ult of a series of unfortunate circumstances over which
human ingenuity could have no control.

"The unprecedented rains so delayed our march across a
desert country that the enemy had ample time to accumulate
an overwhelming force in our front, and kept us so long in
an exhausted region as to so starve and weaken our animals
that they were unable to extricate the wagons and artillery
from the mud.

"So far as I know every one did his duty well, and while
they fought no troops ever fought better. The colored troops
deserve great credit for the manner in which they stood to
their work.

"This is a hasty and rather incoherent outline of our
operations, but I will forward a more minute account as soon
as the official reports can be received from division
commanders.

"I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your
obedient servant,

"S. D. STURGIS,

"_Brig.-Gen. Commanding._

"To Maj.-Gen. C. C. WASHBURN, Commanding District W. Tenn."

An extract from a letter from Colonel Arthur T. Reeve, who commanded the
55th Colored Infantry in this fight, reads:

"Our (the Federal) command having been moved up on
double-quick--a distance of about five miles--immediately
before their arrival on the field and the consequent fact
that this arm of our force went into the engagement very
seriously blown, in fact, very nearly exhausted by heat and
fatigue, with their ranks very much drawn out, were whipped
in detail and overwhelmed by the very brilliant and vigorous
assaults of your forces. When the engagement first began I
was at the rear of the Federal column, in command of the
train guard, and hence passed over the ground on the way to
the battle-field after the balance of the army had passed,
and am able to speak advisedly of the extreme exhaustion of
the infantry, as I passed large numbers entirely prostrated
by heat and fatigue, who did not reach the field of battle
and must have fallen into your hands after the engagement."

[_General Sturgis' Report, No. 2._]

"MEMPHIS, TENN., June 24, 1864.

"Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the
operations of the expedition which marched from near La
Fayette, Tenn.