Left Louisville, having remained three days in that city and fair ground, making a march of three miles out of town and three back again, which will make six miles. Got to Camp Nevin on the 23d of October, the place where our first division commander, General Rousseau, defeated the rebels and made them skedaddle back to Horse Cave City in Kentucky. Making a march of 72 miles.
SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 9
I took a ride
yesterday with Governor Dennison to Silver Spring and had a pleasant interview
of a couple of hours with the elder Blair. He has great political sagacity,
tact, and ability and watches with keen eyes the movements of men and parties.
I find his views in most respects correspond with my own as to demonstrations
now being made by ultra-partisans. He attributes much to Stanton, and suggested
that General Grant ought to be made Secretary of War. Therein I differed from
him. General Rousseau called on me to-day in behalf of Commander Pendergrast,
who has been suspended by court martial for two years. The sentence I have
thought severe and intended to mitigate it. Admiral Porter, as well as General
R., thinks P. has been sufficiently punished; says Fox has been a little
vindictive in the matter. This I am unwilling to believe, although Fox has
remonstrated on two occasions, when I have had the case under consideration.
Pendergrast says that most of the court which tried him were retired officers,
placed on the retired list by the board of which his uncle, the late Commodore
P., was a member, and that they as well as others have supposed that he was a
son instead of nephew of the Commodore, and he is apprehensive there was a
prejudice against him on that account.
SIR: In compliance
with orders received in communication dated headquarters, Murfreesborough,
December 5, 1864, I have the honor to report that, in accordance with verbal
orders received from Major-General Rousseau on the evening of December 3, 1864,
I took up the line of march with my command on the morning of December 4, 1864,
toward La Vergne, with the view of camping that night at that point. Upon
reaching a point some three miles distant from this place I met a detachment of
the Fifth Tennessee Cavalry, which had been stationed at Overall's Creek,
retiring upon this point, being pursued by the enemy. I ordered the captain in
charge of the same to deploy his men as skirmishers on the left of the road, at
the same time throwing a company of my command on the right, and proceeded in
this manner one mile to the creek, the enemy's skirmishers falling back to the
opposite bank. A brisk skirmish was kept up, the creek intervening, the enemy
at the same time opening on us with three pieces of artillery. At this time I
addressed a communication to the general commanding, of which the following is
a copy:
HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH INDIANA CAVALRY,
Overall's Creek, December 4, 1864.
Major-General
ROUSSEAU:
GENERAL:
I am holding the skirmish line at Overall's Creek. The enemy expose a line
double to mine; reported moving column on my right flank; have used three
pieces of artillery on me; also reported the same to be used on the
block-house. Slight loss; skirmishing rapid; await orders; artillery moving
toward their rear on the pike. Heavy artillery firing distinctly heard in the
direction of Nashville. I shall endeavor to cross the creek.
I
am, sir, your obedient servant,
G. M. L. JOHNSON,
Colonel Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry.
Shortly afterward
General Milroy came up with re-enforcements, his infantry relieving my skirmish
line, and I formed my regiment in column on the pike, at a distance of 400
yards from the bridge. Just before night-fall I received an order from General
Milroy, through Captain Carson, to charge across the bridge, which order I
obeyed. After gaining the opposite bank I turned the head of my column to the
right, and swung round the base of the hill, menacing the enemy's left flank,
which had the effect of causing the retiring of a large part of the enemy's
force. My pieces (Enfield rifles) being discharged and difficult to reload when
men are mounted, and the enemy having turned their artillery on me, I retired
my column to the creek under cover of the bank, and in doing so received a
slight fire from our own forces stationed in the block-house, they evidently in
the darkness mistaking us for the enemy. I immediately threw out skirmishers,
dismounted, and, reforming my line, made another dash around the former
position of their left flank and in rear of the hill on which their artillery
had been planted. The enemy having retired, I threw out outposts and withdrew
my command to this side Overall's Creek. I retired, in accordance with orders
from General Milroy, and arrived in camp at this place about 1 a.m. December 5,
1864.
Additional
skirmishes and reconnaissances have been had with the enemy on the 5th, 6th,
7th, and 9th of December, 1864. In these my command has captured about 20
prisoners, among whom were 1 major and 1 lieutenant.
