Today in History:

212 Series I Volume XXXII-I Serial 57 - Forrest's Expedition Part I

Page 212 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., ALA., AND N. GA. Chapter XLIV.

18 miles, and on reaching Chunky's Station to go north to the corral and relieve Chambers' brigade, which would then come forward. The other two brigades of Leggett's division (Force's and Maltby's) were employed tearing up the railroads and destroying Government buildings.

February 20, at 7 a. m., commenced our return march via Decatur, Hillsborough, Canton, and Brownsville, crossed Pearl River at Ratliff's Ferry, on a temporary bridge constructed by the pioneer corps of the Third and Fourth Divisions and Chambers' brigade, and reached Canton on the evening of the 26th, without any molestation from the enemy.

March 1, left Canton, the rear guard marching out about 4 p. m., and bivouacked about 5 miles west on the Livingston road. Two days before leaving Canton two brigades of the enemy's cavalry came up, and as we moved out of the town made demonstrations on our rear guard, but with trifling effect. They continued to harass our rear, and make slight demonstrations on our flanks until we passed Brownsville, always keeping, however, at a respectful distance from the infantry.

March 4, command crossed Big Black on our return, and resumed its original positions.

The following is a compendium of the operations of the several divisions of my command on the expedition:

Third Division, Brigadier General M. D. Leggett.

Miles marched ............................................ 350

Miles railroad destroyed ................................. 24

Railroad bridges destroyed ............................... 52

Feet of trestle-work destroyed ...........................4,000

Cars destroyed ........................................... 10

Car-wheels destroyed ..................................... 124

Steam-mills belonging to C. S. Army destroyed ............ 3

Wagons belonging to rebel army destroyed ................. 15

Men killed ............................................... 7

Men wounded (13 severely, 8 slightly) .................... 21

Men missing (39 captured when on duty, 7 stragglers) ..... 46

Fourth Division, Brigadier General M. M. Crocker.

Miles marched ............................................ 365

Miles railroad destroyed ................................. 24

Feet trestle-work destroyed ..............................1,910

Men killed ............................................... 4

Men wounded (1 officer and 12 men) ....................... 13

Men missing .............................................. 44

Third Brigade, First Division, Brigadier General Alexander Chambers.

Miles marched ............................................ 340

Miles railroad destroyed ................................. 6 3/4

Bridges destroyed ........................................ 1

Feet of trestle-work destroyed ........................... 165

Locomotives destroyed .................................... 19

Railroad cars destroyed .................................. 18

Men killed ............................................... 2

Men wounded .............................................. 2

Men missing (1 commissioned officer, 13 enlisted men) .... 14

Large number of car-wheels and trucks destroyed.


Page 212 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., ALA., AND N. GA. Chapter XLIV.