No. 8.-reports of Maj. Charles Baskerville Second Mississippi cavalry (Battalion).
headquarters, Purdy, March 10, 1862.
Sir: Day before yesterday (March 8) the Yankee transport Golden State arrived at Savannah loaded with troops, followed by a gunboat (name unknown) mounting nine guns.
On the evening of the same day the transport John Adams also landed troops at the same place.
She had horses on board, whether draught or cavalry we could not tell.
We are however, informed by a gentleman who had the temerity to visit Savannah that they are draught horses.
The gunboat mentioned above returned to Savannah again yesterday, having on board several tories taken from Chalk Bluff, among whom may be mentioned the following: Col. A. M. Craven, Thomas Orr, Ned Towry, and Benton Towry.
Another gunboat was expected up last evening when the scout was dispatched.
Rumor has it that the Yankees are forwarding 1,200 cavairy from Nashville to Savannah, who are hourly expected.
This seems to be well authenticated.
My scouts are of the opinion, from intelligence received from the same gentleman mentioned above, that it is the intention of the Yankees as soon as possible to throw a strong scout across the river.
They have retained their transports at Savannah, from which I infer that it is their purpose to throw large bodies of troops across the Tennessee, which they can very readily accomplish, as the river is getting within its banks.
General Smith was expected to arrive at Savannah yesterday.
The number of troops at Savannah is pretty well ascertained to be 1,500.
The above information is obtained from my scouts stationed at Chalk Bluff and opposite Savannah.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient, humble servant,
[16]
Hdqrs. Second Battalion Mississippi Cavalry Purdy, Tenn., March 14, 1862.
Colonel: In obedience to your orders I took Captains McCaa's and Robertson's companies (except that portion already on duty) down the Shunpike road to ascertain if the enemy had reconstructed the bridge.
At the Pittsburg fork I detached 19 men, under command of Lieutenant O'Daniel, to proceed to Pittsburg.
I herewith send you a copy of his report.1
On our way to the bridge our pickets, two in number, stationed on the road in our rear, reported that they had discovered a detachment supposed to be of the enemy.
We countermarched some 2 miles and discovered nothing; then proceeded on our mission, to ascertain about the bridge.
Reaching near that place, our scouts sent out reported the bridge just as we had left it-pulled down.
I also learned that the enemy had left Adamsville and the rumor from a citizen that they had landed troops last night at Pittsburg.
Proceeding farther, my advance pickets reported the firing of signalguns on the Pittsburg road near the fork; whereupon I left the main road to place my men between my camp and the enemy if all the rumors and excited reports should prove true, and also as my guns were in such a condition that they would not fire, and besides, Captain Robertson's company being without cartridge boxes, his ammunition was exposed to the rain and unfit for use.
The signal-guns reported I cannot account for, unless they were the guns fired by the picket guards of our troops, 4 miles distant.
As I discovered our pickets on this road undisturbed, I would remark that the caps we have are the common G. D. caps, and will not fire after exposure to rain.
I would also report that in obedience to your orders Captain McCaa employed a man and team to bring in your wagon.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
Charles Baskerville, Major, Commanding Second Mississippi (Battalion) Cavalry. Colonel Adams, Commanding Post.
