No. 3.-report of Col. John Adams C. S. Army, including the operations of his brigade, May 9-30.
General: Having received information from couriers sent by myself that Generals Smith and Evans were moving on Huntsville (and with your permission), I crossed the Tennessee River, with my command, at Lamb's Ferry, on the 9th instant.
Obtaining reliable information that there were large wagon trains on the Pulaski and Elkton turnpike, I marched, on the evening of May 11th, with 850 men, toward Pulaski, but finding there were 2,500 men in Pulaski, I returned in the direction of my camps.
At the forks of the roads, 9 miles from Rogersville, I found General Negley, U. S. Army, with two regiments of infantry, one battery of artillery, and a battalion of cavalry, in possession of the Lamb's Ferry road.
His forces were posted in thick timber, infantry on the right, cavalry on the left, and artillery posted on each road.
I fell back 2 miles to a good position, to await their attack.
After remaining in position all night I ascertained that General Negley had moved rapidly to the river.
My force there, about 900 strong, had in the mean time recrossed the river with the wagon train.
I therefore fell back slowly to Winchestor,Gcausing General Mitchel to concentrate his forces in places which I threatened.
In crossing the Fayetteville turnpike I captured some couriers.
From their papers I ascertained that General Mitchel was concentrating his forces on the line of road from Pulaski to Athens, Elkton, and Huntsville, and contemplated the speedy completion of the railroad from Pulaski to connect with the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, at the same time holding the turnpike road through Elkton to Huntsville, and abandoning the upper line entirely.
At Fayetteville, when I passed within 2 miles, there was one regiment of infantry, well fortified against cavalry or infantry.
Having no artillery and but little ammunition, I passed without attacking them.
After reaching Winchester, Col. John A. Wharton, commanding Texan Rangers, manifested an unwillingness to serve under my command, while at the same time he was unwilling to assume the responsibility of the entire command, but wished merely to co-operate.
To
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settle this matter, I proceeded to Chattanooga, and thence telegraphed you and the War Department relative to my rank and command, and also to you for orders relative to the movements of my force.
I received no reply from Richmond, and in answer to dispatch to you received one from General Beauregard, saying, “Date of commission determines rank.”
Upon communicating think to Colonel Wharton, on my return, he declined assuming command, but at the same time manifested a desire to withdraw his regiment from the brigade, to which I acceded.
While absent from my command, at Chattanooga, a superior force of the enemy, composed of cavalry, infantry, and artillery, made a forced march from Huntsville, and occupied Winchester on the 20th instant.
On the 22d Colonel Wharton sent a company to make a reconnaissance of their position, with a view to an attack.
This party drove in their pickets, capturing 9, and made a charge into the center of the town.
The force immediately there (some 200 or 300) took refuge in the court-house, a brick building, and from this sheltered position kept up a warm fire on the reconnoitering party, killing 2 and wounding 6.
The loss of the enemy was the prisoners before mentioned and 9 or 10 killed. The reconnoitering party would have carried the court-house by assault had they not feared the enemy would commence shelling the town with their artillery.
The following morning (May 23) the enemy hastily evacuated the place, retreating toward Salem.
I have since been reliably informed that General Mitchel has moved from Huntsville toward Shelbyville, with a force of about 1,000 infantry, 300 cavalry, and a large wagon train, the latter loaded in part with baggage.
It is supposed this movement indicates the evacuation of Huntsville.
Reports from Huntsville, brought by citizens and also obtained from prisoners, agree that the Federals say they have been whipped at Corinth.
If there is any truth in this report it explains General Mitchel's late movement.
In compliance with General Beauregard's orders, which I received at Chattanooga, I moved my force over the mountain yesterday, intending to cross the Tennessee River to-day below Chattanooga, in the vicinity of Jasper.
Colonel Wharton preceded me and has already crossed.
After crossing the mountain I met a courier about 12 miles from Jasper, with a letter from General Leadbetter, inclosing a copy of General Beauregard's permission to remain in Middle Tennessee.
I have therefore halted, and shall immediately recross the mountain.
General Leadbetter also informs me that I am to be re-enforced by Colonels Starnes' and Davis' cavalry and Kain's artillery.
Herewith I have the honor to inclose General Mitchel's report of the occupation of Lamb's Ferry, taken from a Nashville paper.1
I have sent an express to my force left with the wagon train, ordering it to come up here, cross the river, and join me.
Since crossing the river I have killed about 25 and captured 60 of the enemy.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
