the alacrity with which, after a march of ordinary length during the day, they made the night march from Glasgow to Cave City and then on the succeeding night from that place to Woodsville; the courage with which they first drove the enemy into his works and then attacked him in them, and which drew encomiums even from their foes; the endurance with which they fought for four hours against heavy odds without an opportunity for rest and with but little food or water, and the orderly manner in which, after a day of such toils, they retreated their steps to Cave City, entitle them to the highest praise that I can give; nor can I omit the opportunity to express my regret at the loss of the many brave officers and men who were killed or wounded. Most prominent among these - not more by their than by their high soldierly qualities - were Colonel Smith, of the Tenth Mississippi Regiment, who fell severely wounded in advance of his regiment and within a few yards of the enemy's works while leading a charge against them; Lieutenant-Colonel Bullard, of the same regiment, who was killed, and Lieutenant-Colonel Moore, commanding Blythe's Mississippi regiment, who was mortally wounded in the same attack, and Major General W. C. Richards, commanding battalion of sharpshooters, who was severely wounded early in the action. They fell where they would have but liked to have fallen, in the very face of the enemy and while leading their men against them, but their loss will be severely felt in this brigade and their places cannot easily be supplied.

My thanks are due to the members of my staff for their gallant and efficient conduct in the separate departments. During both engagements Captain W. A. Goodman, assistant adjutant-general; Lieutenant G. T. Banks,aide-de-camp;Walter L. Strickland,volunteers aide-de-camp, whose horse was twice wounded; Major James Barr,jr., of the Tenth Mississippi Regiment, and acting brigade inspector,and Major H. H. Chalmers, acting commissary of subsistence, were constantly and actively engaged in bearing orders often under a heavy fire. Lieutenant J. B. Mattison, ordnance officer, was active and efficient in the management of his train. Dr. J. H. P. Westbrook, senior surgeon of the brigade, proved himself eminently fitted for his position by his skill and energy displayed in the care and treatment of the wounded, and Major [J. M.] Thompson, brigade quartermaster, was exceedingly prompt in bringing up wagons and other vehicles from Cave City for their removal to that place.

I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAMES R. CHALMERS,

Brigadier-General.

Major D. E. HUGER,

A. A. G., Res. Div., Right Wing Army of the Miss.

[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT NO.2, Knoxville, Tenn., November 3, 1862.

This attack was unauthorized and injudicious; but the conduct of the troops and commander in action reflects credit on both,and adds but another proof to the many of their distinguished gallantry. The loss of the gallant and admired Colonel Smith, with the other valuable officers and men of this distinguished brigade, will be mourned by their comrades and the country.

BRAXTON BRAGG,
General, Commanding.