Head Quarters 1^st Reg. Wis Cavalry

                                                                        Near Macon Ga 13^th May 1865

 

General

 

            I have the honor to report that in compliance with your orders of the _______ I marched from Macon on the evening of ____ day with one hundred and fifty men of the 1^st Wis Cavalry and proceed to Jeffersonville ____ County where I left Lt Hewitt with thirty men to watch the cross roads, and continued to march to Thomas cross roads Wilkinson County where I learned that a large party of paroled men from Gen Johnson’s army had just passed, on their way home, some of whom were armed, others were not but all were mounted

 

After feeding our animals we pushed on to Doublin Lawrence County arriving there about five O’clock P.M. May 7^th and encamped near the ferry across Ocouer River having marched a distance of fifty five miles – At Doublin I learned from some negroes that a train of light wagons and Ambulances had crossed the ferry during the day moving on the Jacksonville road attended by an escort and having some led horses – Later in the night I also learned from another negro that Jeff Davis and wife were with the train.  Then I left Lieut Lane with forty five men to guard the ferry and patrol the roads, and with the balance of my Command started at daylight in pursuit on the Jacksonville river road – At Turkey Creek Bridge I learned that the train had taken the Telfair road and from a woman received a description of a man I thought must be Jeff. Davis – From this place I sent a dispatch to you, but I have since learned that the Courier was captured by the Rebels and taken thirty miles into the pine woods, robbed of his horse and Equipments and then released.  I found the trail of the wagons very indistinct and difficult to follow as the Country was pine woods poor and barren and almost uninhabited – Then I impressed a guide who had heard of the Wagons the evening before, and who led us away from the main road some eleven miles to the place where the train had encamped during the previous night between the forks of the Alligator Creek.  After having fed the horses and taken a new guide we again started in pursuit.  At this point we were four hours behind them  Our way now led across the main Alligator Creek and through the swamp to the ford of ___ swamp Creek Pulaski County where I encamped, it being then after dark and the trail too indistinct to follow.  Distance marched this day forty miles – on the 9^th of May we started at three O’clock AM marched to Sugar Creek, thence to Cypress Creek thence to O____ river, which we followed down a few miles in the dense swamps to Browns Ferry.  In crossing my Command an accident happened to the ferry boat causing a delay of two hours.  At this place I learned positively that Mrs Davis and family were the occupants of one of the Ambulances in the train which we were following – Proceeding to Abbeyville Wilcox County I fed the horses and learning that the train had left that place at ten Oclock A.M. May 9^th in the direction of Irwinville Irwin County I sent forward my command in that direction going myself to meet Lt Col Pritchard, who I learned was advancing with the 4^th Mich Cavalry on the Hawkinsville area.  I informed him of the train which I had been so long pursuing and that Mrs Davis and family were with it and that Jeff Davis himself was undoubtedly accompanying them or not very far distant.  Also that my command had gone on towards Irwinville in pursuit.  Lt Col Pritchard then informed me that he was ordered to Abbeyville with his Regiment to watch for Jeff Davis, at the same time tendering me some of his men which I declined as my force was sufficiently large, and I found it very difficult to obtain forage for the horses and subsistence for the men.  Parting with Lt Col Pritchard new Abbeyville I soon overtook my command and after marching some ten miles from the last named town we discovered the camping ground of the train so recently left that the fired had not yet gone out – I continued on in the direction of Irwinville through the pine woods until about nine Oclock P.M. when I halted and grazed the horses (having no grain for them), with orders to the men to be ready for an early start

 

At this time I felt certain that the train was near at hand, but fearing that if we came upon it in the darkness of the night, Davis and others might escape under cover of the night I waited until three Oclock AM (May 10?) when I again started.  After marching about one mile, possibly more, our advance guard commanded by Sergt Hussey was halted by a party of men partly concealed behind trees – Supposing of course that we had run upon the revel pickets the Sergt endeavored to retreat when a heavy volley was fired upon the party wounding three of his seven men

 

                                    Knowing that we were in the immediate vicinity of the Rebels and having no intimation of the presence of Union troops (I understood from Lt Col Pritchard that he was going into camp at Abbeyville which was over twenty miles in our rear), I immediately prepared to drive them back upon the train and capture as many as possible.  Advancing with ten men to ascertain the position of the force opposing our further progress, we were again met with another heavy volley from the same unseen source.  I then deployed my small force and advanced rapidly forcing back the opposing force when we captured a prisoner who proved to be a member of the 4^th Mich Cavy Lt Col Pritchard commanding – All firing immediately ceased when an explanation showed that after parting with Lt Col Pritchard at Abbeyville he had selected a number of his best mounted men and pushed rapidly forward on the river road thece by way of House Creek to Irwinville arriving there before the train thence out to where it was encamped one mile from town and less than two miles from our encampment He (Lt Col Pritchard) had sent a small force dismounted around to the read of the train and as his force moved upon the train from the Irwinville side we encountered his dismounted men within a short distance only a few hundred yards of the revel camp – While the fight was going on between my command and his a portion of his force captured the train Jeff Davis and family –

 

The casualties in my command were three men severely wounded, several slightly wounded and two horses killed.  I regret to learn that the 4^th Mich had two men killed and one officer severely wounded.  I _____ regret the unfortunate collision resulting in the death of two brave and noble soldiers and the maiming of several more but of the ____ of culpability that attaches to my conduct in this matter others must decide.

 

            After attending to the wounded as well as possible, transportation having been kindly furnished by Lt Col Pritchard in captured ambulances, I returned to Macon as rapidly as the condition of my horses would permit where I arrived on the forenoon of May 15^th 1865.

 

                                                                        I am General

                                                                        Your Obt Servt

                                                                        Henry Hurnden

                                                                        Lt Col Com 1^st Wis Cav

Brig Gen J.T. Croxton

Court ___________

SOURCES