he not until he had fired at and wounded a Lin-
colnite severely in the arm. Not a musket or
cannon was lost by our men. The enemy re
turned to the Pass at early candle-light, immedi
ately embarked on board the steamer Lewis, and
left the Pass, to the infinite relief of the inhabit
ants. The force of the enemy, as admitted by
themselves, was one thousand four hundred, and
was composed in part of the Ninth regiment of
Connecticut volunteers, belonging to the Irish
brigade. The officers generally were spirited and
fine-looking men, and the soldiers well armed
and equipped, and appeared in excellent condi
tion.
We were informed by one of the men that the
forces under command of Gen. Butler, now upon
Ship Island, amount to fourteen thousand, and
that fifteen thousand more were expected daily
to arrive ; that they occasionally get the New-
Orleans papers and receive a mail twice a month
from New- York.
That they are fully posted as regards the affairs
of the coast we believe, and that we have had and
now have traitors in our midst no one can for a
moment doubt. The officers with whom we con
versed express the belief, in all apparent sinceri
ty, that the rebellion will be put down and the
Southern Confederacy completely wiped out with
in the next two months. Here ye, hear ye ! all
you that haven t paid your fare, will, in accord
ance with the above prediction, please step up to
the captain s office and settle. "The weary sun
hath made a golden set, and, by the bright track
of his fiery car, gives token of a goodly day to
morrow." We still live.
Doc. 22.
THE FIGHT AT LEBANON, TENN.
GENERAL DUMONT S DESPATCH.
LEBANON, TENN., May 5.
I SURPRISED and attacked the enemy under Cols
Morgan and Wood this morning at four o clock,
at this place, and after a hard-fought battle of one
and a half hours, and a running fight of eighteen
miles in pursuit, achieved a complete and sub
stantial victory. My force was about six hundred,
composed of detachments from Col. AVynkoop s
Seventh Pennsylvania, Col. G. Clay Smith s Fifth
Kentucky, and Col. Wolford s First Kentucky
cavalry ; that of the enemy, as stated by himself,
upward of eight hundred. Beside which, the dis
loyal inhabitants, not in the army, opened a mur
derous fire on our soldiers from their houses, and
kept it up until all the organized forces of the
enemy had fled or were slain or captured.
The forces on either side were exclusively
mounted. I captured, say one hundred and fifty
prisoners, among whom is Lieut. -Col. Robert C.
Wood, late of the United States army, three cap
tains, four lieutenants, and upward of one hun
dred and fifty horses and one hundred stand of
arms. Our killed will not exceed six, and our
wounded twenty-five. Among the latter are Cols.
G. Clay Smith and Wolford, the former in the
leg, the latter in the abdomen. We lost no pris
oners except Major Givan, Seventh Pennsylvania
cavalry, who fell into the hands of the enemy
during the street-fight, by mistaking them for our
own troops.
In this little affair intrepidity and personal dar
ing were conspicuous throughout.
REPORT OF GENERAL W. W. DUFFIELD.
HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-THIRD BRIGADE, |
MCRFREESBORO, TENN., Tuesday, May 6, 1S62. f
CAPTAIN : Agreeably to verbal instructions re
ceived from Brig. -Gen. E. Duinont, I started in
pursuit of the rebel force commanded by Colonel
John H. Morgan, which attacked Gen. Mitchel s
train at Pulaski, leaving early on the morning of
the third instant, and taking with me the Ninth
Michigan infantry, Lieut. -Col. Parkhurst, and the
Eighth Kentucky infantry, Col. Barnes.
Upon reaching Wartrace, and finding that the
Fourth Kentucky cavalry, Col. Smith, had been
ordered to Shelbyville, I directed Col. Barnes to
occupy that place with the Eighth Kentucky in
fantry, where it still remains. The Ninth Michi
gan moved on to Shelbyville, where it arrived at
four P.M. Learning from scouts that the enemy
was at Unionville, and moving northward, I tele
graphed Col. Lester, of the Third Minnesota in
fantry, to place a strong guard at the bridges-near
Murfreesboro, and Colonel Barnes, of the Eighth
Kentucky infantry, to adopt a similar precaution
116
REBELLION RECORD, 1862.
near Wartrace ; and after bivouacking for the
night on the Fayetteville road, near Shelbyville,
proceeded to Murfreesboro at daybreak on the
fourth instant, by railway, with the Ninth Michi
gan infantry, halting at the cross-roads, and
throwing out scouting parties in both directions.
