Forrest's Old Regiment, Part 1

Confederate Veteran
Volume 3, Number 2, Page 41
February, 1895

Capt. J. C. Blanton, Commander of Company C:

I have long since thought of writing a short history of Forrest's old regiment for you. I had the honor of being a member of it from the formation at Memphis, Tenn., to its surrender at Greensborough, Ala. Forrest did not enter the service at the head of a Tennessee Regiment of calvary, as is frequently published. Half of his command was from other States. We had Overton’s and Logan's companies from Kentucky; Kelley's and Becoats' companies from Alabama; and Gould’s from Texas; besides, May's company, though organized at Memphis, was largely of Mississippians, Arkansians, and Texans. Then, too, Mc Donold's company made up at Memphis, contained some Arkansians.

With seven companies we started from Memphis to the seat of war in Kentucky. N. B. Forrest was Lieut. Colonel, and Rev. D. C. Kelley was Major. Hambrick succeeded Kelley to the captaincy of his company. Our first halt was at Fort Donelson, where we did some scouting down the Cumberland River. We were next ordered to Hopkinsville, Ky., where we established permanent camps, and from this point we made frequent scouts, west to the Ohio, and north to Green rivers.

Our first battle of any note was Sacramento, a Kentucky village. Cavalry did the figting on both sides. This fight lasted but a very short time. The forces were about equal, but the enemy had the advantage of being on the defensive. The head of out column came within range of his guns before we had formed, compelling our men to form under a distressing fire. But form we did, and drove the blue coats pell mell through the village, and into a boggy lane where a great many of them were killed and captured. This battle had a splendid effect in our regiment, causing men and officers to confide in and respect each other. We were convinced that evening that Forrest and Kelley were wise selections for our leaders. And in all the battles that followed in which these two men were actors, they well sustained the reputation made on the field of Sacramento.

Kelley's motto was thus: "In the path of duty there is no danger;" and thus "The duty of a soldier is to obey orders." Forrest made that path of duty plain, Kelley walked in it amid the roar of artillery, the rattle of musketry, even mid the groans of the dying as calmly as he had formerly walked to his pulpit on Sabbath morning. D. C. Kelley was one of the bravest men I ever saw. I never saw him manifest the least sign of fear or excitement on any field of battle, and I was with him on many. I give here one incident. lt happened at the siege of Fort Donelson. It was when the enemy tried to pass the Fort with his fleet. Our regiment being cavalry could not be used in defense of the fort. So we were placed back to wait for orders. During this bombardment and when it looked like the furies of hell were turned loose on us, I looked down the line, and saw Kelley sitting on a camp stool leaning against a tent pole reading his Bible. My curiosity was at once excited, and wondering if it were possible for a man to be interested even in reading God's word under such circumstances, I walked to where he was, stood close to him until I was satisfied that he was deeply interested in the Book.

I went back and called some comrades' attention to it, and after going close to him they returned in perfect amazement that any man could be so composed amid such roaring of cannon shots, and screaming shells. Why, the very earth was quivering under us.

But I started to write the history of the regiment, not of one man. We were badly broken up at Donelson, only a part of us getting away. A number of the brave boys fell on that bloody field, and among the number my captain, Charles May. Oh, how sad we were when he fell with six holes through and near his heart; either of which would have been fatal He indeed fell in the thicket of the fight, with sixteen of his company dead and wounded around him.

May's charge at Donelson deserves to go down to history among the most daring deeds ever performed on any field of carnage. True, it was reckless and unwise; but they were obeying orders. It is a wonder that the order was ever given; but a greater wonder is that any of us who wens with Charlie May into that horrid hollow that cold, icy evening ever rode away again. No braver boys than those who fell around May in that charge—braver men never died on field of battle.

Forrest left Fort Doneleon next morning with a part of his regiment. Gould and Logan remaining with their companies, and also some men from other companies. Capt. Overton stayed, but his Lieut. Crutcher came out with most of his men.

We went thence to Nashville, and next to Huntsville, Ala., at which place a great many of us were furloughed for recruiting purposes.

Our next camp was at Burnsville, Miss., where we secured several new companies, and a number of recruits for the old companies. At this place the regiment was reorganized. Forrest was made Colonel, Kelley, Lieutenant Colonel, aud Balch, Major. From Burnsville we went to Shiloh, and were actors on that bloody field. When the army fell back to Corinth we remained between the lines nearly all the time that Bragg occupied Corinth. We followed the army to Tupelo. At this point Forrest left us and went to Tennessee as a Brigadier. After this Kelley left us, as did the two Alabama companies. Balch was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, aud E. B. Trezevant to Major.

Under General Frank Armstrong we made campaigns into North Alabama and West Tennessee, fighting almost continually, taking active part in the battles around Iuka, and also at Corinth. Balch left us and Trezevaut succeeded him. We were next ordered to Forrest at Columbia, Tenn. All but the Tennessee companies were then taken from us, and two of these, mere fragments, were put into May's old company with the writer in command, leaving just two of the old companies, McDonald and Blanton.

Col. Trezovaut was also ordered to take command of the 10th, its Colonel being absent at the time. This was a new regiment, and had seen but little service.

Soon after this the battle of Thompson Station was fought. Col. Trezevant was ordered to make a flank movement to prevent the enemy from getting back to Franklin in case of his defeat The regiment was dismounted, and suddenly we came in close proximity to the enemy. The firing commenced almost simultaneously, and oh, what a rapid fire it was! The Tenth was armed with double barreled shot guns, except my company, which had carbines, and in easy range did terrible execution. While the battle was at white heat I turned to speak to Trezevant of how gallantly the men were bearing themselves, and I noticed that he looked pale. I stepped closer and said, "Colonel, are you hit!" The reply was, "Yes, Captain, I am killed. Take charge of the regiment." Putting my arm around him to assist him to the ground, I was ordered by general Forrest immediately to move the regiment forward. Leaving my friend and the hero, I obeyed, and never saw the form of that gallant man any more. I learned that he lingered until the evening, and then gave up his noble life. No braver man or truer friend ever buckled on a saber in defense of Southern soil and Southern honor than Col. E. B. Trezevant.

(Concluded next month)

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