At 11 p. m. I received information from one of my friendly scouts that the enemy's cavalry were encamped on the road-side between Castalian Springs and Hartsville, a distance of only 12 miles from my camp. Judging from the fact that they had halted by the road-side, I concluded that they intended to march at night and attack early in the morning, and I made my preparations accordingly, dispatching scouts upon whom I could depend to bring me positive information as to the enemy's movements. At daybreak my column was on the move, and as the advanced guard reached the head of the town my pickets came galloping in, followed by my principal scout, who reported that he was closely pursued by a large body of cavalry. Not wishing, on account of the inhabitants, to make Gallatin the scene of our contest, I advanced my column, and was greeted on reaching the Hartsville pike by a heavy fire from that direction. I dismounted the two leading companies to fight and threw them into the woods on the left of the road. The enemy increased his fire and I gradually had my whole command engaged.

The fight began at 6.30 o'clock and was maintained without much advantage on either side, the enemy having perhaps rather the best of it at first, until about 8.30 o'clock, when they began to fall back and my men to redouble their efforts. At 9.30 o'clock I had driven them 4 miles and was preparing for a final charge, when a flag of truce was brought proposing an armistice in order to bury their dead, My reply was that I could entertain no proposition except unconditional surrender.

I learned then that the troops were commanded by Brigadier-General Johnson. During the parley the enemy had formed into line of battle, and were evidently ready to defend themselves from any fresh attack. I divided my force into three divisions, leading one myself in the direction which I thought General Johnson had taken. Major [G. W.] Morgan had five companies under his orders on my left. Lieutenant Colonel [B. W.] Duke, on my right, had three companies and his advanced guard. Some delay was occasioned by the non-arrival of my gallant Texas Rangers, who formed part of the body under my own immediate orders. They had been separated from their horses during the preceding fight and had not been able to recover them in time to come to the front. On their arrival we marched on in the direction of the enemy, and Colonel Duke's division, coming within sight, advanced at a canter and opened fire. General Johnson's forces, being on a good pike, retreated for some time faster than my men, who were on difficult ground, could follow, but after a pursuit of some 2 miles they were overtaken and compelled to fight.

They were dismounted and formed behind their horses. The position they had selected was a very good one, especially as they considerably outnumbered Colonel Duke's force, which was the only one opposed to them; Major Morgan and my own detachment, in the eagerness of pursuit, having taken too far to the left.

Colonel Duke reports that on perceiving that the enemy had halted he formed his three companies and the advanced guard into columns of squadrons, preserving the regular distances between each, so as to be able to form into line at command and attack. This was done with admirable precision and coolness by his men, and nothing could exceed their gallantry. The enemy were formed under the brow of a hill, and my men were drawn up above them, so that their fire told with effect on my line, while that of the attacking party went over their heads. After a very sharp engagement of about fifteen minutes they broke and ran. General Johnson, his adjutant-general (Captain Turner), Major Winfrey, and a number of privates were captured, but the main body