i . N. B. FORREST to Charles Clark, December 5, 1861

Hopkinsville, Ky., December 5, 1861.

Leaving Hopkinsville November 24 with 300 men and their officers, :

under orders from brigade headquarters, we went to Greenville, where we found some arms and equipments belonging to the enemy, as will

Omar XVIL) FORREST’S EXPEDITION TO CASEYVILLE, ETC. KY. 5

be seen by a list herewith returned ; also a soldier in full uniform, whom we made prisoner and returned to the commander of the post; from thence to Madisonville, where I sent Captain Overton, with 30 men, in the direction of Ashbysburg and Calhoun, who reported that all the troops had left the former place and gone to the latter (Calhoun). I then sent a scout to Henderson, dressed as a citizen, who reported that all the Federal forces had been sent from that town to Calhoun and their Sick to Evansville.

I then visited Providence and Claysville and Morganfield, at all of which places the people met us with smiles and cheers, and fed and greeted us kindly.

I then went to Caseyville, on the Ohio River; then up the Tradewater 12 miles, where I erossed and went to Marion, in Crittenden County. When near that place a lady eame from her door and begged iu the name of her children for help, and representing that her husband (who was a citizen of standing and unconnected with the war) had been captured by Federal soldiers, led on and assisted by citizens of the neighborhood, whose names being given, I deemed it proper to arrest. William Akers was arrested, and when I approached the house of Jonathan Bells he shot the surgeon of my regiment from the door and escaped by a back opening in the house. A noble and brave man, and skillful surgeon, and high-toned gentleman was Dr. Van Wyck, aud his loss was deeply felt by the whole regiment. Dispatching the body in care of Major Kelly, with 100 men, to Hopkinsville, I remained in the vicinity of Marion another day, and my scouts arrested one Federal soldier and brought him as prisoner, and killed one Scott, the leader of the band, who had sworn to shoot Southern men from their houses and behind trees, he (Seott) attempting it by wounding three horses with a shot-gun. The scouts found with him three guns and a pistol, which are returned to the Ordnance Department; also two horses of the enemy.

From Marion I went to Dycusburg and Eddyville, where I learned that no boats or soldiers had been on the Cumberland for twelve days at those points. The people at the latter places treated us with the utmost liberality and kindness.

It is believed that the expedition has done great good in giving confidence to the Southern-rights men, destroying the distorted ideas of Union men, who expected every species of abuse at the hands of the Confederate soldiers, many of thein expressing their agreeable disappointment and change of views in regard to our army, and not a few assured us that they would no longer use any influence against the eause of the South. Universa! kindness was the policy of the officers in command. With me were Captains Overton, May, Fruitt [Trewhitt?], and Hambrick, in command of detachments of their own companies, and Lieutenant Sims, in command of a detachment of Captain Gould’s com pany, and Lieutenant Gentry, in command of a detachment of Captain Logan’s company, and as guide Lieutenant Wallace, of Captain G. A. Huwald’s company.

A number of hogs and cattle were started from the counties between this and the river and along the river under the auspices of the expedition.

There are no Federal forces remaining on this side the Ohio from the mouth of Green to the mouth of Cumberland, and with the exception of a few scouts none have been there for twelve days.

After I left Madisonville, Jaekson’s cavalry visited the place, about 400 in number, but he attempted no pursuit; he might have easily overtaken us. After we were at Caseyville 200 Federal troops came there

6 OPERATIONS IN KY., TENN., N. ALA., AND 8. W. VA. [Cuar. XVIL Ã

and captured about eighty hogs, became intoxicated on stolen whisky, and left in a row. Dire All of which is

respectfully submitted. — < > –

i . N. B. FORREST,
Colonel, Commanding Forrest Regiment Cavalry.
Brig. Gen. CHARLES CLARK
Commanding at Hopkins ville, Ky.
No. 2.
Report of Lieut. Col. James Peckham, Eighth Missouri Infantry.
CAMP GENERAL SMITH, Paducah, Ky., December 2, 1861.
SIR: In compliance with your order of the 30th ultimo, I proceeded,