Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 11.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[694] officers, and the occasions on which they particularly distinguished themselves, are more fully set forth in the report of Brevet Brigadier-General E. F. Winslow, and Brevet Brigadier-General A. J. Alexander, to, which your attention is respectfully invited.

I would respectfully recommend that medals of honor be awarded to the following named enlisted men:

Sergeant Robert S. Kiles, Company G, Fourth Iowa cavalry, who, in an individual encounter with the enemy in the streets of Garrard, manifested a spirit of bravery and determination, which entitles him to the highest commendation and reward.

Robert C. Woods, private of Company C, Fourth Iowa cavalry, who after being captured by the enemy whilst in the line of his duty at Columbus, escaped with the aid of a few others, and took as prisoners the Colonel and Adjutant of the regiment that but a short time before held him in custody.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Respectfully forwarded, approved, and strongly recommended. I would also request that Lieutenant-Colonel T. W. Benteen, Tenth Missouri cavalry, be brevetted Brigadier-General, for gallant and meritorious services, not only during the recent campaigns in Georgia and Alabama, but for distinguished and conspicuous bravery in the pursuit of Price out of Missouri.

Major — In obedience to orders from division headquarters, I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of my command since leaving Chickasaw landing on the 22d of March, 1865:

The march from Chickasaw to Montevallo, Alabama, which occupied eight days, was made through an inhospitable and mountainous region, and passed without meeting any enemy. Upon moving out from Montevallo my advance was opposed by the advance of Roddy's division, whereupon skirmishing immediately commenced. I at once ordered the detachment, about three companies of the Fifth Iowa cavalry, under Colonel Young, to charge, which they did in gallant style, driving the enemy a distance of some three miles at full speed, killing one, wounding two, and capturing some fifteen men, and about thirty stand of arms. The main body of the enemy were formed in position behind a difficult creek, about three miles from Montevallo. My brigade (which was much weakened by detachments being sent off to burn the iron works) was immediately dismounted and deployed as skirmishers. After a slight skirmish the enemy retired. On the next morning my brigade again having the advance, struck the enemy at Randolph. After a slight skirmish, he retired on the main Selma road. Under instructions of the Brevet Major-General commanding, I moved on the Maplesville station road, leaving the direct road for the Second division. Upon approaching within about three miles of the junction of this road with the main road, I heard sharp firing and cheers upon our right. I immediately ordered my command to trot, which gait I kept until I came upon the enemy in strong force of infantry and cavalry in position behind fences and rail barricades. Upon debouching from the woods, my advance (two companies of the Seventh Ohio cavalry) received a heavy and well-directed volley from the enemy's entire line, which killed two and wounded a number more. At the first glance I saw that my command was largely out-numbered, and therefore deployed the Fifth Iowa cavalry and First Ohio cavalry on the right, with the view of connecting with the Second division, which I was expecting to hear every instant open in the woods on my right. I ordered two squadrons to take and hold a house and outbuildings directly in front of my centre and which secured my position. The line was then advanced, and after a sharp fight of about an hour, the enemy was completely routed, leaving two pieces of artillery in our possession. In this connection I wish to have it distinctly understood that no other troops except those belonging to my brigade were engaged, although some unofficial statements to the contrary have been made. Upon entering Selma, by direction of the Brevet Major-General commanding, I sent the Seventh Ohio in pursuit of the enemy, on the Montgomery road. Colonel Garrard, commanding the regiment, pursued him with the greatest pertinacity as far as Burnsville, despite the darkness and almost impassable roads; so active and unremitting was the pursuit that the enemy was forced to abandon four pieces of artillery, ten wagons, and a large number of small arms. Colonel Garrard also captured one hundred and twenty-five prisoners. This brigade did not meet the enemy again until the sixteenth instant, when my advance, consisting of six companies of the First Ohio, under Colonel B. B. Eggleston, struck the enemy's outposts at Crawford, and followed them with such rapidity as to prevent them burning the very important bridges over which the command had to pass. Upon arriving opposite to Columbus, Colonel Eggleston charged into the town of Girard, driving the enemy back to within two hundred yards of their entrenchments. Upon a careful reconnoissance of the position it was deemed impracticable to attack from my front. My command was, therefore, withdrawn by direction of the Brevet Major-General commanding, and took no further part in the capture of Columbus. The march from Columbus to Macon was without