Major McDonald, of Forrest’s command, who fell in a charge on the ambushed enemy at Farmington, Tenn., was an old and highly respectable citizen of Memphis, a member of the house of Apperson & Co., and who, in April, 1861, raised a cavalry company for sixty days’ special service. At the expiration of The time of this company, Captain McDonald immediately went to work and raised another, with the view of joining the regiment of Colonel Forrest, which he soon succeeded in doing, and has remained in active service ever since, having gone through, with his chief, the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Thompson’s Station, Brent Wood and Chickamauga, besides numerous combats and skirmishes. He had served as Lieutenant of cavalry in the Mexican war. In his last fatal charge the enemy were ambushed among the cedars and rocks, and while charging up the road in column of fours, he was shot down, the horses of his three companions abreast of him being also shot from under them. His body was not recovered, though Capt. Barbour, of his command, made three several charges to rescue it, without success, losing twenty men in the effort.
Richmond Whig, Richmond, VA, November 5, 1863
