I failed to note that page OR 335 of V39, Pt. 1, was mentioned in Cato's file. I've copied that along with the preceding report. Also note, that a map of the battlefield is found on page 334 which does not copy herein.

O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XXXIX/1 [S# 77] pp. 329-335

JULY 5-21, 1864.--Expedition from La Grange, Tenn., to Tupelo, Miss.
No. 47.--Report of Brig. Gen. Abraham Buford, C. S. Army, commanding Second Division.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, FORREST'S CAVALRY,
Egypt, Miss., July 22, 1864.

I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my division during the late engagement in and around Tupelo:

My division was composed of Lyon's brigade, comprising the Third, Seventh, Eighth, and Faulkner's Kentucky Regiments, 900 strong; Bell's brigade, comprising the Second, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth, and Newsom's Tennessee Regiments, 1,300 strong, and Mabry's brigade, temporarily attached to the division, comprising the Sixth and Thirty-eighth Mississippi, Fourth Mississippi and Fourteenth Confederate Regiments, 1,000 strong; in all, 3,200 effective men.

On the 7th of July I was ordered to send Bell's brigade to Ellistown. He accordingly moved at 5 o'clock the morning of the 8th for that point, and guarded the approach from Ripley via Ellistown to Tupelo.

On the morning of the 9th, by order of Major-General Forrest, I moved from Tupelo to Ellistown with the Kentucky brigade, Brigadier-General Lyon commanding. At this point I was joined by Col. H. P. Mabry with his brigade of Mississippians, who had moved from Saltillo. Learning from scouts that the enemy were not advancing on the Ripley and Ellistown road, but on the road from Ripley via New Albany to Pontotoc, I moved my division to the latter place, marching all night, halting about daylight two miles from Pontotoc. I received during the day several orders directing me to develop the enemy's strength, not to bring on a general engagement, but keep in the enemy's front and on his flanks and gradually fall back to Okolona. I accordingly made dispositions to carry out these orders. I sent a regiment of Mabry's brigade, Colonel Isham Harrison commanding, accompanied by a staff officer, toward Plentytude, on the Plentytude and Chesterville road. I ordered Colonel Bell to send the Second Tennessee, Colonel Barteau commanding, in the direction of New Albany. I had hardly made these dispositions, and was preparing to make others, when, at 7.30 a.m. on the 10th of July, I received an order from Major-General Forrest to get on the Chesterville road, if I could, and join the command at Okolona, and to send a squadron of 100 good men in rear of the enemy to cut off his communications, &c. I immediately detached 100 picked men, under Captain Tyler, Company A, Faulkner's (Kentucky) regiment, to proceed to rear of the enemy and carry out the instructions I had received. For the operations of this squadron I refer to the report of Captain Tyler, herewith forwarded. About 9 a.m. I was joined at Pontotoc by McCulloch's brigade, of Chalmers' division.
I left Pontotoc about 1 a.m. Sunday, 10th of July, and marched to a strong position on a creek five or six miles from the town, leaving Me. Culloch's brigade at Pontotoc and Barteau's regiment (Second Tennessee) on the Pontotoc and New Albany road to skirmish with the enemy and gradually fall back. During the day I received orders to report to Brigadier-General Chalmers, who had been fully instructed by the major-general commanding, and to co-operate with him. I did so.
The enemy made his appearance Monday morning, 11th instant, in Pontotoc. His force consisted of 13,000 infantry (including one brigade of negroes), 2,500 cavalry, and 24 pieces of artillery, under command of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith. This force was admirably equipped, commanded by an officer of experience and skill, and moved with great caution, always prepared. Colonel McCulloch's brigade and Colonel Barteau's regiment were gradually driven, and fell back three miles on the Pontotoc and Okolona road. Dispositions were made to hold the enemy in check.

On Tuesday morning the enemy advanced and Lyon's brigade met them. The enemy's cavalry dismounted and moved against the position taken in the road by this brigade, but were handsomely repulsed. Tuesday night Generals Lee and Forrest arrived on the field, bringing with them the entire force of infantry and dismounted cavalry. I reported to them all the information in my knowledge, and the fact that up to that time I had discovered no evidence of the demoralized condition of the enemy, but had found him ever ready for action.

On Wednesday it was discovered that the enemy had left Pontotoc that morning and was marching on Tupelo. I was immediately ordered to move on his flank on the Pontotoc and Carmargo Ferry road, known as the Chauappa Valley road, leading via Doctor Calhoun's house to Verona. I did so, moving on his right flank, Colonel Bell's brigade in advance. General Lyon was relieved from his brigade and ordered to take command of the division of infantry. The command of the Kentucky brigade then devolved on Colonel Crossland, Seventh Kentucky Regiment.

