USA > Michigan > Annual report of the Adjutant General of the State of Michigan for the year, Vol. I > Part 6
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77
,
ADJUTANT GENERAL.
That after the engagement I was placed in an ambulance, together with two of the wounded men of the First Wisconsin, one by the name of Sykes, Corporal Co. D, (I think;) the other's name I have forgotten, and in this mode we were conveyed to Macon, and placed in the same hospital. During the time we were thus together, I had several conversations with these men, regarding the cause of the collision of the forces, in which they invariably attributed all the blame to the Sergeant in command of the ad- vance guard of the First Wisconsin, "for not answering the challenge of Lieut. Purinton, in a proper manner;" saying that the whole thing would have been avoided, if their first duty Sergt. had been in charge of the ad- vance. That they were with the advance guard of their Regiment, and heard distinctly, Lieut. Purinton's hail, and who asked them what com- mand they belonged to; but do not recollect what they said their Sergeant's reply was. And further deponent saith not.
(Signed, )
HENRY S. BOUTELL, First Lieut. 4th Mich. Cav'y.
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 5th day of July, A. D. 1865. (Signed,)
· J. G. DICKINSON, First Lieut. and Adj't 4th Mich. Cav'y.
-
STATE OF TENNESSEE, - COUNTY OF DAVIDSON, SS. A. B. Purinton, Second Lieut. Fourth Michigan Cavalry, being duly sworn, deposes and says: That I was with that portion of the 4th Michigan Cavalry under Lieut. Col. B. D. Pritchard, engaged in the capture of Jeff. Davis and party, near Irwinsville, Georgia, on the morning of May 10, 1865; that before the attack on the rebel camp I was placed in command of a force of 25 dismounted men by Lieut. Col. Pritchard, with directions to make the circuit of the rebel camp on the left, to gain a position in the rear of the same, and thus prevent all escape in that direction; to make the circuit, if possible, undiscovered, but if I was discovered in my movements and an alarm was raised, I was to move upon the camp from any point I might then hold or occupy; that if no alarm was raised, he (Col. Pritchard) would consider that I had gained the position designated, where I was to remain until the attack should be com- menced upon the camp, at the same time giving me special orders and cautioning me to ascertain the character of all parties and men whom I might meet before firing upon them, as the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry might be on that road. In obedience to said orders I successfully executed my mission in gaining the rear of the camp without discovery, when, to as- certain more definitely whom the parties were in the encampment, I sent Serg't Cavenaugh, of "G" company, to espy out its exact locality, and learn whether they were friends or foes, who reported, on returning, that the camp was composed of two tents and several wagons and ambulances;
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78
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
that there were no guards posted, so that he could judge of their charac- ter further than that they had wagons and tents, which was conclusive to my mind that they were Confederates, as we had no forces in that country with trains or tents. I had held my position for an hour or more when I heard mounted men approaching us from the rear, as we were then facing towards the camp. When they had approached to within 15 or 20 rods of my position, ¿I discovered that there were only six or eight of them, as near as I could judge. I then stepped out in person and halted them, asking " Who comes there ?" and received the reply, first, "Friends," when I ordered"one to ride forward, which they refused to do. I then asked them what command they belonged to, when they replied, "By God, you are the men we are looking for." I then told them if we were the men they were looking for, to come forward, when they immediately turned and fied, when I, supposing they must be the enemy, ordered my men to fire on them.
In about five minutes I heard a column, as I supposed, approaching, and when its head arrived at about the same point as the others, I halted them, saying, "Halt; who comes there ?" in a loud tone, and received no reply, but heard the officer in command give the order in a full and distinct voice, "Prepare to fight on foot;" and the command dismounted and formed their lines accordingly, during the whole of which time I continued to hol- low to them, asking them who they were, but received no reply. As soon as the lines were formed, I heard the officer order the horses to the rear, when firing commenced on both sides. At this moment I saw Col. Pritch- ard coming up from the direction of the camp, when I moved my command to the left, to avoid being between the two fires.
In a few minutes the firing ceased, when I returned to camp with my command. And further deponent saith not.
(Sgned,)
A. B. PURINTON, Sec'd Lieut. 4th Mich. Cav'y.
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 6th day of July, 1865.
(Signed,)
J. G. DICKINSON,
First Lieut. and Ady't 4th Mich. Cav'y.
FIFTH CAVALRY.
