928

HISTORY OF THE

Hoxton's battery. Light Artillery, and some to Cobb's. But their conduct on that first terrible field had been such as to win the warmest encomiums of the general and other officers who witnessed it, and they were awarded, by General Beauregard, the post of honor at the last   being selected as the battery that was to aid the Reserve Corps in covering the retreat, and arriving in Corinth three days after the main artillery force engaged had reached that place.

After his resignation, Captain Byrne repaired to Richmond, and was nominated colonel of cavalry, with orders to report to General Bragg, which he did as Bragg was moving into Kentucky. After the return of the army to Murfreesboro', he was offered a command to consist of all Kentucky companies not regularly brigaded with troops of their own State, but preferred the command of a battalion of horse artillery with General Morgan, which he was offered and which he accepted, with the rank of major, before his nomination as colonel was acted on by the Senate. It was agreed that he should name his own officers, and he selected those who had served with him in the old battery, and had distinguished themselves in battle. Among them were Elias D. Lawrence, John Joyes, Jr., and Frank Peak, lieutenants; and A. G. Talbott, Danville, Kentucky, who was sergeant-major. Other worthy names of the old company we have found it impossible to procure, except those of some who were non-commissioned officers and gunners (and we have only the surnames of those), which may be sufficient, however, to identify them. They were Gantry, McGrath, Johnson, and Cleaveland, of Washington County, Mississippi ; and Wheatley and House, of Kentucky. Two gunners of the old battery were Hawes, of Kentucky, and Cleary, of Chicot County,- Arkansas. A gunner, by name Wilson, is also remembered. Johnson was shot through both hips at Shiloh ; and gunner Wilson, while a member of the horse artillery, distinguished himself greatly. While working his piece, in one of the engagements in which he took part, he had his right hand