Please find the list
of casualties appended.*
I had two pieces of artillery (our 12-pounder field howitzer and 6-pounder smooth-bore field gun), under command of Second Lieut. Joseph Billings, of my battery, in the action of yesterday, the 7th instant. He took position on the left of Wilkinson's pike, and there engaged the enemy with good effect until ordered to retire for want of ammunition. I had one man wounded in head at this place. No other accident or casualties. I have no positive means of knowing the exact amount of damage done to the enemy, but, judging from the close proximity our shells exploded to his position, I think his casualties must have been heavy. The section was soon after ordered to the fortress to get full supply of ammunition, and when returning to the field of action was ordered by Major-General Rousseau to its quarters.
LOUISVILLE, Oct. 10, P. M. Yesterday [morning]
Buell attacked Bragg’s forces at Chaplin [Creek in] the immediate vicinity of
Perrysville. A shor[t but] terrible fight ensued, when the rebels [broke and rap]idly
fled over three diverging roads
southward. [Our] forces are in
close pursuit; and hope to bag the lot.
At last accounts Gen. Gilbert’s forces [were in] the rear of the rebels,
and some distance [below them.] Military
exigencies require the suppression [of the] name of the place. No further
accounts [of the loss]es on either side.
LOUISVILLE, Oct. 10.—Great anxiety [and
excitement] exists here respecting the fate of [of our soldiers] in the pending
battle. Capt. Aldershaw [is on his] way hither from Bardstown, with the re[mains
of] Gens. Jackson and Terrell, and Col. Webster [of the] 18th.
Among the Perrysville casualties are, killed—Gens.
Jackson and Terrill, [acting Brig.] Generals Webster and Lytle of Ohio; [Lieut.
Col.] Jewett and Major Campbell of the 15th [Kentucky] cavalry. Col. Pope of the same [regiment is] wounded.
There is no confirmation of the [death of Gen.]
Sheridan.
Gen. Rosseau is reported slightly [wounded.]
Col. Woolford, of the 1st Kentucky [cavalry,
af]ter five charges, took two batteries, [and the enemy] after hard fighting,
were driven 8 [miles.]
The foregoing relates to Wednesday[’s fight.]
Various rumors are circulating of [a fight]
yesterday, (Thursday) said to be [favorable to the] Federals but are traceable
to no [authentic source.] At
headquarters, 11 o’clock Friday [morning,] have received no advices from the [battlefield
later] than Wednesday evening.
Our force in that fight was about [15,000
infantry,] 8 batteries of artillery, and 2,500 [cavalry, but were] reinforced
toward the close of the [engagement.]
The rebel force has not been [estimated.]
Thursday morning we occupied [an advantageous]
situation on all sides of the enemy. [Our troops are] in high spirits and are
confident [of victory.]
Our loss in killed and wounded [in the] battle
was 1,500. The enemy’s loss [is
considered] much greater.
The 10th Ohio lost 282 killed [and wounded]
yesterday.
Company B. Capt. Farman [of Pope’s regiment]
mostly from Louisville lost in [killed and wounded] all except twelve men.
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,
No. 209
Reports of Maj. Gen. Robert H. Milroy, U.S. Army, of operations December 4 and 7, 1864.