On reaching Murfreesboro, in the afternoon, I
learned that the enemy, at noon, had crossed the
railway ten miles north of this place, tearing up
the track, and burning a quantity of cotton stored
there, and that upon the arrival of the First Ken
tucky cavalry, Col. Wolford, from Nashville, Col.
Lester had despatched that force in pursuit, to
gether with the third battalion of Pennsylvania
cavalry, Major Givan.
The Fourth Kentucky cavalry, Colonel Smith,
having arrived with Gen. Dumont, and yourself
from Shelbyville, and the third battalion of the
Seventh Pennsylvania cavalry, with Col. Wyn-
koop from Nashville ; both these forces were de
spatched for Lebanon, where, within eight miles
from Murfreesboro, I met this force returning,
under the impression that I had been cut off at
Shelbyville and needed reinforcements. I di
rected this force to turn back and unite with the
one recently from Murfreesboro, and pushed on
all night for Lebanon ; halted at one o clock on
the morning of the fifth instant, within four miles
of that place, and rested until daybreak. The
column was then put in motion, proceeded at the
trot, drove in the pickets and charged into town.
The enemy was completely surprised, and was
only aware of our presence by the fire of his
pickets, posted less than a mile from the village.
His main force was quartered at the college
buildings on the outskirts of the town, from
which he endeavored to reach the livery stables
in the village to saddle up and mount, but being-
overtaken by the head of our column, threw him
self into the houses lining the road, and main
tained a heavy and well-sustained fire from the
windows upon each side of the street. He was,
however, driven from house to house until he fled
<rom the town in the wildest confusion.
I need not inform you of the personal daring
,.nd gallantry of our troops, exposed as they were
to this murderous cross and flanking fire from a
sheltered and concealed foe, yet still delivering
their fire at the windows with great coolness and
precision, falling back to load and again return
ing to the attack, as both Gen. Dumont and your
self were present and can speak from personal
observation. During the time occupied in forcing
the street, a large portion of the enemy rallied in
the public square, but were repulsed by a vigor
ous charge, and retreated toward the north and
east, our troops following in close pursuit, Gen.
Dumont and yourself having followed, directing |
the pursuit, and being left in charge of the town,
I directed Lieut. -Col. Parkhurst to search the vil
lage and collect the wounded with the small force
which did not join in the pursuit. While so en
gaged, several scattering shots were fired upon
us from the windows of the adjoining houses, and
a sudden and most unexpected volley poured in
from the windows of the Odd Fellows Hall.
The attack was so unexpected that the troops
fell back in great disorder, but were soon rallied
in the public square. The Odd Fellows Hall was
a large brick building in the centre of the village,
immediately opposite the stable occupied by a
portion of the enemy s horses, and he had thrown
himself into it, barricaded the lower windows and
doors, and was firing from the second story win
dows. Having no artillery with which to shell
him out, I directed Capt. Essington, the officer in
command of the troops remaining in the village,
to dismount his men, and advancing under cover
of the houses and stables on the other side of the
street, to maintain a steady fire upon the win
dows, and when the enemy had been silenced, to
demand an unconditional surrender, and in case
of refusal to fire the building. This was done,
and the enemy laid down his arms and surren
dered unconditionally to Lieut. -Col. Parkhurst.
His force consisted of fifty privates, ten non-com
missioned officers, four lieutenants, a captain, and
the field-officer in command, Lieut. -Col. Robert
E. Wood, Jr., of Adams s cavalry in all sixty-
six who were turned over to Gen. Dumont, on
his return that afternoon.
I enclose you herewith the list of prisoners
taken, and an inventory of the captured arms.
I remain, Captain, your obedient servant,
WM. W. DUFFIELD,
Colonel Commanding Twenty-third Brigade.
To Capt. T. P. M. BRAYTON,
Assist. Adjt.-General, Nashville.
Doc. 23.
BRAGG S ADDRESS TO HIS ARMY.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS, )
ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Conixra, May 5. )
SOLDIERS : You are again about to encounter
the mercenary invader who pollutes the sacred
soil of our beloved country. Severely punished
by you, and driven from his chosen positions
with a loss of his artillery and his honor at Shi-
loh, when double your numbers, he now ap
proaches cautiously and timidly unwilling to
advance, unable to retreat. Could his rank and
file enjoy a freeman s right, not one would remain
within our limits ; but they are goaded on under
a tyrant s lash by desperate leaders, whose only
safety lies in success.
