| Mc Minnville TN, August, 1862 |
McMinnville Tn 1862 HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH BRIGADE, Near McMinnville, Tenn., August 31, 1862. SIR: In pursuance to orders from Brigadier-General Wood to cut off General Forrest and his command, who was passing to the westward and within 2 miles of this camp, making his way northward, and upon five minutes' notice, after procuring a guide, I marched in a circuitous route through the woods to the Murfreesborough and McMinnville road, a distance of 6 miles from camp. I pushed forward in the direction of Murfreesborough in quick-time until I came to an open country, where at some distance across the fields I discovered the column of General Forrest, consisting entirely of cavalry. The enemy having become aware of my presence at this time there commenced an exciting race between his command of cavalry and my column of infantry for the intersection of the two roads. I ordered my command forward at a double-quick, which they obeyed cheerfully, although they had marched several miles at quick-time without water. I discovered when about 400 or 500 yards distant from the junction of the roads that General Forrest had formed his command in line of battle to receive my attack. I immediately ordered Lieutenant Estep, commanding Eighth Indiana Battery, to take up a position on an elevated piece of ground in the field to the left of the road, with instructions to commence firing, and the advance guard (Companies A and F, Captains James and Peatman, of the Twenty-sixth Ohio), under Major Degenfeld, to deploy in front of the artillery on the low ground, advance, and commence firing. In the mean time Lieutenant-Colonel Young, commanding the Twenty-sixth Ohio Regiment, agreeably to instructions, formed his regiment in rear of the advance guard and followed it closely in line of battle. After firing a few rounds the enemy's lines gave way in the center. His right wing (the Texan Rangers and some Alabama troops) were forced to take the back track to our left, while General Forrest, with his left wing, scampered off in the direction of Murfreesborough. I ordered Lieutenant Jervis forward on the main road with one section of artillery to fire on General Forrest's detachment, and gave instructions to Lieutenant-Colonel Gorman, commanding Seventeenth Indiana? to support him with his regiment. I then ordered Lieutenant Voris, with the other section, supported by the Fifty-eighth Indiana, Colonel Buell commanding, to follow up and to fire on the Texan Rangers, leaving the Twenty-sixth Ohio to occupy the center. In a very short time the enemy were entirely dispersed in every direction; so much so that it was with great difficulty I could determine on which road it would be must profitable to pursue him. I immediately concluded to follow him on the Murfreesborough road, but it had grown so dark that I was enabled to pursue him but about 2 miles, when I was forced to abandon the chase in consequence of the men and animals suffering for water. I returned to camp the same night, arriving about 11 o'clock. The ground over which we fought presented every indication of the utmost confusion and consternation on the part of the enemy, the woods and roads being strewn with arms, wearing apparel, &c. Accompanying this I have the honor to present a list of the property that fell into our hands. The actual loss of the enemy I had no means of ascertaining, but from the statements of citizens subsequently received and from his own admissions his loss must have been from 18 to 20 in killed and wounded. It is with pleasure that I inform you that these fine regiments of your division never came into line in better order at their battalion drills than they did upon this occasion. The artillery, commanded by Lieutenant Estep, was well handled, quickly got into position, fired rapidly and with precision. The command of that portion of the brigade that accompanied the expedition devolved upon me in consequence of the severe illness of Brigadier-General Hascall, who was at the time confined to his room. It is proper to state that the Third Kentucky Regiment did not participate, in consequence of just having returned from a severe march of two days' duration, thus entirely incapacitating them for further immediate service. I cannot speak too highly in praise of the members of the general staff. Capt. Ed. R. Kerstetter, assistant adjutant-general, and Lieuts. James R. Hume, Jules J. Montagnier, and Charles H. Bruce, aides-de-camp, were active in conveying my commands to every part of the field. I would respectfully commend them to your favorable notice. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. P. FYFFE, Colonel Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteers, Commanding. Capt. W. H. SCHLATER, A. A. G, Sixth Division, Army of the Ohio. |
| Webmaster note: Below is an Official Record accounting of the 26th OVI encounter with General Bedford Forrest's Cavalry near McMinnville, TN. Source: Official Record, Vol XVI, Series 1, Part 2 |
| " On the 30th, he [ General Forrest] suffered a fourth defeat. Passing to the left of General Wood's camp at Woodbury...he was soon after roughly handled by Colonel E P Fyffe, whom General Wood had sent with his regiment, the Twenty-Sixth Ohio, to meet him. Colonel Fyffe attacked him when in line of battle, at the intersection of two roads, nine miles west of McMinnville, and by the suddeness and impetuosity of his attack, routed him without losing a man." Army of the Cumberland, Van Horne, page 132 |