the great numerical superiority however, and a part of them, by veering to the of the enemy, Colonel Hicks ordered his whole right, threw themselves partially under cover of command to the Fort, and awaited his appear- the uneven ground and the suburban buildings. On they came, with loud cheers that sounded distinctly through the now increasing roar of battle, and which were defiantly answered by our men, who now, reeking with perspiration, ance. The gunboats, Paw-Paw and Peosta, which were anchored out in the river, weighed and moored toward the upper end of the wharf-the plied their rammers with accelerated rapidity and tachments, several hundred strong, into the city, hurled destruction through the advancing lines. some to burn and pillage, and others to reenforce As soon as they came within good rifle-range, a those who were yet firing upon the garrison. terribly destructive fire was opened upon them, Now was the hardest trial our brave fellows had and men toppled, reeled, and fell to the ground to bear. In spite of the shells that were sent by scores. Although the overwhelming force crashing through the buildings, the sharp-shootcontinued to close upon the Fort, it was now evi-ers, who by this time must have numbered nearly dent that there was much disorder among them, and presently a portion of the line gave way, when the whole force broke in confusion and retreated precipitately, leaving the ground strewn with not less than two hundred killed and wounded. The discomfited rebels were then re-formed upon their original line. one thousand, held their positions, or else falling back for a few minutes, again came forward and delivered their fire. It was now nearly night. The battle had continued from ten o'clock to after five, and yet the fate of the day remained undecided. The heroic garrison, headed by their resolute commander, As the smoke began to clear up, it was discov- still stood unfalteringly to their posts, while the ered that the city was on fire in several places. enemy, conscious of the strength of his overThe railroad dépôt was already completely wrap-whelming numbers, seemed loth, although sigped in flames, having been fired by the rebels. The shelling of the gunboats had dislodged the sharp-shooters from the buildings nearest the Fort, and their fire was just being directed toward other portions of the town, when a flag of truce was observed coming from the enemy's lines. The flag of truce was borne by Lieutenant McKnight, aid to Forrest, and was met by the Post Adjutant. McKnight presented a note from Forrest to Colonel Hicks, demanding the immediate and unconditional surrender of the Fort and garrison, and saying that in the event of a refusal to accede to the demand, he would take the Fort by storm and grant no quarter. Colonel Hicks promptly replied that he was sent there with orders to defend the post, and intended to obey, as any honorable officer should. An hour was consumed during this parley, immediately after which the enemy advanced. nally repulsed, to yield to the fact of his undeniable defeat. Four hours had passed, during three of which there was an almost unbroken roar of artillery and small arms. In the mean time, the rebels had occupied every part of the town. The headquarters and quartermaster's buildings, which were in the most compactly built part of the city, had been sacked and fired. The marine ways had also been fired, and the steamer Dacotah, which was on the stocks for repairs, was boarded, the crew robbed of every thing, and the boat burned. Almost every store in the place was broken open and its contents damaged, destroyed, or carried off. Clothing, and especially boots and shoes, seemed to have been chiefly sought for, although an exceedingly large quantity of all styles and qualities of dry goods, groceries, and provisions was carried off. Every horse that could be found was taken, and in fact nothing that could suit taste or convenience was overlooked. The houses near the Fort were again occupied by sharp-shooters, and the rebels moved rapidly up with increased numbers and apparently a full As the sun began to sink, the slackened fire determination to succeed. They dashed forward from the buildings told that our shelling had not from behind buildings and such other objects as been without effect, and the rebels could be seen served to cover their advance, while the main from the Fort as they left the houses by huncolumn rushed upon the Fort despite the mur-dreds and moved back toward the upper end of derous fire that opposed them. But their efforts the town, bearing their dead and wounded. were futile. The indomitable "six hundred" Many, however, remained behind, and although had no idea of being overpowered, and amid the the firing was now light, it was continuous. answering thunders from Fort and gunboats, and By this time the ammunition in the Fort was the unbroken rattle of small-arms, the enemy well-nigh exhausted, and it was barely possible was again repulsed, and fled from the field dis- that if the enemy had again attempted to storm ordered and whipped. Not less than five hun- the works, the small garrison might have been dred men, dead or wounded, covered the field overpowered by sheer stress of overwhelming within rifle-range of the Fort. A more gallant numbers. But his disastrous experience of that defence was never made. But the fighting did day deterred him, and his offensive operations