Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 2.djvu/520

 covered by Winslow’s brigade of cavalry during the terrible night’s march of June 10th, and through the next day until Ripley was reached. Here the enemy pressed so hard that the running skirmish swelled into a sharp engagement, checking the ardor of the pursuit. General Sturgis made no attempt to reorganize or control the troops after the retreat began and he alone should be held directly responsible for this great disaster. Our losses were about four thousand men killed, wounded and missing, the entire train of two hundred and fifty wagons captured and almost the whole ambulance train with every gun except two belonging to Winslow’s brigade of cavalry were lost.”

The Fourth Cavalry was with General A. J. Smith in his Tupelo campaign, also in his expedition sent from Memphis, in the month of August into Mississippi. It was with the army sent into Arkansas the latter part of August in pursuit of Price, which did not overtake him. The regiment was with General Pleasanton in his pursuit of Price in western Missouri taking part in engagements near Independence and at Big Blue River. In forcing a passage of this river Colonel Winslow’s Brigade had a sharp skirmish with the enemy strongly posted on its banks. In this battle the colonel was severely wounded and the Fourth lost several men. At Mine Creek the Union army again overtook Price where a cavalry battle took place on the open prairie The Fourth Iowa made a most gallant charge on the enemy’s lines breaking through them and sending him off in full retreat. Our whole line now joined in the charge and the rout of the foe was continued until it was driven into the Indian Territory and nearly destroyed. Winslow’s Brigade now returned to St. Louis. It had marched nearly 2,500 miles in three months, worn out two sets of horses and fought in many engagements with unvarying success. The Fourth Iowa took part in the two great raids under Grierson and Wilson, described in another place. In the Battle of