Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/52

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, December 29, 1863.

Major-General, Commanding Cavalry in Mississippi:

General—I arrived with the greater portion of my troops in this vicinity this morning, regretting very much that I had to leave West Tennessee so early. The concentration of a heavy force compelled me to move on the 24th from Jackson.

The Corinth force of the enemy reached Jack's creek, within 25 miles of Jackson, on the 23d. I sent out a force to meet and develop their strength and retard their progress. They were found to consist of three regiments of cavalry, a brigade of infantry and four pieces of artillery.

We drove the cavalry back to the infantry, and then retired. I moved my force to Estnaula, on the Hatchie, crossing it by the night of the 25th. Met a cavalry regiment, and routed them. Fought the enemy again on the 26th at Somerville, killing and wounding eight or ten and capturing about thirty-five prisoners.

I then moved a part of my force, under Colonel Faulkner, to Raleigh, and with the balance moved square to the left to Lafayette bridge, on Wolfe river. On the morning of the 27th my advance reached the bridge and attacked the bridge-guard; drove them back and put to flight the force at Lafayette station, killing several and capturing four or five prisoners. Cavalry advanced on me from Collierville, which we met and drove back. The enemy also sent reinforcements by train from Moscow, which we held in check until all my wagon train was safely across the river and on the road in the rear of my advance on Collierville.

We closed the fight at Collierville about eight o'clock at night, driving the enemy into their fortifications. Not being able to hear anything of General Chalmers, and my men being worn out, I felt it to be prudent to retire, which I did, and my command is camped about seven miles west of this place. Another difficulty in the matter was that all my men armed with Austrian rifles were out of ammunition, having had the misfortune to lose my Austrian ammunition by the upsetting of a wagon at Forked Deer river.

I have brought out about 2,500 men. Colonel Faulkner, who is to cross at Raleigh, has with him about 800 men. I hope to hear that they have gotten out safely by to-morrow. If I could have