Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 8.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[488] a battery of the Second Illinois cavalry, all under the command of Colonel George E. Waring, Jr., of the Fourth Missouri, left Colliersville, Tennessee, destined to cooperate with General Smith. On the seventeenth we formed a junction at New-Albany, on the Tallahatchie River, with the Second brigade, commanded by General Grierson, and the Third, commanded by Colonel McCrellis. On the nineteenth we reached Egypt, a station on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, in the midst of the finest and most fertile country I ever saw. In no part of the South, outside of the cities, is there found more wealth than here. One man owns eight miles square of this land, and a poor fellow who owns but one thousand acres of this land is considered by his neighbors as almost an object of charity. Of course they are the most inveterate rebels. We here, and at other points in this vicinity, destroyed about three million bushels of corn, two thousand or three thousand bales of cotton, a tannery containing two thousand sides of leather, all belonging to the rebel government, and capturing about two thousand negroes, and three thousand mules and horses, tearing up about thirty miles of the railroad, burning the bridges and culverts, and rendering the rails unserviceable by being heated, thus cutting off their communications with Mobile. All this was done without any interruption, although the rebel General Forrest, with a large cavalry force, was near us. On the twentieth we, for the first time, encountered the enemy in the neighborhood of West-Point, where they had taken a strong position, and after a little sharp fighting they were driven back, we encamping on the battle-field. On the morning of the twenty-first, having accomplished fully the object of the expedition, we commenced our return, the Second Iowa cavalry and a battalion of the Sixth Illinois cavalry guarding the rear. Several times during the day the rebels charged furiously upon the rear, but were as often repulsed by the brave boys of the Second Iowa, assisted by detachments from the Sixth, Seventh and Ninth Illinois, the rebels suffering great loss, we but little. At ten o'clock at night we encamped two miles south-west of Okolona, with almost a certain prospect of a battle the next day. On the morning of the twenty-second we moved out of camp, the First brigade being charged with guarding the train, the Seventh Indiana cavalry being in the rear, and the other regiments of the brigade preceding it, the Third brigade occupying the rear of the expedition for the day. As we passed through the town of Okolona, the rebels were discovered drawn up in line of battle about three fourths of a mile on our right, having passed us in the night, but not in sufficient force to attack us. About ten the o'clock, having been largely reeforced, they made a furious attack upon our rear, and the Second Iowa, having become panic-stricken, stampeded the whole of Colonel McCrellis's brigade. Here followed the wildest scene of disorder that I ever witnessed. Men who had conducted themselves with coolness and bravery the day before in the face of the most furious attacks of the rebels, were now so panic-stricken as to be beyond all control. The Second brigade and the Seventh Indiana rallied and held the rebels in check, falling back from time to time, and taking new positions, both sides suffering considerably. At three o'clock, the third battalion of the Seventh Indiana formed across the road in line of battle, to stop, if possible, the wild flight of the Seventh brigade. This was done in good order, under the command of Major Febbs, and succeeded in stopping, in a measure, the wild flight of our men, and restoring comparative order. Lieutenant-Colonel Brown now arrived and assumed command, and we were ordered in force back, and to take a new position. Here we were assailed furiously by the rebels, and, after holding the position firmly for a short time, we were ordered to fall back, which was done in good order. Just at night a position was taken by the First brigade, the battery of the Fourth Missouri occupying the road, supported by the Fourth Missouri, Second New-Jersey, Sixth and Seventh Illinois, and Seventh Indiana. This line was formed in the immediate rear of the train, and if broken the train would be captured and we hopelessly defeated. Twilight was fast settling down, making every thing indistinct. On rushed the rebels with the most determined bravery and coolness. The battery opened with spirit. The Sixth and Seventh Illinois delivered a few volleys and fell back, and were soon followed by the Fourth Missouri and Second New-Jersey. The sharp flash of the enemy's carbines could be seen in the deepening twilight within twenty feet of the guns of the battery; if they should be taken, all would be lost. The command was now given by General Smith: “Seventh Indiana, charge the enemy!” Quick as thought the brave boys of the Seventh drew their sabres, and, with a shout, charged down the slope of the hill, full in the face of the enemy, driving them like sheep, and inflicting the most dreadful slaughter. The enemy for the first time were completely checked and driven back; the day was won, and we were safe. It was not accomplished without loss. Companies I and A, the right and left companies of the regiment, lost largely, company A losing their captain (Parmlee) and their first lieutenant (Donaho) and twenty men, and company I lost ten men. We were ordered to fall back so rapidly that we were forced to leave our dead and wounded on the field. At ten o'clock we halted and fed our tired and worn-out horses, and cooked supper for our fatigued and famished men, and rested till about four o'clock A. M., when we again resumed our march; passed through town of Pontotoc just at daylight, and moved on rapidly during the day. The rebels followed us, and several times during the day made furious attacks on our rear, but were as often repulsed. Just at night, we crossed the Tallahatchie at New-Albany, destroying the bridge behind us, and we were safe. From here we