KEJ and Alan,
The skirmish of December 12, 1862, is the only engagement described as "Little Bear creek" in the OR. Perhaps others know more.

Gen. Dodge, commanding district of Corinth, reported on December 6, 1862 that "Roddey's whole force is 10 miles east of me and on the move; it may be that the two intend to make a junction. My cavalry are all out east toward the river; am inclined to think they will be able to drive Roddey back".

The expedition was commanded by Col. Thomas Sweeny. Sweeny's 1st brigade included 52d Illinois, 65th Indiana, 2d Iowa, 7th Iowa. Confederate cavalry units participating included Roddey's 4th, 5th, and 53rd Alabama cavalry regiments, Williams 22nd Alabama cavalry battalion.

Col. Thomas Sweeny, 1st brigade, District of Corinth, reported "I surprised the outpost of the enemy, consisting of 300 men, under Colonel Warren, at Cherokee, and pursued them 5 miles, fighting all the time, when they were reenforced by the main body, 1,400 strong, under Colonel Roddey, who, after a sharp engagement, took to flight and fell back on Little Bear creek, a very strong position, 4 miles from Tuscumbia, from which they were driven, after burning the bridge and all their stores and camp equipage. We captured 32 prisoners, a great number of horses, and small arms. Roddey had 4 pieces of artillery, 3 rifled cannon and 1 smooth-bore".

Gen. Dodge, commanding District of Corinth, reported that Roddey "fell back toward Decatur and across the river to Florence. He has at Florence 2 flat-boats, good ones, and 2 small steamers that have been fitted up in the last 2 months. They now run. He is repairing boats at that place all the time, and his men say that he intends to make a raid down the river as soon as water will permit. His force is over 2,000. He has telegraphic, but not railroad, communication with Bragg. Colonel Sweeny used him up badly and brought in a large amount of his troops. Roddey burned his camps, stores, and also the fine covered bridge across Little Bear creek. The force is only an outpost of Bragg's, but the steamers should be destroyed. Had he reached Glendale he would have hurt us".