APRIL 18, 1865.—Skirmish near Germantown, Tenn.
Report of Capt. George W. Smith, Eleventh New York Cavalry.
HDQRS. DETACHMENT ELEVENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY, Germantown, Tenn., April 19, 1865.
CAPT.: I have the honor to report that yesterday as the patrol was marching from Germantown to Collierville it was attacked by a force of the enemy about six miles from Germantown. The force of the enemy is variously estimated from 60 to 100 strong, while the patrol was but eighteen strong, under Lieut. John H. Mills, D Company, this regiment.
The enemy were concealed behind some houses, and waited until the patrol got to within 100 yards of them, when they charged. Lieut. Mills drew his men in line, but, after delivering a volley with their carbines, found he would be overpowered be a far superior force, and ordered his men to fall back to the camp at Germantown.
He was closely pursued by a well-mounted portion of the enemy to within about two miles of this place (Germantown). The attacking party are supposed to be a part of Ford’s command.
Those of our men who fell from their horses, or were poorly mounted, were shot. Those who were killed or wounded were robbed of everything, they (the rebels) even taking the boots from some of the dead.
I have just received a telegraph from Maj. Morgan, in which he, by order of Gen. Washburn, directs that no patrols will be sent less than fifty men. I have but 190 men available for duty. Out of that my picket, thirty-two men daily; my scouting parties, thirty men daily, and all the camp duties, have to be taken, leaving me no force at all with which to operate to any advantage.
I know of fifty men who are mounted on horses which are serviceable, that are in the camp at the headquarters of the regiment at Memphis. If I can have those men and 100 dismounted men for camp duties, I can operate against these guerrillas to advantage, as I have reliable information concerning their haunts.
Hoping that my request for a few more men may meet your approbation and that it may be complied with at your earliest practicable convenience, I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. W. SMITH, Capt., Cmdg. Detachment Eleventh New York Cavalry.
[Indorsement.]
HDQRS. CAVALRY DIVISION, DIST. OF WEST TENNESSEE, Memphis, Tenn., April 24, 1865.
Respectfully forwarded for the information of the major-general commanding District of West Tennessee. The additional mounted men asked for have been ordered.
I must ask that the detail of fifty men for each patrolling party be countermanded, as we have not a sufficient number of men in the command—mounted—to obey the order.
E. D. OSBAND, Brevet Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 49, pt. I, pp. 512-513.
Note 1: The skirmish near Germantown was fought nine days after Lee had surrendered.
