the
Federal transports from plying between Bowlinggreen, Kentucky, and
Evansville, Indiana, I have the honor of submitting my report. The
detachment left this point at twelve o'clock, February 7th; on the
evening of the 8th, crossed the Cumberland river at Granville,
Tennessee. The night of the 11th, reached the vicinity of Bowlinggreen,
but unfortunately our presence, force and design becoming known to the
Federal authorities by the capture of Doctor Samuel Garvin, who had
volunteered to accompany us, we were under the necessity of altering
materially the plan of operations. We disbanded to meet on the night of
the 20th, twelve miles south of Bowlinggreen. On the morning of the
21st, we burned the depot and three cars at South Union, on the
Louisville and Memphis railroad, all stored with Federal property. At
12 o'clock, P.M., on the 25th, captured the steamer "Hettie Gilmore,"
in the employ of the Federal Government, and heavily laden with stores
for the Army of the Cumberland, all of which we destroyed, paroling the
boat. Made a circuit of forty miles, destroyed a train of twenty-one
cars and an engine at Woodburn, on the Louisville and Nashville
railroad, at 6 o'clock, P.M., February 26th. The whole amount of
Federal property destroyed on the 21st, 25th and 26th, inclusive, can
not fall short of half a million of dollars. In conclusion, Colonel, we
have been twenty-one days, one hundred and fifty miles within the
enemy's lines, traveled in thirty-six hours one hundred miles, injured
the Federal Government half a million dollars, caused him to collect
troops at points heretofore unprotected, thereby weakening his force in
front of our army. After destroying the train at Woodburn, and being
closely pursued by the enemy, we swam an angry little stream known as
Drake's creek, in which attempt Corporal L.H. McKinney was washed from
his horse and drowned. He was indeed a gallant soldier and much beloved
by his comrades. Too much praise can not be given to Lieutenant Porter
and the brave, true men who accompanied me on this trip, bearing all
the fatigue and danger incident to such a scout without a murmur. I
have the honor to be with great respect, Your obedient servant,

T. HENRY HINES, Capt. Comd'g Scouts.

* * * * *

Sometime during February two fine regiment