Numbers 2.

Report of Captain James H. Boyl, Tenth Indiana Infantry.

CAMP, NEAR DECHERD, TENN., August 9, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report that on the 25th ultimo I learned by the conductor of the train running from Decatur to Tuscumbia, Ala., and which had left the former place that morning, that the Federal forces at Courtland, commanded by Captain [Henry G.] Davidson, Tenth Kentucky Volunteers, had been attacked by a superior force of the enemy and his entire command captured, the two companies of infantry and a large portion of the First Ohio Cavalry, Captain Eggleston, being prisoners. The road-master was on the train which brought the information, and requested me to put my command on board the cars, thereby protecting the interests of the Government in conducting the same to a place of safety, he representing that the train there was all the rolling stock that was available on the road, it having been transported across the river with great labor and expense, and that it would be impossible to procure another locomotive should the one then attached to the train be destroyed. After mature deliberation I determined to hold my position, and instructed the road-master to proceed to the camp of Captain Goben, some 6 miles distant, in the direction of Decatur, where he might learn more of the movements of the enemy. Arriving there, the road-master informed Captain [Frank] Goben of the destruction of the Courtland Bridge and the capture of the companies of Captain Davidson's command, asking him, in the name of the Government, for his company, numbering about 40 effective men, to conduct the train through to Decatur. The captain, not thinking it advisable to abandon his position, gave the road-master orders to proceed in the direction of Decatur at a cautious rate of speed, keeping a good lookout for any troops that might attempt the capture of the train, and if attacked in front to fall back to his camp. The train had proceeded but about a half mile when it was attacked by a cavalry force, numbering about 300 men. The engine was reversed and the train run back to Captain Goben's camp, closely followed by the rebel cavalry, who advanced until within about 300 yards of the camp, where, finding Captain Goben's company drawn up in line of battle, they slowly retreated, placing obstructions upon the road of cross-ties, which they set on fire to destroy those laid down, intending to render the road unfit for the passage of trains. After consultation with the road-master in regard to the value and importance of the bridge at which his company was stationed both agreed that it was of but little importance, being merely constructed of square sills thrown across a small creek, which I will here state was exactly the case of the one I was guarding, and Captain Goben placed his company on board the cars and joined my command.

Both the positions, that of Captain Goben and the one occupied by myself, were rendered valueless by the destruction of the long bridge at Courtland and the burning of a wooden culvert on the road. After the arrival of Captain Goben I placed my entire command, camp equipage, &c., on board, preparatory to leaving. This was not done because I deemed the position untenable, but I was satisfied it was valueless, having been informed by a citizen captured by my pickets that Courtland was in possession of the rebels and that an attack upon Decatur wa threatened by a large force of rebels. Other circumstances convinced me that his information was correct, and I decided to en-