Colonel John S. Scott reports his engagement on Crab Orchards Road, during the Expedition into Kentucky

 

Colonel John Simms Scott 1865

Report of Col. J.S. Scott, First Louisiana Cavalry.

APRIL 4, 1863.

SIR: In accordance with orders, on March 30, while you were engaged with the enemy on the Crab Orchard road, I moved from your left with my own and Colonel (James E.) Carter’s regiment, to attack the enemy in flank and rear. After advancing about 1,000 yards, and reaching the head of a ravine that opened on the Crab Orchard road immediately in rear of the enemy’s batteries, I came in contact with a regiment moving in column, dismounted, bearing guns with fixed bayonets. I ordered my men to front into line for a charge, but soon discovered that I had but 30 men with me. On inquiry as to what had become of my command, I was informed by Captain (G.A.) Scott, who had pushed up from the rear, that it had been cut off by Lieutenant (J.F.) Ransom, one of your aides, ordered to countermarch, and resume the position which I had left. The enemy, whom I met at the head of the ravine, fled without firing a gun, and with my 30 men I marched back in the direction of where my command had been ordered by your aide. Before reaching them, however, I learned that you had ordered them back to me, and renewed the order to charge the enemy’s rear. After my command had returned, I found that my movements were discovered by the enemy, and he had made such preparation as rendered it impossible to attack him as near his front as first intended. After moving a few hundred yards farther to the rear, I divided my command into three parts, placing six companies of the First Louisiana Cavalry under Lieutenant-Colonel (James O.) Nixon, and four under Captain (Samuel) Matthews, with orders to charge down at right angles to the Crab Orchard road, while Colonel Carter, by making a detour to the left, would strike the same road several hundred yards farther to the rear, and charge up it. Owing to the unevenness of the ground, the two detachments of the First Louisiana were unable to reach the road, mounted, and finding the enemy in force on their front, a part of the regiment was dismounted, which engaged him briskly, while Colonel Carter gallantry drove through a regiment of infantry and dispersed a detachment of cavalry. But finding the enemy in front of Colonel Nixon too strong, he filed to the right and formed in rear of the First Louisiana, who at that time were engaging the enemy with spirit and determination. Lieutenant-Colonel Nixon fought them until his ammunition was exhausted, when he retired to the rear of Colonel Carter, who gave them a heavy volley as the cavalry charged; but, being overpowered by numbers, was compelled to give way. On the Stanford road I again rallied my men, and with a few rounds of ammunition checked and drove back the enemy with some loss, and retired toward the Cumberland.

  After the charge of Colonel Carter, a fight could have been avoided, and the two regiments been brought off without the loss of 10 men; but both officers and men seemed to feel that upon an effort made there devolved the safety of the brigade, and all were willing to submit to any sacrifice to insure its safe crossing at the river. It was for this reason that I attempted to make a stand against a force fully five times my number, and that had already flanked me on both wings.

My command did not number over 330 men. Of that number the First Louisiana lost 71 men and 4 commissioned officers, and Colonel Carter’s lost 5 commissioned officers and 32 men.

  The individual acts of gallantry and heroism were so numerous as to preclude the possibility of my detailing them. Colonel Carter and Lieutenant-Colonel Nixon displayed great coolness on the field. The former was at one time completely surrounded, and made his escape by use of his pistol. The latter had his bridle-reins seized by a Yankee officer, but succeeded in making his escape with a slight wound in his hand.

  This is the first time that the First Louisiana Cavalry has ever turned their backs on an enemy, and I assure you I feel as much mortified as any soldier could who thinks he has done his duty. But for the unfortunate circumstance of cutting my command in two when I thought I had an advantage of the enemy, the disasters of the day might have been very much lessened, and I would respectfully suggest that aides in the future be instructed to bear your messages to me in person, instead of halting my column in a charge and in the face of a powerful enemy.

Very respectfully,

J.S. SCOTT,

Colonel First Louisiana Cavalry.

Brigadier-General PEGRAM,

Commanding Cavalry.

