T. C. H. Smith to Reports, January 31, 1862
Near Lebanon, Ky., January 31, 1862.
COLONEL:
I have the honor to report that at 4 p. m. of the 29th I learned of the depredations of a party of the enemy on the turnpike 12 miles below Lebanon. I started immediately with two companies and pursued them to Vaughnâs Ferry, about 24 miles from our camp, reaching that point about midnight. They had crossed the river some hours before in the ferry-boat and set the boat adrift. There was no skiff or
118 ^ OPERATIONS IN KY., TENN., N. ALA., AND S.W. VA. [Omar XVIL
other means to cross the river there with dismounted men, and I left Company E, Captain Eggleston, with orders to wait until early daylight, and if any means could be found to cross the river safely to do so, and marched with the other company (B, Captain Laughlin) to Greensburg, hoping to find a boat on which the river could be passed with mounted men.
We arrived there about 5 p. m., and were informed that there was no boat there. By Colonel Hobsonâs active exertions a flat was found below the town some distance, bailed out, and put in order by 9 a. m., but it was then too late to give any reasonable probability of reaching the enemy. We had marched 34 miles, most of the distance over very rugged roads and through darkness, and the flat could pass at most but 6 mounted men at a time, requiring four hours and a half without accident to pass the company, with a retreat hazardous, for the same reason that made a further advance promise to be fruitless. I was compelled by these reasons to abandon any further pursuit and returned. Isent ^ orders to Captain Eggleston previously to return if he found no means ~ to cross the river.
The officers and men throughout the march were ready for any exer- ` tion for advance and in good discipline.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ice Colonel, Commanding.
FEBRUARY 2, 1862.âSkirmish in Morgan County, Tennessee, 3
No. 1.âCol. D. Leadbetter, C. S. Army.
No. 2.â Lieut. Col. J. W. White, First Tennessee Cavalry.
E
No. 1.