Capt. Rankin wheeled two companies into position and moved out to meet the enemy, ordering Adj’t. Mitchell to bring out the remainder as soon as the wagon train could be got into our rear.
A volley was poured into the enemy by the two companies already in position and a saber charge was immediately made, the remainder of the regiment coming into position in time, thereby driving the enemy from the road and held them in check until the train and the brigade that was fighting at the river could be got out.
This fighting continued until 9 o’clock, P. M., when Col. Garrard, who had joined us, ordered the command to fall back.
In this affair the timely action of the Seventh saved the entire brigade and train from capture, but with the loss of near one hundred men killed, wounded and captured, including Capt. Ketterman, and the whole of Co. A, also our regimental colors, for which the enemy had no credit, as it was captured in the following manner: It being quite dark and everything having passed the road, the Colonel wished to fall back and asked some one to go and notify Capt. Rankin, who was a short distance off, of his movement.
The Color Serg’t tendered his services and immediately started on his mission.
The fighting men at this point were not more than thirty yards apart, and the Serg’t rode directly into the rebel lines and was captured.
The Captain brought off his command and fell back, about six miles across Flat creek, leaving our dead and wounded on the field.
In this fight, much honor and credit are due to the officers and men of the Seventh for the bold manner in which they struck the enemy. It was this that gave us success, for we were far inferior in point of numbers.
Private John Turner of Co. E, deserves especial mention in this, that he was bearing the guidon of his company, and while running the gauntlet of the enemy was thrown from his horse, but held fast to his colors and joined his command, after remaining six days in the enemy’s lines, bringing his colors with him.
On the following day, the most desperate engagement perhaps of the war, all things considering, of Franklin took place.