ort of Loomis' Battery, and remained in this position until two in
the afternoon, when General Mitchell arrived and ordered the Ninth
Brigade, Loomis' Battery and my regiment to move forward. At Widow's
creek we met a detachment of the enemy; a few shots from the battery and
a volley from our skirmish line drove it back, and we hastened on toward
Bridgeport, exchanging shots occasionally with the enemy on the way.

About five o'clock we formed in line of battle, on high ground in the
woods, one-half mile from Bridgeport, the Third having the right of the
column, and moved steadily forward until we came in sight of the town
and the enemy. The order to double quick was then given, and we dashed
into the village on a run. The enemy stood for a moment and then left as
fast as legs could carry him; in fact he departed in such haste that but
few muskets and one shot from a six pound gun were fired at us; one
piece of his artillery was found still loaded. We captured fifty
prisoners, a number of horses, two pieces of artillery and many muskets.
The bridge over the Tennessee had already been filled with combustible
material, and when the rear of the rebel column passed over the match
was applied; the fire extended rapidly, and we found it impossible to
proceed further.

The fright of the enemy was so great that, after getting beyond the
river a mile or more, he threw away over a thousand muskets, and
abandoned every thing that could impede his flight. Unfortunately,
however, before a raft could be constructed to convey our troops across
the river, the rebels recovered from their panic, backed down a railroad
train, and gathered up most of their arms and camp equipage.

A little more coolness on the part of our troops would have enabled us
to capture twenty-five or thirty cavalrymen, who came riding into
Bridgeport, supposing it to be still in the hands of their friends. As
they approached, a few scattering shots were fired at them by the
excited soldiers, when they wheeled and succeeded in making their
escape.

30. The troops are short of provisions; there is a grist mill near, but
the owner claims that it is out of repair, and can not be put in running
order for some days, as part of the machinery is missing. On inquiry, I
found that the owner of the mill was a rebel, and that the missing
machinery had probably been hidden by himself. I therefore said to him
that if he did not have the mill going by noon, I would burn it do