the day before they crossed the Tennessee. They captured 3 valuable steamers; burned 8 fortified court-horses, several important railroad brigades, depots, stockades, and block-houses; captured and paroled 250 prisoners; and caused to be withdrawn from Nashville McCook's entire division of cavalry, consisting of 3,000 veteran soldier, and detained at and near Louisville Wilder's brigade of cavalry, about 1,500 strong, thus causing a diversion in favor General Hood in his retreat from Nashville of the boats on the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers while crossing my command.

My thanks are due to Colonel Chenoweth and Lieutenant-Colonel Cunningham; also, to the members of my staff-Captain W. D. McKay, acting assistant adjutant-general; Lieutenant John Couch, assistant adjutant-general; Captain P. Echols, acting assistant inspector-general; Lieutenant Hubert Keon, acting assistant inspector-general; and Lieutenant William Winston, aide-de-camp-for the uniform promptness with which they performed every duty required of them.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. B. LYON,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Department.

Honorable JH. A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

DECEMBER 10-29, 1864.-Expedition from East Tennessee into Southwestern Virginia.

SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS.

December

10, 1864.- Gillem's command starts from Knoxville, Tenn.

12, 1864.- Stoneman's command (Burbridge's and Gillem's forces) advances from Bean;s Station, Tenn.

Skirmish at Brig Creek, near Rogersville, Tenn.

13, 1864.- Action at Kingsport, Tenn.

14, 1864.- Affair at Bristol, Tenn.

15, 1864.- Skirmish near Abingdon, Va.

Skirmish near Glade Springs, Va.

16, 1864.- Action at Marion and capture of Wytheville, Va.

17, 1864.- Capture and destruction of the Leak Mines, Va.

Skirmish near Mount Airy, Va.

17-18, 1864.- Engagement near Marion Airky, Va.

20-21, 1864.- Capture and destruction of salt works at Saltville, Va.

22, 1864.- Union force retire from Saltville.

27, 1864.- Burbridge's command reaches Pound Gap.

29, 1864.- Gillem's command reaches Knoxville, Tenn.

REPORTS.*

Numbers 1.- Major General George Stoneman, U. S. Army, commanding.

Numbers 2.- Bvt. Major General Stephen G. Burbridge, U. S. Army.

Numbers 3.- Brigadier General Alvan C. Gillem, U. S. Army.

Numbers 4.- Major General John C. Breckinridge, C. S. Army, commanding Department of Western Virginia and East Tennessee.

Numbers 5.- Major j. Stoddard Johnston, Assistant Adjutant-General, C. S. Army.

Numbers 6.- Lieutenant Colonel Vincent A. Witcher, Thirty-fourth Virginia Battalion, commanding brigade.

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* See also Thomas's report, p. 44.

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