At the First Battle of Collierville, 11 October 1863, 1LT Dinkins and the 18th Mississippi Cavalry Battalion form in the center of an attacking Confederate force that possessed five times the men against a fort and ammunition depot held by approximately 500 men at Collierville Tennessee along the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. The Confederates send a flag of truce and asked for surrender. Under orders from his superior, COL Anthony, commander of the 66th Indiana which garrisoned the fort, rejected their terms.
EPISODE PRODUCTION ANNOUNCEMENT: New Episodes will now come out every other week. Meaning 24 July is the next publish date.
Sources used for this episode:
Dinkins, James. 1861 to 1865, by An Old Johnnie. Personal Recollections and Experiences in the Confederate Army. Cincinnati, The Robert Clarke Company, 1897. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc2.ark:/13960/t15m62x4z&seq=11.
Scott, Robert N. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. ser. 1, vol. 30, pt. II, Reports. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1890. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924077699878&view=1up&seq=3.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:22):
hello, everyone.
My name is bill Caughlin andwelcome to first person civil
war podcast, which retails thestories of the soldiers and
officers.
On the ground in the battles ofthe civil war.
Episode 28 is entitled.
First Lieutenant James Jenkins.
(00:44):
And the 18th, Mississippicavalry battalion.
At the first battle ofCollierville and relies on his
book.
1861 to 1865 by an old Johnny.
Personal recollections andexperiences in the Confederate
army.
Which he published in 1897.
(01:06):
James Dinkins throughout hisbook, referred to himself as the
little Confederate and aptly.
So.
He lived in Canton, Mississippiwhen in 1860, at 15 years old.
His parents sent him to theNorth Carolina military
Institute.
The school located in Charlottewas established in 1858.
(01:31):
And meant to serve in the samecapacity of other military
academies.
Like the Virginia militaryInstitute.
At the outbreak of the war.
The North Carolina militaryInstitute provided its cadets to
serve as drill instructors tothe regiments.
Forming at Raleigh.
Though they wanted to serve in aregiment, cadet, Dinkins, and
(01:54):
others could not initiallyenlist.
By order of the president of theInstitute, major Daniel Harvey
hill.
Major hill announced civiccadets that the school would
close.
And those who desired to enlistmust obtain consent of their
parents.
The cadets full of patriotismand with the inspiration of
(02:17):
youth rushed to his banner.
The little cadet for Mississippicaught the enthusiasm.
But cannot hope for permissionto join the army.
Several cadets urge JamesDinkens to finally write to his
father for permission.
And he agreed.
At the age of 16 James Dinkensand the cadets from the North
(02:40):
Carolina military Institute.
We're attached to the firstNorth Carolina.
March to the Virginia peninsulaand fought in the battle of big
Bethel on 10, June, 1861.
One of the first battles of thewar.
After the battle of first bullrun, which they did not
participate.
The cadets has a fighting forcedisbanded and they just burst to
(03:04):
regiments that aligned to theirhome states.
James Dinkens became a privatein the 18th, Mississippi and
fought in the peninsulacampaign.
Through Fredericksburg.
Following the battle ofFredericksburg private Dinkins
reported to the Confederatesecretary of war, where you
received a commission as aLieutenant dated nine, April,
(03:29):
1863.
And he returned to his homestate.
Where he spent time with hisfamily on furlough.
First Lieutenant Dinkins wasassigned to company C of the
18th, Mississippi cavalrybattalion.
In Brigadier general, James RChalmers cavalry brigade.
Which resided in NorthernMississippi.
(03:50):
In the wake of the Confederatevictory at Chickamauga, they
besieged the union army of theCumberland in Chattanooga,
Tennessee.
To send cavalry in support ofthe siege from Mississippi to
Chattanooga.
General Joseph E.
Johnston.
Overall Confederate commander inthe west.
Order Brigadier general Chalmersin October to organize an
(04:12):
expedition as a diversion.
On the afternoon of the thirdinstant.
I've received orders fromgeneral Johnston.
Through major general Lee.
Meaning Steven daily.
