No. 3. Reports of Col. Edward M. McCook, Second Indiana Cavalry, commanding First Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Maryville, Tenn., February 2, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to present the following report of the operations of my division in its engagement with the enemy near Fair Garden, Tenn., on the 27th ultimo: The enemy's cavalry, commanded by General Martin, and consisting of two divisions, under Generals John T. Morgan and Armstrong, had on the afternoon of the 26th advanced to a position on the Fair Garden road, between Little East and Middle Forks of Pigeon River and west of McNutt's house. Colonel Campbell's (First) brigade was advanced to near Dickey's house late in the afternoon, the enemy opening upon his line with artillery. The Second Brigade and battery were in position about dark, but this brigade, with three pieces of artillery, was subsequently retired to a point near Sevierville, where it was in communication with Colonel Wolford, whose division had been engaged on the Flat Creek road. At daylight of the 27th, Colonel Campbell's brigade, with two pieces of artillery, advanced from their position across Middle Fork of Pigeon, and charging the enemy's position, which was a strong one, took it without difficulty. The enemy were now discovered in a strong position east of McNutt's house, occupying a commanding wooded eminence. Colonel Campbell's line, from the paucity of numbers in his brigade, was exceedingly weak, and from the extent of the enemy's line and the nature of his position was necessarily thin and extended. Upon advancing the First Brigade across the Little East Fork of Pigeon the enemy's first line was broken, but they were massed in heavy numbers behind barricades, and the Second Michigan Cavalry were obliged to fall back across the fork to the timber west of McNutt's. The retiring of the Second Michigan Cavalry necessitated the withdrawal of the entire brigade from the east side of the fork. Colonel La Grange's (Second) brigade had been sent on the Stafford road to the left of the Fair Garden.road and intersecting the latter, about 2 miles from Fair Garden. His advance encountered the enemy's pickets about three-quarters of a mile from the rear of the left flank of Colonel Campbell's line and drove them in upon the main body, three regiments of which he discovered in position upon arriving at a point on the Stafford road opposite to and about a mile from the left flank of Colonel Campbell's skirmishers. I now ordered an advance of my entire line, Colonel Campbell's brigade again advancing on the right across the bridge and stream at McNutt's, meeting the enemy in a new position in the timber, about three-quarters of a mile from the stream, where they made a stubborn resistance, opening with artillery. They were steadily driven, however, from the several positions that they attempted to hold, and near Fair Garden became involved in the confusion that had overtaken their right under the dashing advance of Colonel La Grange upon our left. Colonel La Grange, advancing upon the Stafford road, encountered the enemy in very heavy force, far exceeding his own, but the persistent courage and determination of his officers and men enabled him to force them steadily back till an open field was reached on the right of the Stafford road, near its intersection with the Fair Garden road, which was enfiladed by the enemy's battery. The dismounted men, however, advanced across the field, pressing the enemy's right and obtaining a flank fire upon the heavy force which was engaging Colonel Campbell upon our right. The enemy was thrown into confusion and rout, and Colonel La Grange, with detachments of Second and Fourth Indiana Cavalry, by a magnificent and gallant saber charge upon the Fair Garden road, captured two pieces of artillery, sabered the cannoneers and supports, and captured a large number of prisoners. At the same time Lieutenant-Colonel [Major] Lesslie, Fourth Indiana Cavalry, with a part of his regiment, charged with sabers the enemy's line upon the left of the road, driving them after a desperate hand-to-hand fight, and capturing about 50 of them together with General Morgan's battle-flag and part of his escort. In this charge Lieutenant-Colonel [Major] Lesslie, Fourth Indiana Cavalry, fell mortally wounded while gallantly leading his men. He was an able, brave, and dashing officer, and his regiment, the cause, and the country can illy afford his loss. The number of our forces that had reached the battery from the rapid gallop that had been made was necessarily small, and some of the enemy, emboldened by this fact, attempted to form and retake their guns; but four companies of the Fourth Indiana Cavalry arriving upon the spot, charging this line of the enemy, gave them barely time to remove some of their wounded, and the last attempt of any part of Morgan's division to preserve their organization upon the field was abandoned. It was now nearly