GENERAL: In obedience to your orders I proceeded on the afternoon of the 4th instant to the relief of the block-house at Overall's Creek, four miles and a half north of this place, on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, which was besieged by a considerable rebel force with artillery. I took with me, by your order, the Eighth Regiment Minnesota Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Sixty-first Regiment Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry, One hundred and seventy-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and a section of the Thirteenth New York Artillery, under Lieutenant McGurrin. I proceeded on the Nashville pike to Overall's Creek, where I found the Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry (Colonel Johnson), who preceded me some hours, engaged in skirmishing with the enemy's sharpshooters, who were deployed across the creek. I threw Lieutenant McGurrin, with his section of artillery, forward to the bluff of the creek, who engaged the enemy's battery in gallant style, which was posted on an eminence about 900 yards distant, on the opposite side of the creek, between the railroad and the Nashville pike. I at once deployed the Sixty-first Illinois as skirmishers, and sent up the Eighth Minnesota to the block-house at the railroad crossing, about half a mile below the pike, with orders to cross there, if practicable, and flank the rebel battery on the right. I then advanced the skirmishers across the creek, most of them crossing the bridge under a galling fire, and drove back the rebel sharpshooters. I then threw forward the One hundred and seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry (Colonel Jones), who crossed the bridge under a sharp fire, both of artillery and small-arms, and formed in good order on the opposite bank. Being under the impression that the forces opposing me consisted of a portion of Forrest's cavalry, dismounted, I supposed that their three-gun battery operating against us could be run over and taken by Colonel Johnson with his gallant regiment, who were anxious to try the experiment. So, after the One hundred and seventy-fourth Ohio had formed on the north bank of the creek, the ground being favorable for a cavalry charge and the smoke of the battery and approaching darkness rendering my movements invisible, I directed Colonel Johnson to cross the bridge, pass through an opening in the line of the One hundred and seventy-fourth Ohio, charge the battery and take it if possible. The colonel moved forward on the enemy in the most splendid and impetuous style, but finding the battery strongly supported by infantry he turned and passed off to the right. I then moved forward the One hundred and seventy-fourth Ohio, which advanced with a terrific rolling fire upon the enemy, capturing a number of prisoners who dared not to arise from the ground to run away amid a sheet of lead. From these prisoners I learned that the force confronting me consisted of General Bate's division of infantry.
It being now quite dark, and the enemy having been driven back near eighty rods and ceased firing, and the Eighth Minnesota not having found a crossing, I withdrew the One hundred and seventy-fourth Ohio with the skirmishers of the Sixty-first Illinois to the south bank of the creek. These regiments withdrew in the most perfect order, bringing off their dead, wounded, and prisoners. The Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry also returned to the bridge and crossed to the south side of the creek in good order. The evening being cold I drew my force up in line on the south bank of the creek and kindled fires the whole length, and waited till 9 p.m., when, not hearing of the enemy, I moved back to the fortress.
The Eighth Minnesota, being a veteran regiment of long and true service, would of course have done efficient service could they have found a crossing at the block-house; the Sixty-first Illinois, being also a veteran regiment and much reduced by long and hard service, well sustained their reputation as veterans. But the One hundred and seventy-fourth Ohio being a new full regiment, and for the first time under fire since its organization, I was most agreeably surprised at the promptness, steadiness, and bravery they evinced; no veterans could have behaved better in action, but this I discovered (as I have in every other instance where I have found an efficient and reliable regiment) is owing to the energy, bravery, and efficiency of its colonel.
My staff—Major Cravens. Captain Carson, Captain Wilkinson, Lieutenant Worthington, and Lieutenant Frowe—well deserve and have my thanks for the assistance rendered; also Capt. J. G. Mohler, of the One hundred and fifteenth Regiment Ohio Veteran Infantry, who volunteered his services on the field and rendered himself very useful to me. Major Cravens and Lieutenant Worthington both had their horses shot under them. My thanks are also due Surgeon (Major) Birney, who volunteered as medical director, and rendered very valuable service in care of the wounded.
I captured 20 prisoners. My killed, wounded, and missing amount to 64—the Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry yet to hear from. I have no means of knowing the loss of the enemy, who fell back five miles that night; some 8 or 10 dead were counted on the field.
