June 25, 1863 – Skirmish at (Old) Fosterville
CHRISTIANA, June 25, 1863—9 p. m.
GEN.: We drove the rebels back through Old Fosterville into Guy’s Gap this afternoon, from which they opened on us with artillery. The gap is very strong and difficult to turn, except by making a wide detour.
From the best information I can get, there are three or four regiments of infantry in Guy’s Gap, with one battery. There are other infantry regiments a short distance back toward Shelbyville. Gen. Wharton’s division of cavalry is also at and about the gap.
[W. T.] Martin’s brigade of cavalry left Tuesday morning for Chapel Hill, and probably Wiggins’ battery ditto. One regiment of cavalry, supposed to be the Eighth Texas, left in the direction of Manchester this morning.
Mitchell whipped them handsomely at Middleton yesterday. Killed some 10 or 15 men and 50 horses, besides the wounded.
How are Thomas and McCook progressing?
Respectfully,
G. GRANGER, Maj.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 23, pt. I, p. 533.
HDQRS. CHIEF OF CAVALRY, Camp near Winchester, July 8, 1863.
GEN.: June 25, marched the command, by the cross-roads at Jamison’s farm, to Christiana, where I joined the force under Gen. Gordon Granger.
Our pickets near Fosterville having been driven in during the afternoon by the enemy’s cavalry, Col. Patrick was sent, which his own regiment, the Fifth Iowa, and the Fourth Michigan, to ascertain his force. After a spirited skirmish, the enemy was driven back upon his infantry force at Guy’s Gap, where a battery of artillery opened upon Col. Patrick’s command. He retired at dark, with no loss, to his camp.
June 26, rained nearly all day. Note 1 Time spent in getting up forage and rations and posting detachments to watch the movements of the enemy.
Next morning, June 27, orders were received from the general commanding the army to dislodge the enemy from Guy’s Gap. At 9 o’clock we left Christiana for the gap, Gen. Mitchell’s division leading, with orders to take the right-hand road at Old Fosterville, leading by Middleton, and turn the gap.
The division turned off the road for this purpose, and Minty’s brigade was thus put in advance upon the pike. Skirmishing commenced at Old Fosterville, and an inspection of the enemy’s position convincing me that the enemy was not in force of all arms at the gap, I asked Gen. Granger to permit a direct attack upon the pass.
He acquiesced in this, and, pushing forward, our forces deployed. The enemy abandoned their position and fled toward Shelbyville, closely pursued by the First Middle Tennessee Cavalry, Col. Galbraith commanding, supported by the Fourth Regular Cavalry, Capt. McIntyre commanding.