The Regiment lay at Camp Russell, near Winchester, Va., on the Ist of November, 1864, and belonged to the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, which constituted a part of General Sheri- dan's army, then operating in the Shenandoah Valley against the forces of General Early. On the morning of the 12th, the Regiment made a reconnoissance on the enemy's position at Newtown, and soon became engaged with a Brigade of rebel
79
ADJUTANT GENERAL.
Cavalry, which it drove through that town, when the enemy being reenforced, the Regiment was forced back, losing one killed and three wounded; advancing again in the evening, it charged the enemy's breastworks, and after a sharp fight the Regiment was repulsed with a loss of two killed and four wounded, when it returned to camp, where it was employed on the usual camp and picket duties, until February 27th, 1865, when it broke camp and moved with the Cavalry Corps, to- wards Stanton, Va., being the commencement of General Sheridan's celebrated raid to the James River. On the 8th of March the Regiment became engaged with a portion of Ros- ser's Cavalry, near Louisa Court House, assisted in routing the rebel force, and capturing the town, in which was destroyed a large amount of property; the Railroad depot, with rolling stock and telegraph office, was also destroyed. The Regiment also participated in tearing up the track and burning the Rail- road property along the line of the Lynchburg & Gordonsville Railroad, and in destroying and rendering useless the locks, aqueducts and mills on the line of the James River Canal. The command reached White House Landing on the 19th of March, and soon after with the Cavalry Corps joined the Army of the Po- tomac, and proceeded to the left of the line. On the 30th of March the Regiment became engaged with the rebel Cavalry, and assisted in driving them within their works at Five Forks. The 31st of March and Ist of April it was engaged with the en- emy at Five Forks, and on the 2d at the South Side Railroad; on the 4th, at Duck Pond Mills; on the 6th, at the battle of the Ridges, or Sailor's Creek, and on the 8th and 9th at Appomat- tox Court House. After the surrender of Lee the Regiment moved with the Cavalry Corps, to Petersburg, Va., where itre- mained for a short time and then went with the army into North Carolina; from thence it marched to Washington, D. C., and participated in the review of the Army of the Potomac, on the 23d of May, and immediately thereafter, with the Mich- igan Cavalry Brigade, was ordered west, and proceeded by rail via the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and the Ohio and Missis-
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
sippi Rivers, by steamer to St. Louis, and thence by steamer, via the Missouri River, to Fort Leavenworth, where the men of the Regiment having two years or more to serve, were trans- ferred to the First and Seventh Michigan Cavalry, and on the 22d of June the organization was mustered out of service, and immediately thereafter proceeded to Michigan. Arriving at Detroit July Ist, it was paid off and disbanded.
BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES.
Hanover, Va., June 30, 1863.
Baltimore X Roads, Va., May 29,'64.
Hunterstown, Penn., July 2, 1863. Cold Harbor, Va., May 30, June 1, " 3, Gettysburg, ¥
Monterey, Md., 4,
Cavetown,
5,
Smithtown, 66
6,
Boonsboro, 66
6,
Front Royal,
16,
Leetown,
Shepardstown, 66
25,
Boonsboro, 66 66
8,
Hagerstown, "'
10,
Berryville,
Sept. 3,
Summitt, 66
4, 66
Falling Waters, “
14
Snicker's Gap, Va.,
19,
Winchester,
19,
Kelly's Ford,
Sept. 13,
Culpepper Ct. House, Va., Sept. 14, 1863.
Raccoon Ford, Va., Sept. 16, 1863.
White's Ford,
( 21,
Jack's Shop,
26,
James City,
Oct. 12,
Brandy Station,
13,
Buckland's Mills, " ( 19,
Stevensburg, 66 Nov. 19,
Morton's Ford, Va., Nov. 26, 1863. Richmond, Va., March 1, 1864.
Wilderness, Va., May 6 and 7, 1864. Beaver Dam Station, Va., May 9, 1864. Yellow Tavern, Va., May 10, 11, "
Meadow Bridge,
12, “
Milford, 66 66 27, “
Hawes' Shop,
28, “
Port Republic, Va., July 26, 27, 28, 1864.
Mount Crawford, Va., Oct. 2, 1864.
Woodstock, 66 9, "
Cedar Creek,
19,
Newton, Nov. 12, 1864.
