Jacob Fry to Richard Yates

Benton Barracks

January 8th 1863

Gov Yates

Springfield Ills

Dr Sir

I See in this morning St Louis Democrat a letter from Mr Robb to your excellency in reference to Forrests raid on the Mo & Ohio Rail Road in which Mr Robb does me injustice (not intentially, I presume) He Says that the Reble Commander had quietly taken posession of Trenton - quietly for the reason the force stationed at that place having been moved to Jackson, thus being the case Col Fry the Post Commander had nothing to do but to give up his Sword &c. It is true that all my forces including the Artillary had been ordered to Jackson by Genl Sulevan against my judgment of its propriety. The same order applied to all the Post from Jackson to Columbus leaving those Post without forces to defend them and making them and the Road an easy prise to the enemy Genl Sulivans order to me was to send all my available force with the Artillary to Jackson reserving only the convelesent for gard duty This I done. I had previously made a very strong defence by way of Rifle pots around my Artillary

by which of my Artillary and men had not ben withdrawn could have whoped Forrest with his whole force But as it was I was compelled to make the best arangment I could I therefore mad my defense at the depot with Cotton Bales and got all my little force there determaned to make the best defense I could when the enemy came - knowing that Forrest was moving towards Trenton I Telegraphed Genl Davies at Columbus on Friday my condition and that I expected an attack [illegible] but he refused to Send any reinforcements notwithstanding he had both men & artillary and Columbus never was in any danger from Forrest. I had my scouts out and they reported to me Forrests movements from which I became satisfied that his movements towards Jackson was only a feint to cover his move on Trenton and the Road above Jackson. On Saterday morning Telegraphed to Genl Sulivan that the enemy lay that night at Spring Creek 20 Miles from Trenton and that he was moving upon me but I got no releaf from that quarter My Scouts reported them within three or four miles advancing upon us I then drew in all my Pickets and gards in and got all my little force within the Brest works and wated the approach of the enemy - At three oclock he made his appearance by a heavy charge in two colums

with his Cavarly they were hansomly repulsed with considerable loss both in killed and wounded we lost one man killed none wounded his Cavarly then dashed off out of range of our guns he then planted his Batteries and commenced Shelling us we having don all that was possable under the circumstances on consultatn with the officer the surrender was made - Enclosed I send you a statment of the affare published in the M Republican which gives a very correct account of the matter - I confes that I do not understand the propriety of the Consentratn of the forces at Jackson as it was done. But I presum that it was one of those stragetic movements that ordinary men can not fully comperhend I have made this breif explanation to Set myself right with you on the subject

Very Respectfully

Jacob Fry

Col. Jac. Fry

Benton Barracks

Jany 8th 1863

Explanation of a certain statement made in the Report of Maj. Robb of the capture of Holly Springs

File "Reports"