May 9 1864 Battle of Varnell's Station

Engaged: Col. Oscar LaGrange's 2nd Brig. 1st Cavalry Div. Army of the Cumberland vs. Wheeler's Cavalry

"The brigade in rear of the division advanced toward Varnell's Station. The First Brigade had been skirmishing a considerable portion of the day, and late in the evening had been forced back half a mile, when Colonel La Grange came up to its support, and, at the head of four companies of the Second Indiana, drove the enemy some distance beyond the town and occupied it for the night. On the 8th made a reconnaissance toward Dalton, driving the enemy's pickets back a mile and a half without loss. May 9, Colonel La Grange received orders to advance on the Cleveland and Dalton road to develop the position and strength of the enemy. The brigade moved toward Dalton with the Fourth Indiana in advance. When two miles from Varnell's the advance came upon the pickets and drove them steadily back for a mile upon their reserve column of three brigades of cavalry and a division of infantry, drawn up in line of battle, when he in turn became the attacking party and was driving our dismounted skirmishers back, when a battalion of the Second Indiana, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart, came up on a gallop, wheeled into line on the left of the dismounted battalion of the Fourth Indiana, and checked his advance. The First Wisconsin being on the extreme right of the line, the whole soon became heavily engaged, each driving and in turn being driven, until Colonel La Grange, finding the enemy massing heavily upon him, and seeing the hopelessness of contending with such superior numbers, ordered the recall sounded. The enemy at once becoming aware of our situation rushed forward in overwhelming numbers, with an impetuosity not to be checked by our single line, capturing many of the dismounted skirmishers and driving the remainder in some confusion to the woods in the rear, where they rallied and checked the enemy. It was in the midst of this confusion that the gallant La Grange was captured, after two horses being shot under him. All fought with great bravery, but bravery alone could not successfully cope with such overpowering number. Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart, assuming command, retired with the brigade to Varnell's Station, with a loss of 5 men killed, 1 commissioned officer and 41 men wounded, and 11 commissioned officers and 82 men missing."

(See report of Lt. Col. Horace P. Lamson commanding 2nd Brig. 1st Div. Cavalry Army of the Cumberland in OR Vol. 38 Pt. 2 p. 781.