Madison Ct. House, " Dec. 24, “ Louisa Ct. House, " Mar. 18, 1865. Five Forks, Va., March 30, 31, Apr.
1, 1865.
South Side R. R., Va., April 2, 1865. Duck Pond Mills, " 4, " Ridges, or Sailor's Creek, Va., April 6, 1865. Appomattox Ct. House, Va., April 8, 9, 1865.
25,
Williamsport,
6,
Smithfield,
29,
Williamsport, 66
10,
Opequan,
19,
Luray, 66
24, 66
Travillian Station, Va., June 11, 12, 1864.
Cold Harbor, Va., July 21, 1864. Winchester, August 11,
Hagerstown,
6,
81
ADJUTANT GENERAL.
SIXTH CAVALRY.
On November 1st, 1864, this Regiment was with the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Shenandoah, and lay at Camp Rus- sell, near Winchester, Va., making preparations to go into winter quarters, and was engaged in the usual picket service, and in scouting, until the 27th of February, 1865, when it formed part of the force with which General Sheridan made his movement against General Early's army, and on the rebel communications in the direction of Gordonsville and Richmond, and at that date moved with the Cavalry Corps towards Staun- ton; and on the 8th of March the Regiment participated in an engagement with a part of the rebel Cavalry under General Rosser, near Louisa Court House, and assisted in routing it, and in capturing the town, in which a large amount of prop- erty was destroyed, including the Railroad depot, with rolling stock and telegraph office. It also participated in taking up the track and destroying the Railroad property on the line of the Lynchburg and Gordonsville Railroad, and in the destruction of the locks, aqueducts and mills on the line of the James River Canal. The Command having reached White House Landing March 19th, in time to take part in the final battles of the Army of the Potomac, soon after, with the Cavalry Corps, took position on the left of the line of that army, and on the 30th the Regiment became engaged with the rebel Cav- alry and assisted in driving them within their works at Five Forks. It was also engaged with the enemy at the same point on the 31st, and on April Ist; and on the 2d, at the South Side Railroad; and on the 4th at Duck Pond Mills; on the 6th, at the battle of the Ridges, or Sailor's Creek; and on the 8th and 9th, at Appomattox Court House. After the surrender of Lee, the rebel General Pickett, who was taken prisoner in one of these engagements, spoke of a charge made by this Regiment, which he witnessed, as being the " bravest he ever had seen." After Lee's surrender, the Regiment moved with the Cavalry Corps, to Petersburg, Va., and then made an expedition into
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
North Carolina; from thence it marched via Petersburg and Richmond, to Washington, D. C., and on the 23d of May par- ticipated in the review of the Army of the Potomac. Imme- diately thereafter, with the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, it was ordered west, and proceeded by rail via the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and Ohio and Mississippi River, by steamer, to St. Louis, and thence by steamer via the Missouri River, to Fort Leavenworth. At that point it received orders to cross the Plains, which produced much justifiable dissatisfaction in the Command; but the Regiment recollecting its noble record, and adhering to its former high degree of discipline, and faithful observance of orders, and keeping in view the honor of its State, commenced its march across the Plains, and marched to Fort Kearney, thence to Julesburg, and from there to Fort Laramie; at that point the Regiment was divided into detach- ments by order of General Connor, one to constitute a part of the "Left Column Powder River Expedition," one to remain at Fort Laramie, and the other to escort a train to the Black Hills. The Powder River detachment, on reaching that point, found that the Indians, for which it had been sent in search of, had managed to escape, and while there it built a Fort, known as Fort Reno. On that expedition, Captain O. F. Cole, of Co. "G," lost his life; having heedlessly strayed a. long way from the column, he was surprised by Indians, and shot to death with arrows. From this point a small detach- ment of the Command was sent to guard & train to Virginia City, Montana, and falling in with a large war party of Arrap- pahoe Indians, became surrounded by them, and were " cor- ralled " for twelve days, but finally succeeded in getting intel- ligence of their condition to General Conner, when reenforce- ments were sent to their relief. Sergeant Hall, of Co. "L," and Private Evans, of Co. " F," having volunteered, suc- ceeded in carrying the intelligence referred to, a distance of fifty miles, through a wild, and to them an unknown country, swarming with hostile Indians, and thereby saved the detach- ment. On the 17th of September, on orders issued by Major-
83
ADJUTANT GENERAL.
