SIR: I have the
honor to make the following report in regard to the recent expedition to
Stevenson, Ala., which resulted in the capture of the entire train and a
portion of the escort:
Pursuant to
instructions from the general commanding, the Sixty-first Illinois Infantry,
150 strong, and about forty of the First Michigan Engineers, left
Murfreesborough, Tenn., on the 12th instant, with orders to proceed to
Stevenson, Ala., and return without delay with the train laden with supplies
for this garrison. We arrived at Stevenson on 13th with but little difficulty,
and after having procured the supplies required we started for Murfreesborough
early on the morning of the 14th. The train was delayed at the Cumberland
Mountains in consequence of being unable to ascend the grade, but we finally
succeeded in crossing and reached Bell Buckle about dark in the evening, where
we received intimation of an enemy in our front. About 2 o'clock at night we
were fired into at or near Christiana, and upon being informed by the conductor
that he could not run the train back we immediately debarked, formed a line so
as to protect the train, and moved on, repairing the road as we came, but our
progress was necessarily very slow, from the fact that the enemy had cut the
road in various places. Here allow me to state that while in this condition we
dispatched a messenger to General Rousseau to notify him of our situation and
asking for re-enforcements. Fighting continued brisk until daylight, at which
time we were within six miles of this place, but we soon ascertained that we
were entirely surrounded by the enemy, with the road cut in our front and rear.
Soon after daylight the enemy dismounted and charged our line, but they were
handsomely repulsed, with considerable loss in killed and wounded. They then
brought their artillery into action, which soon convinced us that we could not
hold the train against such fearful odds. Consequently, about 8 o'clock, the
colonel commanding ordered the train to be abandoned, and we then attempted to
cut through their lines, which we did, but in so doing the colonel, 1 captain,
2 lieutenants, and 81 enlisted men belonging to the Sixty-first were captured,
together with the entire portion of the First Michigan Engineers, including the
lieutenant in charge.
In justice to the
First Michigan Engineers allow me to say that they behaved themselves with
firmness, and during the engagement they fought like veterans; also that thirty
of Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, who returned with us from Stevenson, were promptly
on hand for any duty required; the larger portion of them were also captured.
I have the honor to
be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
