The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-01-29
OmcIaI Report Of Col. BLACKBURN

Official Report OF Col. Blackburn
Col Blackburn has made the follow
ing official report to the Military Gov
ernor:
NASHVILLE, Jan. Is, 1865.
Hon AndreO johnson, Military Governor
of Tennessee
On the I'd of January, 1865, left
Liberty with force of $50 men, com
posed Of detachment from the 5th
Tennessee cavalry, under Capt Exon, g
portion of Col Murphys command,
and part of my own, the l4th Ten
nessee cavalry.
We arrived at Lebanon on the Sd,
where Col Murphy with his detach
ment left me and returned to Nash
vile. I divided my command into
small squads and sent them out in diff
ferent directions, completely securing
the county Of Wilson, where we sue
oeeded in capturing the notorious guer-
rilla, Howard and three of his men,
who have for months been a terror to
the citizens of Wilson and adjoining
counties. We turned our prisoners
over TO the commander at Murfrees-
boro; and hearing that there was
small Confederate force in the county
OF White, l at once proceeded there
with my command by way of McMinn-
vile, and succeeded in capturing few
prisoners. I learned in Sparta that
Lieut. Revis with forty-six Confederate
soldiers had left there, and were at
tempting to make their escape across
the Tennessee river. lat once selected
thirty men, we'll mounted, but few of |
whom had ever been IN q fight, and |
sent the others to Carthage under com
mand Of Capt Exon. I started in
pursuit of the enemy on the 18th, and /
pursued him across the mountains to
Brady's Ferry on the Tennessee river,
where they had crossed over "a men
under Sanders, who were Immediately
captured by Federal force on the op-
posite side
The enemy being apprised of my ap
proach, made a hasty retreat up the
Tennessee river for about sixty miles,
when we overlook them, the second
night, near Kingston, on the Tennes>
see river. learned that the enemy
were camping in a barn, and in order
to surprise him, / dismounted eighteen
men, surrounded the barn and brought /
on the attack, which lasted for some
fifteen minutes, the enemy fighting with
great desperation, frequently engaging
my men in a hand to hand contest in
deadly conflict, but nothing daunted,
the brave men under my command
fought with a zeal and determination
that would have done honor to old vet
eran troops / succeeded in capturing
the commander Lieut. Revis, and nine
Of his men, killed one man, and the
remainder made their escape by plung-
ing into the Tennessee river where it
is supposed they were drowned
Ny loss was three men wounded.
Too much praise cannot be given to the
brave officers and soldiers under my
command They seemed to vie
with each other in their acts of
daring and bravery. must call
your especial attention to the bravery
and daring of Lieut. L. W Woodside,
Of the LIST Tennessee mounted infantry,
who accompanied me in the expedition.
was out over twenty days with my
little command, riding frequently day
and night, and succeeded in killing
and capturing thirty seven of the enc
my beside what escaped into the Ten
nessee river Ny loss WAS three men
wounded
| deem it proper to state that my
command was kindly received by the
citizens, who were willing to give US
any information they possessed con
corning the guerrillas and robbers,
many who had not taken the oath of
allegiance expressed desire to do SO,
and return to their loyalty TO the gov
eminent, and many Of them earnestly
requested me to make my headouar-
tiers near where the guerrillas are com
hitting depredations, promising every
assistance in their power 1 will also
state that the people in many instan-
ces have had their property taken,
houses burned, helpless women and
children turned out without shelter or
food, by men claiming to be Federal |
soldiers, who doubtless honestly think /
that to be the best way to bring men |
back to their loyalty, but from my OBJ
servations l feel sure that all that is
necessary to produce q complete revo- i
luton in public sentiment, in favor of |
the Union, is TO assure the obedient |
that they will be protected, and severe
ly punish those who wilfully violate the 1
laws or usages of the government
Iremsin, Governor, very respectfully, /
your obedient servant,
j. d BLACKBURN,
1t Col COmd'g i4tb Tenn. Cav.