The battle at Hartsville, Tenn., which resulted in the defeat and
surrender of the United States troops at that place, occurred December 7.

Our forces consisted of the Thirty-ninth Brigade, Army of the
Cumberland (One hundred and sixth and One hundred and eighth Ohio
Infantry, and the One hundred and fourth Illinois Infantry), with the
Second Indiana Cavalry and a section of Nicklin's (Thirteenth Indiana)
battery. The Eleventh Kentucky Cavalry is mentioned in one of the
reports as having a small force in action.

Return of casualties in the Union forces
engaged at Hartsville, Tenn., December 7, 1862.

[Compiled from nominal list of casualties, returns, &c.]

Command. Killed.Wounded. Captured or missing.

O EM O EM O EM A
104th Illinois Infantry.............. .. 25 5 126 23 545 724
2d Indiana Cavalry................... .. .. .. .. 11 346 357
13th Indiana Battery (section)....... .. 1 .. 2 1 22 26
11th Kentucky Cavalry, Company E..... .. .. .. .. 2 42 44
106th Ohio Infantry.................. 2 20 3 38 16 413 492
108th Ohio Infantry.................. .. 10 .. 30 20 303 453

Total........................... 2 56 8 196 73 1,761 2,096

O=Officers. EM=Enlisted men. A=Aggregate.

OFFICERS KILLED.--Capt.'s William Y. Gholson and Herman
Reintanz, One hundred and sixth Ohio.

OFFICERS MORTALLY WOUNDED.--Lieut.'s Moses M.
Randolph and Milton Strawn, One hundred and fourth Illinois.

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Reports of Gen. Braxton Bragg, C. S. Army, commanding
Army of Tennessee, with instructions to Brig.-Gen. Morgan, and
congratulatory orders.

MURFREESBOROUGH, TENN., December 8, 1862.
An expedition sent under Acting Brig. Gen. John H. Morgan attacked
an outpost of the enemy at Hartsville, on the Cumberland, yesterday
morning, killed and wounded 200, captured 1,800 prisoners, two pieces
of artillery, and 2,000 small-arms, and all other stores at the position.
On the previous day a small foraging train was captured by Gen.
Wheeler, near Nashville, with 50 prisoners, and on the he 5th Col.
[P. D.] Roddey, Alabama cavalry, also captured a train near Corinth
with its escorts and a number of negroes. Our loss at Hartsville was
about 125 killed and wounded; none at either of the other places.

BRAXTON BRAGG,
Gen., Cmdg.

Gen. S. COOPER.

On the 5th instant, Hanson's brigade, of Breckinridge's division, was
moved forward on the road toward Hartsville, and halted at Baird's
Mills, a point nearly due east from Nashville, and half way to
Hartsville, where it was joined by Morgan's cavalry force. Two
regiments (the Second and Ninth Kentucky Infantry), with [Robert]
Cobb's (Kentucky) artillery, moved from this point with the cavalry at
10 p.m. on the 6th, to attack the enemy at Hartsville. Early on the
morning of the same day, Hanson, with the remainder of his brigade,
moved, as directed, on the road toward Nashville for the purpose of a
reconnaissance, and to cause a diversion. At the same time that the
troops above named left their camps near here, Maj.-Gen. [B. F.]
Cheatham, with two brigades, moved out on the Nashville road, halted
all night at La Vergne, 15 miles, and on the next day, in conjunction
with Gen. Wheeler's cavalry, made a strong demonstration on the
enemy's front. These movements had the desired effect, and completely
distracted the enemy's attention from the real point of attack. Learning
that a foraging train of the enemy was on his right flank, Cheatham
detached Wheeler, with a cavalry force, to attack it, which he did in his
usual dashing and successful manner, capturing 11 wagons and 57
prisoners. Under cover of these feints, Morgan, by an extraordinary
night march, reached the point of his destination about sunrise, and, in
a short but warmly contested engagement, killed, wounded, and
captured the entire command of more than 2,000 officers and men.*

Two sets of infantry colors and one
artillery guidon, taken at Hartsville, are also forwarded with this report.
A third set of infantry colors was presented by its captors to the
President on his recent visit to this place.

