C. G. Schultz, assistant inspector-general; Captain W. H. Lewis, ordnance

officer of my staff, and my aide, Lieutenant R. C. Andrews, for valuable and

efficient aid. The work between the two points kept the first three con-

stantly busy, Captain Scott personally superintending the throwing for-

ward re-enforcements. My aide, Lieutenant Andrews, was with me at

Bridgeport, and did his duty coolly and well.

The Thirty-second Alabama did nobly, fighting like veterans, under

their able colonel (McKinstry), seconded by Lieutenant-Colonel Maury,

distinguished for gallantry and coolness on the field.

Captains Freeman and Dure and the officers under them did their

whole duty. Lieutenant Holtzclaw, of Captain Dure's battery, worked

the siege gun most of the time and splendidly. It was handled part of

the time by Captain McCreery.

Captain Rice and his command acted in a manner worthy of all praise.

In short I never saw troops behave better than did the Thirty-second

Alabama, Rice's cavalry, Freeman's and Dure's batteries, and the de-

tachment with siege guns. I particularly call your attention to the

boldness of this regiment of infantry in wading a broad sheet of water,

such as the Tennessee, up to their arm-pits, with retreat cut off and the

enemy known to be strong in front.

Should I be furnished with sufficient cavalry to reap the fruits of

this movement our cause will be greatly benefited. The work out of

which the enemy was shelled is a splendidly constructed field work, ad-

mirably executed; is the key to the Sequatchie Valley, and its possession

completely breaks the enemy's chain up the Tennessee River. With

cavalry to operate from that point toward Stevenson and Huntsville

the enemy could be kept in constant alarm.

I neglected in its appropriate place to say, which I do with gratitude,

that our loss was trifling--only 6 wounded and 1 missing; thus small

owing to the fact that the grounds on which the fight took place at

Bridgeport were perfectly well known to me, and the men most of the

time had the advantage of cover. The enemy's loss for such an affair

was heavy, variously estimated from 50 to 75 killed and wounded in the

two engagements--certainly not less than 50, and the indications are it

was greater.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. B. MAXEY,

Brigadier. General, Commanding.

Captain 0. S. STRINGFELLOW, Assistant Adjutant-General.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

Numbers 2. Pikeville, Tenn. September 2, 1862.

In the attack on the 27th ultimo on the enemy's works at Bridgeport

and Battle Creek by the troops under Brigadier-General Maxey the

general commanding finds a display of gallantry and boldness, rewarded

by complete success, which has rarely been surpassed. He congratulates

the brigadier and his gallant officers and men upon one of the most dash-

ing achievements of the day.

By command of General Bragg:

JNumbers M. OTEY,