Commanding cavalry andMississippi to move my whole
command against the enemy on theline of the Memphis and
(04:33):
Charleston railroad within fourdays.
The principal object of the movebeing explained to be, to divert
the attention of the enemy.
From the movement of general,Lee was about to make in person
a different direction.
Brigadier general Chalmers wouldtake his cavalry brigade and the
brigade of kernel RV Richardsonon a raid north, into Tennessee.
(04:58):
To increase the potentialsuccess of the raid.
He also incorporated somedeception that caused the union
army to divert forces away fromhis intended area of operations
around the railroad line.
Brigadier general Chalmer'sprovided scan details in his
report, but first attendantDinkens, who seemed to have a
(05:18):
degree of rapport with Brigadiergeneral Chalmers.
Expounds on the deception.
A few weeks before we camped atMoss' hill.
Uh, man reported to generalChalmers offering his services
as a spy.
He had good references fromseveral Confederate generals,
including general price.
(05:40):
He claimed that he would be ableto enter the enemy's lines at
will.
Having a paper from general hurlpit passing him at all times.
He made several trips intoMemphis, but the information he
brought back amounted tonothing.
He gave his name is Pearson.
General Chalmers was suspiciousof him.
(06:01):
And decided to deceive him as tothe point he intended to attack
on the Memphis and Charlestonrailroad.
He therefore told him that hewould move against Corinth.
He includes some back and forthbetween Brigadier general,
Chalmers and Pearson aboutmovement and strength of troops,
and then continues.
(06:21):
Pearson left us with thisinformation on his mind.
He had ample time to advisegeneral Hurlbut, which he did as
events proved.
First Lieutenant Dinkins and the18th, Mississippi cavalry
battalion, along with the restof Brigadier general Chalmers
brigade headquartered in HollySprings, Mississippi.
(06:44):
As Colonel Richardson's brigademarched from new Albany to Holly
Springs.
The general discovered a unionbrigade in camped along the
Clearwater river on a roadbetween Holly Springs.
And grand junction, Tennessee.
First Lieutenant Dinkins in the18th, Mississippi cavalry
battalion alongside the seventhTennessee cavalry and the third
(07:06):
Mississippi state cavalry.
We're sent to attack this force.
Uh, union brigade under thecommand of Colonel McNelis.
Willis wasn't camped along theriver.
And was caught unawares when theseventh Tennessee cavalry and
the third Mississippi statecavalry.
Uh, attacked from the south.
(07:27):
Well, first Lieutenant Dinkinsand the 18th, Mississippi
cavalry, battalion flanked, andhit them from the north on six
October, 1863.
Colonel McKella says brigadeheld their ground and repulsed
several advances made by theConfederates.
Major general Hurlbut on thesame day.
(07:47):
Century enforcements to ColonelMcEllis and reported to major
general Sherman.
The movement, if a real attack.
We'll be on the Grange andMoscow.
And adjacent town.
If this is a faint, they will,if an a sufficient force.
Strike for Pocahontas.
(08:10):
The town of Pocahontas,Tennessee is closer to Corinth,
Mississippi than it is toMemphis.
And that was reports don'tofficially state it.
Major general Hurlbut wasanticipating the Confederates to
continue marching towardCorinth.
And shifted forces to me,Brigadier general Chalmers in
that direction.
(08:31):
Even Colonel McKella.
This is brigade received adispatch that the Confederates
were headed toward LaGrange.
Which was Northeast of theirposition.
And he moved his force to thattown by midnight of the seventh.
With the union forcesconcentrating along the railroad
to the north and east of hisheadquarters at Holly Springs.
(08:53):
The Confederate deception seemedto be successful.
Brigadier general Chalmers lefta detachment to observe the
movements of Colonel McKellasays brigade.
After further maneuvering andskirmishing in the vicinity of
the Grange.
Brigadier general Chalmers istwo cavalry brigades made for
Collierville.
(09:15):
On the morning of 11, October,1863.
Brigadier general Chalmers iscavalry force of approximately
2,500 men.
Arrived at Collierville,Tennessee.
Call your Ville during the civilwar was a stop along the Memphis
and Charleston railroad.