dark, Morgan's division was thoroughly and disgracefully routed and broken, our men were worn out by an advance over a hotly contested and difficult ground, our supply of ammunition was in a great measure exhausted, and I therefore, after occupying the position taken, sent out detachments of the First East Tennessee and First Wisconsin Cavalry-these detachments comprising the only men that had not been actively engaged in pursuit. They overtook the enemy at Flat Creek and captured quite a number of prisoners. They attacked the rear and flanks of Armstrong's division, and soon forced them into nearly the same rapid and confused retreat that had before overtaken Morgan's division. We captured 2 3-inch rifled guns, with their horses; about 800 small-arms, which we destroyed; 112 prisoners (9 of them commissioned officers, 2 of the latter being regimental commanders), General Morgan's battle-flag and his body servant, General Morgan himself narrowly escaping, being in the immediate vicinity of the battery when it was taken. We also recaptured the regimental colors of the Thirty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and one other regimental color (a silk American flag), which was in the possession of the rebels, and a battery guidon. Many of their killed and wounded fell into our hands, and I estimate their loss in killed and wounded, exclusive of the prisoners taken, at upwards of 200. Our causalties (detailed lists of which are herewith inclosed) were 4 killed, 24 wounded, and 3 missing. I can only account for * Omitted. our small loss by the rapidity of our movements and the consternation produced by the saber charges. I do not deem it improper to say that no other forces were engaged in this affair except my division. I have not mentioned in the body of this report the operations of the artillery, which were important. The Eighteenth Indiana Battery was, by sections, assigned to various positions in the several movements made, and in each the admirable practice of Captain Lilly and his subordinates materially aided in dislodging the enemy from his positions and covering our advances. The several regiments and battery did their whole duty, and in a manner worthy of all commendation. The opportunity of the day, however, was presented to the Second and Fourth Indiana Cavalry, and led by Colonel La Grange, their brigade commander, they gladly availed themselves of it. To Colonel Campbell, Second Michigan Cavalry, commanding the First Brigade, I have to tender my thanks for the able manner in which he managed his brigade, weak in numbers, with an enemy in his front strongly posted and far exceeding his own. Col. O. H. La Grange, First Wisconsin Cavalry, commanding the Second Brigade, disposed and maneuvered his command in a masterly manner, and by the effect of his personal example in leading the magnificent charge by which the enemy were finally routed and dispersed, in a great measure accomplished the crowning success of the day. The several regimental commanders executed all orders and made the several advances with promptitude and precision, and by them and to the discipline, bravery, and determination of their officers and men a signal success over the enemy was obtained. The various members of the division staff, Captains Pratt, assistant adjutant-general; Porter, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, acting assistant inspector-general; Mitchell, Second Indiana Cavalry, acting aide-de-camp; and Lieutenants Gannett, Seventh Kansas Cavalry, ordnance officer, and Cunningham, Fourth Indiana Cavalry, commanding escort, were, as usual, prompt and efficient in the discharge of their duties, and I have to thank them for the assistance rendered me. I inclose herewith copies of reports of brigade and battery commanders. I have the honor to be, captain, your very obedient servant, Capt. WILLIAM C. RAWOLLE, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Cavalry Corps. HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Maryville, E. Tenn., February 7, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor herewith to transmit copy of report of Col. O. H. La Grange, First Wisconsin Cavalry, commanding the Second Brigade, of engagement near Swann's Island, Tenn., on the 28th ultimo. With the exception of two companies of the Second Michigan Cavalry, who were skirmishing with the enemy's infantry, who crossed the French Broad River below Swann's Island, no part of the division but the Second Brigade was engaged. I should state that "our men," of which Colonel La Grange speaks in connection with the killing of Lieutenant Stover, were not troops of this division. I am, captain, your very obedient servant, Capt. J. E. JACOBS, E. M. McCOOK, Colonel, Commanding Division. Assistant Adjutant-General, Cavalry Command, D. C. ADDENDA. HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND, E. M. McCook, Comdg. First Cav. Div., Dept. of the Cumberland: COLONEL Brigadier-General Sturgis, commanding cavalry, directs