not cease with this repulse. The rebels swarmed were confined to sharp-shooting from the buildthicker and thicker in the buildings, and an un-ings. This was kept up until nearly midnight, intermitting storm of lead was poured from roofs and windows, notwithstanding the houses were being perforated by shot and shell from all our guns. Every gun in the Fort was now turned upon the town, while the gunboats took an active part in sweeping the streets and shelling the houses. The enemy, finding that our force was not strong enough to risk leaving the works, did not re-form his whole line again, but sent his men by de when the firing ceased entirely, and the rebels left the town. Colonel Hicks's announcement to the garrison that their ammunition had almost given out, but that they would defend themselves with the bayonet, was received with loud cheers, and showed a determination to fight to the last. That was an anxious night to the occupants of the Fort. The knowledge that their means of defence would not, if attacked, last much longer, that the enemy was still within gun-shot of them with a force outnumbering them nearly ten to one, and that it was very probable that a night attack would be made, disinclined all to sleep, and the peremptory order of Colonel Hicks that every man should remain broad awake and stand to his post was scarcely necessary. So the night passed, every man awaiting expectantly the anticipated attack, and determined to win or die. Next morning, twenty-sixth, the enemy was found to be still in our front, but some hundred yards in rear of his original line of the day before. Every thing pointed to another attack, and another day of trial for our gallant garrison. In view of this, Colonel Hicks sent out several detachments with orders to burn all the buildings which had been occupied by the enemy's sharpshooters on the previous day, or that could afford them a similar protection in the event of an attack on this day. This order was promptly executed, and in less than fifteen minutes that part of the town below Broadway and between Market street and the river, together with many other buildings outside of those limits, was in flames. Many of the finest business houses and dwellings were thus destroyed, and none who have formerly been acquainted with this once beautiful city can help regretting the sad but imperative necessity that called for its partial destruction. About nine o'clock a flag of truce emerged from their lines, and approached the Fort. It covered a proposal for an exchange of prisoners, Forrest having about five hundred of our men who were surrendered at Union City, and fifty or sixty captured in hospital the day before. Colonel Hicks having no power to exchange prisoners, replied in accordance with that fact, and the confederate officer departed. Again we waited in anticipation of an attack momentarily, when a verbal communication was sent in by Forrest, asking for a private interview in case further fighting could be obviated by negotia tion. Colonel Hicks, with his characteristic pluck, replied verbally that he, accompanied by two officers of a designated rank, would meet General Forrest and two officers of corresponding rank, with or without arms, at any mutually convenient spot. This occurred after noon. No reply was received, and no attack was made, and so the day wore away-the enemy yet threatening, but apparently afraid to advance. In the mean time assistance had arrived from Cairo, seventy miles below, and our men felt encouraged but apprehensive. The night passed much in the same way as the one preceding, the greatest vigilance being exercised, and the men resting at or near their posts. The next day, twenty-seventh, the rebels had entirely disappeared from view, but a scouting party, sent out for the purpose, found them still near, and demonstrating threateningly. On this day, many of the citizens and merchants who had any thing left, commenced packing their effects for the purpose of leaving the place, as it was confidently expected that the rebels would return and complete the work of pillage and destruction. Another anxious night wore wearily away, and the morning of the twenty-eighth dawned. Our scouts found the country filled with bodies of men varying from fifty to one hundred, but the main body had moved back toward Mayfield. This seemed encouraging, until another report, which was apparently trustworthy, became current in town, that Forrest's army had formed a junction at Mayfield with a large force of rebels, and was again coming in this direction. A scene of excitement now ensued similar to that of the morning of the twenty-fifth. Every thing that could, under the circumstances, be removed, (for but few draft animals were remaining) was carried down to the levee preparatory to shipping. Much of this property was carried by hand, some of the heaviest boxes of goods being thus brought from stores some several squares distant. The excitement lasted all night, and every boat that passed made large additions to her cargo and passenger-list. This morning the excitement and exodus still continued, and the attack was hourly expected up till noon, when it became generally known that the military authorities had learned that the enemy was at or near Mayfield, and was threatening Columbus, and that there were no demonstrations at all making toward Paducah. So ends thus much of the history of one of the