Hello Greg,

I have a question for you. Tho not one of great strategic or tactical importance,it is one that I have for years been attempting to answer.

Why specificaly did Lt.Col. Gearge Gantt's 9th. Battalion Tennessee Cavalry not leave with Forrest's cavalry?

I have came across several explanations. Forrest sent for Gantt several times and he refused to come. Gantt attempted to come but missed the rendevous point or that Gantt could not be located. I have visited the site and studied Bear's maps and find it difficult that an entire Battalion could not be located.

The reason I ask is that I had a GGgrandfather with the 9th Battalion and this certainly affected the Battalion throughout the remainder of the war. Forrest later said he would not have this unit in his command and actualy refused it when offered after his spirited departure from Bragg.I do know that Gantt was not a talented officer and eventualy cashiered for letting Grierson escape on his raid thru Mississippi.

At your convenience,

Mike Thompson