General Forrest's Order to Col. Baxter Smith

Confederate Veteran
Volume 7, Number 2, Page 70
February, 1899

Capt. Frank Battle, Nashville, Tenn.
I write of an incident that occurred during the battle that Forrest had with the Federals at Murfreesboro in 1862. I was at home on sick leave just after the battle of Fishing Creek. My health improving, I joined the Texas Rangers and Morgan's men, who were scouting the country near Nashville and trying to ascertain when Gen. Buell would advance his forces. About fifteen of us young men banded together and made our ways out from Nolensville, Triune, and Sparta, and met Gen. Forrest in McMinnville as he was coming down on Murfreesboro with about twelve hundred men. I persuaded the boys to join the battalion of Col. Baxter Smith, then a Major. We soon realized that we had a leader who knew his business. About five miles from Murfreesboro we were halted and ordered to " dismount, fix saddles, and tighten girts." This we did, remounted, and galloped into Murfreesboro just about daylight. The Texas Rangers engaged the Ninth Michigan. Quite a number of Federals collected at the courthouse, and Col. Morrison, of the Second Georgia, undertook to dislodge them. Gen. Forrest in the meantime hastily collected six companies, Col. Baxter Smith's four companies being of the command. Gen. Forrest, placing himself at the head of these six companies, moved out about two miles from town to attack the Third Minnesota, about twelve hundred strong.

Think of it- three hundred and fifty cavalry charge twelve hundred infantry! The charge was disastrous to us. Our men fell back, and Gen. Forrest raged. The writer's horse was shot in the head, and the blood spurted so freely that he got off, expecting his horse to drop; but realizing his danger, he remounted and rode out safely. Gen. Forrest re-formed his men, rode out in front, and, in a clear, distinct voice, said: "Col. Smith, lead the charge." I shall never forget the impression made on my mind at that moment. Col. Smith had taken Trim. Brown and myself on his staff for the fight, and we had to follow him. Col. Smith tied his bridle reins, and, with sword in one hand and pistol in the other, started out in a gallop, and led his command right on into the midst of the enemy; and it was a hand-to-hand fight for about one hour, until the enemy retreated, leaving all their tents and baggage.

Gen. Forrest captured the entire Federal force, consisting of about twenty-five hundred or three thousand men, a large quantity of army stores, mules, and wagons. We carried them to McMinnville; paroled the men and sent the officers back South. Gen. Forrest gave the men their band, and they serenaded us with the good old songs of "Dixie," "Bonnie Blue Flag," "The Girl I Left Behind Me," and other Southern airs.

How our hearts filled with joy and pride when we thought of the victory we had won! Armed with shotguns and any other that we could get, and without artillery, while the enemy had the latest improved Enfield and Springfield rifles and a splendid battery of artillery. The battery that was captured that day was taken and used by Gen. Forrest during the remainder of the war, and was known far and near as the famous Morton Battery, being a regular terror to the enemy. It was commanded by Capt. John W. Morton, of Nashville, Forrest's Chief of Artillery.

God bless the old gray-haired confederates who have had such hard times in this world of disappointments; and when the great Master sounds the last trumpet, may they all be found with "palms of victory" in their hands, "praising God, from whom all blessings flow."