CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY: HOLLY SPRINGS, MS

*************************************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm

Submitted by Peggy Brannon - peggybrannon@hotmail.com
22 September 2001
*************************************************************************

TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson

Col. A. W. Sparks in his book, "Recollections of the Great War," makes a 
note head of compliments paid officers and men in that great raid for the 
supplies of Grant's army, then preparing the investment of Vicksburg. The 
following notes are copied:

NOTE-During the march of the Twentieth, Colonel Griffith galloped to the 
head of the column, and rode with Gen. Van Dorn an hour or more. Griffith 
represented to the General that, inasmuch as he was the originator of the 
expedition, he should be granted the post of honor; or, in other words, bear 
the brunt of the fighting; that his regiments, having served as infantry, 
would be more efficient than those drilled purely as cavalry. General Van 
Dorn readily acquiesced, and took occasion to thank the Colonel for having, 
in such complimentary terms, suggested himself as the commander. He also 
complimented Col. Griffith on the conception of such a bold ruse de guerre, 
which promised such sterling results to the cause.

NOTE-Upon the entry of the Confederates into Holly Springs, Col. Griffith 
was informed that Gen. U. S. Grant had just departed, on a special train, 
for Memphis; and the locomotive that bore the modern Caesar and his 
fortunes, could even then be located by the smoke escaping from its chimney. 
A delay of five minutes, on his part, would have materially checked that 
tide in his affairs, that was bearing him on to fortune and fame.
NOTE-At the instance of Col. Broocks, their regimental commander, honorable 
mention was made of the following officers and men of the "Legion," as their 
due for soldierly qualities exhibited on all occasions:

Lieutenant Thompson Morris, Company I, First Texas Legion, Captain J. M. 
Cook, Company I, First Texas Legion; T. M. Bagby, Company F, First Texas 
Legion; Lieutenant Snell, Company F, First Texas Legion; Sergeant M. 
McQuistian, Company G, First Texas Legion; Captain Dave Snodgrass, illegally 
promoted from a lieutenancy in his own company, to the captaincy of another, 
by virtue of General Bragg's autocratic ukase of 1862; John F. Pleasants, 
Company C, First Texas Legion; Captain Adam Adams, Company E, First Texas 
Legion; Captain Ed. 0. Williams, Company G, First Texas Legion; Lieutenant 
W. B. Walker, Company D, who lost an arm in the battles around Atlanta, 
while at the post of duty; Rev. R. W. Thompson, the able and efficient 
Chaplain of the Legion.

The author cheerfully adds to these the names of Ulysses S. Hairgrove, 
Company F, Third Texas Cavalry, who was as brave as he was always willing 
and ready for battle; First Sergeant Thomas J. Cellum, Company A, Third 
Texas Cavalry, who was always at his post, and ready to take a hand at 
anything that might turn up. Hays Alston, R. A. Godbold, Fannin Montgomery, 
and Jack Phillips, of the same company and regiment, recur to the mind; but, 
where all were actuated by motives the most disinterested and patriotic, it 
would seem invidious to make distinctions by the special mention of any.