of the fight, says: 'We had four pieces of artillery at the
cross roads. * * * Finding our troops were being hotly
pressed, I ordered one section to open on the enemy's
reserves. The enemy's artillery soon replied, and with great
accuracy, every shell bursting over and in the immediate
vicinity of our guns.' A shell from one of the Confederate
guns struck the table in Brice's porch, was used by General
Sturgis, stunning that officer."

The terrible struggle which now ensued was not surpassed, according to
an eye-witness, by the fighting of any troops. The Phalanx were
determined, if courage could do it, to whip the men who had so dastardly
massacred the garrison of Fort Pillow. This fact was known to Forrest,
Buford and their troops, who fought like men realizing that anything
short of victory was death, and well may they have thus thought, for
every charge the Phalanx made meant annihilation. They, too, accepted
the portentous fiat, victory or death.

Though more than twenty years have passed since this bloody fight, yet
the chief of the confederate artillery portrays the situation in these
words:

"Is was soon evident that another strong line had formed
behind the fence by the skirt of woods just westward of
Phillips' branch. General Forrest riding up, dismounted and
approached our guns, which were now plying shell and solid
shot. With his field glasses he took in the situation. The
enemy's shot were coming thick and fast; leaden balls were
seen to flatten as they would strike the axles and tires of
our gun carriages; trees were barked and the air was ladened
with the familiar but unpleasant sound of these death
messengers.

"Realizing General Forrest's exposure, we involuntarily
ventured the suggestion that, 'You had better get lower down
the hill, General.' Instantly we apologized, as we expected
the General to intimate that it was none of our business
where he went. He, however, stepped down the hill out of
danger and seating himself behind a tree, seemed for a few
moments in deep study, but soon the head of our cavalry
column arriving, he turned to me and said: 'Captain, as soon
as you hear me open on the right and flank of the enemy over
yonder,' pointing to the enemy's position, 'charge with your
artillery down that lane and cross the branch.' The genial
and