Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-12-28
THE WAR IN KENTUCKY,
hattie of observation-disclosures General
HfsadRsGa,
HEADQUARTERS ADVANCE GUARD, C. A, KY, I
CAVE CITY. December ~, ls6l. !

HEADQUARTERS ADVANCE GUARD, c. A, KY
CAVE CITY. December l9, ls6L
SIR: At & o'clock A. n. on the 18th instant, /
moved towards Woodsonville for the purpose Of
breaking up the railroad from the vicinity of that
place southwark, my force consisting of 100 in
fsnuy, and four pieces of artillery.
When within two and a half miles Of Wood
~sonvilis, concealed from the enemy's view, l
halted the column and ordered forward Col.
Terry's Rangers, to Ocoa9y the nights on my
right, left and front and MAJ. Pmier'S cavalry
to watch the crossings of Green river still further
to my left. These orders having been executed,
and no force of the enemy or pickets seen, l ad-
vsneed the column Til the right reached the
railroad This brought ne within thyes QuaTters
of a Inle Vi The Hvei aHG Inc sneGsy, OOt still
concealed, except 2 small body OF cavalry on the
extreme left. Here a company OF rangers was
detached to observe the enemy from ROwletts
knob, which was to my right, acrosstne Tailro2d,
A strip of timber bOrdered the river parallel
to the line held by my cavalry. Fields were be-
tween a body of the enemy's infantry, as Skin
misheEs moved through the timber, by their
right, on my left. They were fired upon by a
small body of my cavalry and retired. The hr-
inc ceased for about haitian hour, and went in
ueTson TO select a suitable place for camp. lesY-
ing Col. Terry in command, with instructions to
! decoy the enemy up the hill where l could use
nv infantry aud artillery with effect and be out
ofrange of the epemy'g batteries.
Before returning to the column, the fire from
the skirmishers recommended. The enemy ap-
peared in force upon my right and center. Col.
Terry, at the head of ~seventy-hve rangers,
charged about three hundred, routed and drove
them back, but fell mOTtally wounded A body
of the enemy, of about the same size, attacked
the rangers, under Capt. Ferrel, upon the right
r Il. ----sI-o al nara ranulEad with heavy
loss. The enemy noW began crossing by regi-
ments, and moving about on my right and left
tanks. Three companies Of Col. MaTmaduse s
list Ark.) battalion were thrown ont as Skin
mishers on my left, engaged tine enemy's night,
! and drove them to the river. l now ordered tor
ward Can't. Smiths battery and the I'd Arken-
sss raginaDt TO support ii, holding the 9th Ar
kansas TegiBs6Ht ia reserve. The artillery
| opened IRE upon TIE enemy N the held adJa-
cent to the railroad, and drove LEN to the a
of the river. Firing now ceased on both sides.
The enemy made no further attempt TO advance,
but knowing that be had already crossed the
1 river ia force more than double my own, and
had the means of crossing additional forces,
Withdrew ny command, by way Of the turn
pike, two miles and a hall, and took position tc
meet the enemy, if disposed to advance. there
being no indications Of such an intention, 4 re-
turned to my camp here, reaching this place al
8 o'clock, P. NJ.
NV loss in this affair was as follows:
Killed-CoI. Terry and three men of his regi
ment.
Danderously wounded Lieut.. Morris ano
three men Texas rsngers).
Slightly wonnded-Cspt. Walker and three
men Texas, rangers, and two Een of the Isl
Arkansas battalion.
l estimate the enemy's loss AZ seyenty-hyt
killed and left on the ground wounded-un
known. / have eight prisoners Others tsker
were too badly wounded to be moved, and were
left at citizens houses.
The troops under my command, who W II
engaged, displayed courage in excess. Theotheri
we're as steady as veterans.
Respectfully,
=, &c. HIDMAN, Brig-Gen.
To Lieut. D. G. white, A : A. G., LIST division
o. - oC KantrcLv