of the Eleventh Illinois cavalry, were in the fight nearly all of the time, and exhibited great courage and gallantry. The Second Illinois cavalry was on the field so short a time, I can only particularize their commander, the lamented Lieut.Col. Hogg. A braver, truer man never lifted his arm in defence of his country. He was brave to a fault, and fell while leading one of the most gallant cavalry charges of the present war. It is proper that I should make special mention of Adjutant E. N. Owen, Twentieth Ohio, and Adjutant H. S. Abbott, of the Seventy eighth Ohio, who acted as my Aids-de-Camp during the day, and regardless of personal danger, frequently went through showers of bullets in executing their orders. I may also say that the mounted infantry, or "mule cavalry," proved an entire success. They prevented the enemy from flanking us at least twice during the battle. They move with the celerity of cavalry, yet fight as infantry.. Our loss was five killed, eighteen wounded, and sixty-four missing. The enemy's loss was far greater, but as they were seen to pick up and carry to the rear their killed and wounded as fast as they fell, their loss is not known to us. It is reported over two hundred. I inclose the report of officers commanding giments and detachments in the battle. tack him in the morning and drive him on to Gen. McCook or Crittenden, coming up from the east and south. But at four P.M. it was discovered that Forrest was crossing the railroad about two miles from here, and rapidly marching for the McMinnville and Murfreesboro road, which they would gain at a point called Little Pond, six miles from the railroad, eight miles from Wood's camp, and nine miles from McMinnville. The game seemed about to be lost. Not a second to spare. Gen. Hascall being sick in bed, Col. E. P. Fyffe of the Twenty-sixth Ohio, was ordered to take three regiments, and if possible, cut off at least a part of the rebel column. In less than ten minutes the Twenty-sixth Ohio, under command of Lieut.-Col. Young, was on its "marching way." Two sections of the Eighth Indiana battery, under command of Lieutenants Estep, Vorris, and Jervis, were not far behind, and these were soon followed by the Seventeenth Indiana, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Gorman, and the Fifty-eighth Indiana, Col. Buell. Time was every thing. Not a moment could be spared for canteens, haversacks or rest, The route lay through the woods, over the fields, twice across Big Hickory Creek, from knee to waist-deep, and into the Murfreesboro road two miles this re-side the Little Pond. The boys felt it was a race with cavalry, and for glory, and heeded not the weeds, woods, waters, nor waving corn. The lieutenants of the artillery deserve no little credit for carrying their pieces safely through such a path. At the end of five miles, made in less than sixty minutes, the column halted to breathe, load and prime. The march resumed in about quickand-a-half time-indeed, the "stumpys" and I am, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient Doc. 196. BATTLE NEAR MCMINNVILLE, TENN. CINCINNATI "GAZETTE" ACCOUNT. } buntys" trotted about ten steps out of fifteen. And now we are in the main road-ten minutes CAMP OF GENERAL WOOD'S DIVISION, more will show the rebel column, or their dusty NEAR MCMINNVILLE, TENN., September 2. backs in the air. Major Dagenfeld, with compaOn Saturday evening, thirtieth ultimo, occurred nies A and F of the Twenty-sixth, as advancein this neighborhood one of the most brilliant guard, at a half run and walk; Colonel Fyffe with feats of the war-brilliant both in its execution his staff close upon their heels; the rest of the and results-being no less than the meeting, rout-column crowding closely up, and all hidden in a ing and utter discomfiture, by an inferior force smothering dust. of infantry and two sections of artillery, of the dreaded General Forrest and his active brigade of cavalry. For some days, Gen. Forrest (brigadiered for his successful raid on Murfreesboro) has been hovering around Lebanon, Nashville, and Murfreesboro, awaiting the napping of another squad of Union generals, colonels, etc. His brigade consisted of Col. Lawton's, formerly Terry's Texan Rangers, whom Willich fought at Munfordsville; Colonel Smith's Tennessee, Col. Horton's Second, and the First regiment of Georgia; an Alabama regiment, and a Kentucky squadron-all cavalry -all of whom were with him at the battle of the "Little Pond," of which I write. Gen. Hascall's and Col. Wagner's brigades of Gen. Wood's division are encamped two miles from McMinnville, on the railroad to Manchester. On the morning of the thirtieth ultimo, it was learned that Forrest's brigade was encamped six miles from here toward Manchester, and arrangements were made to at The country now opens out into cultivated fields—corn on the right, grass and weeds on the left. A moment more will tell if we are too late. Good luck! good luck, boys!