Lt. Col. Minor was put in command of a dismounted cavalry camp near Nashville, and Capt. Rankin in command of the regiment, by order of Gen. Wilson, commanding cavalry corps, C. C. M. D. M.
The regiment was mounted, armed and equipped, under the superintendent of Captain Rankin, and started for Columbia, Tenn.
On reaching Spring Hill, it was ordered to take the left-hand road to Hardison’s Ford, on Duck river, to support Col. Capron, and on reaching there, found him engaging the enemy at the ford.
The Seventh was formed in columns of squadrons in the rear of two brigades.
Company A, Captain Ketterman, was sent to watch a crossing a little down ways the river from where we were.
Companies B and C were ordered to make a scout of three miles on the road leading to Columbia, under Lieuts. Burton and Shuler.
Company E was ordered to make a scout up the river five miles, under Lieut. Srofe.
Soon after this, the brigade train was ordered to move out on the road leading to Franklin, with a guard of one company.
The train had not more than straightened on the road, when Companies B and C found a strong force of the enemy in their front.
Company E was cut off, the enemy having got between it and the command, and about the same time the head of the wagon train was attacked which created a stampede in the train.