On the north side of the trackswas an ammunition Depot and a
(09:38):
Fort.
Manned by 240 men from the 66thIndiana and commanded by Colonel
Dewitt.
See Anthony.
The Confederate plan was to cutthe rail line east and west of
Collierville, surround the Fortand force the occupants to
surrender.
But this plan did not come tofruition.
(10:02):
First Lieutenant Dinkens and the18th, Mississippi cavalry
battalion formed in the centerof the assaulting force.
Moving up from the south.
We arrived within two miles ofthe station about daylight.
Our advanced guard captured theYankee outpost.
And as soon as the prisonersreturned over.
(10:25):
Made a dash at the inner guardswho however, discovered our men
in time to escape and give thealarm.
We moved forward at a Gallop.
Colonel McGurk with the thirdMississippi was ordered to go in
the rear of the Fort.
And attack from that point whilethe balance of the command, what
(10:46):
advance from the south?
Though the union pickets southof the Fort were alerted to the
Confederates presence.
The encampment north of the Fortwas not.
The third Mississippi cavalryproceeded to raid the camp.
And here discipline broke down.
First Lieutenant Dinkens, the18th, Mississippi cavalry
(11:09):
battalion, and the entireSouthern force.
We're in position.
But with no sign of the thirdMississippi state cavalry to the
north.
They did not press the attack.
We formed line.
And move through the woods to apoint about 400 yards from the
Fort.
And waited for McGurk.
(11:30):
Our skirmish line was hotlyengaged.
General Chalmers growing andpatient.
I sent Lieutenant banks to orderthe third Mississippi to attack.
A moment afterward, a long trainof freight cars rolled into the
station from Memphis.
From which the 13th regulars,disembarked, and ran into the
(11:53):
Fort.
We knew, of course, that majorcousins had failed to cut the
road on the west as ordered.
Otherwise the train could nothave passed him.
The time was approximately noon.
And the train that arrived atCollierville carried 260 men of
the 13th, us infantry.
(12:15):
But there were also many staffofficers as they accompanied
their commander.
Major general William TecumsehSherman.
Colonel Anthony of the 66thIndiana reported that his
pickets had that moment beeneither captured or driven in by
a large force of Confederatecavalry.
(12:37):
I directed the regulars to getoff the cars and the train to
the back of the Depot.
A flag of truce was seenapproaching from the direction
of the enemy.
And Colonel Anthony who met itsent me word that general
Chalmers had sent his adjutantto demand the surrender of the
place.
(12:57):
I instructed him to return anemphatic negation.
And at once made preparations toresist the attack.
Having given his reply toBrigadier general Chalmers.
Major general Sherman arrayed,his small force of 500 men
around the Depot and the Fort.
Which utilized railroad cuts hasmakeshift earth works.
(13:21):
And prepare for the assault ofthe Confederates five times
their own size.
These were disposed threecompanies of the regulars in the
ditch, outside a small earthworknear the Depot.
And the balance in the woodsnear the railroad.
Cut.
To the east and south of theFort.
(13:41):
One company of the 66th Indiana.
I was inside the Fort.
One in the Depot building.
And the balance outside in thewood to the west and south and
in rifle pits behind the Fort,near their regimental camp.
Those still not in contact withthe third Mississippi state
cavalry to the north.
(14:03):
First attendant Dinkins, the18th, Mississippi cavalry
battalion, and the entireSouthern force began the attack.
General Chalmers knew that anyfurther delay would be ruinous
and therefore gave the order tocharge.
Our men moved forward and findstyle.
(14:24):
But we're met by a hot fire.
They charged within about 60yards of the Fort.
We could see nothing of theenemy except the top of their
heads.
Besides a numerical superioritythat Confederates also had
artillery on the field, whichmajor general Sherman and the
union force had no answer.
(14:47):
The enemy at once opened withartillery from a Ridge
overlooking our entire position,throwing canister six pound
around shot and rifled solidprojectiles.
They also threw a few shells atus.
But their artillery fire wasprincipally aimed at our train,
disabling a locomotive anddamaging some cars.
