The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 20, In Two Parts. Part 1, Reports. Page: 46
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46 KY., MID. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA. [CHAr. XXXi.
No. 3.
Report of Maj. William McMichael, Assistant Adjutant-General, U. S.
Army.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY.
The battle at Hartsville, Tenn., which resulted in the defeat and sur-
render of the United States troops at that place, occurred December 7.
Our forces consisted of the Thirty-ninth Brigade, Army of the Cum-
berland (One hundred and sixth and One hundred and eighth Ohio
Infantry, and the One hundred and fourth Illinois Infantry), with the
Second Indiana Cavalry and a section of Nicklin's (Thirteenth Indiana)
battery. The Eleventh Kentucky Cavalry is mentioned in one of the
reports as having a small force in action.
No official report of this fight is furnished from the officer who com-
manded. The accounts are from officers of the several commands en-
gaged. Their substance is as follows:
Major Hill, Second Indiana Cavalry, relates that, on the 6th, scouts
were out, and no signs of the enemy appeared. Early on the morning
of the 7th, the enemy appeared, and immediately advanced upon and
attacked our force. Major Hill represents the cavalry as having be-*
haved with gallantry.
Col. E. M. McCook, commanding cavalry brigade, in submitting this
account, says the Second Indiana Cavalry and One hundred and fourth
Illinois Infantry "fought gallantly; the other regiments of the brigade
fled disgracefully, leaving their comrades to make a hopeless fight
against superior numbers." Colonel McCook was not in the action,
but derived his opinion from the testimony of individuals who had par-
ticipated in it.
Captain Wadleigh, One hundred and fourth Illinois Infantry; Cap-
tain Good, One hundred and eighth Ohio Infantry, and Lieut. Col.
Gustavus Tafel, commanding One hundred and sixth Ohio Infantry,
each present an account of the part taken by his own regiment, and all
agree in stating that the commands with which they served behaved
unexceptionably. All accounts agree that the enemy were in sight
before any disposition to receive their attack.was made. The troops
assembled hurriedly. It seems to have been a surprise, but sufficient
time elapsed to form our men in line.
The fight lasted one hour and a quarter, having commenced between
6.30 and 7 a. m. Colonel Moore, One hundred and fourth Illinois In-
fantry, commanded our forces in the action.
At Castalian Springs, 9 miles from, Hartsville, two brigades of our
troops were encamped. The first intelligence they had of this action
was the sound of firing. They moved forward to the assistance of the
Hartsville force. The firing having ceased, and, anticipating an attack,
they formed in line of battle 1I miles before Hartsville; but their com-
mander, Colonel Harlan, having observed a column of smoke in the
direction of the Hartsville camp, again moved rapidly forward; found
our troops had surrendered and the enemy in retreat, but succeeded in
recapturing a part of our force and property.
Colonel Harlan is of opinion that the enemy crossed.the Cumberland
on the night of the 6th, and encamped. He received no intimation of
an attack from Colonel Moore, or he could have co-operated to resist it.
The enemy's force is said to have consisted of three regiments of in-
fantry, Gano's and Bennett's cavalry, a battalion of Texan Rangers, aind
eight pieces of artillery. Two regiments of infantry, one regiment of
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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 20, In Two Parts. Part 1, Reports., book, 1887; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth154629/m1/56/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.