General Dodge, the men of the Regiment whose term of ser- vice did not expire before February Ist, 1866, were consoli- dated with the First Michigan Cavalry, and the Regiment was then ordered to Fort Leavenworth, and was there mustered out of service on the 24th of November, 1865, when it pro- ceeded to Michigan, arriving on the 30th of November, at Jackson, where it was paid off and disbanded.
BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES.
Hanover, Va., June 30, 1863.
Hunterstown, Pa., July 2, 1863. Gettysburg, " 3,
Monterey, Md., " 4,
Cavetown, “ " 5,
Smithtown, " " 6,
Boonsboro, “ " 6,
Hagerstown, Md., " 6, 66
Williamsport, " 6,
Boonsboro, " 8, 16
Hagerstown, " 10, 66
Williamsport, " 10,
Falling Waters, Md., July 14, 1863.
Snicker's Gap, Va., July 19, 1863.
Kelly's Ford, " Sept. 13, "
Culpepper Ct. House, Va., Sept. 14, 1863.
Raccoon Ford, Va., Sept. 16, 1863.
White's Ford, 21,
Jack's Shop, 16 26,
James City, Oct. 12, 1863. Brandy Station, Va., Oct. 13, 1863. Buckland's Mills, “ " 19.
Stevensburg, Nov. 19, 66
Morton's Ford, . " " 26.
Richmond, Va., March 1, 1864. Wilderness, Va., May 6, 7, 1864.
Beaver Dam Station, Va., May 9, '64. Yellow Tavern, Va., May 10, 11, '64. Meadow Bridge, Va., May 12, 1864. Hanover, Va., May 27, 1864.
Hawes' Shop, Va., May 28, 1864. Baltimore X Roads, Va., May 29, '64. Cold Harbor, Va., May 20, June 1,'64. Travillian Station, Va., June 11, 12, 1864.
Cold Harbor, Va., July 21, 1864.
Winchester, ' April 11, "
Front Royal, Aug. 16,
Leetown, " 25,
Shepardstown, Va., " 26,
Smithfield, 29,
Berryville, " Sept. 3,
Summitt, 66
4,
Opequan,
66
19,
Winchester, 19,
Luray,
24,
Port Republic, " 26, 27, 28, '64.
Mount Crawford, Va., Oct. 2, 1864. Woodstock, " 9, "
Cedar Creek, "
" 19, " Madison Ct. House, Va., Dec. 24, '64. Louisa Ct. House, Va., March 8, '65. Five Forks, Va., March 30, 31, April 1, 1865.
South Side R. R., Va., April 2, " Duck Pond Mills, " 4, Ridges, or Sailor's Creek, Va., April 6, 1865.
Appomattox Ct. House, Va., April 9, 1865.
Little Laramie, D. Ter., Aug. 6, 1865.
SEVENTH CAVALRY.
This Regiment, on the Ist of November, 1864, was with General Sheridan's Army in the Shenandoah Valley, and lay at Camp Russell, near Winchester, Va., making preparations to
84
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
go into winter quarters, and engaged on picket duty and in ma- king reconnaissance until Feb. 27th, 1865, when it broke camp and moved with the Cavalry Corps, towards Staunton, Va., being the commencement of Gen'l Sheridan's celebrated raid to the James River. On the 8th of March the Regiment be- came engaged with a portion of Rosser's Cavalry near Louisa Court House, assisted in routing the rebel force, and capturing the town, in which was destroyed a large amount of property; the Railroad depot, with rolling stock and telegraph office, was also destroyed. The Regiment also participated in tearing up the track and burning the Railroad property along the line of the Lynchburg and Gordonsville Railroad, and in destroying and rendering useless the locks, aqueducts and mills, on the line of the James River Canal. The Command reached White House Landing on the 19th of March, and soon after, with the Cavalry Corps, joined the Army of the Potomac and proceeded to the left of the line. On the 30th of March the Regiment became engaged with the Rebel Cavalry, and assisted in driving them within their works at Five Forks. The 31st of March and Ist of April it was engaged with the enemy at Five Forks, and on the 2d at the South Side Railroad; on the 4th at Duck Pond Mills; on the 6th at the battle of the Ridges, or Sailor's Creek, and on the 8th and 9th at Appomattox Court House. After the surrender of Lee the Regiment moved, with the Cavalry Corps, to Petersburg, Va., where it remained for a short time and then went with the Army into North Carolina. From thence it marched to Washington, D. C., and partici- pated in the review of the Army of the Potomac on the 23d of May, and immediately thereafter, with the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, was ordered west, and proceeded by rail via the Bal timore and Ohio Railroad, and Ohio and Mississippi rivers by steamer, to St. Louis, and thence by steamer via the Missour river, to Fort Leavenworth, where it was ascertained that the destination of the Regiment was across the Plains, to the Rocky Mountains, to operate against the hostile Indians in tha section of the country, and orders were received to that effeet
1
85
ADJUTANT GENERAL.