-there they are! For a mile on our left, on a line parallel with our own route, and half a mile distant, is the long line of dust half as high as the trees. Three quarters of a mile ahead the dust-cloud makes a right angle and moves directly for our road, but has not yet reached it. Forward! double-quick! march! and away we go, infantry tramping, horses clattering, and artillery-wagons rumbling. We are seen-mistaken for a provision-train. The traitor General has gained the road at the head of his long column of butternuts. 'Another Yankee train, boys, just to our hand! A good supper and plenty to take along." But four hundred yards are now between us. The squadrons of cavalry are galloping up and forming in line of battle in front of thick woods, facing us on both sides of the road, and at right angles to our line 66 of march. Col. Fyffe immediately comprehends the position, and his aids as rapidly carry his orders. The Twenty-sixth Ohio is to occupy the centre, the Seventeenth Indiana the right, and the Fifty-eighth Indiana the left, each of the two latter in support of a section of artillery. At this time Gen. Forrest's Quartermaster galloped along the line, notifying him that artillery was being placed to support our attack. He replied: "Damn the artillery! Stand to your posts, boys, if the devil comes. Shoot down the damned officers, cut out their hearts with your sabres, and throw them in their jaws." action, and gave the writer part of the information above. Some twenty-five or thirty horses were taken and disabled. Among the captured horses were the General's and his brother's, Captain Forrest. Colonel Young now rides the General's horse, and Colonel Buell the Captain's. The casualties were few, and all on the side of the enemy, he neither daring to charge, nor waiting till we were in effective range. He lost one killed, twenty to twenty-five wounded, and some one thousand five hundred to two thousand missing. Seldom has a more brilliant stroke been made in the annals of war. The next day a fresh brigade was sent out to gather up stragglers. They were heard of everywhere for miles, in squads of two, five, ten and fifty, but none could be found. In the subjoined general order by Gen. Wood, he most aptly and justly compliments Col. Fyffe for his prompt action and successful strategy, and his command for their efficiency in its execution. HEADQUARTERS SIXTH DIVISION, ARMY OF THE OHIO, GENERAL ORDERS, No. 68. Lieutenant-Colonel Young had now thrown his regiment into line, at a double-quick, over a high fence, and was marching steadily to the front, holding his men well in hand, ready for the square at any moment a charge should be threatened by the cavalry. A few yards further—just a moment more but now Lieutenants Vorris and Jervis are already sending in the grape and shell. A shell passes within a yard of the rebel General and bursts a few yards behind him. A volley of musketry- another—another.-No! the line is broken. The enemy's left and centre almost The Commanding General congratulates Col. simultaneously break to the rear, in a wild stampede. His right having partly come up while the E. P. Fyffe of the Twenty-sixth Ohio, and the dispositions were being made, was un-formed and troops who participated in the expedition of the thirtieth ult., against the notorious partisan Forcrowded in a narrow lane. Colonel Fyffe now ordered the Seventeenth Indiana to hold the road rest, on the distinguished success which attended and protect one section of artillery, the Fifty-march of nine miles across the country, intercepttheir efforts. Col. Fyffe's command made a rapid eighth Indiana to take position on the extreme ed a large body of hostile cavalry, one thousand left in support of the other, while the Twenty-five hundred strong, attacked at once and vigorsixth Ohio was to close by the left and front, ously, and utterly routed and dispersed the foe, upon the enemy's right (consisting of the Texas It was the promptiRangers and a Georgia squadron) ere they could without the loss of a man. The movements were all executed in tude and vigor of the attack which caused the double-quick time, but it was too late. utter dispersion of the foe before he could do any The valiant Texans and Georgians, dropping every injury. thing, took the back-track and made a most in-duct of the regiments and artillery engaged on The Commanding General commends the conglorious and