Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 9.
Frank Moore, Ed.

On the thirtieth of October, in obedience to instructions from Headquarters Military Division Mississippi, I concentrated my division at Marietta, and commenced at once to fit out a cavalry command for a long and rapid march through the enemy's country. But a few days were given for this important work. Horses, arms, and clothing had to be obtained, and regiments and detachments widely scattered ordered in. But by hard work and perseverance, in less than nine (9) days the command ordered was ready for the field.

Several regiments had been added to the old regiments, and organized into two (2) brigades, each numbering upward of two thousand five hundred (2500) men.

The First brigade, Colonel Eli H. Murray, Third Kentucky cavalry, commanding, was composed of the following regiments, namely, Ninth Pennsylvania cavalry, Colonel Jordon; Eighth Kentucky cavalry, Colonel Baldwin; Third Kentucky cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel King; Second Kentucky cavalry, Captain Foreman; and Tenth Wisconsin light artillery, Captain Beebe commanding, amounting to two thousand eight hundred (2800) men.

The Second brigade, Colonel Smith D. Atkins, Ninety-second Illinois mounted infantry, commanding, was composed of the following regiments, namely, Ninety-second Illinois mounted infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Van Buskirk; Tenth Ohio cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel Sanderson; Ninth Ohio cavalry, Colonel Hamilton; Eighth Ohio cavalry, Colonel Heath; squadron First Ohio cavalry, Captain Dazel; and Ninth Michigan cavalry, Colonel Acker, amounting to two thousand seven hundred (2700) men.

I left my encampment at Marietta on the morning of November fourteenth, with five thousand five hundred (5500) men and six (6) pieces of artillery; reached Atlanta same day, and bivouacked for the night. Was informed by the General-in-Chief that Milledgeville was our first objective point; that my command would move on the right of the army of the Tennessee, (the right wing;) that I was to feint strongly toward Forsyth, cross the Ocmulgee, move on Macon as if to attack it, strike the Georgia and Central Railroad, and as near Macon as possible, then fall back toward our infantry, when I was to report to the General-in-Chief at Milledgeville. Seven days being given to make the march and diversion indicated.

We left Atlanta on the morning of November fifteenth, crossed Flint River, and occupied Jonesboro. A portion of General Wheeler's cavalry and the Georgia militia, under General Cobb, were reported to be at Lovejoy Station. I met and drove back Wheeler's advance next morning, and found him in position, occupying the old rebel earthworks constructed by Hood's army on its recent retreat from Jonesboro. Colonel Murray (First brigade) charged and carried their works, capturing two (2) three-inch rifled guns, (taken from General Stoneman,) and killed and wounded a large number of the enemy. Wheeler now retreated in great confusion to Bear Creek Station, where he attempted to halt and make a stand. But Colonel Atkins, (Second brigade,) being now in advance, charged him with the Tenth Ohio cavalry, when he again broke, and rapidly retreated to Griffin, a distance of ten (10) miles.

Wheeler being disposed of for a time, I separated my command, marching on two roads, that the greater amount of cotton, cotton-gins, and other valuable property might be destroyed. After pushing well in on Forsyth, and being convinced that the impression was made upon the enemy “that our forces were moving directly on that point,” I rapidly marched to Planters' Factory, crossed the Ocmulgee, and reached Clinton November nineteenth. Learning that a portion of Wheeler's cavalry had also crossed the river, and was now in my immediate front, I moved on the road to the city; forced back Wheeler's cavalry across Walnut Creek; charged and carried a portion of their works about East-Macon. The Tenth Ohio cavalry and Ninety-second Illinois mounted infantry, having the advance, did all the fighting, and behaved most gallantly. Colonel Atkins (commanding Second brigade) deserves great praise for the energy and skill displayed on the occasion.

The command encamped that night on the railroad and road leading from Macon to Milledgeville, picketing Walnut Creek, one third of the entire force being employed all night in destroying track. A detachment of Ninth Michigan