ORs: (CS) Report of Col. Howard, - 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 1143-4

JAMESTOWN, TENN.,
October 17, 1862—8 a. m.

GENERAL:
Your dispatch under the caption of 13th instant was received last evening. Wolford’s brigade (Federal) has been skirmishing with me for three days and nights. I have engaged him to the best of my ability every time. It was his purpose to cut me off. I outmanaged him, and have secured all my wagons as far as this point. In a short skirmish yesterday with about 500 of his cavalry I lost 2 men killed and 4 missing. His whole force is still after me. His force is about 5,000 strong, and are now in ambush at the old cattle trail up the mountain. As I had led the citizens to believe I was going, I started up the mountain by the way of Poplar Cove at night and I got to this point at 4 a. m. There was not a particle of subsistence or forage near here. Will make my headquarters, according to instructions, as near here as practicable where I can subsist.

At crossing of Cumberland the enemy routed Colonels Scott’s and Starnes’ cavalry. My pickets heard the firing, and I took my command to the rear to assist him, but they had gone and the enemy in full pursuit. I made a very narrow escape from being cut off. Clift’s forces, or rather a portion of his command, are acting with this Federal force, as are all the bushwhackers that are left. I have’ thinned them in Fentress, Clinton, and Wayne Counties, and trust soon to exterminate them all.

I have the honor, general, with much regard, to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAMES B. HOWARD,
Colonel, Commanding Cavalry, C. S. Army.

General E. KIRBY SMITH.