dastardly flight. Colonel Young this occasion to the imitation of the whole diviwas immediately on the ground they had occupied, and found it strewn with saddles, navy revolvers, shot-guns, a few rifles and muskets, blankets, coats, hats, several wounded horses, their medical wagon, (the only one they had,) etc., etc. form. All this occupied far less time than I have taken to describe it, as every thing was done at double-quick time. It was an utter discomfiture and most complete rout, seeming to pass before the eye almost as a flash. Major Dagenfeld, who, with his advanced guard, had acted as skirmishers during the entire advance, now scoured the woods for the smitten foe; but they were not to be found. After pursuing them two miles along the main road, it being quite dark, and further pursuit with infantry being useless, and no water being at hand, the troops were marched back to camp. The next morning three companies under command of Colonel Buell were sent out to gather the spoils. They amounted to several wagonloads of arms, accoutrements and clothing. Four prisoners were taken, among them General Forrest's servant, who was with him during the sion, and invites all, whenever the occasion may offer, to emulate so noble and gallant an example. By command of Brig-Gen. Wood. WM. H. SCHLATER, A.A.G. Doc. 197. THE PATRIOTISM OF BOSTON, MASS., BOSTON, September 1. THE man does not live who has seen Boston stirred to its very depths as it was yesterday. The winds had been blowing for a week, and there had been an unusual moving of the waters; but yesterday there came a perfect tornado, and such a storm of public feeling as it waked up Boston never knew before. One might imagine as he left the metropolis and journeyed eastward toward the "Hub of the Universe," he were going away from the action of the centrifugal forces to where the people never went off in tangents, or got excited. But how deceptive is philosophy! Your heavy, choleric Boston men are all in a blaze, and all the way down, through all the grades, every body is stretching every nerve and wondering why he had been so indifferent up to this time. In the first place, on arriving in the city, after six months' absence, not unnaturally I went home and found a brother, not eighteen, had just enlisted, and could not be dissuaded from going to the wars by any advice in regard to physical incompetency for the service, or frightened from the ranks by any picture of what might be experienced on the battle-field, in the hospitals, on the march, or in imprisonment. He was determined to go, and his mother, who six months ago was somewhat apathetic, and thought the rebels had better go than to fight about it, and rejoiced that her boys were not a mark to shoot at, was now sending him off willingly, and wishing she had more to send, and his grey-headed father-I really believe his eleven children were the only hindrances which prevented him from shouldering a inusket and going too. Then I went from home, where I had found such a conversion of sentiment, and called on the old friends and acquaintances, and found them all stirred up too. They were satisfied that we had all been asleep thus far, and were just awaking to the magnitude of our dangers and our duties, and couldn't understand why they had always been so indifferent and inactive. the city. Many of them suspended immediately with a short and fervent prayer; service for the afternoon was abandoned, and the churches were opened for the receival of the contributions for the wounded. All the church-going population of the city thus heard the appeal, and never were human sympathies more promptly or liberally responsive to the call of suffering than yesterday in Boston. The world might halt to look upon so sublime a spectacle as was presented yesterday in the uprising of the people, one and all, in hearty and quick response to the relief of the wounded who had fallen in the late battles before Washington. The call had been made, and the congregations separated, each one wending his way diligently to his home, and thinking on every thing which he might contribute. Many a mother, whose family could poorly spare it, contributed towels, table-cloths, sheets, and shirts, and the more competent poured in their full proportions, sometimes in bales, of whatever could be of value in the emergency. All these supplies were gathered together in various parts of the city, but the principal dépôt was at Tremont Temple, where the crowd of people bringing bundles and baskets, and the teams bringing in empty boxes for packing, and the express wagons loading up the packages which were ready for transportation, created a scene of activFrom