s to fall back.

The command fell back by the way of Rogersville to Bean's Station and
thence over Clinch Mountain to Sycamore creek, where the Seventh camped a
few days, doing picket duty on the Clinch river and all the roads leading
eastward.

We lost several men on picket at Clinch river.

While stationed at this place, Serg'ts. Little and Davis carried
dispatches through the rebel lines to General Burnside, in Knoxville, at
different times.

From this, the Seventh went to Taswell, remained there a few days and
moved out on the Knoxville and Cumberland Gap road, crossing Clinch river
at Walker's Ford.

The siege now being raised at Knoxville, and the rebels moving up the
railroad eastward, our cavalry was engaged in annoying their flanks, up to
Beall's Station.

On the morning of the 12th of Dec., 1863, the Seventh O. V. C. and the
Ninth Michigan Cavalry, with one section of artillery, under command of
Col. Garrard, moved in the direction of Morristown, and when within one
and half miles of that town we met the enemy, and after some skirmishing,
the Seventh was dismounted and thrown forward to engage them, who were
strongly posted on a wooded hill, with artillery commanding the approach.

After an engagement with them, which lasted nearly an hour, our lines
moved forward gradually through open fields until within one hundred and
fifty yards of their lines.

Meanwhile, the Ninth Michigan Cavalry was moved down a ravine and around a
hill out of sight of the enemy, attacking them on their flank and rear,
compelling them to scatter in great confusion, leaving their dead and
wounded in our hands.

Our command passed on, driving the rebels beyond the town.

The enemy lost heavily in killed and wounded, and among them a Lieut.
Colonel.

Our loss was one man killed; Sergt. Newport, of Co. H, Seventh regiment,
with several wounded.

It now being quite dark and no support near, the command fell back to
Beall's Station.

On the morning of the 14th, Col. Garrard's brigade again advanced on
Morristown, but finding no enemy there, moved on toward Russelsville a few
miles, drove in the pickets and moved forward, and when near Russelville,
found a large force of the enemy drawn in line awaiting our approach.

The Second and Seventh O. V. C. were at once ordered forward to attack
them, the Ninth Michigan being held in reserve.

We fought them till near dark, and failing to accomplish anything and
losing several ki