From this point I sent my scouts in different directions, who brought prisoners from the enemy's camp. General Mitchell, with the First Cavalry Division, came up with us here.

Next morning I was ordered by him to march on the road to Farmington, south of Duck River. About 3 miles from Shelbyville I found Davidson's division encamped on Duck River, some 2 miles north of the road. The brigade of mounted infantry being in the advance, and seeing the enemy's ranks in confusion, I ordered them to charge on horseback. They drove the enemy a short distance into a cedar thicket, and I then dismounted them. At the same time I ordered Colonel Long's brigade to the front, and, headed by Colonel Long, it made a most gallant saber charge, driving the enemy 3 miles, killing and capturing a great many rebels. The enemy made another stand in a cedar thicket, where it was impossible for the cavalry to operate in. I sent the mounted infantry to the front as soon as possible, when they dislodged the enemy, who again made a stand on the main road, and were driven from this point, falling back toward Farmington, skirmishing as they retreated.

About three-fourths of a mile from Farmington I found him posted in force in a dense cedar thicket. I at once dismounted my infantry, deploying them on each side of the road. When I attacked Davidson's division in the morning, breaking through it, part of his column went to the right. Fearing that it would turn my flank I sent back instructions to Colonel Minty, whose position was in the rear of the column, to move to the right and anticipate them.

I supposed that Colonel Minty had carried out my instructions, but when I arrived at Farmington I learned from one of my staff officers, much to my chagrin and surprise, that Colonel Minty was not with me. The absence of Colonel Minty and some 500 men left at Murfreesborough, having been dismounted during the march, left me but about 1,500 effective men. Finding the enemy vastly superior to me, I left one regiment of cavalry to protect my rear, holding the other two regiments as a support to the infantry, the country being impracticable for the cavalry to operate in. The enemy's battery was posted in the cedar thicket some 400 yards distant from me, pouring into me a heavy fire of grape, canister, and shell, and made one or two charges on my men, at the same time attempting to turn both of my flanks. At this critical moment I ordered Captain Stokes forward with his battery to operate upon the enemy. He could only find position for one piece, which was in full view of their battery, and not over 350 yards distant. They turned their fire from the infantry on to Captain Stokes' battery, mowing down his horses and men. The captain sighted his own piece, and in three shots he disabled one of their pieces, blowing up a caisson, and throwing their ranks into confusion. At this moment, my infantry making a charge, broke through the enemy's line, scattering them to the right and left, capturing four guns, some wagons, and several prisoners. The enemy then being in an open country, I ordered Colonel Long to the front to make a saber charge, but they had the roads barricaded so as to render it impossible. It now getting dark, I went into camp near Farmington.

Had Colonel Minty, with his brigade, been there at the time the enemy broke, I should have thrown him on the left flank, and as things turned out since, I would have captured a large portion of his command, together with all his artillery and transportation. I learned here that I fought General Wheeler with his entire command.

That night after the fighting had ceased, Colonel Minty with his brigade came up, stating that he had no orders to march with me. From this, together with a disposition manifested during the whole expedition to frustrate my designs in a covert manner, I deprived him of his command and sent him to the rear. I sent my scouts out in different directions that night, and learned that a large portion of the enemy had gone toward Pulaski. Being satisfied that they were making for the Tennessee River, and that the portion cut off would join them by other roads, I the next morning pursued them on the Pulaski road, reaching that point that night. I found to-day that their retreat instead of a march was a rout. Their rear guard left Pulaski as I came in sight of the town.

On this days march I found that the night before a portion of those cut off came into the road ahead of us at Lewisburg. On the march the next day, another portion came into the road 6 miles south of Pulaski. I found that their men were deserting and scattering over the country, and learned of a great many wounded being left along the road and through the country.

The enemy left some two or three regiments at Sugar Creek, a strong position, to oppose my advance; but instead of fighting them at long range as they expected, I ordered a saber charge. The Fifth Iowa, Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick commanding, being in the advance, made a most gallant charge, breaking through their lines, killing 10, wounding 9, capturing some 70 prisoners, and scattering the remainder to the mountains.

From this on I met with only a few stragglers on the road. When within 8 miles of the river, although my horses were very tired, I galloped most of the way to the river, and there found that the enemy had crossed at a ford but little known of, and just above Elk River, where 12 could cross abreast. I went into camp at Rogersville, General Mitchell, with the First Division, coming up that night; and from that point I was ordered with the remainder of the cavalry to Stevenson, via Huntsville. On arriving at Huntsville, General Mitchell, learning that the rebel general Roddey was passing in the direction of Winchester, went in pursuit of him, but he escaped toward Athens. I was then ordered to Winchester, and thence to this place. I have since learned that General Lee, with 5,000 men, reached Courtland the same day that Wheeler crossed the river. Roddey, with about 1,800 men, had crossed to the north bank of the river at Guntersville, both he and Lee being ordered to join Wheeler, but the latter was driven out of the State and across the river before a junction could be effected. I have since learned that at Farmington the enemy left on the field 86 of their dead and 137 wounded, while many of their wounded were taken up by citizens through the country, of which I have no account.

The loss of the enemy from the time they crossed the river near Washington until they re-crossed near Elk River, judging from the difference in the length of time their column [consumed] in coming in and going out, and other satisfactory evidence, I am fully satisfied is not less than 2,000 men. One entire regiment, the Fourth Alabama, deserted and scattered through the mountains.

My loss during the entire trip was 14 killed and 97 wounded. I regret to report the death of the gallant Colonel Monroe, of the One hundred and twenty-third Illinois, who fell while bravely leading on his regiment at the battle of Farmington.

It is hard to distinguish individual cases of bravery and gallantry, when all, both officers and men, did so nobly. Notwithstanding the fatigue and severe hardships under which the men suffered--having but three days' rations in twenty days, many of them nearly naked, and several times exposed to a cold, drenching rain--yet they never complained, but were always cheerful and ever ready to perform all duties required of them.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

GEORGE CROOK,

Brigadier-General, Commanding

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