ORs: (CS) Dispatch of Brig. Gen. John A. Wharton - December 17, 1862

War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
Series 1, Volume 20, Part 2 Page 452-3

HEADQUARTERS WHARTON’S CAVALRY BRIGADE,
Nolensville, [TN]
December 17, 1862.

Lient. Gem LEONIDAS POLK,
Commanding Polk’s Corps d’Armee, Army of Tennessee:

GENERAL:
Through a dispatch from Colonel Smith, commanding at Franklin, I am informed that a lady just froum Nashville reports the enemy as sending some of their heavy guns toward Bowling Green, and other indications that the enemy intend a backward movement. The colonel also reports the picket force in direction of Franklin as being increased. A party of gentlemen arrived in Franklin this morning from Nashville, accompanying the remains of Hon. William H. Polk for interment in Columbia. They bring Federal news of the battle at Fredericksburg. General Burnside lost 5,000 men in taking our first line of fortifications, and it was estimated that they would lose 30,000 to take the second, Burnside recrossed the river and destroyed the pontoon bridges. It was believed at Nashville that Burnside was badly whipped. The same party of gentlemen say they passed a regiment of infantry this side of Brentwood, on the Franklin pike, going in that direction, and saw one going the other way. They report the enemy as being encamped on the Franklin pike, from Brentwoot to Nashville all the way.

I have the honor to be, yonrs, respectfully

JNO. A. WHARTON,
Commanding Cavalry Brigade.