Reports of Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside, U.S. Army, commanding Department of the Ohio.
CINCINNATI, OHIO, June 25, 1863 — 12 m.
Colonel Sanders, in returning from East Tennessee, found the gap through which he intended to pass so well fortified that he was obliged to go through another, which was impassable for artillery. He therefore destroyed the two pieces of artillery which he took with him, and three captured pieces, and left them behind.
A.E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General.
H.W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
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CINCINNATI, OHIO, June 27, 1863.
Colonel Sanders’ command has arrived inside of our lines. He left on the expedition but 1 killed, 2 wounded, and a few stragglers taken prisoners. He captured ten pieces of artillery instead of three, as I before reported, which he destroyed. The report of the destruction of the bridges and public stores, and capture of prisoners and small-arms, was correctly given in his first dispatch. He and his command deserve great credit for their patience, endurance, and gallantry. The Strawberry Plains Bridge is the most important on the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad. Intelligent men from that neighborhood assert that it will take months to rebuild it. A written report will be sent in a day or two.
A.E. BURNSIDE,
Major-General.
H.W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
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Reports of Col. William P. Sanders, Fifth Kentucky Cavalry, commanding expedition.
BOSTON, June 23, 1863.
I arrived here with my command at 11 o’clock this morning. I struck the railroad at Lenoir’s; destroyed the road up to Knoxville; made demonstrations against Knoxville so as to have their troops drawn from above; destroyed the track, and started for Strawberry Plains; burned Slate Creek Bridge (312 feet long), the Strawberry Plains Bridge (1,600 feet long), and also Mossy Creek Bridge (325 feet long). I captured 3 pieces of artillery, some 200 boxes of artillery ammunition, over 500 prisoners, 1,000 stand of arms, and destroyed a large amount of salt, sugar, flour, and saltpeter, and one saltpeter works and other stores. My command is much fatigued; we have had but two nights’ sleep since leaving Williamsburg. The force in East Tennessee was larger than I had supposed. I did not attack Loudon Bridge for reasons that I will explain. At Mossy Creek I determined to return in the mountains. I had very great difficulty that was unexpected. I found the gap strongly guarded with artillery and infantry, and blockaded with fallen timber, through which I expected to return. A force was also forming in our rear. I determined to cross at Smith’s Gap. I will report more fully as soon as possible.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W.P. SANDERS,
Colonel, Commanding.
General AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE.
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MOUNT VERNON, June 26, 1863 — 3.30 p.m.
GENERAL: I have just arrived at this place. Will turn the command over to Colonel Byrd, to take to Hickman, and proceed to Lexington, as directed by General Hartsuff. Major Dow, with 170 men, is still back. He will be in Loudon to-night. The number of pieces of artillery taken was ten, three at Lenoir’s, two at Knoxville, and five at Strawberry Plains. The bridge at the latter place was guarded by 400 men and five pieces of artillery. We captured all the guns, 125 prisoners; killed their commanding officer and several privates. Our loss was only 1 wounded at that place, 1 killed and 2 wounded at Knoxville. Have lost some stragglers taken prisoners. The operator was taken the day we reached Knoxville. Have lost a number of horses.
W.P. SANDERS,
Colonel, Commanding.
Maj. Gen. AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE.
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LEXINGTON, June 28, 1863.
GENERAL: I was in the edge of the town limits. The force was 1,500 regular soldiers, and all the citizens were forced into the ranks. They had had pieces of artillery in position; the streets were barricaded with cotton bales; batteries protected by the same. We were engaged with the enemy for about one hour at long range at this place. General Buckner was absent at the time. He commands East Tennessee, Southwestern Virginia, and Western North Carolina. Part of the troops at Knoxville were brought from Bristol the evening I arrived there. I was within 2 miles of the place from sundown until 8 o’clock the next morning.
W.P. SANDERS,
Colonel.
Maj. Gen. AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE.