Such a foe ought never to conquer freemen
battling upon their own soil.
You will encounter him in your chosen posi
tion, strong by nature and improved by art
away from his main support and reliance gun
boats and heavy batteries and, for the first time
in this war, with nearly equal numbers. The
slight reverses we have met on the sea-board
have worked us good as well as evil ; the brave
troops so long retained there have hastened to
swell your numbers, while the gallant Van Dorn
and invincible Price, with the ever-successful
" Army of the West," are now in your midst,
with numbers almost equalling the "Army of
Shiloh." We have, then, but to striVe and des-
DOCUMENTS.
117
troy, and as the enemy s whole resources are con
centrated here, we shall not only redeem Tennes
see, Kentucky, and Missouri at one blow, but open
the portals of the whole North-west.
BRAXTON BRAGG,
General Commanding Second Corps.
G. C. GARNER,
Assist. Adjt.- General.
Doc. 24.
BATTLE OF FARMINGTON, MISS.
GENERAL POPE S REPORT.
NEAR FARMINGTON, May 9 P.M.
To Major- General Hdlleck:
THE enemy, twenty thousand strong, drove in
our pickets beyond Farmington, and advanced
upon the brigade occupying the further side of
the creek in front of my camp. The brigade
held on for five hours, until finding them heavily
pressed in front and on the flank, and that I
could not sustain them without passing the creek
with my whole force, which would have been
contrary to your orders, and would have drawn
on a general engagement, I withdrew them to
this side in good order. The conduct of the
troops was excellent, and the withdrawal was
made by them very reluctantly.
The enemy made a demonstration to cross, but
abandoned the movement. Our loss is consider
able, though I cannot yet tell how great. The
enemy, being much exposed, suffered very severe
ly one of his batteries being completely dis
abled, and his infantry line having been driven
back several times. My command are eager for
the advance.
(Signed) JOHN POPE,
Major-General.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF COLONEL HATCH.
CAMP NEAR FARMINGTON, May 10.
Lieutenant Mar den, A.A.G. Brigade:
I had the honor to report, complying with
orders to report, with Second regiment to Gen.
Granger. Did so, receiving instructions from
Gen. Pope to report to General commanding the
advance. I reported at twelve o clock to Gen.
Palmer, who ordered me to throw out two com
panies to the left of the Farmington road, and
hold the balance of command in reserve. Our
infantry, who had held the field above us, being
driven in to the brow of the hill, Gen. Paine
ordered the regiment to charge the enemy s bat
teries. Moving the column to the top of the hill,
ordered Major Kuhen, with companies H, G, and
C, of the Second battalion, and Major Love, with
the Third battalion, to charge the batteries on
our right ; Major Hepburn those on our left, in
echelon of squadrons, deploying the columns to
the right and left.
When we passed the infantry columns we
attacked their skirmishers and supports, driving
them in, killing and wounding some. No effect
was produced on the battery on our left. Near
the main Farmington road the battery and sup
ports were protected by a rail fence. Major
Kuhen gallantly attacked the battery near the
building known as the cotton-mill, company F
Lieut. Reilley, alone attacking two guns in bat*
tery on our extreme right. The centre battery
was fairly carried, the enemy limbering up his
guns without taking them off the field.
Finding our horses badly blown for a long
charge over rough ground, going a distance of
twelve hundred yards, and the infantry in great
force, ordered all companies on the right to re
treat to the right and rear, forming on the swamp
road, and those on the left, to then join their
command.
The conduct of men and officers was in every
respect commendatory. Captains Lundy and Eg
bert, Lieutenants Owen, Horton, Suetger, all had
horses killed under them. There were about
four hundred men in the charges. Our loss will
scarcely exceed fifty killed and wounded ; -fifty
horses, as many wounded and unserviceable.
EDWARD HATCH,
Lieut.-Col. Commanding Second Iowa Cavalry.
CINCINNATI " COMMERCIAL " ACCOUNT.
CAMP NEAR FARMINGTON, Miss., |
May 10, 1802. f
Gen. Pope s little army have been chafing and
edging up toward the enemy for ten days, several
miles in advance of the main column. It is
rather a remarkable fact that our army should
have come from Fort Pillow all the way to this
place, and then be ready for action so much in
advance of the main army which was said to be
ready before we left the Mississippi River.
