No. 164.-report of Lieut. Col. John H. Miller, First Mississippi Cavalry.
Colonel: In obedience to your order I have the honor to report to you the circumstances attending the capture of the Second Michiganl Battery (Captain Ross commanding) in the battle of Shiloh, on Sunday, the Gth instant.
The battery was taken by the First Battalion Mississippi Cavalry, the balance of your regiment being on detached service.
About 5 p. m. you were ordered by General Polk, at the place where the large number of Federal prisoners had surrendered, to assume command of all the cavalry, and cut the enemy off, if possible, in their retreat.
You immediately ordered me to advance as fast as possible with the command, while you collected all the cavalry you could find.
1 accordingly pressed forward about one-fourth of a mile and came suddenly in view of the battery, about 300 yards distant. Their horses were all attached and all evidently ready for retreat.
As soon as they discovered us I judged, from their rapidly moving to and fro, that they were preparing to turn, unlimber, and open upon us. I ordered the battalion to charge, which was done promptly, and every horse, man, and gun captured.
I immediately ordered Major Herndon, with a detachment
[461]
of Capt. A. B. Cole's company, Pontotoc Dragoons, to move the battery to our rear and deliver it to some general officer.
It was delivered to Major-General Bragg.
Immediately after the detail of Major Herndon and the detachment of men you, being just in the rear of our column, came forward and assumed command before the battery had been moved from the place of capture.
I have the honor to be, colonel, yours, respectfully,
J. H. Miller, Lieutenant-Colonel First Regiment Mississippi Cavalry. Col. A. J. Lindsay, First Regiment Mississippi Cavalry.
[Indorsement.]
----,----, 1862.
Respectfully forwarded with the remarks that at the time the battery was taken I was with my regiment, though not at the head of it, being delayed, by Major-General Polk's order, to take command of all the cavalry.
I ordered the battery to be sent to Major-General Polk, and attempting to take another battery, came back and found that Lieutenant-Colonel Miller had sent it off with an escort, which by mistake carried it to Major-General Bragg.
A. J. Lindsay, Colonel, Commanding Mississippi Cavalry.
