Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 9.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[158]

The Eighth Indiana, on our left, were several times charged, but the enemy were in every instance driven back promptly. At five o'clock next morning, we moved in direction of Louisville. During the march, my command, with the Second Kentucky cavalry, having been left to protect the rear, we were charged in the rear and on both flanks whilst crossing a swamp. Recoving from a momentary disorder, Lieutenant Davis, with a small force, charged the enemy, driving them back, whilst the balance of the regiment formed on a line with the Fifth Kentucky, then in position. In this charge we lost nine (9) men, one of whom was killed.

Moving forward about four (4) miles, we went into position on the right of the division. In a short time the enemy attacked the division in front. We were deployed in line, with skirmishers in front, on the extreme right of Colonel Atkins's brigade, but were not engaged. Late in the evening, the enemy having been driven back, we moved out four (4) or six (6) miles and encamped. The next day moved to Big Creek Bridge, near Louisville, where we remained until the morning of December first, when we moved out in rear of the Eighth Indiana, on the Waynesboro road. During the day, the enemy were encountered in force by the Fifth Kentucky and Eighth Indiana, and driven from the field. The next day, December second, we moved in the direction of Millen, my command being in advance of the brigade, on the left of the infantry. Finding the enemy posted behind barricades at Rocky Creek Church, Major Breathett, with the First battalion of the regiment, charged them in gallant style, driving them from their cover and across Rocky Creek. Here the whole command halted until the infantry came up and were posted, when Captain Thomas, with the Third battalion, took the advance, charged across the creek, and drove the enemy for two (2) miles, dislodging them from three (3) heavy barricades. In this charge we had one (1) man wounded. Moved in the evening a short distance and encamped. The next day we struck the railroad at Thomas Station, six (6) miles from Waynesboro, where we remained during the night. Sunday morning, December fourth, we moved with the division toward Waynesboro, to “attack and rout the command of Wheeler,” as the General commanding had informed us the evening previous. Leaving every incumbrance behind, we marched on the enemy with the full determination to give him a threshing, which would be a valuable lesson to the mounted chivalry of the South.

After the Second brigade (Colonel Atkins) had encountered General Wheeler's whole force in the morning and driven him from every part of the field, the enemy leaving many of his men, killed, wounded, and prisoners, in the hands of that brigade, the First (1st) brigade moved forward to attack and drive the rebels from the “last ditch.” My regiment took the advance, followed by the Ninth Pennsylvania cavalry, Moving forward rapidly, we deployed to the right, the Ninth Pennsylvania to the left. After my command was formed ready to charge in column of battalion, I received an order from General Kilpatrick to halt. I did so for a few moments, during which time we were exposed to a most galling fire from barricades in front and from our right and left. No body of men ever stood fire any more resolutely. Not a man faltered. At length the enemy's fire becoming fiercer, and many of their comrades falling around them, they disregarded the restraints of discipline, and rushed, with wild shouts, upon the enemy in their front. At first we were compelled to fall back. Recovering immediately, they again charged and drove the rebels from their position, and followed them for some distance, and until the presence of several thousand of the enemy in our front warned us that a further advance would be extremely hazardous. In this engagement I lost one (1) commissioned officer and twenty-one (21) enlisted men wounded. Ten of the men were severely wounded — some, perhaps, mortally.

The brave and gallant Captain Charles L. White, of company A, who was mortally wounded and fell from his horse while leading his company in this action, died on the march on the morning of December seventh, and was buried at Springfield, Georgia.

The march of the regiment from Waynesboro to this point (King's Bridge) is devoid of special interest, and I do not deem it necessary to give a detailed account of it.

The conduct of the officers and men of this regiment from Atlanta to Savannah, their unflinching courage, their patient endurance of hardships necessarily attending such a march, their ready obedience to every order, deserve the thanks of every officer and soldier of this great army and of every patriot of the land. I am proud of them, and grateful for an opportunity of awarding them praise for their indomitable valor and of extolling their soldierly virtues.

Many of them, having served faithfully their term of enlistment, will shortly return to their homes and firesides. The patriotic people of Kentucky will welcome them with warm hearts and open hands.

Respectfully,

sir: In compliance with circular of this date from brigade headquarters, I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my regiment, from the fourteenth of November to present date.

November 14.--Marched from Mitchell's Cross-Roads,