Diary of Private Richard R. Hancock: Saturday, November 30, 1861

According to orders from our General, Colonel McNairy, setting out from his camp, five miles south of Albany, with about seventy-five of his battalion, went to the Cumberland above Burkesville. When our advance guard got in sight of the river a boat was crossing to the north bank with seven men and five horses. As a portion of the men were Federal soldiers, a skirmish ensued, in which the ferryman and one soldier were wounded. None of our boys were hurt. The ferryman, who lived on the south side of the river, brought his boat back to our side. We destroyed two ferry-boats and two canoes at that ferry, and one boat at another. McNairy allowed his men to scatter in order to hunt quarters for the night. The writer and about twenty-four others put up with our wounded ferryman, who lived half a mile from the river.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 87-8

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 228.— Report of Lieut. Col. William F. Prosser, Second Tennessee Cavalry, of operations December 7-8, 1864.

No. 228.

Report of Lieut. Col. William F. Prosser, Second Tennessee Cavalry,

of operations December 7-8, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY,        

Paint Rock Bridge, December 8, 1864.

I reached this point yesterday about 12 m. The bridge and railroad, as far as I could see, are all right. The country from Bellefonte here we found full of small parties of the enemy. I captured a few prisoners at Scottsborough, who will go to Stevenson with this dispatch. We drove a small force of rebels across the creek yesterday in our advance, and about half an hour afterward the enemy appeared with an engine and a train of cars. We drove them back some two or three miles, but shortly afterward they appeared again with the train and some cavalry, and we skirmished with them until dark, when they retired. I endeavored to capture the train, but was not successful. Roddey is reported at Huntsville. Russell has recruited his regiment considerably of late, and now has from 700 to 800 men. If the enemy moves some infantry up on us by rail we may have some trouble, but we can do something for them if they come. I have been looking for a train down from Stevenson with some infantry, but so far have heard nothing from them. I should have arrived here a day sooner, but was delayed in scouting the country between Scottsborough and this place, particularly at Larkinsville. About 100 of the enemy were on the Larkinsville Ferry road, to the left, and I sent a party toward Winchester, to the right. The prisoners I send you belong to Roddey, Russell, and Twentieth Mississippi. Doctor Irwin and some other citizens were captured at Scottsborough, and they fired on my men when they went after them. He lives near Courtland and acts as surgeon for Roddey. I inclose a note* from Russell which explains his business. I wish these messengers to return as soon as possible, with some other men of my command at Stevenson, who ought to be here. I shall look for train down here, and if there is one coming please send down with it 10,000 rounds of Burnside ammunition. Please send me some late papers or news if you have any.

With my compliments to the general, and hoping to hear from you shortly,

I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. F. PROSSER,        

Lieutenant-Colonel Second Tennessee Cavalry, Commanding.

Lieutenant KNEELAND,
        Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

_______________

* Not found.

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. 640

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 205. — Report of Maj. Thomas G. Williamson, Tenth Indiana Cavalry, of operations December 28, 1864-January 6, 1865.

No. 205.

Report of Maj. Thomas G. Williamson, Tenth Indiana Cavalry,

of operations December 28, 1864-January 6, 1865.

HEADQUARTERS TENTH INDIANA VOLUNTEER CAVALRY,        

Near Waterloo, Ala., January 11, 1865.

LIEUTENANT: In accordance with orders received, I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the detachment of the Tenth Indiana Volunteer Cavalry under my command in the raid south of Decatur, Ala., from December 28, 1864, to January 6, 1865, inclusive, the detachment being at this time in a brigade, composed of Tenth Indiana, Second Tennessee, and Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, under the immediate command of Lieutenant-Colonel Prosser, Second Tennessee Cavalry:

On the 28th we marched from Decatur south on the Decatur and Courtland road, going into camp eight miles south of Decatur. On the 29th we overtook the rear of General Roddey's command, charging them for about six miles, capturing 30 prisoners, killing 2 and wounding 3 of the enemy. We went into camp two miles from Courtland, Ala. On the 30th of December we marched through Courtland to Leighton, on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. Here we captured 3 prisoners. We camped at Leighton that night. On December 31 we marched toward Russellville, leaving La Grange to the left. Near Russellville we killed 1 man, captured 1 lieutenant and 6 men. We then marched on through Russellville, and at 8 p.m. we attacked Hood's pontoon train, consisting of eighty pontoons, also forty-five wagons loaded with cordage, equipments, forges, &c. We burned and destroyed the entire train and teams.

On January 1, 1865, we moved at daylight and marched on a trot all day, continued the march at night, and at 2 a.m., when we overtook and charged another wagon train, capturing and destroying the wagons by fire and killing the mules, about 500 in number, dismounted men taking some of the best mules to ride. The train consisted of about 125 wagons (this was Hood's supply train). On the 2d of January we marched back toward Decatur, Ala.., meeting no enemy this day, going over the mountain roads that I do not know the names of. On the 4th of January we overtook and attacked Colonel Russell, commanding the Fifth [Fourth] Alabama Cavalry, capturing his entire train, also about 30 prisoners, killing 3 of the enemy and wounding about 20; we also captured and burned General Roddey's headquarters papers. We lost here in this charge 1 killed and 1 wounded. Traveling all night, we stopped to rest at daylight, going into camp near Leighton. On the 5th we went to within twenty miles of Decatur, and on the 6th at sundown we arrived at Decatur. Our march was from Decatur to within thirty miles of Aberdeen, Miss., about three miles from the line.

In submitting this report I will respectfully call your attention to the conduct of Capts. William Mead and George R. Mitchell and their companies, D and H. They are deserving of great praise for the manner in which they conducted themselves during the entire raid.

Respectfully submitted.

THOS. G. WILLIAMSON,        

Major, Commanding Tenth Indiana Volunteer Cavalry.

Lieut. W. H. WHITWORTH,
        Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Indorsement.]

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SEVENTH DIV., CAVALRY CORPS,        

Gravelly Springs, January 19, 1865.

Respectfully forwarded for the information of major-general commanding Cavalry Corps.

Major Williamson is the ranking officer present, the Lieutenant-Colonel Prosser mentioned being Major Prosser, of the Second Tennessee, now at Nashville, and Major Williamson's report is that of the expedition.

J. H. HAMMOND,        

Brevet Brigadier-General.

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. 606-8

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Luman Harris Tenney: November 7, 1863

Halted near the gap till daylight. Moved on to Russelville where we got forage and halted for dinner. Unsaddled and remained over night. Great reports about the Rogersville affair. 7th Ohio passed by, rather thin. Several 2nd Tenn. prisoners came in, having escaped from the rebels.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 96

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Luman Harris Tenney: September 24, 1863

2nd Tennessee and 9th Mich. made a reconnoissance towards Zollicoffer's Brigade. Maj. Nettleton went along as guide. Found the rebel pickets on the same ground as yesterday. After some skirmishing the boys returned. Forage parties recalled on account of some exciting reports that a citizen brought in. Nothing unusual. Moved camp. Most of forces retreated. Report that Rosencrans had been whipped by Bragg. Flag of truce.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 90