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893 Series I Volume XVI-I Serial 22 - Morgan's First Kentucky Raid, Perryville Campaign Part I

Page 893 Chapter XXVIII. OPERATIONS OF WHEELER'S CAVALRY.

Oct. 13, 1862.--Wheeler placed in command of all the cavalry of Bragg's army.

Skirmish on the Lancaster Road, Ky.

14, 1862.--Skirmishes at Lancaster and on Crab Orchard Road, Ky.

15, 186'2.--Skirmishes at Crab Orchard and Barren Mound, Ky.

16, 1862.--Skirmishes at Mountain Gap and Mount Vernon, Ky.

17, 1862.--Skirmishes at Valley Woods and Rocky Hill, Ky.

18, 1862.--Skirmishes at Cross-Roads, Big Hill, Little Rockcastle River, and

Mountain Side, Ky.

19, 1862.--Skirmish at Wild Cat, Ky.

20, 1862.--Skirmish near Wild Cat, Ky.

21, 1862.--Skirmish at Pitman's Cross-Roads, Ky.

22, 1862.--Command arrives at London.

Report of Brigadier General Joseph Wheeler, C. S. Army.


HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY,
Knoxville, Tenn., October 30, 1862.

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that on August 27 I moved

across the Tennessee River at Chattanooga with a brigade of cavalry,

consisting of parts of the First Alabama and First Kentucky Regi-

ments.

On the 28th we moved in front of General Hardee's wing. The next

day I received an order to march toward Altamont and drive in the

enemy's scouts on the mountain. We arrived near Altamont at day-

light on the morning of the 30th and drove in their pickets on three

sides, firing into their camp and killing, as we afterwards learned,

1 colonel, 1 captain, and 2 privates. The enemy were so alarmed and

deceived that General Buell reported in his official statement, subse-

quently made to a council of war at Nashville, that General Hardee

attempted to cross the mountain with his corps, but by his placing a

large force at Altamont he had compelled General Hardee to fall back

into the valley. A Jew hours before we reached Altamont the enemy

had an infantry brigade in ambush on the road, but on our approach

they marched in and joined their main body. After having menaced

their flanks until 12 m. we returned to Sequatchie Valley. We then

moved northward, covering the rear and left flank of the army, having

slight skirmish near Fleming's.

We arrived at Carthage on September 7, where we were joined by the

Third Georgia Regiment, and the First Alabama was detached. That

night I received orders to proceed toward Nashville and harass the

enemy, &c. At Hartsville I was joined by Colonel [J. D.] Bennett

[Ninth Tennessee Cavalry], with about 200 men. The enemy being on

the march from Nashville to Bowling Green, we hovered along their

flank, occasionally skirmishing and making captures and destroying

the railroad and telegraph at every opportunity. A scout succeeded

in capturing a stage, containing a Federal colonel and lieutenant bear-

ing important dispatches. The two Federal officers and the dispatches

were sent to the main army.

On the night of the 11th General Crittenden's entire division encamped

at Woodburn, Ky. My entire command, consisting of nearly 700 men,

were placed in ambush on the road he would have to pass in moving on

his way to Bowling Green. Soon after daylight he commenced to move,

but when near our position the head of the column, discovering us, turned

back. After waiting for some time, having captured a captain and several

privates, we withdrew about 2 miles from the pike to rest and feed

the command.


Page 893 Chapter XXVIII. OPERATIONS OF WHEELER'S CAVALRY.