Fight at Monticello, Kentucky May 1, 1863

REBEL ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE

  Early on the morning of the first instant, Colonel Morrison, then commanding our brigade at Albany, Kentucky, received despatches from Colonel Chenault, at Monticello, to the effect that he was holding the enemy in check, that their force consisted of only three regiments of infantry and one of cavalry, including four pieces of artillery, and if he, Colonel Morrison, would come to their assistance they could capture the entire command, or run them into the river. Colonel Morrison immediately ordered the brigade in the direction of Monticello in quick-time. Though Chenault had long since retreated from every position he held, from Monticello back to where the Albany road leaves the Jamestown road, had fallen back nine miles, thus cutting off all communication with Colonel Morrison and the force on the Jamestown road. Captain Day's battalion was the advance. He, true to the instincts of a cautious commander, ordered two advance- guards. Lieutenant Gibson, commanding the first, was cut off and made his way to Chenault. The second was fired into, when the battalion was about-faced, and, whilst forming in a field adjacent that one in which they were marching, the Yankees made an attempt to charge their line, which was responded to by a volley of Minie-balls, when the order was given by the valiant and chivalrous Day to charge their advancing column, which they did in magnificent style. If ever blue bellies took to their heels, they did. They never stopped until they got to a woodland one mile distant.
  Colonel Morrison ordered back to the left Day's battalion and moved forward the artillery, Hincel's battery. The lines of the enemy were then within four hundred yards of our lines. Lieutenant Ramsey opened on them with deadly effect ~ every shot penetrated their lines. They soon left the field, followed by bombs of cool and intrepid Ramsey.
  The artillery in connection with Day's battalion forced the enemy back on their right and from our left, when they attempted to turn our right flank. Major Cobb had been sent to protect our right, but found the enemy occupying the hills commanding the road, and was forced to take position some distance from the road. The enemy coming up on our centre, Major Cobb was ordered to hold his position, as that was considered the only safe way to take out our artillery. But before the despatch was received by the Major, he was forced from his position with the enemy following him. Colonel Morrison was then completely flanked, though he was prepared to drive back the enemy on the centre, should they continue to advance. The battery occupied in eminence commanding the road for some distance. The First Georgia, Major Davis was in front Colonel Carter was ordered up, but did not hare time to take his position; Day's battalion was on the extreme left. Colonel Morrison, under the circumstances, was ordered to fall back in the direction of Travisville, as the enemy were crossing the river at Greary Creek, only a few miles below, with two regiments of infantry, two of cavalry, and a heavy battery of artillery.
  During the evening, Chenault sent a despatch to Colonel Morrison, requesting reinforcements, as the enemy were pressing him. Colonel Carter was detached and ordered to his relief. He came to Travisville, and lo Chenault had sent Major Coff's command and the First Louisiana to that point, whilst he and Cluke struck a "bee line" in the direction of Middle Tennessee ~ without notifying Colonel Morrison or the reenforcements of his having left the position he had been holding that evening.
  Our brigade came through from the Albany road to Travisville unmolested but not whipped, for we had maintained our position and forced the enemy from theirs. Stragglers who were prejudiced against Colonel Morrison, and were too cowardly to remain in the field, skulked off to East-Tennessee to tell the tales of disaster and scandal.
  Our loss was two killed, nine wounded, and three prisoners. The loss of the enemy most have been from fifteen to twenty killed, aside from many wounded. Though the enemy shelled the brigade with four pieces of artillery for near an hour, they never forced back the brigade. Their entire force must have consisted of six or seven thousand, mostly mounted infantry, as there was a heavy force on both roads.
   At Hernden's we met the long looked for Pegram, who would have been greeted with many cheers but for the timidity of the men. All hearts seemed buoyed up by his arrival.
  He carries with him confidence wherever he goes. His appearance inspires his command with a feeling of confidence and success. He don t aspire for a commander of superior skill and ability. He has just returned from an arduous trip to Richmond, where he has been procuring arms and ammunition for his brigade. He will soon have his command the best armed of any in the confederate army.

Memphis Appeal