We moved out two miles and went into camp on a road to the right of the Columbia road.
The 5th Iowa was sent on further with orders to go across the country to intercept the enemy and if possible to capture their battery, while Hatch’s Division pressed their rear.
A stand was made by the enemy between 6 and 7 o’clock p. m., in which they lost one thousand prisoners besides their killed and wounded and four pieces of artillery. Thus ended the third day’s operation.
On the 17th of December nothing of interest occurred except the usual amount of skirmishing and gathering in of stragglers from a retreating army until the 25th of December, (Christmas day), our brigade had the advance and the 5th Iowa the advance of the brigade.
Skirmishing commenced but we drove the rebels back, and through Pulaski.
Just beyond the place is a large stream called Richland creek, spanned by a large covered bridge.
A charge was made by a portion of the 5th Iowa, but they were repulsed.
The enemy ran six pieces of artillery into the creek without even spiking them. They also run three pieces into Duck river. They fired the bridge in several places.
Capt. Rankin was ordered to move forward with his battalion and if possible put the fire out.
The battallion set out at a brisk trot until near the bridge when they dismounted and made a rush for it, gathering from the houses along the road tubs, buckets, pans and everything else available, for carrying and throwing water on the flames, which had already penetrated to the roof in several places.