and I immediately pushed forward some companies, under Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick, to prevent them from tearing up the Red River Bridge, the only practicable approach to the town. He caught them in the very act, charged them, drove them from the bridge, and held his position until I succeeded in planting two pieces of artillery on a bluff commanding the town. The enemy fled precipitately through the place and scattered in all directions.

Their loss, according to the report of their commander, Colonel Woodward, was 17 killed and from 40 to 50 wounded. Some of their dead were buried on the field and others taken to Providence and Clarksville.

We captured about 40 horses and a considerable quantity of arms and accouterments. I occupied the town during the night and the greater part of the next day, requiring the citizens to furnish rations for my command. While there I burned about 1,000 bales of hay, destroyed some 250 boxes of commissary stores, captured 3 Government wagons and several prisoners. By pressing teams into the service I was enabled to bring away nearly 200 boxes of commissary stores. I also brought with me several Union families, who were afraid to remain in the place.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

W. W. LOWE,

Colonel Fifth Iowa Cavalry, Commanding.

ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, U. S. ARMY,

Headquarters District of West Tennessee, Corinth, Miss.

SEPTEMBER 7, 1862.-Surrender of outpost at Shepherdsville, Ky.

Report of Captain Stephen R. Tinker, Fifty-fourth Indiana Infantry.

LOUISVILLE, September 8, 1862.

DEAR SIR: I would respectfully make the following report, viz:

On yesterday, 7th instant, my command, stationed at Shepherdsville, Ky., to guard the brigade at Salt River, had to surrender to a superior force, under the command of Colonel Hutcheson, of the

so-called Confederate Army. Said forces consisted of cavalry and at least three pieces of artillery. The first that we saw of them one of the captains came through our guards with a flag of truce, demanding an immediate and unconditional surrender, saying at the same time that we would all be paroled, which conditions I at once rejected. He (the captain) then told us that they had plenty of artillery,and unless we surrendered that he should commence firing, and that soon. I did not believe they had any cannon, but kept up a parley until my first lieutenant sent his son - a youth, who was visiting his father in camp,and dressed in citizen's clothes - to spy out whether or not they had any cannon. On his return he reported three field pieces and a number of my men made the same assertion, and that there must have been not less than 500 of the enemy. At this moment, the flag of truce being delayed so long, which was near three-quarters of an hour, the rebels opened fire by throwing a shell, which exploded near our stockade and wounded 1 of my men. They fired a number of rounds, when I thought, after consultation, it best to surrender on the following terms: That the commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers should retain all their private property and side-arms, the privates all their clothing, blankets,&c. All the balance