Today in History:

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

Page 540 KY.,MID. AND E.TENN.,N.ALA.,AND SW. VA. Chapter XXXV.

Duck River. The charge upon the enemy's battery was led by the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, headed by Captain Davis, and, as the charge was made down a stone pike, by fours, upon a three-gun battery, supported by mounted infantry (dismounted), the annals of this war will not probably show a more gallant charge. The enemy threw away their arms in their flight and two of their generals-Wheeler and Martin-escaped by swimming the river. Some five or six hundred stand of arms and a considerable amount of commissary and ordnance stores fell into our hands. For the details of this gallant affair, I refer you to the reports of General Mitchell and Colonel Minty.

At midnight I learned from one of my scouts that Forrest's command, which had floundered in the mud all day between Unionville and Middleton, was crossing Duck River 4 miles below us, in great disorder, and endeavoring to escape to Tullahoma.

I consulted General Granger as to the propriety of moving our whole force to attack and intercept him, but the general was of the opinion that the command was too much wearied to move in the night. As the matter turned out, I think it was very unfortunate that this attack was not made, as I think we could have completely routed this part of Forrest's force.

[June] 28, marched the command back to Guy's Gap and supplied ourselves with rations and ammunition.

[June] 29, having detached four regiments from my command for service at Murfreesborough, I marched the remainder, starting at 1 a.m., to Shelbyville, hoping to surprise some of Forrest's stragglers, but finding no rebels in Shelbyville, marched the command to Fairfield, Mitchell's First Brigade going on to Beech Grove.

[June] 30, moved from Fairfield to Manchester; but owing to scarcity of forage, marched Mitchell's division back, by the Pan-Handle road, to Walker's Mill.

July 1, Colonel Minty's brigade marched back to Walker's Mill. Learning, at 2 p.m., that Bragg's army had evacuated Tullahoma, orders were given for the entire cavalry force to march to Pelham, via Hillsborough. General Turchin, with a part of Colonel Long's brigade, not more than 400 men in all, and Captain Stokes, with one section of his battery, started for Hillsborough at 11 p.m. General Mitchell's division and Minty's brigade arrived at Manchester the morning of July 2. It having been ascertained that the enemy had not retreated by the way of Pelham, a courier was sent to General Turchin to change his direction and march to Decherd. The main column, under my command, marched early in the morning for the same point, via Morris' Ford. We arrived at this place at 1 p.m., and found that the small force (only twelve companies) under General Turchin's command had been repulsed in their attempt to cross in the forenoon. General Turchin, having arrived in advance of my column, immediate measures were taken to force the passage. General Mitchell was directed to cross the upper and General Turchin the lower ford. This was effected with little opposition-a fortunate circumstance, as the current was swift, and almost swam a horse. Colonel Long's small brigade crossed first, and was soon engaged in a very heavy skirmish with the enemy's cavalry, driving them in the direction of Decherd.

The remainder of Turchin's and Mitchell's divisions came to the support as soon as they had crossed, and the enemy was pressed until night closed. This skirmish was disastrous to the enemy, 1 of his colonels being killed and 1 mortally wounded, who fell into our hands, besides


Page 540 KY.,MID. AND E.TENN.,N.ALA.,AND SW. VA. Chapter XXXV.