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: 482
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WEST TENN. AND NORTHERN MISS.
cept an attempt by Van Dorn's forces on December 24 to destroy the
trestle work and break the telegraphic communications near Middle-
burg, which was frustrated and the injury speedily repaired.
The people at this post and in the vicinity have mostly taken the oath
of allegiance, a great portion observing its obligations in good faith; a
few require wholesome surveillance, and have it. As the elements of
mischief are removed and the people have room for a free choice a
growing and sincere loyalty is apparent.
It is a source of regret that bands of robbers and guerrillas still infest
the neighborhood. At this time several hundred are near this post, com-
mitting outrages on persons and property. With a battalion of good
cavalry they could be expelled; but as this arm of the service is want-
ing their presence is of necessity tolerated.
It is a mortifying fact, and of which I have heretofore complained,
that while I cannot procure means to arm and equip the incipient regi-
ment so long on my hands, these partisan rangers have been permitted
to market in the streets of Memphis the cotton stolen from citizens.
and with the avails to purchase and bring out in return all kinds of
army supplies, including sabers, carbines, and pistols in abundance,
and in one instance at least a wagon load of powder; all this in so
open a manner as to be the subject of notoriety and proof.
On December 18 instant I received your order by telegraph to bring
to Jackson all my available force, "picking up all guards at stations
on the road except slight guards at bridges." On the same day I re-
ported to you by railroad with the Forty-third Regiment Illinois In-
fantry, Col. A. Engelmann, 275 men; Sixty-first Regiment Illinois
Infantry, Maj. S. P. Ohr, 242 men; First West Tennessee Cavalry
(dismounted), Maj. D. M. Emerson, 83 men; four guns, Springfield Artil-
lery, Capt. T. F. Vaughn, 70 men, being in all 670 men, exclusive of
officers.
On the evening of the same day the Forty-third and Sixty-first Illi-
nois Infantry were detailed to march out in front of the enemy, then
menacing Jackson from the east. Col. A. Engelmann, of the Forty
third, was charged with the command, with general directions to avail
himself of the services of our cavalry then in front of him and ascertain
the strength and position of the enemy, who was reported in large force,
composed of cavalry, infantry, and artillery.
Colonel Meek, of the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry; Major Hayes, of the
Fifth Ohio Cavalry, and Sergeant Doss, of the Second West Tennessee
Cavalry, reported to Colonel Engelmann with detachments from their
commands, numbering some 300 men. This was about 3- miles from
Jackson. Some li miles in front the enemy's camp fires were lighted.
Colonel Engelmann was dissuaded from a night attack by want of a
knowledge of the ground, and his men, unprepared with blankets and
without fires, bivouacked for the night in order of battle.
At daybreak on the morning of the 19th the enemy advanced in heavy
force, our cavalry slowly retiring, occasionally checking the enemy by
well-directed volleys. The enemy's batteries were brought to bear upon
them as they paused, but without marked effect. Colonel Engelmann
skillfully disposed of the Forty-third and Sixty-first Illinois, under Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Dengler and Major Ohr, respectively, near Salem Cem-
etery, and in concealed positions either side of the road, the nature of
the ground affording at once a view of the enemy's line of advance and
protection from his guns. The enemy fell into the snare thus set for
them. Pursuing with overwhelming numbers our little band of cav-
alry, who warily retired before them, they came within, close range of482
[CHP. 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/m1/493/?q=%221862%22&rotate=90: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.