most adventurous raids made during the war. Whether the rebels will try their strength on any other Union post remains to be seen. It is known that they are showing a threatening front in the direction of Columbus. A detail of the loss of property during the fight cannot be obtained, though even if it could it would be uninteresting in connection with the story of the battle. It will be sufficient to say that the value of the property carried away and destroyed by the rebels exceeds, at a moderate estimate, half a million of dollars. The value of the houses burned, by order of Colonel Hicks, must be as much if not more. The enemy's loss in men cannot be accurately ascertained, but in killed and wounded will not fall short of one thousand. It is rumored that several citizens, who imprudently did not leave the city with the bulk of the inhabitants, were killed or injured. ment; about two hundred horses, and five hundred small-arms. I also took possession of Hickman, the enemy having passed it. I moved north with Buford's division, marching direct from Jackson to Paducah in fifty hours; attacked it on the evening of the twentysixth, drove the enemy to their gunboats and forts, held the town for ten hours, and could have held it longer, but found the small-pox raging, and evacuated the place. We captured many stores and horses, burned up sixty bales of cotton, one steamer in the drydock, and brought out fifty prisoners. My loss at Union City and Paducah, as far as known, is twenty-five killed and woundedamong them Colonel Thompson, commanding the Kentucky brigade, killed; Lieutenant-Colonel Lanhum, of the Faulkner regiment, mortally wounded; and Colonel Crosslin, of the Ninth Kentucky, and Lieutenant-Colonel Morton, of the Second Tennessee, slightly wounded. The enemy's loss at Paducah was fifty killed and wounded. The prisoners, in all, five hundred. N. B. FORREST. HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION FORREST'S CAVALRY, MAYFIELD, KY., March 23. We I received orders from Colonel Andrews at half-past four o'clock P.M., March thirtieth, to be in readiness to march with four days' rations at six o'clock that evening, and at seven o'clock GENERAL ORDERS, No. I marched my command, six companies-comThe General Commanding returns to the offi-pany B, commanded by Lieutenant Pierce, comcers and troops of this division his congratula-pany C by Lieutenant Grummons, company E tions upon the success which has thus far at- by Lieutenant Knight, company G by Captain tended the campaign into Kentucky. The Devereux, company H by Lieutenant Misener, hardships you bore upon a march almost un- company I by Captain Swan-one hundred and precedented, from Tibbie Station, Mississippi, eighty-six strong-to the ferry, and immediately to Paducah, in a week; the devotion you have proceeded to the railroad dépôt, where, by direc exhibited to the cause of freedom, and the valor tion of the Colonel, we embarked on the cars, our skirmishers displayed in their attack upon and at nine P.M. left for Duvall's Bluff. the fort at Paducah, call for the highest admira- reached the Bluff at four o'clock next morning, tion and praise of your commander. At the and forthwith embarked on the steamer Dove, very doors of their homes some of your com- and at seven o'clock, together with a small force rades laid down their lives to rescue Kentucky of the Eighth Missouri cavalry, proceeded up from the iron heel of abolition despotism, and White River, reaching Gregory's Landingthe rule of the negro. Among those whose which is ten miles above the mouth of the faces are gone from us for ever, we are forced to Little Red, and one hundred and ten miles pay a lasting regret to the memory of one brave, above Duvall's Bluff-about eight o'clock P.M., courteous, and beloved, and whose merits as a where we disembarked, and marched to the supcitizen, as a friend, and as a soldier, we all felt port of the cavalry, toward Cache River Crossand appreciated. He fell as a soldier desires to ing, where it was supposed McCrea was encampfall, at the head of his command, a hero regret- ed. After marching three miles in the darkness ted by all. Colonel A. P. Thompson, Third and rain, it was ascertained that McCrea had Kentucky regiment, and commanding the Third left that country and gone toward Jacksonport. brigade, will long be remembered by all who Upon getting this information, we immediately knew his noble deeds and heroic death. With returned to the boat, and proceeded up the river a force less than that of the enemy within the stockade, you, in an exposed condition, with your skirmishers, silenced his guns; caused one of his gunboats to withdraw from action, fearful of the accuracy of your fire; captured and destroyed immense stores-quartermaster, commissary, and ordnance; and inflicted upon him a loss of twenty-seven killed, and from seventy to eighty wounded, besides capturing sixty-four prisoners; your own loss being ten killed and forty wounded. The General Commanding feels proud of the division, and relies upon your courage, your for to Augusta, where we arrived at half-past five A. M., on the first of April; disembarked, and pushed without delay, with one hundred and sixty men, all told, into the country, on the Jacksonport road, the cavalry in advance. My orders were to keep within supporting distance, which I did. At the crossing of the Cache River road, four miles from Augusta, I