I left these headquarters at 10 a.m. on the 6th instant, with 1,400 men
of my own command, under the orders of Col. Duke; the Second
and Ninth Kentucky Infantry, commanded by Col. [T. H.] Hunt;
Capt. [Robert] Cobb's battery of artillery, two small howitzers, and
two rifled Ellsworth guns belonging to my own command. At Lebanon
I received information that no change had been made in the number of
the Federals at Hartsville, their number being still about 900 infantry
and 400 cavalry, with two pieces of artillery. I found afterward that
their force had been considerably underrated. I proceeded with the
infantry and artillery to Purier's Ferry, on the Cumberland River,
sending the cavalry, under the orders of Col. Duke, to pass at a ford
some 7 miles below the point where we were to rendezvous. I passed
my troops with great difficulty, there being but one boat, and about 5.30
on the morning of the 7th I arrived at Hager's Shop, 2 miles from the
Federal camp. I found that Col. Duke, with his cavalry, had only
just marched up, having crossed the ford with difficulty, and that one regiment of his command, 500 strong (Col. [R. M.] Gano's), had not
yet reported. Maj. [R. G.] Stoner's battalion had been left on the other
side of the Cumberland, with the two mountain howitzers, to prevent the
escape of the enemy by the Lebanon road, and Col. [J. D.] Bennett's
[Ninth Tennessee Cavalry] regiment had been ordered to proceed to
Hartsville to picket the road leading to Gallatin, and to attack any of the
Federals they might find in that town, to take possession of the Castalian
Springs, Lafayette, and Carthage roads, so as to prevent the escape of
the enemy. This reduced my force considerably, but I determined to
attack, and that at once. There was no time to be lost; day was
breaking, and the enemy might expect strong re-enforcements from
Castalian Springs should my arrival be known. Advancing, therefore,
with the cavalry, closely followed by the artillery and infantry, I
approached the enemy's position. The pickets were found and shot
down. The Yankee bivouac fires appeared to cover a long line of
ground, and gave me to suppose that their numbers were much greater
than I anticipated. On nearing their camp the alarm was sounded, and
I could distinctly see and hear the officers ordering their men to fall in,
preparing for resistance. Col. Duke then dismounted Col.'s
Cluke's and Chenault's regiments (in all about 450 men), drawing them
up in line in a large field in the front and a little to the right of the
enemy's line, which was then forming, and seeing that the artillery and
infantry were in position, he ordered his men to advance at the double
[quick], and directed Col. Chenault, who was on the left, to oblique,
so as to march on the enemy's flank. His men then pressed forward, driving the Federals for nearly half a mile, without a check, before
them, until their right wing was forced back upon their own left wing
and center. Col. Duke then ordered a halt until the infantry had
commenced their attack on the Federal left wing, which caused a retreat
of the whole line. At this juncture Lieut.-Col. [J. M.] Huffman
and Maj. [Theophilus] Steele, of Gano's regiment, came up with about
100 men of that regiment, who had succeeded in crossing the ford, and
threw their small force into the fight. My dismounted cavalry, under
Col. Duke, had only been skirmishing previously to this for about
twenty minutes; but seeing that Col. Hunt, with the infantry, was
pressing hard upon the Federal left, he ordered an advance upon the
right wing and flank of their new line. It gave way and ceased firing,
and soon after surrendered.

Col. Duke reports that his men fought with a courage and coolness
which could not be surpassed.

Col.'s Cluke and Chenault led on their men with the most determined
bravery, encouraging them by voice and example.

The timely arrival of Lieut.-Col. Huffman and Maj. Steele, and
the gallant manner in which they threw themselves into the fight, had a
very decided effect upon the battle at the point at which they entered.

The artillery under Capt. Cobb did most excellent service, and
suffered severely from the enemy's battery, which fired with great suffered severely from the enemy's battery, which fired with great
precision, blowing up one of his caissons and inflicting a severe loss on
that arm.

The infantry conducted themselves most gallantly, the Second Kentucky
suffering most severely.

Col. Bennett's regiment, as I said before, was not in fight, having
been sent on a special service, which was most efficiently performed,
450 prisoners having been taken by them and 12 Federals killed.

Thus, sir, in one hour and a half the troops under my command,
consisting of 500 cavalry (Col. Gano's and Col. Bennett's
regiments and Maj. Stoner's command not participating in the fight), 700
infantry, with a battery of artillery (in all about 1,300 strong), defeated
and captured three well-disciplined and well-formed regiments of
infantry, with a regiment of cavalry, and took two rifled cannon-the
whole encamped on their own ground and in a very strong
position-taking about 1,800 prisoners, 1,800 stand of arms, a quantity
of ammunition, clothing, quartermaster's stores, and 16 wagons.