(15:11):
While first Lieutenant Dinkinsand the 18th, Mississippi
cavalry battalion continuedpressing in the center.
The cavalry on the wings fell onthe flanks of the Fort and
Depot.
But major general Sherman andhis makeshift force.
Continued to fight.
Two columns past the railroad oneither side of us.
(15:33):
Uh, pretty brisk fire of smallarms was kept up for a couple of
hours.
The enemy approaching under thecover of the ground woods and
Depot building within 75 yardsof the Fort.
But at no time, did he attemptto assault the Fort?
We had no artillery.
And had to confine our attentionto the defense of the Fort.
(15:55):
Depo building containing thesupplies of the Garrison.
And our own train.
In this, we succeeded.
Though a superior force, evenwithout the third Mississippi
state cavalry.
First Lieutenant Dinkins and therest of the Confederate force
departed without attempting totake the Fort.
(16:18):
The third Mississippi statecavalry, finally received word
to withdraw.
And wrote in view of the enemystill in the Fort and Depot.
With the train being abandoned,the men managed to make off with
much of the personal baggage ofmajor general Sherman and his
staff.
It took some time for the men toexamine whose accoutrements they
(16:40):
now have possession of.
But by that time it was too latefor first Lieutenant Jenkins and
the Confederate force.
To make another attempt on theFort.
Through the baggage taken fromthe cars.
We discovered that generalSherman and staff were
passengers on the train.
(17:00):
We captured all of theirpersonal baggage.
As soon as we ascertain thegeneral Sherman was in the Fort.
The failure was double theregretted.
Brigadier general Chalmersstated in his report that major
general Sherman was present atthe battle.
But even he most likely did notknow about this critical piece
(17:23):
of information.
Until after the battle as well.
Keep in mind that it was ColonelAnthony commander of the 66th
Indiana.
Who received the flag of truceand not major general Sherman.
Here in lies.
A great what if of the civilwar?
Had the 66th Indiana and the13th us infantry not put up such
(17:47):
a dog, had fight against thevastly superior force.
Brigadier general Chalmers mayhave assessed that his men could
take the Fort.
If they were successful in thisendeavor.
They would have unwittinglycaptured major general Sherman.
This being before the battle ofChattanooga, the Atlanta
campaign, his March to the sea.
(18:09):
And the Carolina's campaign.
Major general Hurlbut uponhearing of the fight at
Collierville immediatelyredistributed as forces to best
counter Confederate movements,which led to two more
engagements over the next twodays.
After which time theConfederates low on ammunition,
(18:31):
withdrew from the region.
Major general Shermanpersonally, commended the 13th,
us infantry, who served as hisguard for about a year by the
first battle of Collierville.
Having survived as close call.
It continued on to Chattanooga,Tennessee.
(18:52):
James Dinkens remained in the18th, Mississippi cavalry until
the end of the war.
By the late 18 hundreds.
He like many men after the wardecided to write down his
experiences, mostly for hisfriends and family to read more
than anyone else.
I knew then, as I know now,That's sketches papers,
(19:16):
reminiscences and volumes,almost odd.
Infinitum.
Meaning to infinity.
Had been written and publisheduntil the reading people had
become worried.
If not surfeited with that classof literature.
And he continues.
Yet those friends and comradeswho read the MSS, he does not
(19:39):
explain what this means.
Advised me with one accord andsome even urged me to continue
and complete the sketches.
And when completed, give them tothe public in a volume.
Assuring me that they would beinteresting to the public.
Thank you for listening to the28th episode.
(20:02):
The link to first LieutenantDinkins, his book is now
available on the podcastwebsite.
First person, civil war,podcast.com.
On Facebook, Instagram, X, andLinkedIn this week.
You will find a picture of JamesDinkens as a cadet, about 15
years of age.
(20:23):
And as a first Lieutenant in1864.
At the age of 19.
The podcast received onedonation this past week.
Your kindness is greatlyappreciated.
Though James Dinkins was notwrong in saying that sketches
papers, reminiscences andvolumes written by civil war.
(20:47):
Veterans are almost odd.
