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[618] corps, under Gen. Palmer, to counteract this diversion. The divisions of Jeff. C. Davis, Johnson, and Baird, moved on the direct road to Dalton; Stanley's division, under Gen. Crufts, moving from Cleveland on our left, and forming a junction with Palmer just below Ringgold. The advance was resisted, but not seriously, at Tunnel Hill and at Rocky-Face ridge; whence Palmer pressed forward, against continually increasing resistance, to within two miles of Dalton ; where, hearing that the two Rebel divisions which were sent south had been brought back, and that all Johnston's (late Bragg's) army was on his hands, he fell back to Tunnel Hill, and ultimately to Ringgold;1 having lost 350 killed and wounded. The Rebel killed and wounded were but 200.

Various inconsiderable collisions and raids on frontier posts occurred in southern Tennessee during the Winter and Spring ; in one of which, a steamboat on the Tennessee was captured and burnt by the enemy; but nothing of moment occurred until Forrest, at the head of 5,000 cavalry, advanced2 rapidly from northern Mississippi through West Tennessee, after a brief halt at Jackson to Union City, a fortified railroad junction near the Kentucky line, held by the 1lth Tenn. cavalry, Col. Hawkins, who tamely surrendered,3 after repelling an assault without loss. The spoils were 450 prisoners, 200 horses, and 500 small arms. Gen. Brayman, with a relieving force from Cairo, was but 6 miles distant when Hawkins gave up.

Forrest now occupied Hickman without resistance, and next day appeared before Paducah at tho head of a division of his force which had moved thither directly from Jackson. He found here the 40th Illinois, Col. Hicks, 655 strong; who promptly withdrew into Fort Anderson, where he could be aided by the gunboats Piosta and Paw-Paw, Capt. Shirk. and whence he answered Forrest's summons with quiet firmness. Two assaults were made and repelled: the enemy at length occupying the town and firing from behind the houses at the garrison, but to no purpose. At 11 P. M., after burning a steamboat on the marine ways and some houses, Forrest drew off; our loss in the siege having been 14 killed and 46 wounded. Forrest reports his loss here and at Union City, “as far as known,” at 25;4 but names Col. A. P. Thompson and Lt.-Col. Lanhum, killed, and Col. Crosslin and Lt.-Col. Morton, “slightly wounded.” His loss was doubtless far heavier than he admitted.

Buford, with a part of Pillow's men, next summoned5 Columbus, held by Col. Lawrence, 34th New Jersey; who refused to surrender. and could not be taken. Moving thence to Paducah, Buford summoned that post; but, a surrender being declined, he retired without assaulting.

Forrest, with the larger portion of his command, had meantime fallen back into Tennessee, where he suddenly appeared6 before Fort Pillow, some 40 miles above Memphis. held by Maj. L. F. Booth, with a garrison of 557 men, 262 of whom were Blacks (6th U. S. heavy artillery);

1 March 10.

2 March 16.

3 March 24.

4 He afterward makes it 10 killed, 40 wounded.

5 April 13.

6 April 12.

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