1

OFFICIAL ARMY RECORDS

1864-4

HEADQUARTERS THIRD IOWA CAVALRY,

Memphis, Tenn., June 15, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to report, through you to my immediate commander, that, in pursuance

of orders, I left camp on the 1st instant with 510 men, fully mounted, armed, and equipped,

commanded by twenty-five officers, and accompanied by two ambulances and three wagons,

uniting with the rest of the Second Brigade on the Germantown road about six miles from

Memphis. We advanced to Collierville the same day, encamping there at sundown amid a great

rain-storm, the first of an almost continuous shower for the rest of six days. Our march from

thence to La Fayette, Salem, Ruckersville, and Ripley, from the 3d to 7th, was uninterrupted save

by the rains and the necessity of searching in all directions for forage. From there on, from other

causes, however, much of the marching was required to be done by night, and the camps

necessarily taken wherever chance decided.

On the afternoon of the 7th, when we had advanced about two miles beyond Ripley, and

while the brigade was going into camp, Company C, of this regiment, was ordered to the front,

by the brigade commander, for forage, and an expectedly became engaged with an enemy of

very considerable strength, and which I have reason to believe was a column of rebel cavalry

hastening to join the main force, which we met on the 10th. Captain Wilson and Lieutenant

Lynch, of Company C, at once charged the enemy gallantly with their company-first mounted

and then dismounted, and drove in the squadrons which had been sent against them. On coming

in sight of the main body, my men formed a line and alone maintained the fight until re-enforced

by squadrons of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry and Companies E and F of this regiment, under

Captains Spencer and Crail, respectively. It having been determined by the general commanding

division not to give battle at this time, Company C was ordered to retire, and a portion of the line

on the right of Companies E and F retiring they also were withdrawn, after having been under a

severe fire for half an hour. A new line was formed half a mile nearer camp, and maintained until

after dark, when all the line returning to camp, the enemy passed, seemingly more desirous to

unite with his own army than to annoy us at that time. The loss of my companies here was:

Company C, 1 horse wounded; Company E, 1 man wounded, 3 horses killed and 2 horses

wounded; Company F, 1 man killed and 1 horse killed. In all, 1 man killed, 1 man wounded, 4

horses killed and 3 horses wounded.

After this, on the 8th and 9th, we advanced with the rest of the cavalry toward Guntown or

Baldwyn. The want of sufficient forage began to affect our horses very perceptibly, and the

difficulty in obtaining the small amount in the country about us was now increased by the

presence of the enemy. On the morning of the 9th a foraging party of this command was fired

into by a guerrilla band concealed in the brush. Private George W. Rhoads, Company B, mortally

wounded. He died the same day, and was buried on the line of march. His horse, equipments, and

arms were saved. The last forage of any kind whatever this command received or obtained was at

Stubbs' plantation on the evening of the 9th. On the morning of the 10th we left camp at about 7

a.m., this regiment following immediately after the wagons and led horses, &c., of the First

Brigade Cavalry, which brigade had the advance. At about six miles from Stubbs' plantation we

crossed a swamp, or bayou, very difficult of passage, and which was not bridged. A man on

horseback found great difficulty in getting over, and one horse of this command was suffocated

in the mud. When approaching Brice's Cross-Roads, at 11 a.m., this command went into line of

battle, by battalion, on the right of the main road, and soon after the artillery opened in front. We

2

then advanced beyond Brice's (such, I understand, is the name of the corners near the field of

battle) the distance of about 500 yards, and, as ordered, I placed one battalion in line, mounted,

on the right of the road (leading to Guntown), and one battalion, also mounted, under Major

Jones, on the left of the road, and sent two squadrons, under Captain Brown, to the front on the

road a mile, as a picket. I at once made communication by patrol with the right flank of the First

Brigade, and soon after the battalion under Major Jones was ordered to close up on Colonel

