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: 484
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484
WEST TENN. AND NORTHERN MISS.
detachment of the First West Tennessee Cavalry was assigned to duty
(dismounted) under Captain Thompson, in connection with an expedi-
tion to Trenton, and participated in the battles by which that post and
Humboldt were retaken. It has since returned to this post.
On returning to this post I found the Forty-third Ohio, Colonel
Swayne; Sixty-third Ohio, Colonel Sprague, and the Fiftieth Indiana,
Colonel Dunham, which had arrived for the defense of the post, then
threatened hourly by a large force. Several thousand cavalry and
mounted infantry, under Van Dorn (the same that had captured Holly
Springs), had been for two days in the neighborhood, seeking the favor-
able moment for the capture of Bolivar, evidently advised of its condi-
tion by parties resident here. Every preparation was made for defense
and the utmost vigilance enforced.
On the 23d sharp encounters took place between advanced parties,
indicating the cautious advance of the enemy's entire force. At 11
p. m. the Sixth Illinois, Seventh Kansas, and the Third Michigan Cavalry
arrived, under Colonel Grierson, 1,500 strong, sent by General Grant
in pursuit.
At 3 o'clock on the morning of the 24th all was ready; the enemy
drove in our mounted pickets a little after daylight; at 7 o'clock they
appeared in force and drove in our infantry pickets. Having gotten,
possession of one of our outer intrenchments, which, owing to the small-
ness of our force we could not occupy, they fired upon a squad of men
belonging to the Fiftieth Indiana, who stood their ground gallantly until
the main body of the enemy approached in line of battle. Colonel
Grierson prematurely brought hi cavalry into full view of the enemy,
by advancing to the ridge which they were approaching, and which
would have soon brought them within the range of our guns. The enemy
then retired, apparently to attack at another point. Preparations were
made to meet them.
All attempts at a surprise being found vain, and our force too strong
for direct attack, the enemy relinquished the design upon Bolivar and
sought alleviation of his disappointment by rushing upon the feeble
defenses at Middleburg. Colonel Graves, with a small portion of
the Twelfth Michigan, about 140 in number, occupied the position,
strengthened by a small stockade and a few available buildings, and
favored by the nature of the ground. The remainder of his regiment
was scattered along the railroad and on duty here, having been detailed
to supply the vacancy created by the transfer of all other available
forces to Jackson.
So soon as the design of the enemy upon Middleburg became apparent
I directed Colonel Grierson to follow and precipitate his force upon the
enemy's rear, being satisfied that Colonel Graves was fully prepared,
and would with his little band make a gallant resistance, and hold out
until aid could arrive. Though the distance is but 7 miles, Colonel
Graves had, after a most gallant contest of two and one-half hours,
beaten the enemy's vastly superior force and compelled him to retreat
before the cavalry appeared.
The official copy of Colonel Graves' report is here furnished, from
which the incidents of the battle and its results may be learned.*
I cannot withhold the expression of admiration and gratitude which
the heroic conduct of Colonel Graves and his men inspire. Furiously
assailed by a force twenty times their number, doubtless exasperated
by failure at this point and flushed with confidence of an easy victory,
they defended themselves with a skill, determination, and success that
* See No. 21.[CHIAP. XisX.
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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/m1/495/?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.