[CHAP. XXVIII.

and none ahead. Our animals are now suffering, and it will virtually sacrifice our train to move it any farther to the front. The same may be said of our artillery. Our infantry can go as far as rations will last which they can carry on their persons.

Kirby Smith encamped on the Madison road, 16 miles back from Pitman's, last night. If Gay could have crossed over this morning into that road he might have intercepted stragglers, &c., but his horses were suffering to an extent that would not permit such movement, and there is no forage in that direction.

We have 50 prisoners, which I have paroled, and I send them to the rear this morning. Many of them are deserters and beg that they may not be exchanged. Shall I press forward with my infantry, leaving trains and artillery?

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. S. SMITH,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Fourth Division.

Major General THOMAS L. CRITTENDEN, Commanding Second Corps.

ONE MILE FROM WILD CAT, October 17, 1862-12 m.

SIR: My advance brigade has passed Camp Wild Cat. We are pressing the rebel cavalry back, skirmishing with them at every turn of the road; have killed one of their men and wounded several. Three of our men wounded. They have so obstructed the road by felling timber that our progress is very slow. A cavalry force could prevent this, but our infantry cannot get ahead fast enough. They fell trees until we come up to them, then fall back rapidly and chop away again. We push them as closely as possible.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. S. SMITH,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Fourth Division.

Major-General CRITTENDEN.

CAMP WILD CAT, October 17, 1862-8 p.m.

SIR: A colored man whom I sent over to the Madison road this forenoon has returned, bringing me information to the effect that a rebel brigade encamped at the cross-roads skedaddled precipitately, leaving their rations cooking behind them, on Cruft's approach. He says they did not retire toward London, but proceeded on the prolongation of the Winding Glade road (the one taken from this point by General Cruft) toward Goose Creek. He says they left a drove of mules and some 20 cattle behind them. He came back by a very circuitous route and missed our forces. I have sent him with all haste, well mounted, to General Cruft's, to give him this information and to serve him as guide. We have just heard a cannon-shot in that direction, and hope Cruft has intercepted some of them. I informed him in a note sent by the colored man that you had sent two brigades over to the Madison road- one from Van Cleve's division and one from Wood's. I think I have reliable information that there is but one brigade of infantry and one of cavalry between this point and London on our road.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. S. SMITH,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Fourth Division.