[487]
From Col. W. M. Owen.
My Dear General,--Yours of 17th inst. came duly, asking me to obtain from Lieutenant McElroy a statement relative to what troops defended Gregg April 2d, 1865.
I addressed McElroy a note stating your request, but up to this date I have no reply to my communication, except on the occasion of the re-union of the Army of Northern Virginia on the 21st inst., he told me en passant that so long a time had elapsed that he could not now recall the numbers of the regiments who were with him in Gregg.
I enclose, however, a copy of his report to me, of his operations just before your men entered the fort, and think a letter addressed by you direct to him will bring him out. Address, Capt. F. McElroy, N. O. Bee office.
I wrote up what I remembered of the Gregg affair some years ago, and it was published in Bartlett's book on the war, which I think you have seen.
C. J. Lewis, one of your old soldiers tells me he was in the fort and that there were portions of the 48th, 12th, and 16th Mississippi, and two pieces of artillery (W. A.) I know that Captain Chew was in the fort with some of his disbanded Baltimore Artillery, but did not serve the guns.
I have always understood that the fort was held by Mississippians and Louisianians--the ranking officer a lieutenant colonel of one of the Mississippi regiments.
I can't see what General Lane had to do with Gregg.
I enclose you a card of invitation to the unveiling of our monument on 22d February, and hope you will be present.
Very truly yours,
