Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/518

506 I would call attention to accompanying reports of General Robertson and Colonel Sheffield, commanding brigades.

For a statement of our loss, which was slight, I refer to the list of casualties. Respectfully submitted,

, Brigadier-General.

, Nov. 3, 1863.

Captain L. R. Terrell, A. A. General:

Sir,—I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by Law's brigade in the engagement near Lookout creek on the night of the 28th ult.:

About 7 o'clock P. M. I received orders to put my regiment (48th Alabama) under arms. In half an hour I received orders to move across the bridge across Lookout creek. After crossing the creek we had not advanced very far before the pickets captured a prisoner, apparently very drunk, who reported he belonged to Howard's corps. After moving up the road a short distance I was ordered to file my regiment to the right in an open field, at the base of a ridge in my front, and form line of battle in one rank. I then sent pickets in front, under Captain Eubanks, who soon reported no enemy on the ridge. I then advanced rapidly, taking possession of the ridge. The object in obtaining the ridge was, I suppose, to command the road leading down the valley from Trenton and Kelly's Ferry to Brown's Ferry, on the Tennessee river. It was very soon ascertained that there was another and higher ridge in our front, beyond which the road ran. The General commanding (Law) informed me of these facts and ordered me to advance and obtain possession of the ridge in front at all hazards. I had sent Captain Eubanks forward with five men, who soon sent one of the men back, reported no enemy on the ridge, but a large encampment of Federal troops about half mile from the point of the ridge where my left was to rest. He (Capt. Eubanks) with four men crossed the ridge, came up the valley road to where the Chattanooga road intersected the same, and reported the above facts. While reporting to me, the pickets near the forks of the road captured a prisoner. I had given orders to my lieutenant-colonel to move the regiment forward; about this time I was informed that a line of twenty or thirty Yankee skirmishers was deployed on the right and left of the Chattanooga road, (who had evidently come down the Kelly's Ferry road,) I ordered Capt. McDuffee, with his company, to the left, with instructions to get in the rear of the skirmishers if possible. The regiment had not advanced but a short distance, till a fire was opened upon the left wing,