| PAGE | ||
| [Dedication] | [3] | |
| [Parole] | [4] | |
| [Preface—First Edition] | [7] | |
| [Preface—Souvenir Edition] | [8] | |
| [Chapter I] | —Mustering in—“Good-Bye Sweethearts” | [9] |
| [Chapter II] | —Service in Five States—The ArmstrongRaid | [21] |
| [Chapter III] | —Davis’ Bridge and Corinth | [36] |
| [Chapter IV] | —Van Dorn at Holly Springs | [46] |
| [Chapter V] | —Some Personals and Portraitures | [63] |
| [Chapter VI] | —Organization of “Forrest’s Cavalry Corps”—The Sooy Smith Raid—Fort Pillow | [86] |
| [Chapter VII] | —Brices’ Cross Roads | [103] |
| [Chapter VIII] | —Harrisburg | [122] |
| [Chapter IX] | —The Memphis Raid | [135] |
| [Chapter X] | —Incidents of the Middle Tennessee Raid | [150] |
| [Chapter XI] | —Hood’s Expedition—The Wilson Raid to Selma | [178] |
| [Chapter XII] | —Conclusion | [194] |
| [APPENDIX.] | ||
| [Forrest’s Farewell Address] | [201] | |
| [The Forrest Equestrian Statue] | [200] | |
| [A Kindly Remembrance] | [206] | |
PREFACE.
First Edition.
In writing this book the author has relied almost entirely on his own memory for such reminiscences, sketches and portraitures of character as are printed on its pages. He served the entire period of the Civil War in Company E, Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, which regiment was commanded successively by Colonels W. H. Jackson, J. G. Stocks and W. L. Duckworth, assisted by Lieutenant-Colonel W. F. Taylor and Major C. C. Clay. Few private soldiers saw more of the war, or had better opportunities for observation. His company served in parts of five States, and traveled thousands of miles under the orders of many different generals. He believes that a careful perusal of these pages will afford entertainment to people who admire Southern valor, and amusement and instruction to girls and boys who will, perhaps, be stimulated thereby to read more pretentious books concerning the greatest war of modern times. This belief and a keen desire to preserve in permanent form some sort of memento for his own and the descendants of the members of the old company have chiefly prompted him in undertaking a task which, while a work of love, has required much labor to accomplish. He trusts that in the form and style of the book and in the manner of presentation of the varied list of subjects, even the partiality of friends will find little to excuse.
378 South Lauderdale Street,
June 1, 1909. Memphis, Tenn.
PREFACE.
Souvenir Edition.
On the first day of June, 1909, the first copies of this book were placed upon the market, and within the first thirty days my personal sales paid the entire cost of the edition, which was exhausted within a few months. Its success may be said to have been immediate, and for this I am greatly indebted to those who bought the book, read it, and gave me personally many a kindly expression of the pleasure they had derived from its perusal. Many of the expressions came from capable men and women, here and elsewhere, whose favorable opinion of a literary production I would always be willing to take as a flattering compliment to an author. In truth, the assurances that I have contributed to the pleasure of so many good people have been far more gratifying to me than the ready sales of the book.
The comments of scholarly friends, too partial perhaps, which I cover with the words that the book is as meritorious as a literary performance as it is interesting as an authentic history will abide with me.