December 14.
Between two and three o'clock this afternoon, the forces of Longstreet turned upon and attacked the pursuing column of cavalry under General Shackleford. The line of battle was formed at Bean Station, Tenn., on the [21] Cumberland Gap and Morristown road; and a fight ensued which continued until nightfall, when the rebels succeeded in driving the Nationals about half a mile. Colonels Wolford, Graham, Foster, and others were engaged. The musketry fire was very heavy. The whole movement was made with a well-contrived plan to cut off and capture General Shackleford and command; and a heavy force of rebel cavalry moved down the left bank of the Holston River, with the intention of crossing at Kelly's Ford and coming in his rear. This portion of the programme was checked by General Ferrero, who sent the brigade of General Humphrey to hold the ford. The rebels fired across the river with artillery upon the brigade, but with little effect.--(Doc. 36.)
The United States bark Roebuck captured a small sloop-boat called the Gopher, containing two men, sixteen bags of salt, and one box of notions, off Indian River, Florida.--Governor Thomas E. Bramlette, of Kentucky, addressed a letter to Captain Edward Cahill, recruiting colored troops, questioning his right to recruit in that State.--Colonel Watkins, commanding the Kentucky brigade, returned to Chattanooga, Tenn., from a cavalry reconnoissance as far as La Fayette. He captured a rebel signal station, and six officers and forty privates. The rest of the large force of rebels fled.
An expedition sent out by General Wistar from Yorktown to Charles City Court-House, Va., under the command of Colonel R. M. West, returned to Williamsburgh, Va., having been successful in the accomplishment of its object.--(Doc, 26.)
