Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[490] saving the train, one piece of artillery, and rescuing from their grasp many of our men taken as prisoners. One of my staff, Lieutenant Rielly, being a prisoner in their hands, was released. Lieutenant Murray, of the Third Ohio, displayed energy, courage, and coolness upon this occasion, in executing my orders. I also take great pride in mentioning the prompt manner with which my staff conveyed my orders in all these engagements.

Two of my orderlies displayed high order of chivalry. Jaggers charged upon two rebel cavalry, rescuing two men of the Fourth Ohio volunteer cavalry, who were being taken off as prisoners. The other, Farrish, shot two of the rebels, and came to my rescue in a personal encounter with a rebel, who was in the act of levelling his pistol at my head, but he found a carbine levelled into his own face, and at my order to surrender, he delivered his pistols, carbine, and horse to me. They both deserve promotion, and would make good officers.

The able and undaunted spirit and ability which Colonel Minty has displayed whenever coming under my eye, I take great satisfaction in noticing. The officers and men all displayed great self-sacrifice. Major Wynkoop, of the Seventh Pennsylvania, commanding, and Lieutenant Wooley, Adjutant-General of the First brigade, carried out every order with unhesitating energy and will, displaying the highest order of gallantry.

Captain E. Otis, of the Fourth regular cavalry, although he does not belong to my division, but being posted on the left wing of our skirmishers on the march on the Manchester road, I feel it my duty as well as take great pleasure in stating he is an able and .efficient officer.

Brigadier-General D. S. Stanley being in command of the forces pursuing the retiring rebels on the march, it fell to my lot to convey and see his orders executed. Before closing this report it is my duty to make honorable mention of the meritorious conduct of Lieutenant Newell, commanding a section of artillery attached to my division. During the first day's engagement near Lavergne, he placed his two pieces on well-selected ground, and did great execution, killing three horses, dismounting seven, and scattering the rebel cavalry by his well and timely aimed shots. He has on several occasions displayed talents of the first order as an artillerist.

It would not be amiss at this time to state that my entire command were short of rations, performing duty, night and day, in the wet field without shelter, exposed to the wet, cold, and hunger, without a murmur. Major Paransom, of the Third Ohio, displayed great presence of mind and determination in maintaining his position on the right flank with his battalion, to cover an ammunition train, long after the cavalry on his right had been driven away by the enemy's shells.

Your obedient servant,

I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the Second division, under my command, beginning December twenty-sixth, 1862, the day upon which it left Nashville, and terminating on January sixth, 1863:

Agreeably to orders, the divisions of the right wing of the Fourteenth army corps marched from their camps near Nashville, taking the Nolensville pike, and arrived in that village the same day, at four o'clock P. M. On the following day the same divisions, with mine in advance, marched to Triune. The rebel rearguard contested the ground inch by inch, and the day was passed constantly skirmishing with them, with no loss on our side, but several casualties on their part. Triune was occupied by my division about four P. M. The following day (December twenty-eighth), the command remained in Triune. A reconnoissance, to ascertain the direction the enemy had retreated, was made by a brigade of my command, commanded by Brigadier-General A. Willich. It having ascertained that the enemy had retreated toward Murfreesboro, I was ordered to leave a brigade at Triune, and. on the twenty-ninth to march on Murfreesboro on what is known as the Balle Jack road. Colonel P. P. Baldwin, Third brigade, was left at Triune. The command arrived at Wilkinson's Cross-roads about eight P. M., on the twenty-ninth, and an order sent at once to Colonel Baldwin to move forward his brigade, which arrived early on the afternoon of the thirtieth. My division was in reserve on the twenty-ninth. On the following morning, December thirtieth, General Sheridan's division was ordered to advance in line of battle, covering the Wilkinson pike, while General Davis' division marched in the same order, on the right of General Sheridan. My division, being held in reserve, was marched in column on the pike. There being no troops on General Davis' right, and General Sheridan's left being guarded by General Crittenden's left wing (N. B.--Negley's division of centre), I was ordered to oblique to the right, covering the right of General Davis' division. About two o'clock P. M., I received an order from Major-General McCook to look well to my right, as General Hardee (rebel), with his corps, was on the right flank of our column. I ordered the Second brigade, Brigadier-General E. N. Kirk commanding, to take position with his brigade, his left resting against the right of General Davis, his right refused so as to coyer our right flank. About dark I placed General Willich's on the right of Kirk's, refusing his right, and directed a heavy line of skirmishers to be thrown forward, connecting on the left with those of General Davis, and extending to the right and rear, near the Wilkinson pike. This line of skirmishers was thrown forward about six hundred yards, and