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216 Series I Volume XXIII-I Serial 34 - Tullahoma Campaign Part I

Page 216 KY., MID. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA. Chapter XXXV.

fired, and nearly all of them struck the train. Some of the men ran up the track and stopped the passenger trains. After the rebels left, the three trains ran into Nashville about midnight.

E. A. PAINE,

Brigadier-General.

Brigadier General JAMES A. GARFIELD, Chief of Staff.


Numbers 2. Report of Colonel George P. Este, Fourteenth Ohio Infantry, of affair at Antioch Station, Tenn.,


HDQRS. 2nd BRIGADE, 3rd DIVISION, 14TH ARMY CORPS,
La Vergne, April 12, 1863.

COLONEL: I have the honor to report the following relative to the attack upon the Nashville and Murfreesborough passenger train, upon the 10th ultimo [instant]:The train was attacked 5 1\2 miles from La Vergne, toward Nashville, about 4.30 p. m., by a force of between 200 and 300 rebels, besides a supporting force of about 200 held in reserve, and one threatening the stockade at Mill Creek, in all about 600, under the command of either General Wharton or Colonel [Baxter] smith, of the Tennessee cavalry. The resistance by the train guard was of a fable character, owing, doubtless, to the suddenness of the attack and the fatal effects of the rebel fire. The guard soon fled, and the rebels took possession of the train, capturing most of the passengers, releasing some 43 prisoners, plundering the mail and express packages, and robbing the passengers of money, watches, clothing, boots and hats, and setting fire to and destroying seven cars. They accomplished all this in less than twenty minutes and retired with their prisoners and booty, reaching and crossing Williams 'Ford, 10 miles from La Vergne, some time before dark.

At a point some 2 miles beyond the river they paroled the prisoners, about 70 in number, excepting Colonel Wood, Fifteenth Indiana Volunteers, Colonel Buell, Fifty-eight Indiana

Volunteers, Major Cupp, First Ohio Cavalry, Captain Milburn and Captain Bevill, Tenth Kentucky Volunteers, and 7 other officers, who refused to accept a parole. Taking these officers with them, the rebels moved in the direction of Baird's Mills, upon the Lebanon and Murfreesborough pike, intending to reach there before daylight.

The loss of the Federals was 6 killed and 13 wounded, 3 mortally. The rebels lost 6 killed, 6 wounded, and 3 prisoners.

I did not hear of the attack upon the train until nearly 6 o'clock, when I immediately ordered out all the cavalry here (about 100) and ten companies of infantry. The cavalry I sent down the pike to intercept, if possible, the rebel retreat, while I placed the infantry upon a train of cars, to be immediately moved to the scene of action. Both cavalry and infantry arrived too late to do any good, the rebels having too far the start.

I need not assure you of my vexation at this successful raid. Prior to its occurrence I had received, as I thought, the most satisfactory evidence from scouts, citizens, and contrabands that no rebels were in the vicinity in any considerable force. During the week I had scoured both sides of Stone's River myself, with the cavalry, without being able either to see or hear of any rebel force.. The successful expeditions of Colonel Wilder and General Mitchell had caused me to believe that there were


Page 216 KY., MID. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA. Chapter XXXV.