Inclosed I send copies of reports received from regimental commanders, giving names of killed, wounded, and missing.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
GENERAL: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to your order, I proceeded on the 7th instant to make a reconnaissance and feel the enemy in the vicinity of this post. I took with me, by your direction, seven regiments of infantry and a six-gun battery, under the command of Captain Bundy, of the Thirteenth New York Artillery, and a small detachment of the Fifth Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry. The regiments consisted of the One hundred and seventy-fourth, One hundred and seventy-seventh, One hundred and seventy-eighth, and One hundred and eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Sixty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and Twelfth Indiana Volunteer Cavalry (dismounted). For convenience, I divided these regiments into two brigades (pro tempore), as follows: First Brigade, Colonel Thomas, of the Eighth Minnesota, commanding, consisted of a six-gun battery, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Sixty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, One hundred and seventy-fourth and One hundred and eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 1,973 strong. The Second Brigade consisted of the One hundred and seventy-seventh, and One hundred and seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and Twelfth Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, 1,326 strong. Total strength of my infantry, artillery, and cavalry combined, 3,325. I started on the Salem pike about 10 a.m., and threw out the detachment of the Fifth Tennessee Cavalry in advance, who struck the rebel vedette in less than half a mile after passing our pickets. The rebel cavalry fell back rapidly before my advance. I threw out a portion of the Sixty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry as skirmishers, to assist the cavalry in driving them. Upon arriving at Stone's River, two miles out, a body of about 300 rebel cavalry were discovered across the river. I brought up a section of Captain Bundy's battery and shelled them a few minutes, when they retreated rapidly, and I crossed the bridge and continued my march. Upon arriving at Mr. Spence's fine residence, four miles out, I learned from his accomplished lady that there were two brigades of rebel cavalry, under Generals Jackson and Armstrong, at Salem, a mile farther out, and that Generals Forrest and Bate, with a large force of infantry, artillery, and cavalry, were north of me, on the Wilkinson pike, three miles from Fortress Rosecrans. I deemed it best to turn my attention in that direction, but before doing so I detailed a company and sent them back with a drove of sixty fine, fat hogs, belonging to Mr. Spence, that would have fallen into the hands of the rebels if left. I proceeded north till within half a mile of the Wilkinson pike. My skirmish line encountered that of the enemy, and in a few minutes afterward they opened on me with much rapidity from a six-gun battery stationed in the edge of a wood on the opposite side of a field in my front. I at once ordered forward Captain Bundy's battery, which replied in an equally spirited style. Having only taken along what artillery ammunition that could be carried in the limbers of the guns, the shell and solid shot of my supply was exhausted in about thirty minutes. Finding that the enemy would not come across the field to attack me, and not being able to ascertain his strength, and the left of his line, extending parallel with the Wilkinson pike, was as near Fortress Rosecrans as my right, I deemed it prudent not to engage them with my infantry without having the fortress in my rear, and accordingly fell back through the forest until out of sight of the enemy, and then moved by the right flank in a northeasterly direction until my lines were partly across the Wilkinson pike, where I formed them to the front in two lines of battle, Colonel Thomas' brigade forming the front line and Colonel Anderson's the second line. The Sixty-first Illinois was deployed as skirmishers in front of the first line. In this order I advanced upon the enemy, through the brush, cedars, rocks, and logs, under a heavy fire of artillery. I had sent my artillery back to the fortress for ammunition before commencing my last advance, and consequently had no artillery to reply to that of the enemy. Skirmishing with small-arms began very soon after commencing my advance, but my skirmish line advanced rapidly, bravely, and in splendid order, considering the nature of the ground, driving the rebels before them for about one mile, when coming to a cotton-field I found the enemy strongly posted in a wood on the other side behind a line of works constructed of rails and logs. The enemy's fire of small-arms here became so strong that my skirmishers withdrew to the flanks of my line of battle, opened on the enemy a terrible fire, while it still advanced in good order to the middle of the field, when the line halted and the fire from both sides was most furious and destructive for about ten minutes, when I ordered an advance, and the front line moved forward into the edge of the wood, where for a few minutes the roar and fire of musketry was like the thunder of a volcano, and the line wavered as if moving against a hurricane. Fearing that my front line would fall back, I ordered the One hundred and seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry to move on the double-quick from the left of the front line, and the balance of the rear line to advance to support and relieve the front line; but before this could be fully executed the gallant regiments composing the first line, seeing themselves supported, advanced with a yell and darted over the enemy's works, capturing many prisoners and putting the enemy to a hasty flight. A rapid pursuit of half a mile resulted in the capturing of many more prisoners, one battle-flag, and two fine pieces of artillery (12-pounder Napoleons), with their caissons. The ammunition of some of the regiments being exhausted, I ordered them to halt and replenish from the ammunition wagon that overtook us at that point.
