November 24
HEADQUARTERS FIRST TENNESSEE CAVALRY,
Sparta, November 25, 1863.
COLONEL: I entered this place yesterday on three different roads, and had a skirmish on each road. I whipped Colonel Murray's force, killing 1, wounding 2, and capturing 10 men, with them 1 of Champ Ferguson's lieutenants.
LCol. Jas P Brownlow V31, pt. 1, p. 573
Federal report believes Ferguson, et al near Okolona
November 27
I also learned that, on receipt of information by the enemy at New Albany of my moving north from Ellistown on Ripley road, Ferguson's brigade broke camp at midnight of the 27th and moved toward Ripley to intercept my retreat, but on reaching Orizaba he learned that I had moved from Molino east toward Black-land, and consequently returned to New Albany.
J. K. MIZNER,
Colonel, Commanding First Cavalry
I have the honor to report that I arrived at this point [New Alabany] on the evening of the 27th. General Ferguson and Colonel Ross arrived also with their commands. .
On the night of the 27th General Ferguson and Colonel Ross were sent after a raiding party of the enemy in the vicinity of Ellistown: Colonel Ross going to Ellistown and Ferguson to Ripley. General Ferguson was obliged to return on account of the high water. Only a part of his brigade could recross the river at this point, so rapidly did the river rise.
. .SD Lee
V31, pt. 3, p. 765
November 29
Generals Lee, Forrest, Ferguson, Ross, and Richardson were at New Albany in force this morning preparing six days' cooked rations, en route for West Tennessee; Tallahatchie high, but he can cross at Lee's Mills.
December 2
At Ripley I learned that Ferguson and Chalmers, after the fight on the 1st instant, returned to neighborhood of Ripley, camped for the night, and moved on the 2d north, on Saulsbury road, their strength about 3,000 men and eight pieces of artillery. Forrest and Lee, with a force of about 4,000, moved north from New Albany, leaving Ripley to the right. Information derived from all prisoners, citizens, and every other source, agree that the rebel generals Forrest, Lee, Ferguson, and Chalmers, with a force in all about 7,000, moved north from New Albany en route for West Tennessee. None have returned on this road or by any route east of this.
The enemy, under Lee, Forrest, and Ferguson, broke into Saulsbury S. A. HURLBUT,
Major-General.
December 4
The enemy are falling back toward La Fayette, on State Line road. Our men are following sharply, still fighting. Have driven them 2 miles.
Colonel Morgan has arrived. The enemy are destroying railroad and trestles.
General Lee is in command. Chalmers and Ferguson, with from 4,000 to 5,000, are with him; probably not more than 4,000.
December 7
The troops of this command will move . . . for Chulahoma. The brigades of General Ferguson and Colonel Ross will leave at sunrise, and the brigade of General Chalmers will move an hour after.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY IN MISSISSIPPI,
Brigadier-General Ferguson's brigade will return to the vicinity of Pontotoc via Oxford.
December 8
The brigades of General Ferguson and Colonel Ross will move . . . to Oxford via Wyatt at daylight
HDQRS. CAVALRY IN MISSISSIPPI,
Chulahoma,