me to inform you that it gives him great pleasure to thank you in the name of Maj. Gen. J. G. Foster, commanding the department, for your gallantry in the engagement of the 27th instant, when your division scattered and dispersed the rebel cavalry commanded by Major-Generals Martin and Morgan. I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. C. RAWOLLE, Capt., A. A. D. C., U. S. Army, and A. A. A. Gen. No. 4. Report of Col. Archibald P. Campbell, Second Michigan Cavalry. commanding First Brigade. HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE, FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Wear's Cove, Tenn., January 30, 1864. SIR: I have the honor to report the following as the operations of this brigade in the action of January 27, 1864: In accordance with orders from the colonel commanding, I took position on the hills near Dickey's house at daylight [with] the Second Michigan and Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, dismounted, and First Tennessee Cavalry, mounted, the Second Michigan took the center on the Fair Garden road, the Ninth Pennsylvania on the left and First Tennessee Cavalry on the right of the line, with one company mounted on the left of Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry as flankers. The enemy were in very strong position on the hills beyond, and their lines extended along my whole front. I ordered the Second Michigan to advance to Pigeon River and the Ninth Pennsylvania to advance skirmishers on the left of my line. The enemy's skirmishers opened fire on the line with small-arms. I ordered the Second Michigan to cross the river and advance, which they did through the valley, and charging the enemy's position on the hills with a yell, supported by a section of Lilly's Eighteenth Indiana Battery, firing over their heads into the enemy's lines. The Ninth Pennsylvania advanced and gained the hills to the left. A section of Captain Lilly's Eighteenth Indiana Battery was then brought forward, and my command lay under cover while he shelled the enemy in position across the East Fork, Pigeon River. I was ordered to advance my brigade at 11 a. m., with instructions that the Seventh Kentucky Cavalry would move forward on my right flank and protect it. I ordered the Second Michigan Cavalry forward and across the river at McNutt's Mill in the face of the enemy's fire; also the Ninth Pennsylvania crossed on the left, and First Tennessee advanced to the river on the right. The Second Michigan Cavalry rushed forward rapidly, charged the enemy with a yell, driving him with a very inferior force, when the enemy charged both in line and column, repulsing the Second Michigan and driving them back across the river. They charged to the river and through the bridge, and drove the First Tennessee back from the river, but were repulsed by the Second Michigan near the bridge and driven. The Ninth Pennsylvania advanced on the left, but as the center and right had fallen back, and the enemy formed to charge them with superior force, they retired to the cover of the woods a short distance. Soon after I advanced my lines and moved forward rapidly, dismounted, 2 miles without resistance, when I met the enemy's skirmishers and drove them 1 mile, when I was joined by the right flank of the Second Brigade, which was fighting on my left. I advanced by the right flank under cover of the woods to within easy musket-range of the enemy's artillery, which was strongly supported. I asked Lieutenant Miller, Eighteenth Indiana Battery, if he could get his gun in position there. He answered, "Yes, before the enemy can load." I then ordered my line to charge the enemy and dislodge him from his position, and, with the assistance of one piece of artillery, compelled him to abandon his position, and he fled in utter confusion, when the Fourth Indiana Cavalry charged and captured the enemy's artillery. Lieutenant Miller did the best of execution with his gun. I then advanced at a double-quick with my whole command. The enemy were utterly routed; many prisoners captured. Colonel Brownlow was ordered forward with his regiment (the First Tennessee Cavalry), and charged down the road, taking several prisoners, and, returning, routed and scattered the advance guard of General Armstrong's division. My thanks are given to officers and men of my command for their gallantry and endurance during the day. My loss is 20 killed, wounded, and missing; 7 prisoners captured. Your most obedient servant, Capt. JOHN PRATT, Assistant Adjutant-General. A. P. CAMPBELL, Colonel, Commanding. No. 5. Reports of Col. Oscar H. La Grange, First Wisconsin Cavalry, commanding Second Brigade. HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND, Sevierville, Tenn., January 28, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that at 11 a. m. on the 27th the Second Brigade moved by order on the left-hand road from *Nominal list of casualties (omitted) shows 1 man killed, 17 men wounded, and 3 men missing. |