ORs: (US) Report of General W. S. Smith, - October 17, 1862

War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
Series 1, Volume 16, Part 1, Page 1140-1

CAMP WILD CAT,
October 17, 1862—8 p. m.

SIR:
A colored man whom I sent over to the Madison road this fore-noon has returned, bringing me information to the effect that a rebel brigade encamped at the cross-roads skedaddled precipitately leaving their rations cooking behind them, on Cruft’s approach. He says they did not retire toward London, but proceeded om the prolongation of the Winding Glade road (the one taken from this point by General Cruft) toward Goose Creek. He says they left a drove of mules and some 20 cattle behind them. He came back by a very circuitous route and missed our forces. I have sent him with all haste, well mounted, to General Cruft’s, to give him this information and to serve him as guide. We have just heard a cannon-shot in that direction, and hope Cruft has intercepted some of them. I informed him in a note sent by the colored man that you had sent two brigades over to the Madison road—one from VanCleve’s division and one from Wood’s. I think I have reliable information that there is but one brigade of infantry and one of cavalry between this point and London on our road.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. S. SMITH,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Fourth Division.