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the train had crossed the bridge, moved over the river. Colonel Laiboldt was now sharply engaged, and soon had the enemy's lines wavering. I then drew sabers and charged, driving before me a force of some 400 or 500; pursued them to Chatata Creek, capturing 121 prisoners, including 5 officers, and many stand of arms. The enemy lost several killed and quite a number wounded, among the latter 2 colonels. The main rebel column retreated out the Dalton road. A detachment of my command followed them some 5 miles, and left them in full retreat.

December 30, the Fifth Ohio, by orders, was relieved from duty with me, and their removal caused the removal of the courier line to Kingston, as my command was too small to renew it.

On the 3d instant, Captain Beebe reported to me with a section of his battery, Tenth Wisconsin, and remains here on duty. On the 6th, the Fourth Michigan returned to this camp, the courier line from Cleveland to Chattanooga having been withdrawn, and I then established a line from Calhoun to the Tennessee River at Cotton Port, connecting with line at Washington.

A great many of my horses were unshod when we started from Alabama, as some of the regiments had not been able to get any horseshoes since Wheeler's raid into Middle Tennessee, and there were no extra shoes in the command, nor could any be obtained at Bridgeport or Chattanooga, or anywhere on the whole march. More than one-half of the horses of my command were old, and not yet recovered from the hard marching after Wheeler. During the three days I was encamped in the vicinity of Kelley's Ford, it was with the utmost difficulty that I could get about half rations of short forage for my animals, and during the two days that I lay at Chattanooga I could not draw a grain. On coming to Chattanooga the second time, I was there thirty-six hours and got one feed of corn. On the march to North Carolina, after marching 30 miles, I had to encamp in the mountains without any forage whatever. Between the time we left Alabama, November 18, and the time we arrived here, December 15, we traveled (i. e., the main column) 463 miles, and the day we arrived in Knoxville we had marched on that and the two previous days 115 miles. I have been thus explicit in order to explain to the commanding general the reason why my command decreased with such extraordinary rapidity from dismounted men. I would respectfully present to the favorable notice of the majorgeneral commanding, for good conduct under all circumstances and unremitting attention to their duties, all of my staff, viz: Capt. William E. Crane, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, acting assistant adjutant-general; Lieut. William H. Scott, First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, acting ordnance officer and inspector; Lieut. C. J. Norton, Second Kentucky Cavalry, aide; Lieut. H. H. Siverd, First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, acting provost-marshal; Lieut. J. B. Hayden, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, acting quartermaster and commissary of subsistence, and Asst. Surg. John Cannan, First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, acting brigade surgeon; also Lieutenant-Colonel Seidel, Third Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, whose regiment was in advance approaching Loudon, and Capt. F. P. Gates, Third Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, whose company had the advance of the regiment on approaching Loudon, for the gallant manner in which they drove the rebels on that occasion; also Maj. T. J. Patten, First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, whose regiment, being in advance, was led by himself in person in fine style in the fight with Wheeler at this point, and

also for good conduct on that occasion, Captains Woodlief and Erwin and Lieutenants Hall, Roush, Riggs, and Brison, of that regiment. The men all did as well as they could.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ELI LONG,

Colonel, Comdg. Second Brigade, Second Cavalry Division. Brig. Gen WILLIAM D. WHIPPLE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

No. 186.

Report of Lieut. Col. Edward Kitchell, Ninety-eighth Illinois (mounted) Infantry, of raid on the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad.

HEADQUARTERS NINETY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS,
November 28, 1863.

SIR: In obedience to orders from Brigadier-General Crook, I reported to you with my regiment on the night of the 17th November, and moved with your command across the Tennessee River, and in obedience to your orders, on the night of the 24th instant, I tore up the railroad track at Tyner's Station, on the Chattanooga and Cleveland railroad, in some seven or eight places, and burned two cais

sons.

On the 25th, I was ordered to follow the road leading from Cleveland toward Chattanooga in search of the enemy's wagon train. I followed wagon tracks on the road for more than a mile until I ascertained that no wagons had recently gone in that direction, and then returned and struck the road leading from Ooltewah to Cleveland, driving in the enemy's pickets toward Cleveland, and capturing 25 prisoners.