On the eighth we made an armed reconnoissarice
in force upon the enemy, drove in his pickets,
and took a peep at the Memphis and Charleston
Railroad, and some of the huge guns planted for
its protection. We took headquarters in Farm
ington, run our telegraph wires to that ancient
city of now one inhabitant the town all finished
fifty years ago and spent rather a pleasant day
in the reconnoitre. Our loss was small but two
killed and four wounded. We, however, met
with the severe loss of our friend, Dr. E. W.
Thrall, surgeon of the Twenty-seventh Ohio regi
ment, who was captured by the enemy while
moving a short distance to the rear for his ambu
lances. The woods were very dense, and caval
rymen, it appears, dropped in behind the column,
and were seen after our men had passed. Dr.
Thrall is much missed by us all, and we hope
soon to hear from and release him from his bond
age. At dusk we drew in our columns and lef
pickets stationed at Farmington, while the wholi
army fell back three miles to the old camp. The
next morning our telegraph operator sent us a
hasty despatch and cut his machine loose, and
retired with our pickets before a line of battle ex
tending over a distance of two miles. From tima
to time he hooked on to the wire and told us o
the progress of the rebels. One brigade and one
battery, which remained over the creek which
bounds our camp southward, ready to aid the
pickets, gave them a warm reception, but owing
118
REBELLION RECORD, 1862.
to a despatch from Gen. Halleck, requesting that
no general engagement should be brought on,
Gen. Paine was ordered to fall back over the
stream when pressed too hard. He fought the
whole command of the enemy, numbering from
twenty-five to thirty thousand men, for four
hours, then fell back in good order.
Gen. Paine and Gen. Palmer both conducted
the affair with credit to themselves, and their
men behaved admirably. Our men were greatly
in hopes that the enemy would push on toward
our camp over the creek, where the main force
was silently awaiting their approach. But, per
haps, thinking they had seen enough of glory,
they wisely concluded not to carry out their
boast (as told us by deserters) of driving us into
the Tennessee River.
Knowing we were at Farmington the night be
fore, they evidently expected to flank us and cut
us off from the main army, and get up a little
private fight a la Shiloh. But Gen. Pope s head
quarters is not ten miles from camp, and faithful
sentinels are far enough in advance to allow us
to coolly get ready in line of battle, and then
take a good lunch before they arrive, which is
slightly different from shooting down men with
trowsers in one hand and musket unloaded in the
other. (If the people of Ohio do not investigate
the cause of disgrace which has been tried to be
fastened upon her brave soldiers, she is unworthy
of them.) But the enemy fell back, and at dusk,
leaving our pickets strong, our poor tired boys
fell back to their tents and slept till three o clock
this morning, when they took position and were
ready for an expected attack at daylight. Our
loss was twenty-one killed, one hundred and
forty wounded, and ten missing.
The enemy s loss in both of our engagements,
if we can believe the deserters, has been very
severe. One deserter to-day informs us that in
his regiment ten were killed and ninety wounded.
As they stood so much thicker on the ground, it
is reasonable to suppose that their loss was hea
vier than our own.
Lieut.-Col. Miles, of the Forty-seventh Illinois,
was killed. There was but few casualties in the
Ohio brigade, as it was held in reserve at the
batteries. Most of the killed and wounded were
in the Iowa cavalry and Illinois infantry, and
Hescock s battery. The last-named battery was
handled most beautifully.
To-day Gen. Nelson is closing up the Four
Mile Gap, and soon the word will be "forward."
The rebels have greatly the advantage by their
knowledge of the country, as well as in position
and superiority in numbers. The country is
very much broken, with many running streams
between the hills, on either side of which there
are marshes from fifty yards to half a mile in
width, which are impassable to horses and wag
ons. We have to make our roads as we proceed
forward. Every man in our army knows all the
minutiae about building corduroy roads, and the
necessity of keeping on them when they are built.
To-day we took our wounded aboard the boats
for &t Louis. Most of their wounds are from
Minie balls, but little damage having been done by
the enemy s artillery.
The position of the enemy at Corinth is a very
strong one. The space in front has been cleared
for three hundred } r ards, and then there is an
abattis of trees and brush for a long distance, so
arranged that a charge of infantry is very difficult.
Of our plans or prospects I may not write. We
have men of wisdom and experience to lead us,
and they have wise men as their counsellors.
Col. Scott, Assistant Secretary of War, is yet
with us, and when a gun is heard is generally to
be found in front. He is a thorough gentleman,
in every way fitted for his position, as well b} 7 cool
ness as by his good common-sense, which make
him a good adviser in army movements.