seeing the friends and acquaintances Iity which is very unusual of a Sunday in this went out to observe the more general indications quiet city. of the public mind, and found every body I met with an excited face on. In the cars and on the street, in the stores, and at the hotels, every one was insisting that we had not, that the Government had not, appreciated the magnitude of the work to be done, and every one appeared like a man who, coming suddenly to realize the immense importance of something, wonders that it has not always seemed to him as great as it does just then. The cars upon the horse railroad were stopped and not allowed to pass, and the sidewalk was roped to prevent the travel, and give the contributors an opportunity to bring their gifts into the treasury. On entering the Temple hundreds of women and girls were seen busily and quietly at work, some tearing into strips old garments or sheets, while others were stitching together the pieces and rolling them up. Others were preparing lint, In the afternoon, at two o'clock, I found that and there were many who had done this work at all the stores were closing up, and every one was home, and sent in their lint and bandages all either devoting himself to getting up and keeping made and ready to be packed. Outside the Temup the excitement, or yielding to and being car-ple there was started a subscription-paper, on ried along by it. Meetings every afternoon. A large decorated platform in front of the Old South Church was filled constantly, and the crowds in front made passing difficult; and the Common heard a great deal of cloquence, and saw a great deal of enthusiasm during the past week. which all sorts of amounts, ranging from ten cents to two hundred dollars, were subscribed, and the whole amount thus put down was five thousand two hundred dollars. There was a lack of boxes, and many merchants opened their stores, and after sending out what empty boxes could be found, poured out upon the floor the contents of those which were full, and sent the cases to the Temple. Sunday came, and the great heart of Boston was full. The most appalling rumors of our losses in killed and wounded were in circulation, coupled with the calls for lint-bandages and sick Wines and liquors of every description and in supplies. Whether true or not, it was circulated, surprising quantities were sent in, and one merand had its influence, that after the first call for chant contributed a whole wagon-load of packsurgeons and supplies was responded to but ages of Bay rum. Such quantities were sent in slowly, a message came calling "for God's sake" that no lack of stimulating materials will occur to send on shirts, and bandages, and surgeons. for a long time. One merchant sent in enough Then reports went around that seventeen thou-material for three thousand pounds of lint, and 1 sand of the wounded had been already brought believe that an almost fabulous amount of bandinto Washington, and the call seemed no ordinary ages will have been prepared-enough to wind appeal to human sympathy and patriotism. Gov. the whole army in cotton cloth if it should be neAndrew sent notice around to all the churches of cessary. Many were engaged in nailing up the boxes as fast as they were packed, which were then put upon the express wagons and taken to the Worcester dépôt. At five o'clock last evening nine long freightcars went out, and Mayor Wightman and several of the city police accompanied the train. Twentysix surgeons, in answer to the call, went to Washington immediately. Supplies continue to come in to-day from the surrounding towns, and they will be forwarded as they arrive. The excitement has not subsided to-day. Doc. 198. BATTLE OF BRITTON'S LANE, TENN. BRIGADIER-GENERAL ROSS'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF JACKSON, Colonel John A. Rawlins, A.A. Q. : I HAVE the honor to submit the following report of the operations of troops under my command during the thirtieth and thirty-first days of August and the first day of December instant. On the morning of the thirty-first of August I received a dispatch from Col. M. M. Crocker, commanding at Bolivar, that that post was threatened by a large force, advancing from the south, and subsequently that Col. Leggett had been sent out to make an attack on the advancing columns of the enemy, that a skirmish had taken place with a force supposed to be about four thousand strong, and that reënforcements had been asked for and sent forward. Feeling that an attack was being | made on Bolivar, I took the first train to that place. On arriving I ascertained that a severe skirmish had taken place four miles south of Bolivar, between the forces under Col. Leggett, consisting of the Twentieth and Seventy-eighth regiments of Ohio volunteers, four companies of the Second Illinois cavalry, under Lieut.