| West Point |
| December 30, 1864 |
| |
| [General Frank Gardner] |
| |
| The enemy's cavalry reported near
Collierville on the 22d instant; artillery and infantry near there.
Notice of above received on the 23d. I at once telegraphed Commander
Mabry's brigade, at
Macon
, to move up at once, via
Okolona
and Ellistown. Same dispatch sent to Wade's regiment. Telegraphed
Brigadier-General Gholson and Lieut. Col. W. G. Henderson to move up
with all their cavalry and King's battery, and send up all
dismounted men on railroad to
Corinth
; also dispatched for all men to be sent up from Lauderdale Springs,
Macon, and Okolona. On 24th instant I received notice that the enemy's cavalry had
crossed Mississippi Central Railroad, and were marching rapidly
through Lamar on road to Salem. I at once dispatched Henderson at Verona, Gholson at Okolona, Wade at
Columbus, Colonel Lipscomb at Macon, to concentrate in front of Tupelo
or Okolona to resist raid from Memphis; made known to them the approach of the enemy. The enemy moved
without halting but once to the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, striking
it at Booneville and between Baldwyn and Guntown, doing but little
damage to the track at Booneville and partially destroying one
bridge below Baldwyn. The two columns above named went west, and
joined main forces near Ellistown. The whole force then moved down
and struck the road at Tupelo
and Verona, destroying most of the bridges and burning depots, but doing but
little damage to the track elsewhere. |
| Very respectfully, your obedient servant, |
| H. P. Mabry |
| Colonel, &c. |
|