Waring's right. By this movement my command was separated and the line interrupted until the

gap was filled by a portion of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry. The cavalry was then dismounted and the

horses at once sent to the rear. By pickets and skirmishers I was informed of the advance upon

our front of a heavy column of the enemy, and soon after the battalion under Major Jones,

composed of Companies F, G, H, and I, came under fire and held the enemy in check for from

three-quarters to an hour. Company I, under Captain Stanton, was the most exposed of my

squadrons. The Fourth Iowa Cavalry was also engaged at this time. On the left of this brigade the

enemy was driven back three different times, and several of his officers were killed while urging

their men forward; two are known to have fallen on the field. Occasional firing occurred also on

the right wing of my command, and they were also subjected at this time to a severe shelling

from the rebel batteries. The bombs exploded among my men, but fortunately inflicted no

permanent injury, although several men were temporarily disabled from the dirt and rubbish

thrown upon them. My chief trumpeter's horse was here shot from under him, and I lost his

services for the rest of the expedition. The First Brigade was at this time retired from their

position and this necessitated a similar movement by my squadrons on the left, who at once,

however, formed another line with the Fourth Iowa Cavalry. At this juncture my whole

command was relieved by regiments of infantry, and were retiring when the infantry became

engaged. We formed a new line immediately in their rear rather than in appearance leave them in

an emergency. After the order being received for us to retire to our horses, this regiment did so in

the best order, mounting by companies and forming a column of squadrons. The contest in the

field and in line lasted but a short time after this, and the enemy was hotly pressing his victory.

The infantry was filing past us in great numbers, the train was turned to the rear, and it became

necessary for us to take a second position, mounted, to protect the retreating column. A column

of squadrons was again formed facing the enemy, who failed to attack with small-arms, but

finally opened upon this regiment a heavy cannonade of round shot and shell. These fell around

my men, wounding a number, but causing not the least disorder. By order we moved farther to

the rear, something near half a mile, and again formed in squadrons faced to the enemy, who

kept at a distance and used the artillery only. Our own artillery was being retired and did not

protect us, and after holding our position for some time we were ordered to retire, which we did

in the best order, not an officer or soldier being out of his place. Night soon closed in and we

rested at Stubbs' plantation for the first time. The greatest difficulty was found in recrossing the

bayou, or swamp, in our rear, and in it were caught most of the artillery and trains of the army.

Arriving at Stubbs' plantation, on our camping-ground of the night previous, we rested from

about 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., when we again moved toward Ripley, holding the rear. After daylight

two squadrons were sent by me to the rear a mile, and a line formed by battalion to support them,

when the few infantry who had not already past us were brought up and sent forward. Just after

this the enemy began to assail us with great determination, and it was only by the greatest energy

and courage my squadrons, Companies L, M, and A united, under Captain Brown, and Company

B, under Captain De Huff, were able to hold the bridge leading to Ripley. They did so, however,

until relieved by the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, who now took the rear. In this defense Company L

had 1 man wounded, Company A 1 man wounded, and Company B 3 horses shot. My regiment

now accompanied General Grierson to Ripley, by his personal orders. Arriving at Ripley, the

3

distance of about a mile, I found the infantry filling the streets of the town, some moving one

way and some another, and at once was notified that the enemy was about to attack on the left

and to prepare for him. I formed in a column of squadrons, faced to the rear immediately, and at

the same time was ordered to support the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, then in action. Deploying a

battalion into line, I ordered it to the rear, and at the same time pushed another battalion in

column to hold the road of retreat for the other troops. My advance in line was under severe fire

and over fields broken by high fences and deep ditches, but officers and men were cool and kept

a good and steady line. The enemy was checked and the position held until his object attained

General Grierson ordered me to retire. To retire at this point was a matter of no little difficulty,

for the enemy, having no resistance elsewhere, were flanking us as well as pressing from the

rear. Their fire was redoubled as we moved again upon the road. I, in this stand, lost Lieutenant

Miller, Company D, who fell mortally wounded, bravely fighting and facing the foe, also

Corporal Gilchrist, Company C, killed, with other wounded mentioned in accompanying report. I

think it can be claimed with justice that by this effort of my command much relief was given to

our fellow-soldiers of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and to the infantry regiments who were retiring

from Ripley, and I have the satisfaction of knowing that the enemy did not escape without

punishment. His flag was seen to fall three times under our fire, and many of his men were killed

and wounded. The column passing on without stopping, my orders required me to continue on,

making such resistance as possible to hold the enemy in check. To hold the rear of a rapidly

retreating column against a superior and assailing enemy now became the task of my regiment,

and resulted in considerable loss to us. Companies I and K were thrown to the rear and taken

command of by Major Jones. A column of the enemy advancing through the surrounding

thickets came upon them while they were gallantly holding another regiment at bay, charging

them suddenly; after much resistance, by overpowering numbers, captured most of those who are

reported in the accompanying tables. Some squadrons of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry aided my

command at this time, and may have shared in the loss. The enemy, mounted on much freshet

horses than ours, felt confident of capturing or routing the whole column. The confusion he was

able to create was slight and of short duration; platoon after platoon was thrown out right and left

along our road, and facing to the rear presented front to the rebels. The nature of the ground

aided, as the road led along a ridge with hills and gullies on either hand. This method of defense

was continued throughout the morning and afternoon. A cavalry force of our men and an infantry

command finally appeared in our rear and gave my regiment temporary relief, but the enemy still

pressing, the cavalry failed to hold their place, and a portion of the infantry [was] thrown into

confusion and captured. Colonel Thomas, commanding the infantry, applied to me for relief, and

