W. M. E. Martin to J. H. Morrison, January 4, 1861

GENERAL: I avail myself of your suggestion to-day relative to the action of the 1st merely to report that a detachment of my regiment, under Maj. G. W. Oswald, reported to Colonel Jones early in the day, and participated in the engagement with their double-barreled guns and navy revolvers ; that I was detained by General Pemberton at his headquarters, and it was in carrying orders for him that I had the pleasure of meeting you, and my local knowledge, which I have diligently aequired, enabled me to point out the way through the woods which you followed. Further, I have only to add that after the engagement I, with Colonel McGowan, rode at full speed to the causeway near the enemy’s position, ascertained the condition of the wounded, and with the same gentleman and Dr. Turnipseed and some soldiers returned and brought away the wounded in a wagon, the enemy shelling us while

Siz: I have the honor to. report that on the 1st instant I received »rders from Brigadier-General Pemberton to send a detachment of forty cavalry to report to General Jones, near the ferry. The detachment was under Captain Evans, as commander of the company, and Major Oswald, of my regiment. The detachment continued to act as a reserve, though engaged occasionally with the enemy’s skirmishers, whom: they assisted in driving back, the double-barreled gun and navy revolver having proved useful. General Pemberton directed me to remain at his headquarters.

At 3 p. m. he sent me to the scene of aetion to observe and report. On my way I overtook General Donelson with one of his regiments and led them to position by the general’s request. I had no other part in the affair, except that soon after our regiments retired to the cover of the wood I proposed to Lieutenant-Colonel McGowan, of Jones’ regiment, to reconnoiter the field in search of our wounded. This we did, advanoing on horseback at [full] speed to the spot in the causeway, where the shell exploded which did us the principal damage.

This was within 100 yards of the enemy’s position at Chaplin’s house. Having found the wounded, we returned with Dr. Turnipseed, of Dun. ovant’s regiment, and a few soldiers, and with a wagon we brought the wounded away under the shells of the enemy aimed at us and the wagon containing the wounded.

I have no casualties to report in my command.

Respectfully submitted.