The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-03-19
MURFREEsBoRo, Tenn, March Is,
via NASHVILLE. March Is.

via NASHVILLE Marcn 10.
An expedition Of cavalry, which went
out on the 9TH inst, under command of
Colonel Robert II. q. Minty, returned last
evening, having made brilliant and
successful scout through the enemy's
country of eleven days duration. Coll
Onel Minty's force consisted of the 1st
I'd, and 3D. brigades of cavalry, two COM
panies Of the 4ih regulars, and Lieuten-
ant NeWelPs section of artillery. The
expedition was accompanied by Major
General Sheridan's division of infantry
on the first day out Colonel Minty was
instructed 10 dislodge the enemy from
Rover, a small town on the Salem pike,
fifteen miles from Murfreesboro. About
four hundred rebel cavalry were posted
there, but fled on our approach, followed
closely by the I'd Pennsylvania and 18th
regulars. Finding that portion of his
forces had failed to cut of the enemy's
retreat, Colonel Minty CALAMITY leading
the column, ordered his men 20 draw sa-
Der, and charge upon the rebels. The
latter broke and fled in Q Oniusion. They
wero pursued through the town of Union
vile, and thence beyond TO within five
miles of Shelbyville, where our cavalry
penetrated the enemy's infantry pickets,
five of whom were captured at Union
vile. 5fs
There had been q company Of about
six hundred men, who, il was suisse
quently ascertained, had retired on our
approach, abandoning camp equipage,
horses, wagons, sc. We took fifty Ono
prisoners, seventeen wagons, forty two
mules, thirty-ODe tents, two wagon
loads of bacon and bread. The only
casually was one man of the It'll Pennsyl.
vania slightly wounded in the foot.
Thursdays expedition heard heavy fir
ing from the south Of franklin and NOV
ed TO the support Of Gen. Steadmans
brigade at NOlensyille. On Saturday
Col. Minty determined TO proceed TO
franklin, and at monday. uuder Major
Gen. Gordon Granger, marched at day
break on the Carter Greek Pike for the
purpose Of eiiectinga junction at Thomp-
sons Station, with Gen. G. O. Smith, who
had proceed tbitherOn Saturday. About
one mile from the station seven hundred
rebel cavalry Were found drawn up In
readiness for a fight. Col Minty ut
once advanced on the enemy and drove
him 10 the station, where two more rebel
regiments were. After considerable sharp
diminishing our cavalry formed for
charge and again dispersed the enemy.
We lost in this action five killed and
thirteen wounded. # ..I..s|
On Tuesday, Colonel Minty proceeded
toward Columbia, advancing as far as
Rutherford Greek Bridge, which was de-
stroyed. General Sheridan ordered the
cavalry 10 ford the stream a mile aud a
half above, The enemy being in sight
our advance moved up quietly, closely
followed by the 4th Indiana cavalry.
Col. Minty did not perceive that part Of
his forces were crowding upon the adj
vance, till the rest of his command had
also come up, while our forces, being then
massed in a column Of tours, were at
tempting TO cross, a galling FIRE Of mus
kerry was opened from party OF rebels
concealed behind a stone wall on the OPP
posite side of the stream, Two men
were killed aud three severely wounded.
The horse of Colonel Ninty was shot
from under him. lne a
Il being impossible 10 ford tho stream
on account OF its swollen condition, the
expedition camped at Moores Ford.
Next morning Forrest, with about 800
men, advanced 20 the opposite bank.
The 4ih Michigan opened ilre, and Lieu
tenant Newell trained his artillery TO
bear upon the guefillas, The combined
fire drove them TO the woods, and our
cavalry Immediately crossed the stream,
the 4th Michigan Battery taking the adj
vance. The rebels were pursued about
five miles without being Oyertaken.
Colonel Minty then marched his forces
| toward Columbia.
Il was found Van Dorm had Gre ssed
the river twelve hours previous by pom
toon. The uVer was high and Colonel
Minty was obliged 10 return 10 the camp
Of the night previous Next day (rhurs-
day the expedition started for hurirees-
bore, reaching here late last evening
The expedition took out four days
e oked rations aud was absent eleven
DAYS, which time the men were obliged
10 forage for their subsistence.