December 21.
The enemy evacuated Savannah, the army occupied the city, and the operations of the cavalry closed. In carrying out the orders of the Commander-in-Chief in making the diversions indicated, some mistakes may have been made. Yet I believe [25] that the principal operations and diversions required of the cavalry have been, throughout tile march, successfully accomplished. Certainly it is a fact, that not once has the enemy;s cavalry been able to reach the train or flank of one of our many infantry columns. We have three times crossed, from left to right and right to left, in front of our army, and have marched upward of five hundred and forty miles since the fourteenth of November. Have destroyed fourteen thousand and seven bales of cotton, two hundred and seventy-one cotton-gins, and much other valuable property. Have captured two (2) three-inch rifled guns, and have them now in use. Captured and destroyed eight hundred and sixty-five stands of small arms; have taken upward of five hundred prisoners, and killed, wounded, and disabled not less than one thousand five hundred of the enemy. We have lost four officers killed, six wounded, and two missing; thirty-four men killed, one hundred and fifty-three wounded, and one hundred and sixty-six missing. Before closing my remarks, I desire to make favorable mention of my brigade commanders, Colonels Murray and Atkins. Both have, at all times, faithfully performed the responsible duties that have devolved upon them. Always on duty, attentive to orders, energetic, skilful, and brave. Both are educated gentlemen and accomplished cavalry soldiers; both merit promotion. Lieutenant-Colonel Sanderson and his regiment, Tenth Ohio cavalry, at East-Macon; Colonel Acker and his regiment, Ninth Michigan ; and Colonel Jones, Eighth Indiana, when cut off and surrounded near Waynesboro; Colonel Heath and his regiment, at Buckhead Creek. The Ninety-second Illinois mounted infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Van Buskirk; the Ninth Pennsylvania, Colonel Jordon ; the Third Kentucky, Lieutenant-Colonel King; the Tenth Ohio, Fifth Ohio, and Ninth Michigan cavalry, at Waynesboro, December fourth, have all, at the various places mentioned, behaved most handsomely and attracted my special attention. The Second Kentucky cavalry, Captain Foreman, although but a detachment, at Buckhead Creek and at Waynesboro did the duty of a regiment, and deserves great praise. Captain Beebe, commanding the artillery, and his lieutenants, Stetson, Fowler, and Clark, have performed their duty well, and to the satisfaction of their immediate commanders. I cannot speak too highly of my staff. Through the exertions of Captain Dunbar, Assistant Quartermaster, and Brookfield, Commissary of Subsistence, my command has always been well supplied. Dr. Wise, Surgeon-in-Chief Division, Captains Brink (Inspector-General,) Day, (Provost-Marshal,) and my Aids, Captain Hayes, and Lieutenants Holling-worth, Oliver, Fuller, and Griffin, have each, in his respective place, more than fulfilled my expectations. Captain Estes, my Assistant Adjutant-General, deserves special notice, not only for the faithful discharge of his eminent duties, but for his reckless daring and invaluable assistance in every skirmish and engagement. This officer deserves, and I earnestly hope that he may be promoted. Accompanying this report will be found a nominal list of killed, wounded, and missing, also Provost-Marshal's statement of captures and property destroyed. I also inclose the reports of my brigade and regimental commanders, which I respectfully request may be taken as a part of this my official report. Respectfully submitted.J. Kilpatrick, Brigadier-General.
