Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 6.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[577] roads. We supposed, as the army halted at the top of the hill to rest the men and horses, that the rebels were making off as fast as their stolen steeds could take them. Directly the words, “They are coming back!” passed along the column, and every man was in his saddle and pressing forward. Sure enough, on the Albany road here they came in force. This proved to be reenforcements sent from Albany. Having failed to reach Chenault at Monticello, they took the other road, in hopes of rendering assistance on the Jamestown road. No one estimates them at less than one thousand five hundred, some as high as two thousand five hundred. They were mounted, and had one rifled gun and one or two small howitzers. They had not yet reached the Jamestown road, but were rapidly approaching, with an audacity that looked like superior numbers. General Carter riding forward, ordered Colonel Wolford, with the First Kentucky cavalry, two companies of the Second Ohio, and the same number of the Seventh Ohio cavalry, to engage them.

Passing through the woods, they came at once upon the advancing columns of the enemy. A brisk musketry fire was opened immediately by both parties. Soon a section of Law's mountain howitzers, which had been sent forward under the gallant and efficient Lieutenant Law, made themselves heard. The enemy fell back across the open fields and again formed, our troops pressing them as much as their inferior numbers would render safe. Colonel Wolford having sent forward for support, the One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois, Colonel Henderson, was at once despatched to his assistance. The enemy were pressed back still further, and now retired a mile and a half. Thus matters stood on the right at four o'clock. A half-hour earlier, the enemy in considerable numbers had threatened our centre and left, evidently with the intention of rushing in and cutting off our communication with the reserve; but General Carter had already anticipated their intention, and had a section of Law's mountain howitzer battery placed in position on our centre. They now drew up in line of battle, when the Second Ohio cavalry, Colonel Kautz, was ordered to attack them. Major Gratz, Gen. Carter's Adjutant-General, begged permission to accompany them, when he, with Captain Pike, of company I), Second Ohio cavalry, followed by his splendid command, (the escort of the General,) and the remainder of the regiment, dashed off in splendid style. But the rebels would not stand. Our Colt's revolving rifles sent their little messengers whizzing about their ears, and away they went. The chase was kept up for five miles, the enemy carrying off their dead and wounded. The rebels, in this pursuit, disrobed themselves of their lousy overcoats, haversacks, canteens, etc., leaving their track marked by a shower of greasy butternut garments. The Second East-Tennessee, Colonel Carter, arriving, with a section of the Wilder battery, under Lieut. Ricketts, the Forty-fifth Ohio, Colonel Runkle, with one of the guns, was ordered to the support of Col. Wolford, who, with his short-range guns, had been unable to dislodge the enemy. They were hurried forward and the rifled gun placed in position. A few rounds from this caused the rebels to fall entirely away.

Evening was now drawing its shades over the scene of strife, and our forces having driven the enemy two miles, it was deemed proper to recall them and concentrate for the night, for they were already much separated and not in a condition to rest securely while threatened by an enemy of unknown strength. Our forces accordingly fell back to Monticello, where our reserve, under Col. Casement, of the One Hundred and Third Ohio, had been left to guard the other approach from Albany. It was nine o'clock when our men got into camp, where, after a day of rare excitement, of arduous duties, of noble stands, of gallant charges, they could prepare a hasty supper and throw themselves down upon the ground, under a moonlit sky, to rest their tired limbs and dream of an enemy baffled, driven, defeated, of a country disenthralled, and of the loved ones away, who, probably, little knew of the dangers to which their friends that day had been exposed.

I have heard of but one man killed. None were wounded seriously enough to mention. The enemy left nine dead upon the field; no doubt they carried as many off as they could get away, for they were seen to gather up bodies and throw them across horses in front of their men, to be borne away. How many were wounded we have no means of knowing, as they were nearly all removed.

We captured one Major, Lieutenant Terrell, of Chenault's cavalry, and made about twenty other prisoners, that we know of. This, no doubt, will be increased, as they are coming in every hour. It was rather a singular spectacle to see an East-Tennessee prisoner having numerous friends come up to give him a hearty shake of the hand. Poor fellow! he no doubt was an unwilling subject of Jeff Davis, for he was a conscript, and had been in the service but two months. Beside the prisoners, several horses, muskets, and carbines were taken.

I am satisfied that there is much destitution among Southern troops; for, having the curiosity to look into the haversack of a dead rebel, I found a piece of hard, musty bread, that looked as if it had been baked for months, and handled with dirty hands as long. I am sure a hog would have to be hungry to eat it.

I cannot speak too well of the behavior of our troops. During their tiresome march, and their almost superhuman efforts at the river, they bore all with patience; and when a day of continued fighting came, those who were engaged threw themselves against the enemy with a force that was resistless, while those left in reserve fretted for a chance to be led against the foe. General Carter managed his forces skilfully, penetrated the enemy's designs, and made his dispositions in such a way as to defeat the enemy at every point. The force of the enemy is variously estimated. None place it less than two thousand,