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LEXINGTON, KY., July 26, 1863.
COLONEL: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to special instructions from the general commanding the department, I left Mount Vernon, Ky., June 14, 1863, with a force of 1,500 mounted men, composed of detachments of different regiments — as follows: Seven hundred of the First East Tennessee Mounted Infantry, under Col. R.K. Byrd; 200 of the Forty-Fourth Ohio Mounted Infantry, under Major Moore; 200 of the One hundred and twelfth Illinois Mounted Infantry, under Major Dow; 150 of the Seventh Ohio Cavalry Volunteers, under Captain Rankin; 150 of the Second Ohio Cavalry Volunteers, under Captain Drye; and a section of Captain Konkle’s battery, First Regiment Ohio Artillery Volunteers, under Lieutenant Lloyd — for the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad. From Mount Vernon to Williamsburg, on the Cumberland River, a distance of 60 miles, a train of wagons, containing forage and subsistence stores, accompanied the expedition. From this point I followed a route known as the Marsh Creek road to near Huntsville, Tenn., leaving that place a few miles to my left. We reached the vicinity of Montgomery, Tenn., on the evening of the 17th (June), and learning that a small party of rebels were stationed at Wartburg, 1 mile from Montgomery, I sent 400 men from the First East Tennessee to surprise and capture them, following one hour afterward myself with the remainder of the command. The surprise was complete. We captured 102 enlisted men and 2 officers (one of them an aide to General Pegram), together with a number of horses, 60 boxes artillery ammunition, several thousand pounds of bacon, salt, flour, and meal, some corn, 500 spades, 100 picks, besides a large quantity of other public stores, and 6 wagons with mule teams. The prisoners were paroled and the property destroyed.
A small portion of this command, who were out some distance from the camp, with their horses, escaped and gave the first notice of our approach at Knoxville, Kingston, Loudon, and other places. From this point I marched toward Kingston. When within 8 miles of there, I learned positively that Scott’s brigade and one battery were at that place, guarding the ford of Clinch River. For this reason, leaving Kingston to my right, I crossed the river 8 miles above, at Waller’s Ford, on the direct road to Loudon. At daylight on the 19th (June), I was within 3 miles of Loudon, and about the same distance from Lenoir’s. I here learned that a force of three regiments was at the Loudon Bridge, with eight pieces of artillery, and that they had been for two weeks strengthening the works at that place, digging rifle-pits, ditches, &c.; and having captured a courier from the commanding officer, with dispatches ordering the forces from Kingston to follow in my rear, and stating that the troops from Lenoir’s had been ordered to join them, I determined to avoid Loudon, and started immediately for Lenoir’s Station, which place I reached about 8 a.m., arriving there about thirty minutes after the departure of the rebel troops. At this station I captured a detachment of artillerymen, with three 6-pounder iron guns, 8 officers, and 57 enlisted men. Burned the depot, a large brick building, containing five pieces of artillery, with harness and saddles, two thousand five hundred stand of small-arms, a very large amount of artillery and musket ammunition, and artillery and cavalry equipments. The depot was entirely occupied with military stores, and one car filled with saddles and artillery harness. We also captured some 75 Confederate States mules and horses. There was a large cotton factory and a large amount of cotton at this place, and I ordered that it should not be burned, as it furnished the Union citizens of the country with their only material for making cloth, but have since learned that it was burned by mistake or accidentally. I had the telegraph wire and railroad destroyed from here on to Knoxville, at points about 1 mile apart. We met the enemy’s pickets at Knoxville about 7 p.m. on the 19th (June), and drove them to within a mile of the city. Leaving a portion of the First Kentucky Cavalry on this side of the town, I moved the rest of the command as soon as it was dark by another road entirely around to the other side, driving in the pickets at several places, and cut the railroad, so that no troops could be sent to the bridges above. At daylight I moved up to the city, on the Tazewell road. I found the enemy well posted on the heights and in the adjacent buildings, with eight or nine pieces of artillery. The streets were barricaded with cotton bales, and the batteries protected by the same material. Their force was estimated at 3,000, including citizens who were impressed into service. After about one hour’s skirmishing, I withdrew, capturing near the city two pieces of artillery — 6-pounders — the tents, and all the camp equipage of a regiment of conscripts, about 80 Confederate States horses, and 31 prisoners.
