OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

Numbers 3. Reports of Major James Hagan, Mississippi Cavalry.

LITTLE MUDDY CHURCH CAMP, October 31, 1861.

GENERAL: I have the honor to report that, in accordance with orders from headquarters, I left Bowling Green at 10 p. m. 29th instant, in command of a detachment of the Adams Cavalry. On my route during the night I met several detached parties, composing the command of Captain Lewers, all of whom gave such alarming accounts of the numbers of the enemy that it induced me to proceed with caution. I met Captain Lewers, who informed me he had abandoned his camp at Woodbury. I encamped for a few hours, with a view of resting men and horses and obtaining information, but could hear nothing but vague reports of a large force of the enemy having crossed the river, and were occupying Woodbury and Morgantown. I proceeded towards the former place. As I approached I met numbers of the inhabitants abandoning their homes. On my entrance, I made such disposition of my force as would enable me to discover the presence of the enemy without endangering the safety of my command, and proceeded in this manner through the town and immediate vicinity without opposition. I then learned that the enemy had left the night previous, taking the direction to Morgantown. This force was estimated at from 150 to 200 men, with two pieces of artillery. After securing the camp and garrison equipage left by Captain Lewers, and ordering back my wagons to this point, I proceeded in pursuit of the enemy. As I approached Morgantown it became evident from the indications that the enemy were probably in position on the ground occupied by them in the affair with Captain Lewers. A reconnaissance of the hill, however, satisfied me that they had again retreated. I then entered Morgantown without opposition, and learned that a force of 400 to 450 infantry had crossed the river at Bora's Ferry and occupied that town for a few hours; that this force, with the detachment that had crossed at Woodbury, had left the town the night previous with the intention of recrossing at Bora's Ferry. After satisfying myself that there was no opposing force in the immediate vicinity of the town, I returned to camp, which I reached at 9 o'clock last night. The force which crossed at Woodbury was commanded by a Colonel Burbridge; that which occupied Morgantown, by a Colonel McHenry.

From my present knowledge of the movements and position of the enemy I will consider the original order to thoroughly search the bend of the rivers as still in force, which I hope will meet with your approval. I will therefore proceed this morning on that duty, and will probably encamp to-night near Morgantown. I would here remark that the people generally in this section of the country are either sympathizers of the Lincoln Government, or so indifferent to ours that reliable information is difficult to obtain.

I would beg to state that in our operations of yesterday, when on several occasions, where a collision with the enemy was momentarily expected, both officers and men behaved with the greatest coolness and gallantry.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAMES HAGAN.

Major, Commanding.

To Major-General HARDEE.