d their captain.

"A rebel came up to one, and said, 'Come my good fellow, go
with me and wait on me.' In an instant, the boy shot his
would-be master dead.

"Once when the men charged on the enemy, they rushed forth
with the cry, 'Remember Fort Pillow.' The rebs called back,
and said, 'Lee's men killed no prisoners.'

"One man in a charge threw his antagonist to the ground, and
pinned him fast; and, as he attempted to withdraw his
bayonet, it came off his gun, and, as he was very busy just
then, he left him transfixed to mother earth.

"One man killed a rebel by striking him with the butt of his
gun, which he broke; but, being unwilling to stop his work,
he loaded and fired three times before he could get a better
gun; the first time not being cautious, the rebound of his
gun badly cut his lip.

"When the troops were in the ditch, three rebels came to one
man, and ordered him to surrender. His gun being loaded, he
shot one and bayoneted another; and, forgetting he could
bayonet the third, he turned the butt of his gun, and
knocked him down."

General Sturgis was severely criticised by the press immediately after
the affair. Historians since the war have followed up these criticisms.
He has been accused of incompetency, rashness and drunkenness, none of
which it is the purpose of this volume to endorse. Possibly his reports
furnish a sufficient explanation for the disaster, which it is hoped
they do, inasmuch as he is not charged with either treason or cowardice.

[_General Sturgis' Report, No. 1._]

"HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES,
COLLIERSVILLE, TENN., June 12, 1864.

"GENERAL:--I have the honor to report that we met the enemy
in position and in heavy force about 10 A. M. on the 10th
instant at Brice's Cross-Roads on the Ripley and Fulton road
and about six miles northwest of Guntown, Miss. A severe
battle ensued which lasted until about 4 P. M., when I
regret to say my lines were compelled to give way before the
overwhelming numbers by which they were assailed at every
point. To fall back at this point was more than ordinarily
difficult as there was a narrow valley in our rear through
which ran a small creek crossed by a single narrow bridge.
The road was almost impassable by re