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Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 7.djvu/515

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34
CONFEDERATE MILITARY HISTORY.

such haste that one regiment was left behind to escape by a rapid march northward. In his report General Cheatham says of the close of the battle: "The left wing of the One hundred and fifty-fourth Tennessee, with Blythe's Mississippi regiment, charged down on the retreating boats and opened a fire upon them, and Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, of the First battalion Mississippi cavalry, with a part of his command joined us here, and having dismounted his men, rendered important service in the attack on the gunboats." In coming up to the field, after getting across the river, Miller had an adventure with a body of Federal cavalry, largely outnumbering him, and almost surrounding his command: but he bravely ordered "Charge" at the top of his voice, and had the satisfaction of seeing the enemy retreat.

According to the organization of Johnston's army at Bowling Green in January, 1862, the following Mississippi commands were included:

In Hardee's division: Sixth regiment, Cleburne's brigade; Third battalion, Wood's brigade; and First cavalry.

In Buckner's division: Fourteenth and Twenty-sixth infantry, Col. W. E. Baldwin's brigade.

In Floyd's division: Twentieth infantry, Floyd's brigade; Twenty-second and Twenty-fifth infantry, and the Pettus Flying artillery, Bowen’s brigade; First and Third (afterward 23d) infantry, Gen. Charles Clark's brigade. The Warren light artillery, Captain Swett, was attached to Hindman's brigade, posted on the railroad east of Bowling Green. First Lieutenant Orlin, with one gun, was distinguished in combat at Brownsville, November 21st, and the whole battery at Rowlett’s Station, December 19th, two actions which promised success for the Confederate arms in Kentucky. But, unfortunately, a month later disaster overtook the command of General Zollicoffer, which had advanced from Eastern Tennessee toward Mill Springs, on the Cumberland river.

In the battle of Fishing Creek, January 19th, the Fif-