ORs: (CS) Brig.-Gen. N. B. Forrest to Maj. H. L. Clay - July 24, 1862

War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
Series 1, Volume 16, Part 2, Page 735

HEADQUARTERS SECOND CAVALRY BRIGADE,
McMinnville, Tenn., July 24, 1862.

Maj. H. L. CLAY,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Knoxville, Tenn.:

SIR:
Yours of 20th ultimo is just received, requesting me to send my captured battery and other public property which I had taken back across the Tennessee River. In reply I would say that your order has been anticipated to some extent. I sent by Colonel Wharton, of the Eighth Texas Regiment, all the wagons and mules, with the exception of eight wagons and four mules to the wagon, which were necessary for my brigade. I also forwarded all the horses (after selecting the best to mount my men), replacing those I kept by others which were unfit at present for service. The battery I have still and should like much
to retain it, as I have a competent captain who has organized a company, and with it I feel greater security. I will await your further orders in regard to the battery. I also retained 100 muskets, which were necessary for recruits that have joined my brigade. I will retain my present position unless I find I am pressed by the enemy. I have information that the enemy are falling back from Battle Creek. I have two engines and all of their transportation between the break across Mill Creek and Murfreesborough. I am of the opinion that he will fall back with the most of his force to Murfreesborough. We have succeeded in drawing 10,000 from Athens, via Columbia, to Nashville and to Murfreesborough, and also causing them to move three times in the past five days between Nashville and Murfreesborough.

Yours, respectfully,

N. B. FORREST,
Brigadier-General, Second Cavalry Brigade,