December 6.
Reconnoissances were made to-ward Wright's Bridge and the bridge at Eden Station (Jenks's Bridge) with a view to saving them, if possible.Colonel Williamson's brigade of General Woods's division reached the former in time to save much of the timber, but all the planking and several of the trestles were already burned. He, however, constructed a foot-bridge and crossed over a small force which he pushed forward toward the railroad.
A small detachment went as far as the Twenty-Mile Station and returned, skirmishing all the way. This brigade skirmished considerably with the enemy near night.
Colonel Oliver's brigade, of Hazen's division, made the reconnnoissance to Jenks's Bridge, but found the bridge destroyed. I sent an officer, Lieutenant Harney, with a select party to strike the Gulf Railroad, but he found the bridge across the Cannoucher burned and the approaches were guarded by rebels, so that he was compelled to return without doing the work. Another party also sent to try for a point higher up the Cannoucher for the same purpose, was not yet heard from.