While this was going on, I received your dispatch, general, admonishing me of the report of a large rebel infantry force from the north, and directing me to return to the fortress, if I could do so with safety. My artillery, which I had sent back for ammunition, arrived at this time, and a large body of the enemy's cavalry being in plain view I directed the artillery to open on them rapidly for a few minutes, when they rapidly disappeared out of sight.
I cannot speak too highly of the bravery exhibited by my troops, especially by those in the front regiments, under the gallant Colonel Thomas. Never did troops fight better for the time they were engaged. Every officer and man performed his duty with the most unflinching bravery and promptness. The conduct of the Second Brigade, under Colonel Anderson, also deserves much praise; for, though the regiments of the brigade did not take much part in the firing, yet their coolness and promptness in supporting the first line added greatly to its confidence and morale, and did much to discourage the enemy by the appearance of two lines of battle moving on them. I regret deeply the death of the brave men killed, and added their lives to the hundred of thousands of patriot heroes who have died for their country. Particularly among the killed do I regret the death of Major Reed, of the One hundred and seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, who fell while gallantry leading on his regiment to victory. The history of his services and adversities in the present war is stranger than fiction.
My total loss in killed and wounded amounts (as per inclosed reports) to 208, of whom 22 were killed. I have no means of arriving at a knowledge of the loss of the enemy, but from the number of dead and wounded observed on the field it must have been greater than mine. Among their dead on the field were observed two lieutenant-colonels. We captured and brought in 197 prisoners, among whom 21 were commissioned officers. Forty-three different regiments are represented by the prisoners. The enemy were commanded by Generals Forrest and Bate, and about 5,000 strong.
I am much indebted to the gentlemen of my staff' for their prompt, gallant, and efficient assistance throughout the day; and I avail myself of this opportunity to tender to the major-general commanding the District of Tennessee my most grateful acknowledgments for his kindness in affording me the two late opportunities of wiping out to some extent the foul and mortifying stigma of a most infamously unjust arrest, by which I have for near eighteen months been thrown out of the ring of active, honorable, and desirable service.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
No. 208
MURFREESBOROUGH,
TENN., December 8, 1864—12 m.
GENERAL: I beg leave to report that everything is in first-rate condition here. The railroad south of this is believed to be uninjured, as well as the railroad between this and Overall's Creek, five miles north. From a point half a mile beyond that creek the railroad is believed to be destroyed north beyond La Vergne. The block-houses Nos. 5 and 6 were abandoned, and the garrisons arrived safely here. These garrisons received orders from Captain Hake, at La Vergne (who said he acted under the orders of General Thomas),to abandon the block-houses. They did so, with the enemy all around them, and, much to my surprise and their own, reached here without loss, coming though the country. On Sunday [4th] last the block-house at Overall's Creek was attacked by General Bate's division with a battery of artillery, and seventy-four shots fired at it, doing it no damage. In the afternoon a force of three regiments of infantry, four companies of the Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, Colonel Johnson, with a section of artillery, went out from here, under General Milroy. The force of the enemy was unknown to me. This force attacked and routed the enemy, showing great spirit and courage. Our loss in the affair was 4 killed and 49 wounded. The loss of the enemy was unknown, for although we took possession of the field night closed in at the end of the fight, and I ordered our forces to return at once to the fortress, which they did. Colonel Johnson, Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, with four companies of his regiment, being cut off from Nashville by the enemy, joined me here and has rendered very efficient service. On Monday [5th] the enemy were re-enforced by two brigades of infantry and 2,500 of Forrest's cavalry, under Forrest in person. On Monday evening and during Tuesday and Wednesday [7th] the enemy demonstrated against the fortress at all points as well as against the town. They were very impudent and skirmished heavily with us, especially on the Nashville pike, coming up to within a mile of the fortress. On Wednesday the enemy's infantry had moved around on the Wilkinson pike, about one mile and a quarter northwest of the fortress. The major-general commanding will not have forgotten the very spot, being near where Negley's command was formed at the battle of Stone's River, a little farther south. Not knowing where the main body of the enemy was, I sent General Milroy, with seven regiments and a battery, on the Salem pike, with directions to swing around to right, returning parallel to the works along the line of the woods west and northwest of the fortifications. The enemy was encountered on the Wilkinson pike behind breast-works made of logs and rails, and infantry and cavalry utterly routed and driven off in great confusion, Forrest's cavalry making the finest time, to the right, across and down the Nashville road, I have seen in many a day.
