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charged in front； but was again as gallantly repelled as in the first
assault； although the encounter was for a short time so desperate as
to have the character of a hand…to…hand conflict； several groups of
friend and foe using on each other the butts of their guns。 At this
juncture the timely arrival of Colonel Hatch with the Second Iowa
gave a breathing…spell to Campbell； and made the Confederates so
chary of further direct attacks that he was enabled to retire； and at
the same time I found opportunity to make disposition of the
reinforcement to the best advantage possible； placing the Second Iowa
on the left of the new line and strengthening Campbell on its right
with all the men available。
In view of his numbers； the enemy soon regained confidence in his
ability to overcome us； and in a little while again began his
flanking movements； his right passing around my left flank some
distance； and approaching our camp and transportation； which I had
forbidden to be moved out to the rear。 Fearing that he would envelop
us and capture the camp and transportation； I determined to take the
offensive。 Remembering a circuitous wood road that I had become
familiar with while making the map heretofore mentioned； I concluded
that the most effective plan would be to pass a small column around
the enemy's left； by way of this road； and strike his rear by a
mounted charge simultaneously with an advance of our main line on his
front。 I knew that the attack in rear would be a most hazardous
undertaking； but in the face of such odds as the enemy had the
condition of affairs was most critical； and could be relieved； only
by a bold and radical change in our tactics； so I at once selected
four sabre companies； two from the Second Michigan and two from the
Second Iowa； and placing Captain Alger； of the former regiment； in
command of them； I informed him that I expected of them the quick and
desperate work that is usually imposed on a forlorn hope。
To carry out the purpose now in view； I instructed Captain Alger to
follow the wood road as it led around the left of the enemy's
advancing forces； to a point where 'it joined the Blackland road；
about three miles from Booneville； and directed him； upon reaching
the Blackland road； to turn up it immediately； and charge the rear of
the enemy's line。 Under no circumstances was he to deploy the
battalion； but charge in column right through whatever he came upon；
and report to me in front of Booneville； if at all possible for him
to get there。 If he failed to break through the enemy's line； he was
to go ahead as far as he could； and then if any of his men were left；
and he was able to retreat； he was to do so by the same route he had
taken on his way out。 To conduct him on this perilous service I sent
along a thin； sallow； tawny…haired Mississippian named Beene； whom I
had employed as a guide and scout a few days before； on account of
his intimate knowledge of the roads； from the public thoroughfares
down to the insignificant by…paths of the neighboring swamps。 With
such guidance I felt sure that the column would get to the desired
point without delay； for there was no danger of its being lost or
misled by taking any of the many by…roads which traversed the dense
forests through which it would be obliged to pass。 I also informed
Alger that I should take the reserve and join the main line in front
of Booneville for the purpose of making an advance of my whole force；
and that as a signal he must have his men cheer loudly when he struck
the enemy's rear； in order that my attack might be simultaneous with
his。
I gave him one hour to go around and come back through the enemy； and
when he started I moved to the front with the balance of the reserve；
to put everything I had into the fight。 This meant an inestimable
advantage to the enemy in case of our defeat； but our own safety
demanded the hazard。 All along our attenuated line the fighting was
now sharp； and the enemy's firing indicated such numerical strength
that fear of disaster to Alger increased my anxiety terribly as the
time set for his cheering arrived and no sound of it was heard。
Relying； however； on the fact that Beene's knowledge of the roads
would prevent his being led astray； and confident of Alger's
determination to accomplish the purpose for which he set out； as soon
as the hour was up I ordered my whole line forward。 Fortunately；
just as this moment a locomotive and two cars loaded with grain for
my horses ran into Booneville from Corinth。 I say fortunately；
because it was well known throughout the command that in the morning；
when I first discovered the large numbers of the enemy； I had called
for assistance； and my troops； now thinking that reinforcements had
arrived by rail from Rienzi； where a division of infantry was
encamped； and inspirated by this belief； advanced with renewed
confidence and wild cheering。 Meantime I had the engineer of the
locomotive blow his whistle loudly； so that the enemy might also
learn that a train had come； and from the fact that in a few moments
he began to give way before our small force； I thought that this
strategem had some effect。 Soon his men broke； and ran in the utmost
disorder over the country in every direction。 I found later；
however； that his precipitous retreat was due to the pressure on his
left from the Second Iowa； in concert with the front attack of the
Second Michigan； and the demoralization wrought in his rear by Alger；
who had almost entirely accomplished the purpose of his expedition；
though he had failed to come through； or so near that I could hear
the signal agreed upon before leaving Booneville。
After Alger had reached and turned up the Blackland road； the first
thing he came across was the Confederate headquarters； the officers
and orderlies about which he captured and sent back some distance to
a farm…house。 Continuing on a gallop； he soon struck the rear of the
enemy's line； but was unable to get through； nor did he get near
enough for me to hear his cheering； but as he had made the distance
he was to travel in the time allotted； his attack and mine were
almost coincident； and the enemy； stampeded by the charges in front
and rear； fled toward Blackland； with little or no attempt to capture
Alger's command； which might readily have been done。 Alger's
troopers soon rejoined me at Booneville； minus many hats； having
returned by their original route。 They had sustained little loss
except a few men wounded and a few temporarily missing。 Among these
was Alger himself； who was dragged from his saddle by the limb of a
tree that； in the excitement of the charge； he was unable to flank。
The missing had been dismounted in one way or another； and run over
by the enemy in his flight； but they all turned up later； none the
worse except for a few scratches and bruises。
My effective strength in this fight was 827 all told； and Alger's
command comprised