Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/68

56 his command during the campaign at 300 killed and wounded and 400 prisoners. The Federal loss by Sherman is 21 killed, 68 wounded, 81 missing. Forrest's estimate of the loss inflicted by his command on the enemy is 600 killed and wounded and 300 prisoners. Federal General Smith's official report places his loss from Forrest's command at 47 killed, 152 wounded and 120 missing. Total loss, 319.

The movement and concentration by Forrest at West Point showed caution and great sagacity. He felt doubtful of meeting Smith successfully and overcoming his 7,000 men with his 3,500, and he felt that he must overcome this disadvantage. His point of concentration was far to the southeast and in front of several almost impassable swamps, in a pocket formed by several streams, where he could offer formidable resistance, and be near enough to receive assistance from General Polk, if he could furnish it. He could have concentrated at a shorter distance, at Pontotoc, Houston or Okolona, but he might have been interfered with before he was ready, and the country was not so suitable for defence as that selected.

Smith commenced his retreat before Forrest offered him any serious resistance, and because he knew of Lee's near approach and junction with Forrest. In his official report, Smith says, of his retreating from West Point: "Exaggerated reports of Forrest's strength reached me constantly, and it was reported that Lee was about to reinforce him with a portion or the whole of his command." He also says: "Under these circumstances, I determined not to move my encumbered command into the trap set for me by the Rebels." Again: "I would have lost my entire command, and of course could have rendered him (Sherman) no assistance." Again: "Information since obtained fully justifies the decision to retire before Forrest's force from West Point. General Sherman's expeditionary force had withdrawn from Meridian before my arrival at West Point, on a line that could not have been known to me, cut off, as I was, from any communication with him. Forrest's force is ascertained to have been rather above than below my estimate. Chalmers was moving with two brigades by way of Houston to my rear, while Lee, with from three to four thousand men, was ordered up to join Forrest in front." Again: "Our march [retreat] was so rapid that the enemy could not outstrip and intercept us, which he constantly endeavored to do."

Major S. L. Woodward, United States army, who was Adjutant-General on General Grierson's staff in this expedition, the General