I immediately formed another battalion line, supporting it with several squadrons placed at

advantageous points. The infantry left passed through my line, and I was once more contending

with the advance of the enemy. The duty was severe, and, in view of what had already been

performed, somewhat unexpected, but as it had been assumed to help them it was persevered in

without complaint as long as strength was left to resist. I was finally relieved by the Fourth Iowa

Cavalry, and they by the Second New Jersey. After this this command was not again under fire.

The rest of this day the column advanced without food or rest, except a short halt at evening,

when, the enemy approaching, the column was again put in motion and the march continued

through the night and next morning to La Fayette. Halting here until noon we proceeded to

Collierville, where we met re-enforcements and obtained some forage. At dark we were again

marched in advance of the First Brigade, the infantry following in rear to Germantown, at which

point the First Brigade took the advance and proceeded to camp. We followed soon after,

marching all night and bivouacking at White's Station at daylight. Here this regiment was

required to furnish 100 of the best of its already exhausted horses to return on duty to

4

Collierville; with the remainder I arrived here the same day at sunset. The 100 men detached

have since come in.

I refer to the accompanying tables for a more definite statement of my losses in this most

unfortunate expedition, in which my command labored so hard and fought so well.

My officers and men behaved universally so well that I cannot make much distinction among

them, but for their aid in getting a new line to face the enemy at one particular emergency I deem

Captain Curkendall and Lieutenant McKee worthy of particular notice. Major Jones was

constantly at his post and did all a brave and good officer could. If occasion offers I hope to

bring the merits of others of these brave men more prominently forward than I can do now.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN W. NOBLE,

Lieutenant-Colonel.

Lieut. A. HODGE,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Brigade, Cavalry Division.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH IOWA CAVALRY,

Memphis, Tenn., July 4, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the Fourth Iowa

Cavalry Regiment in an expedition commanded by General Sturgis, from Memphis, Tenn., to

Guntown (or Tishomingo Creek):

The regiment marched from Memphis June 1, 1864. June 7 had a heavy skirmish at Ripley,

Miss.; lost 1 man prisoner and several slightly wounded. June 9 camped at Stubbs' plantation.

June 10 marched at 4 a.m. At 11 a.m. the advance encountered the enemy, under command of

General Forrest, near Tishomingo Creek. The infantry and artillery were five or six miles in the

rear. I was ordered to take the regiment to the front dismounted. I formed my line near Brice's

Cross-Roads. The enemy was in very thick brush. I could not tell the exact position of the

enemy's line. My line was not parallel with that of the enemy, but at an angle of nearly 45

degrees, the left being near the enemy. I had moved forward but a short distance when the enemy

fired a volley into Company C, on the left, by which Lieutenant Dillon and many others of the

company were severely wounded. The left of the regiment was obliged to fall back. I then

formed the regiment from the right parallel with the enemy's front. As I heard the enemy

advancing through the brush I ordered the regiment to lie close to the ground. They charged us

twice in this position, but were driven back with heavy loss. We lay here about two hours within

sixty yards of the enemy, the brush being so thick that we could not see them. The infantry now

came up, but they had been so hurried through the heat that only a small part of the command

was able to keep up. On their arrival I was ordered back to the horses, and the regiment mounted

and formed in close column, squadron front, waiting orders. I soon saw our men coming in full

retreat, the enemy close in their rear. The enemy had captured two pieces of artillery, which had

been sent forward, and turned them on us, and I was now in range of their fire, and entirely cut

off from the ford above the bridge by the retreating teams, which had for some cause continued

to move toward the front. The bridge was blockaded with broken-down teams, and the steep

banks of the creek in my immediate rear rendered it impossible to cross with horses. I ordered

the men to dismount and rush for a little eminence in our front, and never have I seen a military

command executed as quickly; every man saw the situation and acted accordingly. We held the

entire force of the enemy from this point for more than thirty minutes. The bridge was cleared

and every horse crossed over the creek, while we kept up a continual fire on the enemy, keeping

them back till all our infantry that was in sight had crossed the creek and we were nearly

surrounded. The regiment then retreated across the creek and mounted the horses. Everything

