some twenty-five ambulances, with a number of wounded,
were left in Little Hatchie bottom, further on. The
discomfited Federals were badly scattered throughout the
country. Forrest, therefore, threw out his regiment on
either side of the roads to sweep the vicinity. A number
were killed and many prisoners captured before reaching
Ripley, twenty-five miles from Brice's Cross Roads. At this
point two strong lines were formed across the road. After a
spirited onset the Federals broke, leaving one piece of
artillery, two caissons, two ambulances. Twenty-one killed
and seventy wounded were also left on the field. Colonel G.
M. McCraig, of the One Hundred and Twentieth Illinois
Infantry, was among the killed; also Captain W. J. Tate,
Seventh Tennessee Cavalry. This was accomplished just as the
artillery reached the front.

"Lieutenant Frank Rodgers, of Rucker's staff, the night
previous, with a small, select detachment of men, assisted
by Captain Gooch, with the remnant of his company, hung
constantly upon the Federal rear, with a daring never
surpassed. Their series of attacks greatly harrassed and
annoyed the enemy, numbers of whom were killed and wounded.
The artillery followed to Salem, twenty-five miles distant
from Ripley."

The Phalanx regiments would not consent to be whipped, even with the
black flag flying in their front, and deserted by their white comrades.
A correspondent of the Cleveland _Leader_, in giving an account of this
"miserable affair," writes:

"About sunrise, June 11, the enemy advanced on the town of
Ripley, and threatened our right, intending to cut us off
from the Salem Road. Again the colored troops were the only
ones that could be brought into line; the Fifty-ninth being
on the right, and the Fifty-fifth on the left, holding the
streets. At this time, the men had not more than ten rounds
of ammunition, and the enemy were crowding closer and still
closer, when the Fifty-ninth were ordered to charge on them,
which they did in good style, while singing,

"'We'll rally round the flag, boys.'

"This charge drove the enemy back, so that both regiments
retreated to a pine grove about two hundred yards distant.

"By this time, all the white troops, except one squadron of
cavalry, that formed in the rear, were on