A little incident narrated by Private Neal Vestal, of Co. E, who was taken prisoner at the same time with Captain Lowe, is worth noting. When the Rebs. were attacked by General Hurlbut, at the Hatchie on the 5th of October, and a panic was arising, a Rebel Captain passing by Neal, he inquired, good naturedly, "Well, Captain, what are you going to do with us now?" His reply was, "If I had my way, I would shoot you." At which Neal replied, "I bet _six bits_ that man was not in the fight." At this response went up all along the line, "That is true!"
FROM THE MOUNTING OF THE REGIMENT TO LEAVING POCAHONTAS.
_Regiment mounted--Scout to Tuscumbia, with its five engagements--Scout to Florence, with two engagements--Move camp to Pocahontas--Scout to New Albany, destroying the town--Mud Creek scout and battle--Scout to Jackson, and battle--Scout to Ripley--Scout to Trenton, Tenn.--Scout to Grenada--Raid to Grenada--Commissions and promotions--Battles of Salem, Graham's Mills and Wyatt's--List of killed and wounded--Incidents._
Our Government, by the beginning of 1863, began to see the necessity of having a larger mounted force. It was proposed that many of the Infantry Regiments should be mounted for scouting purposes. Lieut. Col. Phillips made application to have the 9th Ill. Inft. mounted. He was told that it could be mounted on mules, but not on horses. He replied that he would prefer the mules, as they would endure more hard usage and require less care. Hence, on the 15th of March, 1863, Lieut. Col. Phillips, commanding Regiment, received orders to mount his command, on mules, for scouting purposes. The Regiment was all mounted by the 20th of March.
Col. Mersy was in command of the 2d Brigade, and Lieut. Col. Phillips of the Regiment. This arrangement still continues, to the present date.
Sergeant George Rhuland, of Company A, was commissioned as 1st Lieutenant of said company. He ranks from March 20th, 1863, the date of the receipt of his commission.
The Regiment was paid on the 26th of August, by Major Phelps, for the months of May and June.
On the 14th of April, the Regiment received orders to be ready to move by daylight the next morning. The order was afterwards changed to moving in half an hour. We were soon on the way towards Glendale, where the rebels had made a dash on a small body of the 64th Ill. Vols. We reached Glendale a little too late, as Col. Cornyn had driven the enemy and started in pursuit. The Regiment hastened forward and found him at Yellow Stone Creek. We were delayed one and a-half hours in crossing this very muddy stream. Hence, we bivouacked for the night two miles beyond. Moved forward rapidly, on the 15th, and bivouacked within four miles of Big Bear Creek, on the opposite bank of which, we were informed, there was a large body of the enemy. We awaited here, on the 16th, the arrival of the Infantry force from Corinth. All having arrived, we moved rapidly, early on the morning of the 17th. After "shelling the woods" for a short time with our rifled pieces, the following mounted forces, viz: 10th Missouri Cavalry, battalion of the 15th Illinois Cavalry, and the 9th Illinois Mounted Infantry, dashed rapidly across the creek. Captain Richardson was throwing shell over our heads at an imaginary force across the creek. As he did not stop soon enough, a number of his shell flew among our men, but fortunately no one was hurt. As soon as all the mounted force was over, and one section of Tamrath's Battery, we moved forward on the Tuscumbia road.