5

now seemed in confusion. I formed the regiment in close column. The Third and Fourth Iowa

Cavalry were all the troops I saw intact. The other troops were rushing past in confusion. I soon

received orders from Colonel Winslow, commanding our brigade, to pass the retreating column

as fast as possible until I reached its head, and then stop every man. I did not succeed in passing

all the troops until we arrived at Stubbs' plantation, where I formed my men and commenced

halting the troops. I soon received orders to let them all pass. The Third and Fourth Cavalry

remained at this place until about 3 a.m. June 11, when most of the troops had passed. The

artillery and wagons had mostly been abandoned some miles back in a bad swamp. Soon after

moving out the enemy came up, and we had a hard fight all the way back, the enemy charging

our rear often. At Ripley the enemy came in on different roads and made a great effort to break

our rear by repeated charges. The regiment was all engaged in Ripley. I formed a line across the

town and fell back slowly and in good order, although we were pressed hard at some points.

When we came to the timber on the north side of the town six companies took the road leading

north. We came in on this road when we were advancing. The other six companies followed the

command which took the road leading west from town. Soon after leaving Ripley the enemy

succeeded in breaking through some companies of the Third and Fourth by a charge on the flank

through the timber, but were soon checked by Companies D and G of the Fourth, commanded by

Captain Abraham and Lieutenant Keck. Had not the enemy been checked at this point we must

have lost the most of our command. Our rear companies rushed past the column in great

confusion, followed by the enemy, who were yelling like demons. When I saw the rear give way

I pushed forward until I found a place where I could form two companies, but it was with the

greatest difficulty that the line could be held against our own troops, which were rushing past in

such disorder. The enemy came on with colors flying, and but few yards in rear of our men. The

two companies met them with a volley, their colors went down, men and horses were piled upon

each other, the road was blockaded; never did I see men and officers stand a charge more

gallantly than did these two companies. Two of their number fell dead, but the lesson taught the

enemy was a good one, for they were very careful how they again charged our rear. The day was

very hot. The soldiers had eaten nothing since the morning of the 10th. They had been marched

up five or six miles on the double-quick to the fight, and were soon defeated and turned on the

retreat. They were without rations; many had thrown away or destroyed their arms, and all the

infantry near the rear had reduced their clothing as much as possible, hoping to keep in advance

of the rear guard; but the general in command was leading the retreat so rapidly that I was

obliged to leave hundreds every mile who were unable longer to keep up. Our horses, too, were

fast giving out, and I could not get more than ten men from a company with horses able to

overtake the command after stopping to check the advancing rebels. With such a small force it

was not safe to remain far from the main column, so about 2 p.m. I started for the front. We were

then leaving men very fast, who could keep up with ordinary marching, but were unable to keep

up while marching as fast as we were. I asked General Sturgis if he would not march the column

slower, as it was impossible to keep a well-organized rear guard while it was marching so

rapidly, as we were losing all our infantry who were unable to keep up. The general ordered a

halt, and we had a little rest. It was near night, and Colonel Kargé, commanding Second New

Jersey Cavalry, was sent to take the rear, but he soon sent word that the enemy were pressing

him, and the march was at once resumed and continued all night.

We arrived at Collierville, Tenn., about 10 a.m. of June 12. To this place the railroad was in

running order and 2,000 troops had arrived there from Memphis with supplies for men and

horses. The dismounted men and what infantry had succeeded in getting through were taken to

Memphis on the cars. About 12 o'clock the six companies which were cut off at Ripley came in,

under command of Captain Woods, and reported that the enemy had not troubled them after

6

leaving Ripley. We considered ourselves perfectly safe here with the re-enforcement of fresh

troops from Memphis, but the general did not so consider it. Soon after sundown we received

orders to march. We left Collierville about 9 p.m., and arrived at White's Station, seventeen

miles, before daylight. This was the third night without sleep, and my men and horses were very

tired. About sunrise I received orders to send 250 men back to Collierville to protect a train

which was going to Collierville for a lot of our infantry who had come in soon after we left. I

sent all the men and horses that were able to go, under command of Captain Huff, of Company

A.

I have no means at the present time of knowing the exact number of killed, wounded, and

missing in my command, but it was heavy.

I am sorry to have to say that the officers and men of my command have no confidence in the

general commanding the expedition.

I should be happy to mention in this report the names of all the officers and men who are

entitled to special notice, but in so doing I should have to name most of my command. T