I then started for Strawberry Plains, following the railroad, and destroyed all the small bridges and depots to within 4 miles of the latter place, at Flat Creek, where I burned a finely built covered bridge, and also a county bridge. The guard had retreated. I left the railroad 3 miles below the town, and crossed the Holston River, so as to attack the bridge on the same side the enemy were. As soon as we came in sight they opened on the advance with four pieces of artillery. I dismounted the infantry and sent the Forty-fourth Ohio, under Major Moore, up the river, and the rest, under Colonel Byrd and Major Dow, to get in their rear. After about an hour’s skirmishing, the enemy were driven off, and having a train and locomotive, with steam up, in waiting, a portion of them escaped, leaving all their guns (five in number), 137 enlisted men and 2 officers as prisoners, a vast amount of stores, ammunition, and provisions, including 600 sacks of salt, about 70 tents, and a great quantity of camp equipage, in our possession. I remained at this place all night, and destroyed the splendid bridge over the Holston River, over 1,600 feet long, built on eleven piers. The trestle-work included, this bridge was 2,100 feet in length.
At daylight on the 21st (June) I started up the railroad for the Mossy Creek Bridge, destroying the road at all convenient points. At Mossy Creek, New Market, and vicinity I captured 120 prisoners and destroyed several cars, a large quantity of stores, several hundred barrels of saltpeter, 200 barrels of sugar, and a large amount of other stores. The bridge burned at Mossy Creek was a fine one, over 300 feet in length. Near this place I also destroyed the machinery of a gun factory and a saltpeter factory.
I determined to leave the railroad here and endeavor to cross the mountains at Rogers’ Gap, as I knew every exertion was being made on the part of the enemy to capture my command. I forded the Holston, at Hayworth’s Bend, and started for the Powder Springs Gap, of Clinch Mountain. Here a large force was found directly in my front, and another strong force overtook and commenced skirmishing with my rear guard. By taking county roads, I got into the gap without trouble or loss, and had all this force in my rear. On arriving within a mile and a half of Rogers’ Gap, I found that it was blockaded by fallen timber, and strongly guarded by artillery and infantry, and that all the gaps practicable were obstructed and guarded in a similar manner. I then determined to abandon my artillery, and move by a wood path to Smith’s Gap, 3 miles from Rogers’ Gap. The guns, carriages, harness, and ammunition were completely destroyed, and left. I had now a large force both in front and rear, and could only avoid capture by getting into the mountains, and thus place all of them in my rear, which I succeeded in doing, after driving a regiment of cavalry from Smith’s Gap. The road through this pass is only a bridle-path, and very rough. I did not get up the mountain until after night. About 170 of my mean and officers got on the wrong road, and did not rejoin the command until we reached Kentucky.
Owing to the continual march, many horses gave out and were left and, although several hundred were captured on the march, they were not enough to supply all the men. We reached Boston, Ky., on the 24th. Our loss was 2 killed, 4 wounded, and 13 missing. I inclose an abstract of these.
I am much indebted for the success of the expedition to Col. R.K. Byrd, for his valuable assistance and advice; also to Majors Moore and Dow, and to Captains Welch, Rankin, and Drye, of the cavalry, for the able manner in which they conducted the rear guard. Lieutenant Lloyd managed his section of artillery with great ability and judgment, and rendered great assistance to the expedition. Lieut. G.H. Forsyth, acting assistant adjutant-general and aide-de-camp, rendered valuable service. To Sergeant Reynolds, First East Tennessee Volunteers, and his guides, I am chiefly indebted for the main success. His knowledge of the country is thorough and reliable, and was invaluable. All the officers and men deserve great credit and praise for the cheerfulness with which they submitted to great hardships and fatigue, and their energy and readiness at all times either to fight or march.