On the 26th instant, with the Ninety-eighth Illinois and a detachment of 100 men of the Seventeenth Indiana, I reported to Lieutenant-Colonel Seidel, Third Ohio, and with him proceeded to a point within 1 miles of Charleston. In compliance with his orders, I sent to his assistance two companies of the Seventeenth Indiana and 8 scouts of the Ninety-eighth Illinois, and with the remainder of my command crossed the hills and struck the Knoxville and Cleveland railroad at a point about 9 miles from Cleveland, and proceeded down the railroad track to the latter point, tearing up and burning the track in fifty different places, burning two cars and destroying two water tanks.

On the morning of the 27th instant, I moved out at daylight, and the command, being attacked by the enemy, consisting of infantry, artillery, and cavalry, when on the road leading to Harrison, in obedience to your orders, I ordered the Ninety-eighth Illinois to dismount, and sent for the Seventeenth Indiana to return to its support. The Ninety-eighth Illinois dismounted and, under charge of Maj. D. D. Marquis, moved forward in line, and soon discovered the enemy, consisting of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, which he charged and drove, until ordered to fall back. The Ninety-eighth Illinois fell back to the gap in the hills, and I ordered it to take position on the hills on the right. The Seventeenth Indiana, under

command of Lieutenant-Colonel Jordan, by this time had arrived, and I ordered him to take position on the hills on the left of the road. The fire of the Ninety-eighth and Seventeenth Indiana checked the advance of the enemy. I was ordered to fall back with my command slowly, keeping about 300 yards in rear of the horses, which I did until receiving orders to mount.

The loss of the Ninety-eighth Illinois is as follows: Private John Waters, Company D, wounded in fleshy part of right arm; Jacob Staltz, Company G, slightly in the shoulder; Aaron Reed, Company I, missing (supposed to be killed); J. B. Finnel, Company A, and Corpl. E. C. Jones, missing.

In the hurry of the retreat my pack train became separated from the command and the pack mules were abandoned. When ordered to mount horses, the Ninety-eighth Illinois and Seventeenth Indiana retired in good order, and arrived with balance of command in Chattanooga last evening.

Very respectfully,

EDWARD KITCHELL,

Lieut. Col., Comdg. 98th Illinois, 3d Brig., 2d Div. Cavalry. Col. ELI LONG,

Commanding Brigade.

No. 187.

Report of Lieut. Col. Henry Jordan, Seventeenth Indiana (mounted) Infantry, of raid on the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad.

HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH INDIANA VOLUNTEERS,

Near Chattanooga, Tenn., November 28, 1863.

CAPTAIN: On the 18th instant, while in camp at Maysville, Ala., I received orders to report the regiment under my command to Colonel Long, commanding Second Brigade, Second Cavalry Division, at Chattanooga. Owing to the fact that many of my men were without horses and others but poorly mounted, I was able to move, on the following morning, with but 243 men of the 492 reported for duty. Arrived at Stevenson at noon of the 20th, I was compelled to leave 12 of these at that point, their horses being completely exhausted. Arrived at Bridgeport the same evening, I left 5 men for the same reason. Leaving Bridgeport the following morning, I proceeded in the direction of Chattanooga, reached Colonel Long's headquarters about noon of the 22d, and crossed the river with the brigade that night at Brown's Ferry.

On the 24th, with the brigade, I recrossed the river above Chattanooga and proceeded, via Tyner's Station, to a point on the East Tennessee railroad near Ooltewah, bivouacked for the night, and at daylight of the 25th took up the line of march for Cleveland, where I arrived at sunset.

The following morning, 26th, I was directed by Lieutenant-Colonel Kitchell, commanding Ninety-eighth Illinois, to send 100 men to join an expedition going to Charleston. I sent five companies, under command of Captain Anderson, and with the remainder of my command proceeded, in obedience of orders from Colonel Long, to destroy the railroad and a rolling mill at Cleveland.