General Forrest, with Mabry's brigade, followed immediately in rear of the enemy. About 5 o'clock Wednesday evening (13th), under the order of Lieutenant-General Lee, with Bell's brigade and a section of artillery from Morton's battery, I attacked the enemy on his right flank during the march. At no time had I found the enemy unprepared. He marched with his column well closed up, his wagon train well protected, and his flanks covered in an admirable manner, evincing at all times a readiness to meet any attack, and showing careful generalship. After fighting him about an hour, suffering considerable loss, the enemy was heavily re-enforced and I was compelled to withdraw the brigade from action. They fell back and reformed across a creek. The Kentucky brigade having by this time arrived at the scene of action, I formed the two brigades to repel any attack that might be made, but the enemy being pushed in the rear moved on to Harrisburg. I followed him to within two miles of that place, when I joined General Forrest at the intersection of the Harrisburg and Verona and the Pontotoc and Tupelo roads. The enemy formed his line at Harrisburg, where he had a strong, natural position, and during the night threw up a line of fortifications and awaited an attack from us. I camped for the night, throwing the Kentucky brigade forward on picket.

During the night I received orders to bring up my division to the crossroads by daylight next morning, about a mile and a half from Harrisburg. The troops were there formed for the attack--Mabry's brigade on the left of the road from Pontotoc to Tupelo, the Kentucky brigade on the right, and Bell's brigade immediately in rear of Mabry's brigade as a support. Brigadier-General Roddey's division was formed on the right of the Kentucky brigade. Chalmers' division of cavalry and Lyon's division of infantry were held as reserves. About 7 p.m. I was ordered to move forward to the attack, when I modestly expressed the opinion that the attack should not be a direct one, but the majority of the forces should be thrown on the Verona and Tupelo road, and a vigorous assault made on his left flank; that a direct charge was what the enemy most desired, and for which he was strongly posted both by nature and art. The ground moved over was open timber intersected by hills and ravines. In moving forward the Kentucky brigade obliqued to the right, in order to connect with Roddey's division, Mabry's brigade obliqued to the left. Observing these intervals, I reported the fact to General Lee, who immediately ordered Colonel Bell to move forward and form between Mabry's and Crossland's brigades. The accompanying plan(*) will show the disposition of my division for the attack. Immediately in front of the enemy's position, which was on elevated ground commanding the entire approach, the country was open, there being no timber in front for a distance of 100 or 200 yards at different points of his line. The enemy's skirmishers were driven in. When the Kentucky brigade arrived at the edge of the timber, discovering the enemy's position, raising a shout they charged his line of works. The enemy reserved his fire until our men were in close range, and poured upon them a galling fire. They continued, however, to advance. The enemy's artillery was fired with great rapidity, charged with canister, upon our advancing columns. Perceiving that the force on our extreme right (Roddey's) did not advance, the enemy turned the fire of his batteries, posted on an elevation in Roddey's front, on the advancing Kentuckians, and they, under a galling fire of musketry and artillery both in front and obliquely from the enemy in Roddey's front, were compelled to fall back. They had advanced, however, to the enemy's intrenchments. Some fell and were taken prisoners within his line, and several within thirty steps of his breast-works. Colonel Faulkner's horse was killed within sixty steps under him. The loss was very severe in this charge, and it was only under a fire that dealt death on every side and decimated their ranks fully one-third that they were forced to fall back. Mabry's and Bell's brigades advanced to within close musket-range and engaged the enemy. Approaching gradually they poured a very destructive fire upon his line. Arriving at the open space and having to cross a cornfield, they slowly advanced, but so deadly was the concentrated fire that, after penetrating some fifty steps, they retired to the cover of timber, where they kept up a heavy and continual fire upon the enemy for three hours, dealing destruction in his ranks. General Chalmers' division was ordered forward to relieve my command, and I was directed to fall back and hold my command immediately in rear of the position where the first line of battle was formed. During the night I was ordered to mount Bell's brigade and station it at Doctor Calhoun's house, to be in readiness to oppose the enemy if an advance was made toward Verona, and the Kentucky brigade to be thrown between the enemy and Doctor Calhoun's house. I was further ordered to send a mounted regiment from Mabry's brigade through Harrisburg, to ascertain what the enemy was doing, while the remainder of that brigade was left in its original position. I made the dispositions required by these orders, and the next morning (Friday, the 15th of July) I was ordered to attack the enemy on his left flank on the Verona road. I moved against him with Bell's and Crossland's brigades, and drove him back about one mile to the cover of timber upon his main line. I then halted, threw out a line of skirmishers to hold the enemy in check, and rested my division, who were exhausted from hard fighting, the excessive heat, and want of water. I had eighty men carried off the field that morning perfectly exhausted, most of whom were insensible. About 2 p.m. I received orders to move up, as the enemy were evidently retreating on the road to Ellistown, and to pursue him vigorously. I marched on the Harrisburg and Ellistown road, Bell's brigade in the advance, and commenced the pursuit. Rice's battery was also ordered to report to me. I overtook the enemy's rear at Old Town Creek, five miles from Tupelo. I ordered Rice's battery immediately in position on elevated ground, which commanded the bottom and the crossing of the creek, and opened on the retiring enemy. I formed Bell's and Crossland's brigades on either side of the road and moved forward. From casualties of action, from exhaustion, and from broken-down horses, my division, now composed of those two brigades (Ma-bry's having been sent on another road), was reduced to less than a thousand. I drove the enemy's rear before me to the creek bottom, with considerable loss. Rice's battery did good execution. The enemy finding himself pushed in the rear immediately re-enforced his rear guard with two brigades of infantry, whom I fought for thirty minutes. The support I was expecting not arriving, and the force of the enemy being so much superior to my own, I was forced to withdraw. Colonel McCulloch came up soon afterward with his brigade, engaged the enemy, and was driven back. The division was then, by order, withdrawn from the pursuit, and returned to camp near Harrisburg.

