Report of Col. Gilbert M. L. Johnson, Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, of operations December 4-9, 1864.

HDQRS. THIRTEENTH INDIANA CAVALRY, Murfreesborough, Tenn., December 10, 1864.

SIR: In compliance with orders received in communication dated headquarters, Murfreesborough, December 5, 1864, I have the honor to report that, in accordance with verbal orders received from Maj.-Gen. Rousseau on the evening of December 3, 1864, I took up the line of march with my command on the morning of December 4, 1864, toward La Verge, with the view of camping that night at that point.

Upon reaching a point some three miles distant from this place I met a detachment of the Fifth Tennessee Cavalry, which had been stationed at Overall’s Creek, retiring upon this point, being pursuer by the enemy. I ordered the captain in charge of the same to deploy his men as skirmishers on the left of the road, at the same time throwing a company of my command on the right, and proceeded in this manner one mile to the creek, the enemy’s skirmishers falling back to the opposite bank.

A brisk skirmish was kept up, the creek intervening, the enemy at the same time opening on us with three pieces of artillery. At this time I addressed a communication to the general commanding, of which the following is a copy:

HDQRS. THIRTEENTH INDIANA CAVALRY, Overall’s Creek, December 4, 1864.

Maj.-Gen. ROUSSEAU:

GEN.: I am holding the skirmish line at Overall’s Creek. The enemy exposed a line double to mine; reported moving column on my right flank; have used three pieces of artillery on me; also reported the same to by used on the blockhouse. Slight loss; skirmishing rapid; await orders; artillery moving toward their rear on the pike. Heavy artillery firing distinctly heard in the direction of Nashville. I shall endeavor to cross the creek.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

G. M. L. JOHNSON, Col. Thirtieth Indiana Cavalry.