An Unarmed Regiment's Charge

From the Memphis Commercial Appeal: While they were in camp, before the battle of Murfreesboro, the Forty-fourth Mississippi regiment, more familiarly known among the men as Blythe's brigade, was separated from the camp on account of the measles. In order to equip recruits that were constantly coming in with the sorely needed giins the Forty-fourth was practically disarmed, the intention being to arm them later on with guns expected from the rear. About this time the Federáis began the movement from Nashville which brought on the celebrated battle at Murfreesboro, and when the brigade was ordered into position an effort was hastily made to arm the Forty-fourth, who had now recovered their health, with the old smooth-bore muskets. These the regiment flatly decllned to have, and were then told that they would have to go into the fight without arms. This they dld, and when the order to charge was glven went yelling and barehanded across the field, but as soon as a fallen foe - or friend, either - was spied he was promptly relieved of hls gun and accoutrements. So that by the time the battle was over the men were nearly all well armed with the new Springfield rifles.