Gordon Granger to Lyne Starling, August 19, 1863

Lieut. Col. LYNE STARLING, Chief of Staff, Twenty-first Army Corps:

CoLONEL: I reached this place at 11 a. m. to-day, and delayed writing until I should hear from Colonel Minty. He arrived this evening, and reports that he found Dibrell at Sparta on Monday afternoon with a strong force, equal to, if not greater than, his own. Attacked and routed him, driving him toward Yankeetown and then toward Kingston, pursuing him till 8 p. m., taking 18 prisoners. Our loss was 15 wounded ; rebel loss not known.

Colonel Minty left one battalion at Rock Island, and one with instructions to watch rebels near Sparta. His command is so reduced with broken-down horses that he has but about 1,200 mounted men with him. There being a rebel force in the vicinity of Kingston, he should have a strong force to make the reconnaissance toward the Tennessee to-morrow ; he can takeabout 1,000 men. Captain Abeel has instructions to establish the courier line to Dunlap. Colonel Minty’s forage and provision train, from McMinnville, is not expected before to-morrow evening, when he makes his reconnaissance. Is he to remain in the valley of the Tennessee till further orders? I so read the instructions.

very respectfully, your most obedient servant, –