encamped with the cavalry, which had been skirmishing with the enemy for the last two miles, and here found them in force. The Colonel ordered me to take three companies into the woods and engage them. I took companies B, H, and I, and drove the enemy before me about one mile, and across a large cypress-swamp. I afterward learned from prisoners that the force I drove was the notorious Rutherford and about one hundred and fifty men. At this time the rest of the force came up, the cavalry advanced, and I followed, crossing the swamp, and proceeding toward Jacksonport, the cavalry doing the skirmishing. We marched on to the Methodist church, near Dr. Westmoreland's house, twelve miles from Augusta, where, by the Colonel's orders, I halted my command, while the cavalry scouted in advance. Finding no force of the enemy, they returned, and, after a short rest, started back for the boats. We had moved back about two and a half miles, and halted to rest at Fitzhugh's farm-house, where we discovered a large force of mounted men charging down upon us on our right and rear. I immediately formed, and, by Colonel Andrews's orders, sent two companies to engage the enemy; Captain Swan, company I, those in the road, and Lieutenant Misener, company H, those on the right. They charged down through the open field with loud yells. I let them approach within one hundred and fifty yards, then sent a volley of Minié balls into them, which caused them to cease their yelling, and break to the rear for the woods with headlong speed. I followed a short distance, and discovered we had inflicted a severe loss on them. Our cavalry having pushed on in advance, we did not follow up. Finding the enemy was not disposed to come out of the woods, we again proceeded toward Augusta. We marched on about two and a half miles, to Fitzhugh's Woods, when the enemy was again heard shouting and yelling, and seen coming down through an old corn-field, on the same flank as before. I immediately fixed bayonets, and charged on at a double-quick to meet him, coming up in line at about two hundred yards from this force, which was, I should judge, at least three hundred strong, and gave him a volley before he opened. He immediately broke to the rear for the thick timber. At this instant, when we gave a shout to see the enemy so broken, we were attacked by another and still larger force from the road we had just come up. The troops were immediately faced about, and charged down into the woods in the face of a deadly fire from the enemy. While leading this charge, the Colonel's horse was killed under him. After gaining the heavy timber, we engaged the enemy as skirmishers, in a contest which lasted two hours and a half, when I discovered that we were getting short of ammunition. I immediately reported the fact to Colonel Andrews, who ordered me to withdraw gradually from the timber and occupy some farm-buildings up the road toward Augusta, and protect the crossing of Cypress Swamp, about half a mile further on, which was successfully accomplished; the cavalry passed through the swamp, the infantry following. We then formed on the opposite side, and marched to Augusta, six miles, without further molestation, bringing some thirty prisoners, and a large number of contrabands, which had been picked up during the day. The following embraces a full list of the casualties in the regiment at the combat of Fitzhugh's Woods: Company B. Privates Benjamin Sanderson and Ole Hanson, killed; Sergeant Albert G. Hunt, severely wounded; Corporal Edward Fraygang, severely wounded; private William F. Ingham, severely wounded; First Sergeant, Henry A. Durand, slightly wounded; privates George Brewer and William Shearier, wounded and missing. Company C.-Private Henry W. Farnsworth, killed; privates James P. Chapin and Henry H. Wallace, severely wounded; Corporal Lewis Kimball, slightly wounded; private Orin Case, slightly wounded. Company E.-First Sergeant Corydon D. Bevans and private Clark D. Harding, killed; Corporal Isaac Lauver and private Albert G. Leach, severely wounded. Company G.-Private Albert R. Pierce, severely wounded; private Andrew Bingham, missing. Company H.-Corporal George H. Peaslee, killed; privates Rollin O. Crawford and John Eaton, severely wounded. Company F.-Privates: Washington I. Smith, killed; Joseph Markling, dangerously wounded; Andrew Clark, severely wounded; John Pope, wounded and missing. Quartermaster's Sergeant, H. D. Pettibone, slightly wounded. Killed, seven; wounded, sixteen; missing, four. Total casualties, twenty-seven. The loss of the enemy, as near as could be astertained, was upward of one hundred killed and wounded-four times our own. Of these, several were known to be officers. I am very proud to say that every man was perfectly cool during the entire engagement, and many instances of great daring and bravery occurred which are worthy of being mentioned. Hardly a man escaped without some bullet-mark through his clothing. I am especially obliged to Lieutenant E. Champlin, Acting Adjutant; Sergeant-Major Akers, Quartermaster Sergeant H. D. Pettibone, and First Sergeant C. D. Bevans, who, I lament to say, was killed; also First Sergeant James M. Moran, company H, and, in short, to all the officers and men of the regiment, for their promptitude in obeying all orders. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, EVERETT W. FOSTER, Major Third Minnesota, commanding Regiment. |