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: 59
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EXPEDITION TO COLDWATER, ETC.
Directing portions of my command to the right and to the left, throw-
ing out skirmishers, moving at the same time 100 yards to the ditch
or gully in front of the rebels-who poured a heavy volley upon them
as they advanced, their shot fortunately passing harmlessly over our
heads-dismounting a portion of my men, they gained the protection of
the ditch before mentioned, and we opened a vigorous fire upon the
enemy from all points, which proving destructive, they soon wavered
and fell back. We pressed them closely through the woods for a mile
to a large field, at the edge of which they rallied, endeavoring to make
a stand. That portion of my force who were dismounted and fighting
on foot having remounted, with our entire force directed an impetuous
charge upon their flanks, preventing them forming into line and drove
them in confusion across the field, a distance of quite a mile. Here,
gaining the protection of heavy timber and fence and the advantage
of rising ground, gathering their scattered forces, they attempted to
make another stand. Pushing forward the center, frequently admon-
ishing my men to keep in good order, press forward, and fire low, the
rebels, yielding under this movement on their left and center, made a
desperate effort to flank my left. I ordered the main portion of my
force against their right, resulting in the complete rout of their entire
command, they scattering and fleeing in every direction. We pursued
them as far as we could see any of them; then halting, reformed,
congratulated each other upon our signal success, sent three rousing
cheers for the Stars and Stripes reverberating through the woods after
the skedaddling foe, which may have been heard in Grenada, and re-
turned through the battle ground, gathering up the arms, horses, and
equipments which in their rout and disorder the enemy had aban-
doned, bringing with us our few wounded to Coldwater Bridge.
The enemy were well armed with breech-loading carbines and revolv-
ers, a portion (the mounted infantry) having muskets and rifles, but
failed from some cause to use their arms to advantage. We killed of
the enemy during the engagements 41, wounded between 70 and 80,
and took 4 and killed 15 of their horses. (The enemy admit a loss of
over 100 in killed and wounded.) We lost in the fight 1 man killed
and 4 wounded; also 7 horses killed.
At Coldwater Bridge, the command having mostly crossed, an alarm
was caused by stragglers (who may not have participated in the fight)
that the enemy were following us in force to attack again. I soon
formed my men in position to receive them, but upon investigation the
alarm proved to have been given without cause.
I regret the necessity of referring to an order given at the time of
this false alarm by an officer of my command which occasioned much
useless marching for your command as well as mine under you, the re-
sponsibility of which I trust may rest where it should.
Joining you on the morning of the 10th, by your order I afterward took
the advance, proceeded to Hernando, and camped for the night. During
the day a detachment from my cavalry which had remained with you had
a skirmish with a party of mounted rebels, resulting in the killing of
1 man and 1 horse and the capture of 18 or 20 by the infantry among
whom they were driven.
On the morning of the 11th followed you toward Coldwater, pressing
to the front when within 2 miles of Coldwater Bridge, which, upon ap-
proaching, we discovered to be on fire and guarded by a force of rebel
cavalry stationed on the opposite side. Of these we killed 1 and drove
the balance away, and succeeded in saving the bridge from destruction.
From this point, the bridge having been repaired, I proceeded under59
CHA. XXIX.1
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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/m1/70/?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.