Infinitum.
I have decided to alter theproduction schedule of the
podcast.
I will publish one episode everyother week.
The length and quality of eachepisode will not change only its
frequency.
Thank you for yourunderstanding.
(21:09):
This means that in two weekstime, Captain Lemuel, a Abbot of
company D 10th Vermont.
Provides next step Osos firstperson accounts at the third
battle.
Of Winchester.
My name is bill Coughlin.
(21:30):
And thank you for listening tofirst person civil war podcast.
hello, everyone.
My name is bill Caughlin andwelcome to first person civil
war podcast, which retails thestories of the soldiers and
officers.
On the ground in the battles ofthe civil war.
Episode 28 is entitled.
First Lieutenant James Jenkins.
(00:44):
And the 18th, Mississippicavalry battalion.
At the first battle ofCollierville and relies on his
book.
1861 to 1865 by an old Johnny.
Personal recollections andexperiences in the Confederate
army.
Which he published in 1897.
(01:06):
James Dinkins throughout hisbook, referred to himself as the
little Confederate and aptly.
So.
He lived in Canton, Mississippiwhen in 1860, at 15 years old.
His parents sent him to theNorth Carolina military
Institute.
The school located in Charlottewas established in 1858.
(01:31):
And meant to serve in the samecapacity of other military
academies.
Like the Virginia militaryInstitute.
At the outbreak of the war.
The North Carolina militaryInstitute provided its cadets to
serve as drill instructors tothe regiments.
Forming at Raleigh.
Though they wanted to serve in aregiment, cadet, Dinkins, and
(01:54):
others could not initiallyenlist.
By order of the president of theInstitute, major Daniel Harvey
hill.
Major hill announced civiccadets that the school would
close.
And those who desired to enlistmust obtain consent of their
parents.
The cadets full of patriotismand with the inspiration of
(02:17):
youth rushed to his banner.
The little cadet for Mississippicaught the enthusiasm.
But cannot hope for permissionto join the army.
Several cadets urge JamesDinkens to finally write to his
father for permission.
And he agreed.
At the age of 16 James Dinkensand the cadets from the North
(02:40):
Carolina military Institute.
We're attached to the firstNorth Carolina.
March to the Virginia peninsulaand fought in the battle of big
Bethel on 10, June, 1861.
One of the first battles of thewar.
After the battle of first bullrun, which they did not
participate.
The cadets has a fighting forcedisbanded and they just burst to
(03:04):
regiments that aligned to theirhome states.
James Dinkens became a privatein the 18th, Mississippi and
fought in the peninsulacampaign.
Through Fredericksburg.
Following the battle ofFredericksburg private Dinkins
reported to the Confederatesecretary of war, where you
received a commission as aLieutenant dated nine, April,
(03:29):
1863.
And he returned to his homestate.
Where he spent time with hisfamily on furlough.
First Lieutenant Dinkins wasassigned to company C of the
18th, Mississippi cavalrybattalion.
In Brigadier general, James RChalmers cavalry brigade.
Which resided in NorthernMississippi.
(03:50):
In the wake of the Confederatevictory at Chickamauga, they
besieged the union army of theCumberland in Chattanooga,
Tennessee.
To send cavalry in support ofthe siege from Mississippi to
Chattanooga.
General Joseph E.
Johnston.
Overall Confederate commander inthe west.
Order Brigadier general Chalmersin October to organize an
(04:12):
expedition as a diversion.
On the afternoon of the thirdinstant.
I've received orders fromgeneral Johnston.
Through major general Lee.
Meaning Steven daily.
Commanding cavalry andMississippi to move my whole
command against the enemy on theline of the Memphis and
(04:33):
Charleston railroad within fourdays.
The principal object of the movebeing explained to be, to divert
the attention of the enemy.
From the movement of general,Lee was about to make in person
a different direction.
Brigadier general Chalmers wouldtake his cavalry brigade and the
brigade of kernel RV Richardsonon a raid north, into Tennessee.
(04:58):
To increase the potentialsuccess of the raid.
He also incorporated somedeception that caused the union
army to divert forces away fromhis intended area of operations
around the railroad line.