Words are inadequate to express the daring action, the imperturbable bravery, the indomitable endurance exhibited by both officers and men. The country has rarely witnessed such boldness of execution as was performed by the troops of the division. They attacked with precision and earnestness, determined not to give up the struggle until the enemy was driven from the field.

The long list of dead and wounded echo the history of their actions. To Colonel Harrison, Lieutenant-Colonels Cage and Nelson, and Major McCay, of Mabry's brigade of Mississippians, who fell in the foremost rank, every meed of praise for bravery, coolness, and gallant bearing on the march, and especially in action, is due. They fill a soldier's grave, deeply lamented, but are a monument of themselves, the reflection of whose lives will add to the determination of their surviving comrades to fight on until the blessings of peace and independence crown our efforts.

The brave and lamented Sherrill, lieutenant-colonel Seventh Kentucky, deserves the most commendable notice for his actions. A modest, retiring officer, he was yet ever found in the thickest of the fight cheering forward his men until the missile of death laid him low.

The long list of field and line officers and men wounded shows the deadly nature of the conflict, and their daring and devotion to duty.

I take the highest pleasure in mentioning as worthy of the notice of their superiors and of the Government the following-named officers: Brig. Gen. T. H. Bell, commanding brigade; Col. Ed. Crossland, commanding brigade, who was severely wounded; Col. H. P. Mabry, commanding brigade (the coolness with which these officers maneuvered their commands under a most galling fire, their ready appreciation of positions and full obedience to all orders, were specially noted); Cols. W. W. Faulkner, Faulkner's (Kentucky) regiment; R. M. Russell, Fifteenth Tennessee; A. N. Wilson, Sixteenth Tennessee; C. R. Barteau, Second Tennessee; J. F. Newsom, Newsom's (Tennessee) regiment (all wounded); G. A. C. Holt, Third Kentucky; Lieutenant-Colonels Stockdale, Fourth Confederate [Fourth Mississippi Cavalry] (wounded); A. R. Shacklett, Eighth Kentucky; Wisdom, Newsom's (Tennessee) regiment (wounded); J. A. Forrest, Sixteenth Tennessee; and Majors Hale, Seventh Kentucky (severely wounded); Parham, Sixteenth Tennessee (wounded), and T. S. Tate, Faulkner's (Kentucky) regiment, all displayed evidences of soldierly qualities, both in action and in the manner of handling their troops, that merit approbation from all superiors. Captain Rice, Rice's battery, should not be forgotten; his battery did fine execution. The gallant list of line officers who fully performed all duties required of them should not be forgotten by their generals. To the privates no flattering words can add to their deeds. If we desire to look for deeds of noble daring, and worthy of imitation, we must go to the ranks.

For particular mention of officers and men I refer to accompanying reports of brigade and regimental commanders.

The loss sustained by my division, including Mabry's brigade, was: Officers--killed, 22; wounded, 104; total, 126. Enlisted men--killed, 131; wounded, 694; total, 825. Grand total, 951. That sustained by the enemy was much heavier, and does not fall short of 2,000. The missing amount to 48, including 3 officers.