Our loss was about 30 killed and 175 wounded. The loss of the enemy unknown, though it largely exceeded ours. Immediately after the fight I ordered our forces to return to the fortress. In this fight we captured 207 prisoners, including 18 commissioned officers. We captured also 2 guns of the enemy (12-pounder Napoleons), and have them now in position on the fortress.
Just before General Milroy fell upon the enemy Buford's division of cavalry attacked Murfreesborough and entered the town, shelling it fiercely, knocking the houses to pieces. With a regiment of infantry and a section of artillery I drove the enemy out of the town, and I have not heard any more of them in any direction since. All is perfectly quiet here to-day, which doubtless results from the fact that the enemy was badly whipped. In these fights the troops have behaved with exceeding courage and I am glad to say that the new troops have not been at all behind the old in the exhibition of steadiness and courage.
I heard from General Granger on Monday last by telegram and he was all right at Stevenson, having had great difficulty from high water in reaching there, going but eight miles a day for three days. The wires in that direction were cut at 4 p.m. on that day, and I have not heard from him since.
Perhaps you have not heard of the enemy's loss of generals at the battle of Franklin; I have it definitely from prisoners; it is this: Killed, Major-General Cleburne, Brigadier-General Gist, Brigadier-General Strahl, Brigadier-General Adams, Brigadier-General Carter, Brigadier-General Granbury, and three others wounded. It is reported by citizens here that Bate was killed on yesterday, and I think the report very probably true.
I shall ask leave to make a more detailed report, calling attention, amongst other matters, to the deportment of individual officers and men.
Dispatches from General Thomas of the 5th and 8th instant received last night. Railroad train to Stevenson for supplies will take this dispatch to be forwarded. Wires down between this and Stevenson. On the 8th instant I dispatched by courier by way of Gallatin reporting operations here on the 4th instant. The enemy attacked the block-house at Overall's Creek, fired seventy-four shots, doing no damage. I sent three regiments, under General Milroy, to its relief. The enemy (Bate's division) were routed and driven off. We took some prisoners, near thirty, but no guns. Loss of the enemy unknown, as night closed in before the fight was over. Our troops, new and old, behaved admirably. We withdrew at night. The next evening Bate returned, skirmished with amid drove in our pickets, and threatened the fortress; pretty heavy skirmishing till the 7th, when the enemy moved around on the Wilkinson pike, northwest of the fortress. He was re-enforced by Forrest with 2,500 cavalry and two divisions of infantry. On the evening of the 6th he made a breast-work of logs and rails on Wilkinson's pike, from which he was driven on the 7th by General Milroy with seven regiments of the garrison here; a pretty severe engagement, lasting perhaps three-quarters of an hour. The rout was complete, infantry and cavalry running in every direction. The fight was well conducted by Major-General Milroy, and the troops behaved most gallantly. We took 207 prisoners, including 18 commissioned officers, 2 pieces (12-pounder Napoleons) of artillery, which were at once placed in position in the fortifications, and 1 stand of colors belonging to the First and Third Florida. Our loss in the fight at Overall's Creek was 5 killed and 49 wounded, and on Wilkinson's pike about 175 killed and wounded, 1 missing. I reported these facts a little more fully in my dispatch of the 8th, which may not have reached you. I am subsisting off the country, which I think I can do. Before the fight on the Wilkinson pike, Buford's division of cavalry took possession of about one-half of the town of Murfreesborough, shelling it vigorously and destroying many of the houses. With a section of artillery and a small force of infantry, I drove them, wounding and killing 30 and taking 25 prisoners. A captain of artillery left his boots, letters, sponges, staff buckets, on the ground. We lost one man wounded. The enemy's cavalry all around, but I think in small bodies. We forage without molestation. No enemy near here that! know of. Cheatham reported coming this way through Triune. All right here, and will endeavor to keep it so.