Brigadier general Chalmer'sprovided scan details in his
report, but first attendantDinkens, who seemed to have a
(05:18):
degree of rapport with Brigadiergeneral Chalmers.
Expounds on the deception.
A few weeks before we camped atMoss' hill.
Uh, man reported to generalChalmers offering his services
as a spy.
He had good references fromseveral Confederate generals,
including general price.
(05:40):
He claimed that he would be ableto enter the enemy's lines at
will.
Having a paper from general hurlpit passing him at all times.
He made several trips intoMemphis, but the information he
brought back amounted tonothing.
He gave his name is Pearson.
General Chalmers was suspiciousof him.
(06:01):
And decided to deceive him as tothe point he intended to attack
on the Memphis and Charlestonrailroad.
He therefore told him that hewould move against Corinth.
He includes some back and forthbetween Brigadier general,
Chalmers and Pearson aboutmovement and strength of troops,
and then continues.
(06:21):
Pearson left us with thisinformation on his mind.
He had ample time to advisegeneral Hurlbut, which he did as
events proved.
First Lieutenant Dinkins and the18th, Mississippi cavalry
battalion, along with the restof Brigadier general Chalmers
brigade headquartered in HollySprings, Mississippi.
(06:44):
As Colonel Richardson's brigademarched from new Albany to Holly
Springs.
The general discovered a unionbrigade in camped along the
Clearwater river on a roadbetween Holly Springs.
And grand junction, Tennessee.
First Lieutenant Dinkins in the18th, Mississippi cavalry
battalion alongside the seventhTennessee cavalry and the third
(07:06):
Mississippi state cavalry.
We're sent to attack this force.
Uh, union brigade under thecommand of Colonel McNelis.
Willis wasn't camped along theriver.
And was caught unawares when theseventh Tennessee cavalry and
the third Mississippi statecavalry.
Uh, attacked from the south.
(07:27):
Well, first Lieutenant Dinkinsand the 18th, Mississippi
cavalry, battalion flanked, andhit them from the north on six
October, 1863.
Colonel McKella says brigadeheld their ground and repulsed
several advances made by theConfederates.
Major general Hurlbut on thesame day.
(07:47):
Century enforcements to ColonelMcEllis and reported to major
general Sherman.
The movement, if a real attack.
We'll be on the Grange andMoscow.
And adjacent town.
If this is a faint, they will,if an a sufficient force.
Strike for Pocahontas.
(08:10):
The town of Pocahontas,Tennessee is closer to Corinth,
Mississippi than it is toMemphis.
And that was reports don'tofficially state it.
Major general Hurlbut wasanticipating the Confederates to
continue marching towardCorinth.
And shifted forces to me,Brigadier general Chalmers in
that direction.
(08:31):
Even Colonel McKella.
This is brigade received adispatch that the Confederates
were headed toward LaGrange.
Which was Northeast of theirposition.
And he moved his force to thattown by midnight of the seventh.
With the union forcesconcentrating along the railroad
to the north and east of hisheadquarters at Holly Springs.
(08:53):
The Confederate deception seemedto be successful.
Brigadier general Chalmers lefta detachment to observe the
movements of Colonel McKellasays brigade.
After further maneuvering andskirmishing in the vicinity of
the Grange.
Brigadier general Chalmers istwo cavalry brigades made for
Collierville.
(09:15):
On the morning of 11, October,1863.
Brigadier general Chalmers iscavalry force of approximately
2,500 men.
Arrived at Collierville,Tennessee.
Call your Ville during the civilwar was a stop along the Memphis
and Charleston railroad.
On the north side of the trackswas an ammunition Depot and a
(09:38):
Fort.
Manned by 240 men from the 66thIndiana and commanded by Colonel
Dewitt.
See Anthony.
The Confederate plan was to cutthe rail line east and west of
Collierville, surround the Fortand force the occupants to
surrender.
But this plan did not come tofruition.
(10:02):
First Lieutenant Dinkens and the18th, Mississippi cavalry
battalion formed in the centerof the assaulting force.
