The following day, the 32d and 53d Illinois regiments went forward to reconnoiter, but discovered nothing. On their return, they were taken for rebels, and an alarm throughout the whole force ensued.
The day after this, Lieut. Barnes of General Lauman's staff, went out with three others to some farm houses to buy provisions, and were fired upon by bushwhackers, and all of them wounded. The affair caused considerable excitement, and threw General Lauman into a great rage.
The next day was the national anniversary. The 4th Division moved forward and entered without opposition Holly Springs, "the Saratoga of the South." This delightful little city is situated on the Mississippi Central Railroad, contains excellent springs of water, and was celebrated as a Southern watering place. The citizens behaved toward their new visitors with as much insolence as they dared to manifest. Little did they then, suppose that they were sowing in the bosoms of these men the seeds of a hatred, which would one day lay their beautiful city in ashes! The next day the column started back, and on the 7th again entered LaGrange and Moscow. During the fortnight my comrades stayed at the former place few incidents of note took place. It was here that Lieut. Col. Scott resigned and left the regiment. There was an universal regret at being compelled to part with the man who had commanded us so bravely and befriended us so well. All felt as though they had lost their best field officer, and turned with gloom to the prospect of being commanded, no one could tell how long, by a man who, whatever might be his merits or faults, had, with scarcely an exception, lost the confidence and good will of his men.
One day a forage train of sixty wagons went out in the direction of Cold Water, guarded by six companies of the Third Iowa, under Captain Smith. On their return the escort was menaced by Jackson's cavalry, who endeavored to capture the train. But the Captain's tactics were quite equal to those of the rebel Colonel. He chose open ground and very coolly marched along in plain view of the enemy. They attempted by demonstrations to draw his fire, but failed, and finally withdrew, having for once found their match.
About this time General Grant performed the remarkable feat of riding in one day from Corinth to Memphis, unattended except by one company of cavalry, his body guard and a few staff officers. It must be remembered that with the exception of the immediate vicinity of LaGrange and Moscow, where General Sherman's troops were stationed, the whole country was in the hands of the enemy. At LaGrange the party halted an hour for refreshments, and left one of the staff who had given out. It is said they reached Memphis before night.
Meanwhile General Sherman and staff proceeded to Memphis, leaving orders behind that it was his intention to select at that place grounds for the encampment of the two divisions, and that no officer or soldier should be allowed to follow him to that place ahead of his corps.
July 17th, at 1 P. M., the 4th Division broke up camp at LaGrange, and moving along the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, after a tiresome march of nine miles in which many gave out and fell behind their regiments, camped for the night at Moscow, from which place the 5th Division had just moved.
Starting at 3 o'clock next morning, and with little improvement on yesterday's march in respect of straggling, although the weather was cooler than usual both days, the column arrived at Lafayette Station, having marched ten miles.
The march was resumed at 2 o'clock in the morning, the 5th Division still in lead. The forenoon was excessively hot, and marching was difficult in the extreme. The dust rose in such clouds that a man in the ranks could scarcely see the comrade ahead of him. Seventeen miles being accomplished, the column halted for the night at Germantown.
Next day, the column moved forward six miles to White Station, and on the day after that, July 21st, a march of nine miles brought it to Memphis. Foot-sore, ragged and weary, the battalions marched into the city. The Third Iowa had the honor of being in lead of the 4th Division. So thick was the dust on men's faces, that it was difficult to distinguish soldier from contraband—all looked alike. Many had no shoes, and some even were without pants, and had nothing but drawers and shirt in way of uniform. But the boys dressed their files and proudly kept step to the music, while from balconies and windows the Union ladies waved white handkerchiefs in welcome.