Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 220. — Report of Lieut. Col. Alfred Reed, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, of operations December 7, 1864.

No. 220.

Report of Lieut. Col. Alfred Reed, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, of operations December 7, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS TWELFTH INDIANA CAVALRY,        

Fortress Rosecrans, Tenn., December 17, 1864.

COLONEL: In the battle of Nolensville pike, on the 7th instant, the Twelfth Indiana Cavalry Volunteers sustained the following part:

During the advance upon the enemy's position the regiment constituted part of the reserves. It advanced in line to the left of the pike until it came to a cotton-field, across which the enemy had extemporized earth-works and planted his batteries. At this time the skirmish line in the cotton-field to our right began to waver and the regiment moved by the right flank to the support of this position of the line. Being thus supported, the line of skirmishers and the regiment moved forward across the cotton-field into the woods abandoned by the enemy, whose battery being captured and his forces routed, and no further pursuit ordered, the entire Federal forces returned to the fortress, the Twelfth Indiana Cavalry constituting the rear guard.

Owing to the fact that a skirmish line was continually in advance of it, the regiment fired but few shots. At times, however, the fire it sustained was heavy, but it affords me great pleasure to say that at all times both officers and men displayed a coolness worthy of older soldiers and of which the regiment has no reason to be ashamed.

The loss of the regiment, as heretofore reported, was 1 killed and 11 wounded.

Respectfully, &c.,

ALFRED REED,        

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Twelfth Indiana Cavalry.

Col. EDWARD ANDERSON,
        Commanding First Brigade.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 629