ORs: (US) Report of Col . J. R. Scott - December 15, 1862

War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
Series 1, Volume 20, Part 1 Page 79

HDQRS. NINETEENTH REGIMENT ILLINOIS INFANTRY,
Camp near Nashville, Tenn.,
December 15, 1862.

Sir:
I respectfully report having taken command of the division forage train yesterday, in accordance with orders from brigade headquarters.The Nineteenth Illinois, Sixty-ninth Ohio, and a section of artillery, Fourth Kentucky Battery, detailed as escort, proceeded on Franklin pike some 7 miles, securing the desired amount of forage. I placed the artillery in position to command forage train and the approaches thereto. Being apprised of the immediate presence of the enemy, I sent the Sixty-ninth Ohio and one piece of artillery to the junction of a road leading into the pike to my rear, with the intention of holding that point until my train was formed. Shortly after my command had started for camp, firing was heard about half a mile to the left and rear. I immediately ordered back the Nineteenth Illinois and one piece of artillery, and found that the firing had been caused by a party of rebel cavalry, numbering about 20, attacking a forage party, consisting of 3 wagons, with an escort, consisting of 10 men, under command of Lieutenant Stevens, of the Chicago Board of Trade Battery. The rebels succeeded in capturing 5 men and 4 horses from one of the teams. The lieutenant and the balance of the men escaped. Our loss was 1 man wounded, 5 taken prisoners, 2 horses killed, and 4 captured.

Having no cavalry with me, I could not pursue the enemy to advantage.

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOS. R. SCOTT,
Colonel, Commanding Nineteenth illinois Infantry.

Col. A. V. SCURADER,
Chief of &aff, Eighth Division.

[Endorsement]

HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-NINTH BRIGADE,
Camp Hamilton,
December 15, 1862.

Respectfully forwarded. The attack mentioned was not upon any part of the train under Colonel Scott’s command, but an independent party, and the loss mentioned was of that party, not of Colonel Scott’s.Colonel Scott brought in his train and men all right. There was a delay iu starting, owing to wagons of Seventh Brigade and Division not reporting in time. Very few of the teams had any men detailed to load, except my brigade.

T. R. STANLEY,
Colonel, Commanding.

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