These orders produced much justifiable dissatisfaction, indi- cating as they did that another arduous campaign was laid out for the Regiment, which, in consideration of its past long and faithful services, should have been spared it, especially as this campaign was for an object foreign to that for which it had entered the service, the suppression of the Southern Re- bellion. But the Regiment, remembering its noble record, and adhering to its former high degree of discipline and sub- ordination, and having in view the honor of a State whose troops had never disgraced it, obeyed the orders and com- menced its march across the Plains, reaching Camp Collins, seventy miles west of Denver City, and at the base of the Rocky Mountains, on the 26th day of July, a distance of 700 miles from Fort Leavenworth. The Regiment was imme- diately assigned to duty along the overland stage route, which was at that time so thoroughly invested by hostile Indians as to stop all coaches, mails and trains. The service rendered by it was valuable, although laborious, succeeding in reestab- lishing the transit of mails and passengers, and in giving pro- tection to emigrants. About the 1st of November it was or- dered to transfer all the men of the command whose term of service extended beyond the 1st of March, 1866, to the 1st Michigan Cavalry, and then report at Denver City for muster out. By this order about 250 men were transferred, being mostly men who were recruited in the winter of 1864. On arriving at Denver City the Regiment was ordered to Fort; Leavenworth for muster out. It started on the 7th of Novem- ber, reaching there in 26 days. Great injustice was done the Regiment by this order, as it directed that all Government. horses should be turned over to the Quartermaster Depart- ment at Denver. The command was consequently expected to march across the plains on foot, at a time when snow was upon the ground, and with only one wagon for each hundred men, insufficient to carry their rations for three days, and through a country with no settlements and almost entirely destitute of wood. A statement of the matter was made to
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
Major Gen'l Upton, commanding at Denver, who declined to make any further provision for transportation. Permission was obtained to allow the men to hire their transportation in mule trains, of which there were several returning to Fort Leavenworth, and which the Government might have hired.
The men paid for this transportation $25 each, from their own private funds. At Fort Leavenworth the Regiment was mustered out, the final papers made, and then was ordered to Michigan. It arrived at Jackson on the 20th, and was paid off and disbanded on the 25th December.
BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES.
Thoroughfare Gap, Va., May 21, 1863. Hawes' Shop, Va., May 28, 1864.
Greenwich,
“ 30,
Baltimore X Roads, Va., May 29, '64. Cold Harbor, Va., May 30, June 1, 1864.
Hunterstown,
Penn., July 2, 66
Travillian Station, Va., June 11, 12, 1864.
Monterey, Md., 4,
Cavetown,
5,
Cold Harbor, Va., July 21, 1864.
Smithtown,
6,
Winchester,
Aug. 11,
·Boonsboro, 6,
Front Royal,
16,
25,
Williamsport,
Shepardstown,
25, 66
Boonsboro,
8,
Smithfield,
29, 66
Hagerstown,
" 10,
Berryville, Sept. 3, 4, Summitt,
Williamsport,
" 10,
Falling Waters,
" 14,
Opequan,
19, 66
Snicker's Gap,
Va., " 19,
Winchester, 66
19,
Luray,
24,
Port Republic, Va., Sept. 26, 27, 28, 1864.
Mount Crawford, Va., Oct. 2, 1864. Woodstock,
05 Jack's Shop,
26, Cedar Creek, " 19, James City, Oct. 12,
Brandy Station, Buckland's Mills,
66 13,
19, 66
Stevensburg, Nov. 19
Morton's Ford,
26, 66
Richmond, Mar. 1, 1864.
Wilderness, 66 May 6, 7, “ Beaver Dam Station, Va., May 9, “ Yellow Tavern, Va., May 10, 11, “ Meadow Bridge, “ 12, Milford, 66 27,
21,
Madison Ct. House, " Dec. 24,
Louisa Ct. House, " Mar. 8, 1865. Five Forks, Va., Mar. 30, 31, April 1, 1865.