The battle was now won. The result exceeded my own expectation, but
still I felt that my position was a most perilous one, being within 4 miles
in a direct line, and only 8 by the main Gallatin road, of an enemy's
force of at least 8,000 men, consisting of infantry, cavalry, and artillery,
who would naturally march to the aid of their comrades on hearing the
report of our guns. I, therefore, with the assistance of my staff, got
together all the empty wagons left by the enemy, loaded them with
arms, ammunition, and stores, and directed them immediately to Hart's
Ferry. There was no time to be lost. The pickets placed by my assistant
adjutant-general on the Castalian Springs road sent to report the advance
of a strong body of Federals, estimated at 5,000 men. I sent Col.
Cluke's regiment to make a show of resistance, ordering Col. Gano's
regiment, which had arrived, in support. In the mean time I pressed the
passage of the ford to the utmost. This show of force caused a delay in
the advance of the enemy, who had no idea of the number of my men, and probably greatly overrated my strength, and gave me time to pass
the ford with infantry, artillery, and baggage-wagons, the horses of my
cavalry being sent back from the other side of the Cumberland River to
carry over the infantry regiments.

It was time to retreat. The enemy attacked our rear, but was kept at bay
the two regiments before specified, aided by four guns I had previously
ordered to be placed in position on the south side of the Cumberland,
looking forward to what was now taking place. The banks of the river
on both sides are precipitous, and the stream breast-deep, but our retreat
was effected in excellent order. We lost not a man, except 3, badly
wounded, that I was reluctantly forced to leave behind. Cavalry,
infantry, guard, guns, and baggage-train safely crossed, with the
exception of four wagons, which had been sent by another route, and
which are still safely hidden in the woods, according to accounts
received to-day.
In justice to my brave command, I would respectfully bring to the notice
of the general commanding the names of those officers who contributed,
by their undaunted bravery and soldier-like conduct, to the brilliant
success which crowned the efforts tot he Confederate arms: To Col.
Hunt, of the Ninth Kentucky, commanding the infantry, I am deeply
indebted for his valuable assistance; his conduct and that of his brave
regiment was perfect; their steadiness under fire remarkable. The
Second Kentucky also behaved most gallantly and suffered severely; 62
men killed and wounded, 3 regimental officers left dead on the field,
sufficiently testified to their share in the fight and the resistance they had
to encounter. Col. Cluke's regiment paid also a high price for its devotion. It went into the field 230 strong; had 6 officers, with 21
non-commissioned officers and privates, killed and wounded, besides 6
missing. Col. Duke, commanding the cavalry, was, as he always has
been, "the right man in the right place." Wise in counsel, gallant in the
field, his services have ever been invaluable to me. I was informed by
my adjutant-general that Col. Bennett, in the execution of the special
service confided to him, and in which he so entirely succeeded, gave
proof of great personal gallantry and contempt of danger. I owe much to my personal staff: Maj. [D. H.] Llewellyn,
Capt.'s Charlton H. Morgan, [Rufus K.] Williams and Lieut.
Robert Tyler, acting as my aide-de-camp, gave proofs of great devotion,
being everywhere in the hottest fire.

Maj. Llewellyn received the sword of Col. Robert R. Stewart and
the surrender of his regiment. Capt. Morgan's and Capt. Williams'
horses were killed under them, and Lieut. Tyler was severely
wounded. My orderly sergeant, Craven Peyton, received a shot in his
hip and had his horse killed by my side. I must crave forgiveness if I
add, with a soldier's pride, that the conduct of my whole command
deserved my highest gratitude and commendation.

Three Federal regimental standards and five cavalry guidons fluttered
over my brave column on their return from this expedition. With such
troops, victory is enchained to our banners, and the issue of a contest
with our Northern opponents, even when they are double our force, no
longer doubtful!

I have the honor to be, sir, with the highest respect, your most obedient
servant,
JOHN H. MORGAN,
Brig.-Gen.

Col. [GEORGE WILLIAM] BRENT,
Chief of Staff.

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Tabular statement showing the number of prisoners captured by the
Army of Tennessee, under Gen. Braxton Bragg, while at
Murfreesborough, Tenn.*

At Murfreesborough, during battle before that place ........ 6,273
At Hartsville, December 6, 1862 ............................ 1,762
By Morgan's expedition into Kentucky, between December 24,
1862, and January 7, 1863 .................................. 1,873
By Forrest's expedition into West Tennessee, December 20,
1862 ....................................................... 1,530

Total..................................................11,438