CAMPAIGNING WITH MAX. 115 



As an instrument of destruction in the ene- 

 my's country, our raid had thus far been more 

 successful than we could have anticipated; but 

 we had come for even more serious business 

 than this, and there were already indications 

 that its main purpose would be a failure. Our 

 commander had evidently no stomach for a close 

 approach to the enemy, and his injunctions at 

 Colliersville that we were to try always to " Fight 

 at close quarters ! " " Go at them as soon as 

 possible with the sabre ! " and other valorous 

 ejaculations, were in singular contrast to the 

 impressions ho evinced as the prospect of an 

 actual engagement drew near. 



Forrest was in our front with about our own 

 number of cavalry, but without artillery, of 

 which we had twenty good pieces. The open 

 country offered good fighting ground, and gave 

 to our better drilled and more completely or- 

 ganized forces a decided advantage, even with- 

 out our great odds in artillery. There" lay before 

 us a fair opportunity for dispersing the most 

 successful body of cavalry in the Rebel service; 



