Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 8.
Frank Moore, Ed.

sir: I have the honor to report that having received information that four deserters from the Union army were secreted near Tiptonville, Tennessee, I went with forty men of my command and embarked on a steamer at two o'clock A. M., February seventeenth, 1864, and proceeded down the river to Riley's Landing, six miles below Tiptonville. At Riley's house we seized a small amount of Government ammunition and several guns. Being unable to carry away the arms, we destroyed them, and then went to the house of a certain Lewis, where we succeeded in capturing five of a gang of guerrillas, which had been infesting the bend for five months past; and, together with them, captured their arms, shot-guns, revolvers, and eight horses. These men were in bed, having their pistols under their pillows, but being taken completely by surprise, made no resistance. From this point we marched to the place where Federal deserters were reported to have been employed, but could find no trace of them.

There being no prospect of effecting further captures, we hailed a boat at Tiptonville, and returned to the post.

One prisoner, Owen Edwards, who was lieutenant to Merriweather's company of bushwhackers, is reported to have been in command of a party which fired into a Government boat below Tiptonville, about three months ago. Another one, Lewis Claims, belongs to Faulkner's command. Gregg says he was a private in Merriweather's gang, but deserted him when Merriweather went South. George Moore, also member of the same party, formerly of the army of Clayton, we have no particular information of, but he was found with the rest at Lewis's house. Lewis is a paroled prisoner, and was formerly a captain in the Fifteenth Tennessee volunteers, of the rebel army, and states that during the last six months the guerrillas have eaten over two hundred dollars' worth of provisions at his house. He has a pass from General Quimby, formerly commanding this district.

Of the captured horses eight have been sent to Columbus.

At nearly every house we visited, we found guns, which we destroyed.

The prisoners will be examined and sent to Captain Williams.