I inclose the parole of 461 prisoners.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W.P. SANDERS,
Colonel Fifth Kentucky Cavalry, Commanding Expedition.
Lieut. Col. LEWIS RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General.
ADDENDA.
CINCINNATI, June 25, 1863.
Col. W.P. SANDERS, London, Ky.:
Your dispatch of yesterday duly received.
Please accept my best thanks and hearty congratulations for the brilliant success of your expedition.
A.E. BURNSIDE.
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HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES,
Camp Sanders, July 2, 1863.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following list of casualties in the different regiments of this command in recent East Tennessee expedition:
1st Tennessee Mounted Infantry: Enlisted men killed 0; Commissioned officers wounded 1; Enlisted men wounded 0; Commissioned officers missing 0; Enlisted men missing 2; Aggregate 3. Remarks — Captain Aytse wounded.
1st Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry (detachment): Enlisted men killed 1; Commissioned officers wounded 0; Enlisted men wounded 0; Commissioned officers missing 0; Enlisted men missing 1; Aggregate 2. Remarks — James Miller, Company C, killed; F. Spratt prisoner.
2d Ohio Volunteer Cavalry (detachment): Enlisted men killed 0; Commissioned officers wounded 0; Enlisted men wounded 3; Commissioned officers missing 0; Enlisted men missing 5; Aggregate 8. Remarks — 2 wounded slightly, 1 mortally.
7th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry (detachment): Enlisted men killed 0; Commissioned officers wounded 0; Enlisted men wounded 0; Commissioned officers missing 0; Enlisted men missing 6; Aggregate 6.
44th Ohio Mounted Infantry (detachment): Enlisted men killed 0; Commissioned officers wounded 0; Enlisted men wounded 0; Commissioned officers missing 1; Enlisted men missing 1; Aggregate 2. Remarks — Lieut. Badger taken prisoner; 1 private wounded at Strawberry Plains.
112th Illinois Mounted Infantry (detachment): Enlisted men killed 1; Commissioned officers wounded 0; Enlisted men wounded 0; Commissioned officers missing 0; Enlisted men missing 5; Aggregate 6. Remarks — 1 enlisted man killed and 5 drowned or taken prisoners.
Total: Enlisted men killed 2; Commissioned officers wounded 1; Enlisted men wounded 3; Commissioned officers missing 1; Enlisted men missing 20; Aggregate 27.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R.K. BYRD,
Colonel, First Tennessee Mounted Infantry, Commanding.
(Lieut. Col. LEWIS RICHMOND, Assistant Adjutant-General.)
JULY 26.
Since this was written, 7 of the missing have reported.
W.P. SANDERS,
Colonel, Fifth Kentucky Cavalry.
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Report of Maj. Gen. Simon B. Buckner, C.S. Army.
KNOXVILLE, June 24, 1863.
GENERAL: The enemy’s cavalry escaped through Chalder’s Gap, with loss of a few prisoners and horses, and their artillery and baggage. They are beyond the mountains. The railroad and small trestles will be in order to the Holston in four days. The cars can cross the Holston, on a trestle-bridge I am building, within two weeks. After that time there will be no delay or transfer of freight. After four days hence the only transfer will be in crossing the Holston, where, if necessary, I will send a small steamer.
S.B. BUCKNER,
Major-General.
General S. COOPER.
(Indorsement.)
JUNE 26, 1863.
ENGINEER BUREAU:
Do you understand how General Buckner can so speedily renew the bridges? It makes the damage to us less serious than supposed. I should be pleased to see you on this subject.
J.A.S. (SEDDON),
Secretary.
Civil War in Kentucky 
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