The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 17, In Two Parts. Part 1, Reports. Page: 6
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WEST TENN. AND NORTHERN MISS.
if they came to rest during the day make a reconnaissance at night
and attack the enemy's camp at or before day in the morning. The
men were ordered to remain under arms near their horses, but allowed
to take the bits from their mouths to enable them to take a feed of corn.
I was proceeding to arrange on paper my command, numbers, names
of officers, &c., so as to organize them, when Captains Cage and Coch-
ran, of Slemons' and Adams' commands, rode up and reported. While
they were speaking, and before I could learn anything of their com-
mand, a gun fired from the vedettes, followed in rapid succession by
another and another, gave notice of the approach of the enemy. A
prompt movement to horse was made, but before we could mount a
rapid fire from the bridge informed us the enemy were there. They
came in force, yelling and firing. The vedettes and pickets behaved
well and checked the advance by a steady fire. I made the best forma-
tion I could with a command just thrown together, many of them to-
tally undrilled. Lieutenant-Colonel Wade formed his men as a reserve.
The enemy formed in line of battle across the whole field on the right
of the bridge and partially on the left, their reserve being larger than
my whole force, and then busily commenced throwing large parties
upon my flank and skirmishers all along the line of the creek. I soon
saw their object was to turn me upon my right and get below me upon
the road to Baldwyn, from the numbers they moved around, evidently
supported by infantry. I determined to fight them as long as I could
do so properly. In order to engage my attention in front they made
two separate charges up the hill from the bridge, but were driven back
in confusion and with loss by a prompt and well-directed fire from the
companies in front. Their guns were of longer range than ours and
they poured upon us a constant and rapid fire, fortunately for us aim-
ing a little too high.
Finding they were surrounding us rapidly I rode forward personally
and examined their forces. I then determined to fall back a .few hun-
dred yards and form a new line in the field upon the road to McGee's,
dismounting most of my men along the fence, Colonel Wade forming
in the field. Finding that IP could not maintain this position when
Colonel Wade left the fild, necessarily, from their fire, I determined to
withdraw my command toward the Pontotoc road. I ordered the right-
about to be sounded and moved off in the direction named in good order.
I did this for the following reasons : 1 had accomplished the purposes of
the scout so far as I was able to do so; I had fought the enemy suc-
cessfully for forty minutes with no loss on my part, and I was satisfied
with loss to him, against superior numbers, with all the advantage on
their side of position, preparations and drill and weapons. I was sat-
isfied that they had been fully posted by some means as to our move-
ment and were fully prepared for us, and was satisfied that by longer
remaining I must sacrifice the greater portion if not the whole of my
command.
I had no loss except one man (Private Adkins, Company B) very
slightly wounded in the leg; one horse escaped, and one slightly wounded
in the neck, but now in camp. The loss of the enemy cannot be less
than 10 or 15 killed and some wounded.
My whole command followed me at the right-about except Colonel
Wade's and Captain Cochran's companies with him. They were near me
when I moved, and I thought in line, for I rode back in person and
formed my rear guard, inquiring for each command. The dust was so
great I could not see the separate commands. I soon learned that he
was on a road leading to the Pontotoc road. I halted and sent mes-6
[CrAP. XXIX.
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The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Additions and Corrections to Series 1, Volume 17. (Pamphlet)
Errata sheets for the Records of the War of the Rebellion include additions and corrections to the text and the index for Series 1, Volume 17.
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United States. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 17, In Two Parts. Part 1, Reports., book, 1886; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth154626/m1/17/?q=%221862%22: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.