-Colonel Hogg; two companies of the Eleventh Illinois cavalry, under Major Puterbaugh, and one section of artillery, and the whole rebel force. After a skirmish of about seven hours by our infantry, our artillery was brought to bear upon the enemy; this, followed by a gallant charge of our cavalry, under Lieut.-Col. Hogg, drove the enemy from the field. In this charge Colonel Hogg fell while engaged in a hand-to-hand fight with Col. McCullogh, by a shot fired by one of McCullogh's men. Night coming on, our forces fell back to within supporting distance of the balance of the division, formed a line and awaited a renewal of the attack; but in the morning the enemy was nowhere in sight, but I heard that his main force had moved to our right, and had gone north. Fearing an attack on Jackson in force, the place being but weakly garrisoned without fortifications, I directed that Col. Dennis, stationed at Estinaula, with the Twentieth and Thirtieth, two companies of cavalry under Capt. Forster, and one section of artillery, return at once to Jackson, for which place I took the first train. Within an hour of my return I am informed the telegraph-wires were cut and railroad bridges fired between here and Bolivar, and that four companies of the Fortyfifth Illinois volunteers at Medon, under Captain Palmer, were attacked by superior numbers. Six companies of the Seventh Missouri volunteers, under Major Olivar, were at once sent forward to reenforce Medon. Orders were also dispatched to Col. Dennis, who was moving toward this place, to change his direction toward Medon, attack the enemy in the rear, and, if possible, cut them to pieces and capture them. Major Olivar, with his six companies of the Seventh Missouri, moved at once to Medon, by railroad, and attacked the enemy vigorously and drove them from the field. The enemy had previously taken prisoners some forty of our pickets along the line of the railroad, but being driven from Medon and the line of the railroad, and closely pursued, he retired on the road leading to Denmark. When about six miles from Denmark, on the following morning, the enemy's advance was met by the advance forces of Col. Dennis's command, eight hundred strong. Both parties prepared for action. Col. Dennis, selecting a strong position for resisting a cavalry charge, awaited the attack. The forces of the enemy numbered some six thousand. The engagement resulted in a victory to our arms, the most brilliant of the war. The enemy left one hundred and seventy-nine on the field dead; wounded not known how many. Our loss is five killed and fifty-one wounded. After this engagement the enemy retired beyond the Hatchie, toward La Grange. For particulars in regard to the above engagements, and for lists of killed and wounded, I beg leave to refer you to the reports of Col. Crocker, Thirteenth Iowa volunteers, and Colonel Lawler, Eighteenth Illinois volunteers, inclosed herewith. In each of these engagements the skill and gallantry of the officers, and the cool determined courage of the men, deserve the highest commendation. Your obedient servant, LEONARD T. Ross, Brigadier-General Commanding District. COLONEL LAWLER'S REPORT.* HEADQUARTERS COMMANDER OF THE POST, To Capt. M. J. Kimball, Aid-de-Camp: SIR: I have the honor to report the following concerning the recent engagements along the line of the Mississippi Central Railroad, and in the vicinity of Medon Station: Immediately after the repulse of the enemy at Bolivar, large bodies of his cavalry attacked the different detachments stationed along the line of the Mississippi Central Railroad, between Medon and Tooness Station. The detachment being small-consisting at most of single companies after sharp skirmishing retired to Medon Station, at which point and near the railroad dépôt a barricade was constructed of cotton-bales, under the direction of Adjutant * See Doc. 195 and the Supplement. Thirtieth, who, severely wounded, refused to leave M. K. LAWLER, Colonel Commanding Post. Doc. 199. Frohock, of the Forty-fifth Illinois infantry. At leaving a hundred and seventy-nine of his dead three P.M., of August thirty-first, the enemy at- on the field, and also a large number of his tacked the defences at Medon in force, estimated wounded. The total loss of the enemy in killed to be one thousand five hundred strong, but were and wounded is over four hundred. The loss of gallantly held at bay by about one hundred and Col. Dennis is five, buried on the field immedififty men of the Forty-fifth Illinois. Being in-ately after