South Side R. R., Va., April 2, 1865. Duck Pond Mills,
4, Ridges or Sailor's Creek, Va., April 6, 1865. Appomattox Ct. House, Va., April 8, 9, 1865.
Little Laramie, D. Ter., Aug. 1, 1865.
Hanover,
" June "
Gettysburg,
3,
Leetown, 66 66
Hagerstown,
6, 6,
Kelley's Ford, " Sept. 13, Culpepper Ct. House, Va., Sept. 14, 1863.
Raccoon Ford, Va., Sept. 16, 1863. White's Ford,
87
ADJUTANT GENERAL.
EIGHTH CAVALRY.
This Regiment was serving in Tennessee on Nov. Ist, 1864, and brigaded with the 14th and 16th Illinois Cavalry, and at that date, with its Brigade, was on the march from Nashville to Pulaski, for the purpose of watching the movements of Hood, who was then on his northern expedition from Atlanta. Having reached Pulaski, the Regiment, on the 6th, moved on a scout to Lawrenceburg, and returned, and again on the 12th to Waynesboro. Returning from that point, it marched to Mount Pleasant on the 14th and 15th, and remaining there in camp on the 16th, on the 17th and 18th was on the march to Waynesboro, Company "C" having a skirmish with the enemy. Having reached Waynesboro, on the 18th, 19th and 20th nearly the whole Regiment was engaged day and night in scouting by detachments, one being sent to Lawrenceburg to form a junction with General Hatch, who was then falling back from the Tennessee river near Florence; one to Clifton, and another towards Savannab, all returning and joining the command on the 20th. On the 21st, information having been received that Forrest was advancing towards Lawrenceburg, the command fell back to within eleven miles of Mt. Pleasant, and went into camp. In the meantime communication had been opened with Gen. Hatch, and on the 23d a detachment of one officer and twenty-five men of the Regiment was sent back towards Waynesboro, which met the enemy about seven miles out, and near Henryville, where it kept a whole Regi- ment in check until Company " B" was sent forward as a re- enforcement, but before it reached there it was attacked and driven back, and the detachment cut off. It was then ascer- tained that the enemy had succeeded in getting a position be- tween Gen. Hatch and the command. A Battalion of this Reg- iment was ordered to hold the road in front while the Brigade fell back three miles to the junction of the Mt. Pleasant and Lawrenceburg roads, and there threw up a barricade and made a stand for the purpose of checking the enemy, should he suc-
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
ceed in driving the Battalion. During that time the Battalion was holding him in check, although vigorously attacked and closely pressed; and after a stubborn and gallant resistance, the enemy succeeded in throwing a heavy force on its left flank and driving it back to within a short distance of the barricade, where it made a determined stand, but was attacked by a su- perior force, and before it could fall back on the command the enemy had gained its rear. The attacking force was discov- ered by the Brigade, but owing to the darkness it was sup- posed to be the Battalion falling back, and therefore no effort was made to check it. At that time the balance of the 8th Michigan was ordered to a position behind the barricade; "but before it could be properly posted, the enemy made a desperate charge on the whole line, and so unexpected was the attack, that it threw the two other regiments of the Brigade into confusion, producing a perfect stampede, when the 8th Michigan, with great coolness maintaining its po- sition, poured a volley into his ranks, checking his advance, then gave him a second volley, when he retired. In the mean- time the Battalion of the 8th Michigan that had been left in front to hold him in check, and which had now been cut off from the main command, cut its way through the enemy, under a heavy fire, and rejoined the Brigade, having lost several killed and wounded. About daylight, on the morning of the 24th the pickets were again attacked, the Brigade falling back about two miles, closely followed by the enemy, when he threw a heavy column on both its flanks, compelling it to retreat in double quick, to Columbia, the enemy pursuing closely. On reaching that point, a Division of Infantry, from the 23d Army Corps, which had just arrived there, succeeded in driving him back, and prevented the whole of General Forrest's com- and from dashing into the town, and capturing it. On the 25th a detachment of fifty men of the Regiment was sent to Hardison's Mills, on Duck river, for the purpose of crossing, to ascertain if the enemy was moving in that direction, and next day the Brigade was ordered to that point, and picketed
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