Moving up from the south.
We arrived within two miles ofthe station about daylight.
Our advanced guard captured theYankee outpost.
And as soon as the prisonersreturned over.
(10:25):
Made a dash at the inner guardswho however, discovered our men
in time to escape and give thealarm.
We moved forward at a Gallop.
Colonel McGurk with the thirdMississippi was ordered to go in
the rear of the Fort.
And attack from that point whilethe balance of the command, what
(10:46):
advance from the south?
Though the union pickets southof the Fort were alerted to the
Confederates presence.
The encampment north of the Fortwas not.
The third Mississippi cavalryproceeded to raid the camp.
And here discipline broke down.
First Lieutenant Dinkens, the18th, Mississippi cavalry
(11:09):
battalion, and the entireSouthern force.
We're in position.
But with no sign of the thirdMississippi state cavalry to the
north.
They did not press the attack.
We formed line.
And move through the woods to apoint about 400 yards from the
Fort.
And waited for McGurk.
(11:30):
Our skirmish line was hotlyengaged.
General Chalmers growing andpatient.
I sent Lieutenant banks to orderthe third Mississippi to attack.
A moment afterward, a long trainof freight cars rolled into the
station from Memphis.
From which the 13th regulars,disembarked, and ran into the
(11:53):
Fort.
We knew, of course, that majorcousins had failed to cut the
road on the west as ordered.
Otherwise the train could nothave passed him.
The time was approximately noon.
And the train that arrived atCollierville carried 260 men of
the 13th, us infantry.
(12:15):
But there were also many staffofficers as they accompanied
their commander.
Major general William TecumsehSherman.
Colonel Anthony of the 66thIndiana reported that his
pickets had that moment beeneither captured or driven in by
a large force of Confederatecavalry.
(12:37):
I directed the regulars to getoff the cars and the train to
the back of the Depot.
A flag of truce was seenapproaching from the direction
of the enemy.
And Colonel Anthony who met itsent me word that general
Chalmers had sent his adjutantto demand the surrender of the
place.
(12:57):
I instructed him to return anemphatic negation.
And at once made preparations toresist the attack.
Having given his reply toBrigadier general Chalmers.
Major general Sherman arrayed,his small force of 500 men
around the Depot and the Fort.
Which utilized railroad cuts hasmakeshift earth works.
(13:21):
And prepare for the assault ofthe Confederates five times
their own size.
These were disposed threecompanies of the regulars in the
ditch, outside a small earthworknear the Depot.
And the balance in the woodsnear the railroad.
Cut.
To the east and south of theFort.
(13:41):
One company of the 66th Indiana.
I was inside the Fort.
One in the Depot building.
And the balance outside in thewood to the west and south and
in rifle pits behind the Fort,near their regimental camp.
Those still not in contact withthe third Mississippi state
cavalry to the north.
(14:03):
First attendant Dinkins, the18th, Mississippi cavalry
battalion, and the entireSouthern force began the attack.
General Chalmers knew that anyfurther delay would be ruinous
and therefore gave the order tocharge.
Our men moved forward and findstyle.
(14:24):
But we're met by a hot fire.
They charged within about 60yards of the Fort.
We could see nothing of theenemy except the top of their
heads.
Besides a numerical superioritythat Confederates also had
artillery on the field, whichmajor general Sherman and the
union force had no answer.
(14:47):
The enemy at once opened withartillery from a Ridge
overlooking our entire position,throwing canister six pound
around shot and rifled solidprojectiles.
They also threw a few shells atus.
But their artillery fire wasprincipally aimed at our train,
disabling a locomotive anddamaging some cars.
(15:11):
While first Lieutenant Dinkinsand the 18th, Mississippi
cavalry battalion continuedpressing in the center.
The cavalry on the wings fell onthe flanks of the Fort and
Depot.
But major general Sherman andhis makeshift force.
Continued to fight.
Two columns past the railroad oneither side of us.
(15:33):
Uh, pretty brisk fire of smallarms was kept up for a couple of
hours.
The enemy approaching under thecover of the ground woods and
Depot building within 75 yardsof the Fort.
