If someone could find where this is, and if its still in an undeveloped area, one might be able to find a bunch of musket balls and other remnants from the battle (with permission of the property owner, of course). -Mark [The War of the Rebellion, Official Records (excerpt), Series I, Vol 23, Part 2-Reports, 1889] [Abstracted by Mark Murphy, 4 Dec 2001] p. 132 Report of Capt. William M. Flanagan, Third Ohio Cavalry. HEADQUARTERS THIRD OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, Camp Stanley, March 15, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the recent scout of the Third Ohio Volunteer Cavalry: Pursuant to orders, we marched on the morning of th 4th instant, at daylight, under the command of Col. Eli Long, of the Fourth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, commanding Second Cavalry Brigade. Taking the Salem pike, we marched about 10 miles in the direction of Unionville, a small village located on the Nashville and Shelbyville turnpike. On arriving within 2 miles of the village, we encountered the enemy's pickets, driving them in and following close upon their rear. The enemy, occupying that place in force, fled in haste on hearing of our approach. They did not escape in time, however, to prevent a loss of 50 prisoners and their camp and garrison equipage, consisting of tents, cooking utensils, wagons, &c. Not being prepared to carry any of our captured property with us, we remained in camp just long enough to destroy the same. Thence we were ordered toward Eagleville, on the Nashville and Shelbyville pike, where we bivouacked for the night, our horses under saddle, as we anticipated the enemy might follow in our rear; but they were judicious enough to approach and reconnoiter in small squads, which sufficed, however, to keep us on the alert, with our arms by our side, durin the night. We were called up quietly the next morning at 4 o'clock, and went as silently as possible about our respective duties. After we had breakfasted we fell into line, and, learning the enemy were occupying Chapel Hill, we marched for that point at 12 m. We reached Chapel Hill about 4 p.m., but only to find vacated camps, as General Steedman, with his brave and hardy soldiers, had routed the enemy, killing and capturing a large number. Weary and disappointed, we then fell back to our encampment at Eagleville. On the following morning we took up our line of march for Camp Stanley, but when 4 miles out were ordered to countermarch and proceed to Triune. From Triune we marched in the direction of Franklin, and, notwithstanding the roads were in bad condition from recent rains, we made a very expeditious march, encamping at night about 9 miles from Franklin. Resuming our march early next day, we reached Franklin about 12 m., where we encamped and remained over night. Early next morning, with the First Brigade, we took the Maury County pike, and, traveling about 6 miles, turned to the left up a road leading up a narrow valley to Thompson's Station, expecting there to find the enemy in force; but, being disappointed in this, we marched 5 miles farther on, making a junction at Columbia pike with a heavy column of troops under command of General Granger. Taking the advance of the whole column, with the First Cavalry Brigade immediately in our rear, we started for Columbia, passing through Spring Hill, a point which the enemy's cavalry had just left, retiring toward Columbia. We pressed them closely, skirmishing with them along the way without any casualties on our part. On arriving near Spring Creek we found the enemy strongly posted, guarding every ford and disputing with spirit and energy our passage. After skirmishing for several hours with the enemy across the stream, we returned to camp for the night, the enemy still holding his position. On the following day we were ordered to drive the enemy from his p. 133 position on the opposite side of the stream. The Third Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, by order of the colonel commanding, was dismounted and ordered to dislodge the enemy at the upper ford. I proceeded with my command to a point within 600 or 700 yards of the ford. I divided my command into three parts. I sent one-third, under Lieutenant (N.) Brewster, to the right of the road; one-third, under Captain (J.B.) Luckey, to the left, and the remaining one-third I placed under commmand of Lieutenant (E.A.) Haines near the road, under protection of a fence and a piece of woods, to cover the retreat of the right and left flanks in case a retreat should be necessary. I then ordered both flanks to advance cautiously, taking advantage of any natural cover that might be presented them. On arriving within 100 yards of the ford, my right and left flanks were greeted with a brisk fire from the enemy, posted strongly on the opposite side of the stream, but the brave men of the Third did not falter, but returned the fire with energy and spirit, and finally drove him from his position and gained complete possession of the ford. Finding the ford impracticable, we returned and reported accordingly. On learning that the enemy had been forced from his position, we were ordered to seek a more practicable fording, which we found a short distance below, and, crossing over, we consolidated with the remounted cavalry under General Granger's command, numbering about 3,500, and, being placed in the advance, we marched toward Columbia pike. After reaching the pike, one company, under command of Sergeant (James M.) Hipkins, was sent to ascertain the practicability of fording Spring Creek in our rear, at the pike crossing, which he reported practicable. When withing 1 1/2 miles of Columbia the main column was halted, and the Third Ohio was ordered to proceed cautiously forward under cover of nightfall and ascertain, if possible, whether the enemy still remained in force this side of Duck River. We found the enemy had withdrawn his whole force across Duck River, taking the ferry-boats and his pontoons with him, and had planted his artillery on the opposite side of the stream. After waiting in silence to discover, if possible, any movements the enemy might be making, and finding all within his camp quiet, we returned and joined the main column. We then led, in the advance of the column, in countermarch to a point this side of Spring Creek, where we went into camp about midnight. At dawn on the following day we took up a line of march for Franklin, where we arrived at 2 p.m., and encamped for the night, and prepared ourselves with rations for (a march) to Camp Stanley. On the morning of the 13th, we left camp and marched to a point within 2 miles of Triune, a distance of about 11 miles, and again encamped for the night. We resumed our march next morning before daylight, taking in our course the Nashville and Shelbyville turnpike until we reached Eagleville, when we turned to the left, following a dirt road until we reached Salem and Eagleville pike, leading to Murfreesborough. We arrived at Camp Stanley about 4 p.m. on the 14th instant, without any casualties or disasters of any character. I am proud to say that the officers and men of the Third bravely and heroicly endured the toils, fatigues, and dangers of the expedition without the least murmur or complaint. All of which is respectfully submitted. W.M. Flanagan, Captain, Commanding Regiment. Lieutenant Heflebower, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen. [end of excerpt]