Our own battery, the 4th U. S., opened on them with twelve pounders and compelled them to leave their position, the gunboats sending a few shots up the ravine after them, added speed to their flight.
They left four pieces of artillery in the woods, which we have the credit of capturing.
On the morning of the 16th, at 4 o’clock, everything was in readiness for a forward move.
We continued our pursuit on the Charlotte pike for a few miles to where the enemy had camped. At this point the enemy had left the pike and took a dirt road.
We followed this road about seven miles, and found several wagons and one piece of artillery stuck in the mud.
Here a halt was made, and Captain Rankin was ordered with his battalion to move across the country, through the fields or otherwise and endeavor to reach the Harding pike. This being accomplished, the Captain sent the following dispatch to Col. Garrard:
“Colonel—I hold the Harding pike at the brick church and where the Franklin road crosses the said pike. Gen. Chalmer’s division passed this point, taking the Franklin road, this A. M. They left some wagons here. As soon as the command could be brought up, our pursuit was continued, the Fifth Iowa Cavalry being in the advance. Skirmishing soon commenced but nothing of importance occurred on this day’s march, except taking a few prisoners, twelve being the largest number at any one time.”
Night coming on, we went into camp. The next morning, the 17th, our regiment took the advance, Capt. Eylar having the right of the regiment.
The pursuit was vigorously prosecuted, so much so that orderlies were sent forward several times to request Col. Garrard not to move so fast, but all to no purpose, for skirmishing had already commenced, and it is an utter impossibility to hold the Colonel back when a fight is in progress.
On we went, crossing the big Harpeth river below Franklin.