June 7, 1862.-skirmish at Readyville, Tenn.
Report of Col. J. W. Starnes, Third Tennessee Cavalry.
Loudon, Tenn., June 18, 1862.
Captain: I have the honor to report that about the 1st of this month I crossed the Cumberland Mountains with 300 men of my regiment, a section of Captain Kain's battery of artillery, and 80 men under command of Major Estes.
In accordance with arrangements made with Colonels Adams and Davis, I moved from Hulbert's Cove to form a junction with them at or near Rutledge's, some 4 miles from Cowen's Depot.
On arriving at the point designated I found the enemy passing
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up the mountain with a force of about 4,500 men, under command of General Negley.
Believing I could form a junction with Colonels Adams and Davis at Jasper before the enemy could reach that point, I recrossed the mountain at night by way of Tracy City.
On reaching Tracy City I learned the enemy were already in possession of Jasper, and my command would be entirely cut off from Chattanooga before I could possibly reach there.
I determined to shape my course toward McMinnville, by way of Altamont, which I did.
On reaching a point some 6 or 8 miles from MeMinnville I learned that a body of the enemy's cavalry were at that place.
I immediately moved forward with Captains Thompson's, McLemore's, and D. W. Alexander's companies, overtaking the enemy in Readyville, about 12 miles east of Murfreesborough, capturing 68, killing 8 of their number, and wounding others.
I brought the prisoners to the Sparta road, where I thought it expedient to parole them.
The party captured was composed of parts of Colonel Wynkoop's Pennsylvania regiment, Fourth Kentucky, and about 14 of Andrew Johnson's body guard, under the command of Captain Ulkhout.
The greater portion of the men captured were greatly rejoiced at the idea of being paroled, getting home, and quitting a service with which they were disgusted.
I am gratified to report to the commanding general that during the expedition all the officers and men of my command performed their duty well, and, although arduous, without a murmur.
In making this report I would beg leave to bring to the notice of the commanding general Private Whitset, of Captain McLemore's company, who acted on one occasion with great gallantry and skill in killing at one shot three of the enemy and a fourth man with the other barrel of his shot-gun.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. W. Starnes, Colonel, Commanding Third Tennessee Cavalry.