0. W. N.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
GENERAL POPE S DIVISION, )
NEAR FARMINGTON, May 10, 1862. j
Yesterday we were treated to a battle here of
considerable interest. Only the day before Gen.
Pope s command made a reconnoissance towards
Corinth, skirmished for several hours, and re
turned at night. Next morning, just as I had
despatched my letter containing an account of the
affair, the outer pickets gave notice of large rebel
forces approaching. Instantly preparations were
made to determine their full strength, hold Farm
ington if it could be done easily, and should that
prove difficult, fall back. General Halleck had
given orders to do so, and avoid bringing on any
general engagement. Nearer and nearer came
the firing, the enemy skirmishing with our pick
ets. Instantly afterward, so soon, it seemed as
if they had run towards us, they were swarming
around the place.
Gen. Paine, with a command of six regiments,
engaged them. This was at half-past ten A.M.
Until three o clock the fighting was continuous,
both artillery and infantry taking part. Yet it
was rather a great skirmish than a battle. Only
a portion of Gen. Pope s command was engaged,
and it fought more to make the enemy show their
force and intentions than with any idea of being
successful. The rebels were full twenty thou
sand strong, and had three batteries. The artil
lery firing was sometimes rapid. Our troops be
haved gallantly under the galling fire they were
often subjected to, and poured effective volleys
among the enemy. In accordance with previous
instructions, Gen. Paine s troops fell back after
stubbornly disputing the enemy s advance and
finding out their strength.
The Union troops fell back to their camp a
mile from Farmington. Although the latter place
had been occupied by Gen. Pope, it was in the
manner of a picket outpost, the encampment of
his army being a mile in the rear. No loss of
tents or property occurred, therefore, when tho
town was abandoned, and as there were plenty
of troops near, the place could have been held
had such been the wish of Gen. Halleck. All
the rebels obtained was the benefit of any knowl
edge their reconnoissance afforded them. The
DOCUMENTS.
119
number of killed, wounded, and missing of the
troops engaged is about one hundred and fifty.
Last night the foe retreated, and to-day our pick
ets again hold Farming-ton.
One curious feature of the advance now is that
of throwing works of defence up along the whole
line. The fortifications completed to-day cannot
be less than twelve miles in length, extending
from the extreme right to the extreme left wing.
They are strongly made with logs and earth,
lined by rifle-pits, and distant from Corinth six
miles. Every movement is characterized by ex
treme caution. To-morrow the lines advance
four miles, when another parallel will be con
structed. In case any reverse should happen,
these defences would be invaluable.
The people are doubtless surprised that their
great army has not yet reached the rebel position
and attacked it. The reasons of the present
delay are known only to Gen. Halleck. Doubt
less they are good and sufficient. Every thing
here would seem to be in readiness the roads
are good, and the army as much prepared as it
ever will be. All the heavy guns are safely in
front, and can easily be moved any distance
wished. Perhaps the Commander-in-Chief is
waiting for the Gulf-fleet to occupy Memphis, or,
when reaching Yicksburgh, to destroy the rail
road at Jackson. Something foreign from here
evidently influences him. As matters now stand,
a battle may occur at any moment, yet be avoid
ed for a week.
Our offensive movements begin to resemble
those lately at Yorktown, approaching the ene
my s works as if a siege was intended, and en
deavoring to achieve a complete victory with as
little loss of life as possible. It is more than
probable the two results will be similar. In re
gard to efficienc} , nothing more could be wished
for regarding the force here. It is healthy, well
armed and disciplined, and supplied as few armies
have been before. If it fails to gain victory, it
will be difficult to imagine any troops we possess
capable of succeeding.
RICHMOND "DISPATCH" ACCOUNT.
CORINTH, Miss., May 10.
Hurrying forward to the scene, I found that
our right wing, under command of Price and Van
Born and Sturgis, had advanced beyond our in-
trenchments to Farmington, and were engaging
the enemy advantageously.
To convey a more perfect idea of the affair, I
should observe that on Thursday night Van Dorn
had placed himself so near the Federal front, on
our right, that the pickets of the two forces were
only four hundred yards apart. Suddenly, at
nine o clock, three heavy guns from our intrench-
ments broke the stillness of the evening air, and
the whole army was in commotion. The " long
roll " sounded, our men marched to their respec
tive positions, and every preparation was made
for a fight. The enemy suspecting a stratagem
from this unusual bustle, and not wholly certain
of its meaning, at once stampeded from their po
sition on the right, and fell back a mile or two
in the rear of Farmington. The object of the