the action. The wounded numbered formed of the attack on Medon, I immediately about fifty-five, who were brought to the general sent six companies of the Seventh 'Missouri in-hospital at this post the day after the battle. fantry, under Major W. S. Oliver, by railroad, Great praise should be given to the admirable with instructions to reenforce our men at that generalship and ability displayed by Col. Dennis, place. On the arrival of the train at Medon the and in fact every officer acted with the greatest Seventh immediately formed into line and charged bravery. When all did so nobly, it would perthe enemy, driving him from the town and inflict-haps be invidious to particularize. Great credit ing considerable loss upon him, also taking a is due Capt. Frisbie, commanding the Twentieth number of prisoners. Illinois, and to Major Shedd, commanding the As soon as I was informed of the demonstra-Thirtieth Illinois; also to Adjutant Peyton, of the tion on Bolivar, I ordered the force stationed at Estaualya, under command of Col. Dennis, of the Thirtieth Illinois, to this post. Colonel Dennis's command consisted of the Thirtieth Illinois, commanded by Major Warren Shedd; Twentieth Illinois, commanded by Capt. Frisbie; a section of two pieces of gunboat artillery, and two companies of cavalry commanded by Captain Foster. Colonel Dennis struck tents on the morning of August thirty-first, destroying such stores and baggage as he was unable to carry, and marched to within twelve miles of this post, when he was met by an order from me directing him to march for Medon Station, to intercept the enemy near that point. Colonel Dennis countermarched his command, arriving in the vicinity of Denmark that night. About ten o'clock A.M., on the first of September, his advance-guard reported the enemy in stong force at Britton's lane, near the junction of the Denmark and Medon roads. The enemy's force consisted of seven regiments of cavalry, namely, Barstow's, Adams's, Stevens's, Jackson's, Forrest's, Wheeler's, and Parson's, amounting in the aggregate to five thousand men, under the command of Brig. Gen. Armstrong. The aggregate of Col. Dennis's force was but eight hundred. Discovering that he was outnumbered, Col. Dennis immediately selected the best position the ground would admit, and formed in line of battle. The position was in a large grove surrounded by farms, the fields all being in corn--the wood and some broken ground being in the rear and the corn-fields in front-the line being on a ridge. The greatly superior force of the enemy enabled him to entirely surround the command of Colonel Dennis, and early in the engagement to capture the transportation-train, taking with it the teamsters and sick as prisoners. They also captured the two pieces of artillery, but were unable to get possession of the caissons and ammunition. During the engagement the artillery and train were recaptured by Col. Dennis-the enemy having destroyed four of the wagons by fire. The enemy made many determined charges; dividing their force and dismounting a part, they attacked both as infantry and cavalry, the latter charging so close as to fall from their horses almost within the ranks of our men. The battle was of four hours' duration, at the end of which time the enemy left Colonel Dennis in possession of the field, FIGHT NEAR CENTREVILLE, VA. MANASSAS JUNCTION, August 28, 10 o'clock P.M. To Major-Gen. H. W. Halleck, General-in-Chief: As soon as I discovered that a large force of the enemy was turning our right toward Manassas, and that the division I had ordered to take post there two days before, had not yet arrived from Alexandria, I immediately broke up my camp at Warrenton Junction and Warrenton and marched rapidly back in three columns. I directed McDowell, with his own and Sigel's corps, to march upon Gainesville by the Warrenton and Alexandria pike; Reno and one division of Heintzelman to march on Greenwich, and, with Porter's corps and Hooker's division, I marched back to Manassas Junction. The McDowell was ordered to interpose between the forces of the enemy which had passed down to Manassas through Gainesville, and his main body moving down from White Plains through Thoroughfare Gap. This was completely accomplished, Longstreet, who had passed through the Gap, being driven back to the west side. forces to Greenwich were designed to support McDowell in case he met too large a force of the enemy. The division of Hooker marching toward Manassas, came upon the enemy near Kettle Run in the afternoon of the twenty-seventh, and after a sharp action, routed them completely, killing and wounding three hundred, capturing camps * See Doc. 104, page 342 ante |