The column kept pushing on, crossing Chinch mountain into Powill’s Valley, and on reaching the Knoxville and Cumberland Gap road, learned that the enemy were in our front.
Not wishing to travel any further in that direction the column was turned toward Knoxville.
After traveling a few miles in that direction, we came upon the enemy’s wagon train, which fell into our hands, they supposing it perfectly safe on this road; no guards had been left with it.
After burning the train and paroling the prisoners, 32 in number, it now being 12 o’clock at night, the column headed for Roger’s Gap, which was made in the afternoon of the next day.
Finding this Gap well guarded with artillery and infantry, the command halted for a short time for consultation. The result of this was as follows: A strong line of skirmishers were to be shown to the enemy, the artillery to be put in position loaded with shell, spiked and wheels cut down. The detachment of the Seventh being the rear guard was ordered to remain in position one hour after the column moved, which movement was made to the left and around a spur of the mountain out of sight, striking the valley again, five miles further down at Childer’s Gap, finding one regiment of the enemy’s cavalry, which made a hasty retreat down the valley after receiving one volley from the First Tennessee mounted Infantry, which accompanied our expedition.
The rear guard closing up and the way in our front being clear the command commenced the descent, crossed the valley and ascended the mountain on the other side.
When the rear guard had got one-third the way up the mountain, the enemy could be seen moving in two columns.
The infantry and artillery finding that they had been foiled in their efforts to capture our command, were coming down the valley, while their cavalry were feeling their way up the valley.
Our rear guard were placed in a position to receive them in case any attempt should be made to attack us in the rear.
As the approaching columns neared each other, it now being dark, and each supposing the other to be the raiding “Yanks,” at once engage each other.