In conclusion, I would call attention to the meritorious actions of my staff. They cheerfully, promptly, and with bravery carried every order and performed every duty required of them. I am especially indebted to Chief Surg. Thomas F. Clardy, who, in addition to his professional duties, materially aided me as aide-de-camp. I am also indebted to Lieut. D. A. Given, aide-de-camp, and acting assistant adjutant-general in the absence of Captain Crowder; Capt. F. G. Terry, Eighth Kentucky, acting assistant inspector-general, and to Major Matthews and Captain James, volunteer aides, for their devotion. I was deprived by sickness of the aid of Capt. Thomas M. Crowder, assistant adjutant-general; Maj. H. Nicholson, acting assistant adjutant-general, and Lieut. D. E. Myers, aide, who were at hospital.

I would call attention to the energy and promptness displayed by Lieut. John D. Gardner, ordnance officer of the division, who, being the only officer who had his train of ordnance on the field, distributed to the whole army. This officer has always been on the ground, diligent in the discharge of his duties, ready at all times, and merits promotion.

I would mention as performing their whole duty faithfully and fearlessly Capt. William Campbell and eighty men of Morgan's command, who, having escaped through the lines in this direction, volunteered for the fight. Their loss was 5 killed, 19 wounded, and 2 missing.

My escort (Capt. J. Clay Horne, Company M, Third Kentucky Regiment) were ever ready to obey all orders required of them, and gave valuable information of movements and disposition of enemy.

The record of this action shows that the Second Division performed with alacrity and spirit every duty required of them, whether in attacking the enemy in front, on the flank, or on the pursuit, and few troops have ever borne themselves on a field with more distinguished courage, with more patient endurance, or with the loss of so many field officers, there being seven regiments which were deprived of every field officer by the casualties of action.

A list of the killed and wounded is herewith appended.

My command was supplied with forage and provisions through the exertions of my chief quartermaster, Capt. J. L. Lea, and my acting commissary, Maj. J. R. Finch.

A. BUFORD,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.

Maj. J.P. STRANGE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
[bitmap]

Return of casualties in the Second Division, Forrest's Cavalry, at the battle of Harrisburg, Miss., July 13-15, 1864.
[Compiled from nominal lists of casualties.]
O Officers. A Aggregate
M Enlisted Men. C Captured or missing

--Killed-- -Wounded- -----C-----
Commands. O M O M O M A

Third Brigade

3d Kentucky (Holt’s regiment) 2 17 5 64 2 17 107
7th Kentucky (Crossland’s regiment) 2 8 9 52 .... 2 73
8th Kentuky (Shacklett’s regiment) .... 6 2 19 .... 5 32
12th Kentucky (Faulkner’s regiment) 3 13 3 71 .... 4 94
Total 7 44 19 206 2 28 306

Fourth Brigade.

2d Tennessee (Barteau's regiment) 2 6 15 43 .... .... 66
15th Tennessee (Russell's regiment) 1 11 9 84 .... .... 105
16th Tennessee (Wilson's regiment) 2 18 13 101 .... .... 134
19th Tennessee (Newsom's regiment) .... 7 17 71 .... .... 95
Total 5 42 54 299 .... .... 400

Mabry's Brigade.

14th Confederate 2 8 10 51 .... 1 72
4th Mississippi 2 11 5 34 .... .... 52
6th Mississippi 5 8 5 41 1 13 73
38th Mississippi (mounted infantry) 3 15 8 44 .... 4 74
Total. 12 42 28 170 1 18 271

Morgan's command (remnants) 1 2 16 19
Grand total 24 129 103 691 3 46 996

OFFICERS KILLED.

14th Confederate: Lieut. Col. John B. Cage (mortally wounded), Capt. J. R. Quin, and Lieut. C. A. Gatlin.
3d Kentucky: Lieuts. H. H. Bynum and J. A. Fuller.
7th Kentucky: Lieut. Col. L. J. Sherrill and Capt. P. D. Watson.
12th Kentucky: Capt. N. F. Davis, Lieut. O. P. O'Brien, and Ensign G. W. Dunn.
4th Mississippi: Capts. William M. Martin and John B. McEwen.
6th Mississippi: Col. Isham Harrison, Lieut. Col. Thomas M. Nelson, Capt. T. G. Fields, and Lieuts. W. D. Carrington and A. D. Clifton.
38th Mississippi: Maj. R. C. McCay, and Lieuts. Jesse W. Ball and T. H. Wade.
2d Tennessee: Capt. J. M. Eastes (mortally wounded), and Lieuts. J. E. Dunning, A. H. French (mortally wounded), and A. W. Lipscomb.
15th Tennessee: Capt. J. M. Fields, Lieut, T. Hawkins (mortally wounded).
16th Tennessee: Lieut. S.C. Kennedy and Ensign Thomas Paine.
19th Tennessee: Capt. W. D. Stratton and Lieuts. W. T. Hollis and J. P. Meeks (mortally wounded).