nature of the
country as best we could. From actual personal observation where we
had driven the enemy from the field, and from what my surgeons, left
with our wounded, learned in relation to the loss of the enemy, I am
convinced that we killed more of his men than we lost in both killed
and wounded.

Previous to the surrender, we had captured and paroled about two
hundred prisoners, and had lost about the same number in consequence
of the animals giving out, and the men, unable to keep up, broke down
from exhaustion, and were necessarily picked up by the enemy; but in
no case was the enemy able to capture a single man in any skirmish or
battle within my knowledge.

I deem it proper to mention the barbarous treatment my wounded
received at the hands of the enemy. Owing to the nature of the service
we were performing, we were compelled to leave our wounded behind. I
provided for them as best I could by leaving them blankets and such
rations as we had, and two of my surgeons remained behind to attend
them; but no sooner did the enemy get possession of our hospitals than
they robbed both officers and men of their blankets, coats, hats,
boots, shoes, rations, and money. The medical stores and instruments
were taken from the surgeons, and my wounded left in a semi-naked and
starving condition, in some instances many miles from any inhabitants,
to perish.

Many thanks to the Union ladies of that country, for they saved many a
brave soldier from a horrible death.

In reviewing the history of this ill-fated expedition, I am convinced
that had we been furnished at Nashville with 800 good horses, instead
of poor, young mules, we would have been successful, in spite of all
other drawbacks; or if General Dodge had succeeded in detaining
Forrest one day longer, we would have been successful even with our
poor outfit.

A. D. STREIGHT,

_Colonel Fifty-first Indiana Veteran Volunteer Infantry_.

On my return, I dispatched Colonel Cornyn with his Brigade to the attack
of the force of the enemy that I had located near Tupelo, Miss. He tells
the story of his battle better than I can, in his official report, which
follows:

We arrived at Tupelo on Tuesday, May 5, and here we fought the
best-contested fight of the whole expedition. Just before entering the
town of Tupelo, and to the east of t