Having accomplished fully the object of the expedition, and driving the enemy, which was 5,500 strong, to Decatur, and having been on half rations for a week, I fell back to Tuscumbia, in order to communicate with transports, to obtain rations and ammunition.
Dodge reflects on the successful completion of an expedition and the challenges faced due to limited supplies.
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More from Grenville Dodge
Suppose the Sixteenth Corps, with less than 5,000 men, seeing at least three times their number in their front, should have retreated, instead of standing and fighting as it did: What would have been the result?
The proper credit was not given to General Curtis, while the history and records of the battle show that he was entitled to all of the credit, and fought the battle in opposition to Siegel's views.
They never fell under my command again, but on every field that they fought they won the praise of their commanders, and General Grant ordered that they should place on their banners, "First at Chickasaw Bayou.
CHARGE! and such a yell as they crossed that field with, you never heard--it was unearthly and scared the rebels so bad they never stopped to fire at us or to let us reach them.
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