falling back, we struck the railroad east of the place where we again
commenced tearing up the track.

We were saluted with the enemy's artillery until noon, shelling the woods
we had left.

Moving on to Strawberry Plains, we destroyed everything as we went and
reaching that place late in the evening, where considerable fighting took
place, which resulted in our occupying the town, capturing six pieces of
artillery and over 100 prisoners, with slight loss to us.

Here we burned the bridge that spans the Holston river, 1600 feet in
length, including trestle work, besides the depot and store houses well
filled with Q. M. and C. S. stores.

After resting a few hours, we moved out on the road toward New Market and
on to Mossy Creek, where we destroyed a confederate machine shop and a
large amount of grain, and burnt the bridge over Mossy Creek; in all, we
destroyed over 3000 feet of bridges and trestle work.

This being done and having destroyed 60 miles of railroad, the head of our
column was turned northward, crossing the Clinch river and moving toward
Cumberland Gap.

Skirmishing now commenced in our rear, the detachments of the Second and
Seventh being the rear guard.

The column kept pushing on, crossing Chinch mountain into Powill's Valley,
and on reaching the Knoxville and Cumberland Gap road, learned that the
enemy were in our front.

Not wishing to travel any further in that direction the column was turned
toward Knoxville.

After traveling a few miles in that direction, we came upon the enemy's
wagon train, which fell into our hands, they supposing it perfectly safe
on this road; no guards had been left with it.

After burning the train and paroling the prisoners, 32 in number, it now
being 12 o'clock at night, the column headed for Roger's Gap, which was
made in the afternoon of the next day.

Finding this Gap well guarded with artillery and infantry, the command
halted for a short time for consultation. The result of this was as
follows: A strong line of skirmishers were to be shown to the enemy, the
artillery to be put in position loaded with shell, spiked and wheels cut
down. The detachment of the Seventh being the rear guard was ordered to
remain in position one hour after the column moved, which movement was
made to the left and around a spur of the mountain out of sight, striking
the valley again, five miles further down at Childer's Gap, finding one
regiment of the enemy's cavalry, which made