Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/412

 352 HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI Mississippi aud was then sent on an expe- dition to Louisiana and to Grand Gulf ; it took part in the battle of Champions Hill and was surrendered with the army at Vicksburg on July 4th, 1863. From here it was sent into Parole Camp at Demopolis, Alabama, where it remained until it was exchanged in the following September. It was then sent to Mobile it went into winter quarters; from Mobile it went to Lauderdale Springs and then to Gainesville, Alabama. It was attached to Hood's army and took part in the great battles of Franklin and Nashville and the lesser engagements of that campaign. The regiment suffered very greatly at the battle of Franklin. Out of 140 men who went into the battle not more than thirty came out un- injured. It took part in all the campaigns about Atlanta ; it was then sent to ^lobile and was again captured at Fort Blakesly, which put an end to its active sei-viec. Colonel Ri- ley was killed at New Hope Church and was succeeded by Captain Garland. When the lat- ter was wounded the regiment was placed in command of Ambrose Keith, who had en- tered the service as lieutenant in Company II. The record of these two regiments was not surpassed by many in either army. They cov- ered long distances in their marches, took part in many of the great battles and won for themselves a name for steadiness and bravery that is enviable. One of the most famous of the Confederate organizations of Southeast ]Iissouri was the Second ]Missouri Cavalry recruited in a num- ber of counties in this part of the state. Its most famous colonel was Robert ilcCulloch. who was elected at Springfield in October, 1861. They took part in the battles in Mis- souri and Arkansas especially the one at Elk Horn Tavern, where the regiment displayed such courage and fortitude and such unusual steadiness as to attract the attention of offi- cers even at this point in its career. In 1862, with the First and Third Regiments, it was assigned to the brigade commanded by Gen- eral M. E. Green and sent to Arkansas. It made its headquarters at Van Buren and then crossed the river to the east with Generals Vandorn and Price. East of the river the First and Third Regiments were dismounted and became part of the Missouri Brigade, com- manded by General Cockrell ; the Second was retained as a cavalry regiment throughout the war. It took part in the great battle at Bolivar, Tennessee, in August, 1862, wiiere it was commanded by General Armstrong. A little later it was at luka and with Bledsoe's Missouri battery checked the pursuit after tlie battle. The regiment distinguished itself at Corinth and later during the terriffic fighting on Hatchie river. On this river when General Price's army seemed almost certain to fall into the hands of the enemy, the Second ]Iissouri with Bledsoe's Battery, formed the rear guard and fought desperately for several days. At one time they formed an ambush and inflicted great damage and loss on the enemy. In 1863 the regiment operated in ilissis- sippi until in October when it took part on the raid of Tennessee, fighting at Savery and Collinsville. On the retreat from this raid the companies of Captains Savery, Thompson, and Lichlighter fought as the rear guard. It formed a part of the command of General Bedford Forrest and distinguished itself for bravely at Okalona in 1864. It led the charge made against Fort Pillow, and in every action which it took part, won new laurels for itself. Colonel McCuUoch was wounded at Old Town creek, and Lieutenant Colonel R. A. ^IcCulloeh was chosen in his place as col- onel. The regiment took part in the fighting