On the morning of the 27th, at 4 o'clock, I was ordered to proceed to the north side of the town and cover the front of the First Ohio Cavalry, while their horses were being groomed. At sunrise, under orders received the previous evening, I took my position in the column and took up line of march in the direction of Harrison, the enemy in the meantime having appeared in force on the east and north sides of the town and opened upon us a vigorous fire. Reaching and crossing Candy's Creek, about 3 miles from town. I received an order from the rear to return and cover the retreat of the First Ohio Cavalry, which was being hotly pressed by the enemy with cavalry and artillery. I recrossed the creek and returned about 1 mile to a point where the road passed through a gap in a line of hills, which crosses the road at right angles. Here I dismounted my command and formed line on the hill on the north side of the road, the Ninetyeighth Illinois at the same time continuing the line on the south side. We at once opened fire on the enemy, while the cavalry, forming our rear guard, passed through the gap. The enemy replied vigorously to our fire, his first volley killing 1 and wounding 6 of my men. At this juncture an officer from my left flank announced that the enemy had passed my left and was rapidly gaining the summit of a hill almost immediately in my rear. I at once communicated the information to Colonel Kitchell and commenced retiring my line. I succeeded in again crossing the creek without further loss, and remounting took my place in the column and proceeded, via Harrison, to this place.

My loss during the entire expedition was as follows: Killed, 1; wounded, 8; missing, 1; total, 10.

In addition to the above loss of men, I lost in the action of Friday morning 10 horses and 5 guns and accouterments. Respectfully, your obedient servant,

HENRY JORDAN, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

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Report of Maj. Horace Gray, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, of raid on the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH MICHIGAN CAVALRY,
Near Chattanooga, November 28, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor to report that, on the 24th instant at 12 m. I left camp opposite Chattanooga with my command, moving up the river about 4 miles to the pontoon bridge, which we crossed, and following up the river crossed the Chickamauga Creek.

The first battalion of my regiment was moved forward as advance guard, and soon came on to the enemy's pickets, who retreated. Advancing cautiously, we captured a courier at his post, and then moved on to the railroad, cutting the telegraph wire. At Tyner's Station, our whole regiment was ordered in advance. Two miles from there we captured a train of 10 wagons, with their drivers, 1 officer, and a small guard. Encamped for the night near Ooltewah, throwing out a picket

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in the advance. In the course of the night our picket captured 9 wagons and drivers and 1 lieutenant. A small party were sent to Ooltewah during the night, and returned with 17 prisoners, including 2 officers, and destroyed a train of 4 wagons.

On the morning of the 25th, left camp at 6 a. m., destroying the railroad bridge near Ooltewah and burning at Ooltewah some 4,000 pounds of flour, also capturing a lieutenant-colonel of the Confederate Army. Reached Cleveland at 5 p. m., and encamped for the night.

Ön the 26th, sent out two battalions to destroy the railroad.

On the 27th, took charge of the prisoners and returned to Chattanooga.

My loss during the time was 1 man wounded, slightly, and 1 taken prisoner, and 2 horses shot.

Respectfully, yours,

HORACE GRAY,

Major, Commanding Fourth Michigan Cavalry.

ACTING ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL,

Second Brigade, Second Cavalry Division.

No. 189.

Report of Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, U. S. Army, commanding Army of the Tennessee, including operations since September 22, and march to the relief of Knoxville, with field dispatches November 18-29, and thanks of Congress.

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,

Bridgeport, Ala., December 19, 1863.

GENERAL: For the first time I am now at leisure to make an official record of events with which the troops under my command have been connected during the eventful campaign which has just closed. During the month of September last, the Fifteenth Army Corps, which I had the honor to command, lay in camps along the Big Black, about 20 miles east of Vicksburg, Miss. It consisted of four divisions: The First, commanded by Brig. Gen. P. J. Osterhaus, was composed of two brigades, led by Brig. Gen. C. R. Woods, and Col. J. A. Williamson, of the Fourth Iowa; the Second, commanded by Brig. Gen. Morgan L. Smith, was composed of two brigades, led by Generals Giles A. Smith and J. A. J. Lightburn; the Third, commanded by Brig. Gen. J. M. Tuttle, was composed of three brigades, led by Generals J. A. Mower and R. P. Buckland, and Col. J. J. Woods, of the Twelfth Iowa; the Fourth, commanded by Brig. Gen. Hugh Ewing, was composed of three brigades, led by General J. M. Corse, Colonel Loomis, Twenty-sixth Illinois, and Col. J. R. Cockerill, of the Seventieth Ohio.

On the 22d day of September, I received a telegraphic dispatch from General Grant, then at Vicksburg, commanding the Department of the Tennessee, requiring me to detach one of my divisions to march to Vicksburg, there to embark for Memphis, where it was to form part of an army to be sent to Chattanooga to re-enforce General Rosecrans. I designated the First Division, and at 4 p. m. the same day it marched for Vicksburg and embarked the next day.

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