disturbed by such rapid movements through the woods thickly set with troublesome undergrowth. My line was here formed across the Goldsborough road, and Brigadier-General Baker threw his line across mine, cutting nearly through the ceuter of my brigade. Being then informed by Major iRatchford, of Major-General Hills staff, that my command would then be placed in reserve, I immediately sent a staff officer to throw my left wing back on a line with my right, but before he could retnrn I was ordered forward with the right wing to fill up a space made vacant by the movement of the brigade on my right. From this position I was by Major-General Hill ordered forward with the right half of my brigade to attack the enemy again. This wing immediately advanced for the distance of say, 300 yards beyond the Goldsborough road, taking position on Brigadier-General Bakers right. 1 found no works at this point in my front, but just to my left were two lines of breastworks running rathex perpendicular to this road. These works were occnpied by the enemy with about the usual number of men in their lines. It was wholly unsafe to move farther forward or pass this force on my left, and, indeed, on discovering these works and their singular direction I came to the conclusion that to carry them was in part the objective point of my movement. I therefore wheeled to the left, assaulted and carried the first line and part of the second line, the balance manifesting a disposition to surrender by throwing down their guns, & c. At this moment I was informed that there was a consider- able Federal force not more than 100 yards to my right, and moving upon my rear. This was soon verified by the rapi(l advance from that direction of a well-defined line of Yankees more than double my num- ber. On the appearance of this force. those in my front renewed their resistance, and thus my command was immediately under heavy fire both in front and rear. I at once ordered a movement as rapidly as possible by the left flank, so as to retire back on or near the Golds- borough road, but the Federals effected a junction so quickly as to cap- ture some of my men and to cut oil Col. A. Searcy and Lieutenant- Colonel Hall, of the Forty-fifth Tennessee Volunteers, and Major Joy- ner, of the Eighteenth Tennessee Volunteers, with another portion. These officers, with fifty of my men and small detachments from other commands of our army, after having remained in rear of Shermans army for nine days, made their way around the enemys left flank and rejoined the brigade on yesterday with the four stand of colors of the Tennessee consolidation~ cut off with them. This required on their part very great adroitness, determination, courage, and endurance, and, aside from their gallant and meritorious conduct throughout the fight, jnstly entitles them to the highe4 distinction as soldiers. Immediately on retiring from the position just (lescribed I united the two wings of my brigade, and, by order of Major-General Stevenson, moved to the support of Brigadier-General Pettus. At 11 oclock that night this command, with the whole army, retired to the position first described in this report. My brigade, however, was placed in reserve after arriving there. I captured and sent to the rear 45 prisoners, besides 50 of their wounded, which I also sent to the rear during the days operations. My losses during the fight were 13 killed, 113 wounded, and 55 cap- tured, making in all 181. The enemys loss, I am satisfied, was greater, especially in killed. Among others of my killed was Lieut. Col. A, F. Boggess, of the Twenty-sixth Tennessee Volunteers, who fell in the gallant discharge of his duties, a noble specimen of the man, officer, and soldier.