SOUTHERN SENTINEL
Ripley, Mississippi
July 5, 1894

Battle of Whitten Branch

This engagement occurred on the 7 day of July, 1864, 3 ½ miles west of Ripley

on the Ashland road. Gen. A. J. Smith with a strong column of Federals had

come out from Memphis, via Holly Springs, on their march toward Tupelo. The

7th. Miss. Cavalry, commanded by Col. Hiams formed his men along the brow of

the hill with the center resting on the Ashland road. On the night preceding, Lieut.

V. A. Grace with seven men had been left on vidette at or near the residence of

James McDonald, 15 miles west of Whitten Branch where Ashland, the county seat

of Benton county, is now located.  These videttes had sat their horses the entire

night in hearing of the enemy, who camped near by.  Next morning they fell back

before the Federal column and reached the regiment a short time in advance of the

Federal advance guard, bringing information as to the great strength of the enemy.

Any one who has traveled this road will remember this high and somewhat precipitous

hill.  It was a fine position, but, of course, the small force stationed there could not

hope to hold it long against the overwhelming numbers of Smith's command. W. M.

Horton who was a member of Lieut. Crook's company of the Seventh Cavalry, stated

to the writer that this company was detached to watch the Holly Springs road, which

joins the Ashland road just in rear of where the skirmish was had.  Mr. Horton said his

company was in a position where he could watch the approach of the Federal column

as the advance guard of cavalry came marching down the hill on the opposite side of the

branch. Col. Haims' men reserved their fire until the front of the column began crossing

the branch, pouring in a volley then that sent the skirmish line forward when a hot skirmish

ensued, lasting two hours or more. During a lull in the firing, Col. Hiams withdrew his

regiment, with the loss of one killed and two wounded, leaving a strong picket, and formed

a line near the south corporation line of Ripley. Here they remained all night. There is a sad

story connected with the death of the gallant young Confederate who fell at Whitten Branch.

He was a Virginia soldier at home on wounded furlough. His wound had nearly healed when

Smith's raid came in the vicinity of Holly Springs, where lived his father, who was a member

of the 7th Miss. Cavalry and the young soldier, apprehending that hot work was ahead,

induced his father to allow him to take his place. His father agreed and his noble young life

went out in the first fight.

He was buried on the spot where fell, near the Ashland road, and his rude grave is still to be

seen on the roadside, where the earth was sprinkled with the life blood welling forth from his

brave heart. The remains should be removed to the cemetery and a suitable slab erected to

commemorate the heroism of one who laid down his life for his father. The Federals evidently

thought they had come in contact with Gen. Forrest's command for they also went into camp

and waited for the entire command to come up.

Next morning they advanced in strong force. They brought the bodies of two of their soldiers

killed in the preceding day's fight, and buried them in C. P. Miller's yard, now a vacant lot just

north of Dr. Murry's residence. The Federals then began a work of vandalism by applying the

torch to nearly every unoccupied building in town. The courthouse, first and then the

Methodist church, Masonic Hall, Odd-Fellow's Hall, Dr. Murry's drug store, the Cumberland

Presbyterian church, the residence of Dr. Carter, Col. Falkner, Richard Prince and R. F. Ford,

besides many smaller buildings, became a prey to the devouring element. It was a brutal and

useless destruction of property for which no excuse can be offered. Having completed the

work of destruction, they took up the line of march down the New Albany road. Col. Hiam's

regiment had taken position on the Cotton Gin road expecting to skirmish with them during

the day and retard their march, but were thus flanked and forced to make a night march in

order to get in front. Soon after followed the bloody battle of Harrisburg.

Mr. I. H. Smith, who was a member of Co. C of the 7th Cavalry, participated in these

skirmishes and also in the bloody unfortunate battle of Harrisburg which occurred near Tupelo

a few days later. In this battle the 7th lost 10 men killed and 30 wounded. Mr. Smith was in a few

steps of Lieut. Crook when the latter was killed. His body was picked up Sam Jumper, a member

of Co. C. who at first thought it was his brother. W. M. Cox, another citizen of Tippah and a member

of Lt. Crook's company was also slain in the same engagement.

Source:   http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mscivilw/reminiscences.htm