But at no time, did he attemptto assault the Fort?
We had no artillery.
And had to confine our attentionto the defense of the Fort.
(15:55):
Depo building containing thesupplies of the Garrison.
And our own train.
In this, we succeeded.
Though a superior force, evenwithout the third Mississippi
state cavalry.
First Lieutenant Dinkins and therest of the Confederate force
departed without attempting totake the Fort.
(16:18):
The third Mississippi statecavalry, finally received word
to withdraw.
And wrote in view of the enemystill in the Fort and Depot.
With the train being abandoned,the men managed to make off with
much of the personal baggage ofmajor general Sherman and his
staff.
It took some time for the men toexamine whose accoutrements they
(16:40):
now have possession of.
But by that time it was too latefor first Lieutenant Jenkins and
the Confederate force.
To make another attempt on theFort.
Through the baggage taken fromthe cars.
We discovered that generalSherman and staff were
passengers on the train.
(17:00):
We captured all of theirpersonal baggage.
As soon as we ascertain thegeneral Sherman was in the Fort.
The failure was double theregretted.
Brigadier general Chalmersstated in his report that major
general Sherman was present atthe battle.
But even he most likely did notknow about this critical piece
(17:23):
of information.
Until after the battle as well.
Keep in mind that it was ColonelAnthony commander of the 66th
Indiana.
Who received the flag of truceand not major general Sherman.
Here in lies.
A great what if of the civilwar?
Had the 66th Indiana and the13th us infantry not put up such
(17:47):
a dog, had fight against thevastly superior force.
Brigadier general Chalmers mayhave assessed that his men could
take the Fort.
If they were successful in thisendeavor.
They would have unwittinglycaptured major general Sherman.
This being before the battle ofChattanooga, the Atlanta
campaign, his March to the sea.
(18:09):
And the Carolina's campaign.
Major general Hurlbut uponhearing of the fight at
Collierville immediatelyredistributed as forces to best
counter Confederate movements,which led to two more
engagements over the next twodays.
After which time theConfederates low on ammunition,
(18:31):
withdrew from the region.
Major general Shermanpersonally, commended the 13th,
us infantry, who served as hisguard for about a year by the
first battle of Collierville.
Having survived as close call.
It continued on to Chattanooga,Tennessee.
(18:52):
James Dinkens remained in the18th, Mississippi cavalry until
the end of the war.
By the late 18 hundreds.
He like many men after the wardecided to write down his
experiences, mostly for hisfriends and family to read more
than anyone else.
I knew then, as I know now,That's sketches papers,
(19:16):
reminiscences and volumes,almost odd.
Infinitum.
Meaning to infinity.
Had been written and publisheduntil the reading people had
become worried.
If not surfeited with that classof literature.
And he continues.
Yet those friends and comradeswho read the MSS, he does not
(19:39):
explain what this means.
Advised me with one accord andsome even urged me to continue
and complete the sketches.
And when completed, give them tothe public in a volume.
Assuring me that they would beinteresting to the public.
Thank you for listening to the28th episode.
(20:02):
The link to first LieutenantDinkins, his book is now
available on the podcastwebsite.
First person, civil war,podcast.com.
On Facebook, Instagram, X, andLinkedIn this week.
You will find a picture of JamesDinkens as a cadet, about 15
years of age.
(20:23):
And as a first Lieutenant in1864.
At the age of 19.
The podcast received onedonation this past week.
Your kindness is greatlyappreciated.
Though James Dinkins was notwrong in saying that sketches
papers, reminiscences andvolumes written by civil war.
(20:47):
Veterans are almost odd.
Infinitum.
I have decided to alter theproduction schedule of the
podcast.
I will publish one episode everyother week.
The length and quality of eachepisode will not change only its
frequency.
Thank you for yourunderstanding.
(21:09):
This means that in two weekstime, Captain Lemuel, a Abbot of
company D 10th Vermont.
Provides next step Osos firstperson accounts at the third
battle.
Of Winchester.
My name is bill Coughlin.
(21:30):
And thank you for listening tofirst person civil war podcast.
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