Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Chapter XXII: Operations in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Mississippi, North Alabama, and Southwest Virginia. March 4-June 10, 1862.
Lieut. Col. Robert N. Scott, Ed.

General Mitchel telegraphs as follows:

June 8.-On Thursday General Negley succeeded in surprising the rebel General Adams, and after a sharp fight routed and scattered the enemy in the wildest disorder capturing camp, wagons with supplies, and ammunition. The column under Generai Sill formed a junction with General Negley's column at Jasper. Adams' cavalry fled 43 miles, without stopping at Chattanooga. The enemy were crossing the river at Shell Mound with infantry and artillery. Adams' cavalry turned them back.

I am ordered by General Halleck to push cars and locomotives across the river at Decatur. This cannot be done until the enemy's troops are driven out. 1 know their cavalry still remains opposite Lamb's Ferry and along the line of the railway. In my opinion a great struggle will take place for the mastery of the railway from Richhn nd iouth to Atlanta.

An expedition, composed of troops from all those under my command, inl charge of General Negley, has driven the enemy under General Adams trom Winchester through Jasper back to Chattanooga, utterly routing lanmd leeating them there. Baggage wagons and ammunition, with supplies, have fallen into our hands. On to-morrow morning my troops will be opposite Chattanooga, supported, as I hope, by my new gunboat, the Tennessee. We have broken up a most important enterprise of the enemy, making the occupation of the Chattanooga and Nashville Railroad and the mountain region bordering on the road and the Tennessee River impracticable. A few more troops suffice to relieve Eastern Tennessee. Have you any orders

Sir: By making a forced march of 20 miles over a rugged and almost impassable mountain road and by capturing the enemy's pickets we succeeded in completely surprising General Adams' command of rebel cavalry encamped at the foot of the mountain. They formed in line anld ired upon Colonel Hambright's advance, which we replied to from two pieces of artillery, which had been placed in position unobserved. They retreated through a narrow lane toward Jasper, closely pursued by a portion of Colonel Haggard's Fifth Kentucky Cavalry and Major Vynkoop's battalion of Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry. My escort, comrmanrded by Lieutenants Wharton and Funk, led the charge with reckless daring, dashing into the midst of the enemy, using their sabers with terrible execution. The narrowness of the lane and very broken ground alone prevented the enemy from being totally destroyed. They fled in the wildest disorder, strewing the ground for miles with guns, pistols, and swords. We captured their ammunition and commissary wagons and supplies. The enemy's loss, as far as we could ascertain, was 20 killed and about the same number wounded, among whom is Major Adams, General Adams' brother. We captured 12 prisoners, including 2 commissioned officers, with a large number of horses.

Our loss, which I regret to say was chiefly sustained by my escort, is 2 killed and 7 wounded; several seriously. [905]

The troops acted with admirable efficiency. Colonel Hanibright, acting brigadier-general, with Colonel Haggard, Major Wynkoop, and Lieutenants Wharton, Funk, Sypher, and Nell, deserve special notice.

Yours, very truly,

Sir: I have just captured 4 men who left Chattanooga this morning. They report the arrival of a portion of General Adams' cavalry, who reached Chattanooga last night. This, with the statements of citizens living along the road, proves the total rout and disgraceful flight of the enemy to Chattanooga, a distance of 43 miles, without stopping. Ah attempt was made to rally in Jasper, but they cursed General Adams and rushed on with their foaming horses. Hundreds of Union men have flocked into Jasper from the mountains. The enemy, who was crossing the river at Shell Mound, retreated to Chattanooga by rail this morning. Appearances indicate that they will not defend Chattanooga. There were but two regiments at Atlanta, Ga., on Tuesday last. Colonel Starnes' regiment of cavalry avoided meeting us, and are now near Sparta. We will give them attention on our return. I trust you will be able to engage the attention of Starnes until we can overtake him. I shall push on to Chattanooga to-morrow.

General Leadbetter makes the following report:

General Adams surprised at 3 p. m. yesterday, 12 miles northwest of Jasper, Tenn., by reported force of 4,000 Federals. Confederate killed and missing 100, including General and Major Adams. Enemy in strong detachments yesterday at Stevenson and Bridgeport. Avow descent on Chattanooga. Expected opposite us this afternoon. Our effective force here, 1,330. Can make stand if re-enforcements sent.

I have sent General Leadbetter eight companies (450 men), all the available force I have, with instructions to hold Chattanooga and its approaches as long as possible.