June 7th 1863 we charged over the breast works at Millican's Bend on the Mississippi River, under the command of the gallant General, Henry E. McCullough.  We had to cut through to hedges about three hundred yards to the enemy, and before we had time to deploy column and for a line of battle and charge the enemy, some of our best men fell dead and mortally wounded.   Our Colonel, R.T.P., was shot through the arm and sholder and had to retire, and , Lieut. Col. Wash Jones took charge of our Regiment which was the 17th Texas.

     The late Thomas M. Hunt was Assistant Adjutant General and I can see him now on his gray charger galloping back and forth in the rear of the Brigade dispatching orders to the men from General McCullouch while the bullets seemed to be flying as thick as hail.

     Jack Allbright, father of our fellow countryman, Billy Allbright, was killed while on this charge before we reached the breast works.  Also, Tom Ridgeway and many other brave boys fell that day, but when we did get to the breast works we never lost another man, but went right over it in the midst of the enemy which was principally negroes, and in less than thirty minutes the victory was ours.

     The enemy was commanded by a few white officers who as the boys used tosay "Sidaddled" as soon as they saw the "Rebs." charging over on them, and lfet their poor negro comrades to their own fate.  We killed 750 negroes in the trenches and the blood ran in some places several inches deep.  A few of them would jump up and run, but they fell with a bullet before they went very far.  I think that very few, if any escaped alive.  I was then a beardless boy, but now am old, but that scene of carnage and fore is as fresh in my mind as if it had happened only yesterday, and if anybody who may read this, would like to hear a more detailed account of that bloody little affair, I will cheerfully give them a minute particulars in person.  T.F. Mays
 
 

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