Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 07.djvu/479

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
Forrest and his Campaigns.
471


on Forrest and his cavalry. It was said that Forrest's demand for a surrender at Paducah, coupled with an implied threat that he would not be responsible for the consequences if compelled to take the place by assault, showed a predetermination to cold-blooded murder. This was the form of his first demand for surrender made at Murfreesboro', and he practiced it afterwards just as he practiced his flank attack, and for the same purpose, and with the same effect, to intimidate his adversary.

Again he gathered up a large quantity of supplies and recruits, and again General Sherman attempted to have him captured, as will be seen from the following telegrams, taken from the Congressional report on the conduct of the war:

Nashville, Tennessee, April 2, 1864.

General McPherson, Huntsville:

I would not give orders about Forrest, who is in your command, only the matter involves Kentucky also. As soon as he is disposed of, I will leave all matters in your Department to you. Veatch is posted near Purdy to cut off his escape by the headwater of the Hatchie. Hurlbut, with infantry and cavalry, will move towards Bolivar with a view to catch Forrest in flank as he attempts to escape. Brayman will stop a few veteran regiments returning, and will use them as far out as Union City.

W. T. Sherman, Major-General.

Nashville, April 11, 1864.

To General McPherson, Huntsville:

 .   .  If you have at Cairo anything that could go up the Tennessee, and move inland on Jackson or Paris even, it would disturb Forrest more than anything Hurlbut will do from Memphis.

W. T. Sherman, &c.

Nashville, April 18, 1864.

To General McPherson, Huntsville; General Brayman, Cairo; General Hurlbut, Memphis; and General Slocum, Vicksburg:

General Grant has made the following orders.  .   .   .  General Sturgis has started this morning to assume command of all the cavalry at or near Memphis, with which he will sally out and attack Forrest wherever he may be. General Grierson may seize all the horses and mules in Memphis to mount his men and be ready for the arrival of General Sturgis, and Buckland's brigade of infantry should be ready to move out with the cavalry.

W. T. Sherman, Major-General Commanding.

To further show the great danger apprehended from Forrest at this time and the number of troops held to watch him, I cite the following dispatch from General Sherman:

Nashville, April 19, 1864.

To General Rawling, Chief of Staff, Washington, D. C.:

 .   .   .  At Memphis are Buckland's brigade of splendid troops (two thousand), three other white regiments, one black artillery at Fort Picker-