ORs: (CS) Dispatch of Brig. Gen J. A. Wharton - December 28, 1862

War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
Series 1, Volume 20, Part 2 Page 467

SALEM,
December 28, 1862—8 p. m..

Lient. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK,
Commanding Polk’s Corps:

GENERAL:
The following is a copy of a dispatch just received from Colonel Smith:

EAGLEVILLE,
December 28, 1862—3.30 p. m.

GENERAL:
My scouts are just in from Seals, 6 1/2 miles from Triune—the road that you went. The enemy, embracing about 1,500, came to that point this morning, and remained a short time, and all went back toward Triune. They had two regiments of infantry and about 300 cavalry, and section of artillery. They sent this party out scouting or reconnoitering, and they returned to headquarters at Triune. This is entirely reliable. I am expecting information from my scout that I sent by your order to Franklin and Columbia.

Most respectfully, your obedient servant,

BAXTER SMITH,
Colonel, Commanding.

This settles, in my opinion, the flanking question. I have communicated the above intelligence to General Bragg, and told him, without he ordered to the contrary, I would place my headquarters on the Wilkinson pike, my right resting on Wheeler’s left and my left on this pike. This is my proper position as your cavalry officer, and I hope you will see that it is done. I am satisfied that what I told you to night was true, viz, that they went that far to develop General Bragg’s design. My falling back on this place convinces them that General Bragg will fight here.

Most respectfully, general, your obedient servant,

JNO. A. WHARTON,
Brigadier-General.