About the
same time I received this information our pickets were driven in. The
command was immediately ordered into line, and every effort made to
rally the men for action, but nature was exhausted, and a large
portion of my best troops actually went to sleep while lying in line
of battle under a severe skirmish-fire. After some maneuvering,
Forrest sent in a flag of truce, demanding the surrender of my forces.
Most of my regimental commanders had already expressed the opinion
that, unless we could reach Rome and cross the river before the enemy
came up with us again, we should be compelled to surrender.
Consequently, I called a council of war. I had learned, however, in
the meantime that Captain Russell had been unable to take the bridge
at Rome. Our condition was fully canvassed. As I have remarked before,
our ammunition was worthless, our horses and mules in a desperate
condition, the men were overcome with fatigue and loss of sleep, and
we were confronted by fully three times our number, in the heart of
the enemy's country, and, although personally opposed to surrender,
and so expressed myself at the time, yet I yielded to the unanimous
voice of my regimental commanders, and at once entered into
negotiations with Forrest to obtain the best possible terms I could
for my command, and at about noon, May 3, we surrendered as prisoners
of war.

We were taken to Richmond, Va. The men were soon sent through the
lines and exchanged. My officers and myself were confined in Libby
Prison, where we remained until the night of February 9 last, when
four of my officers and myself, together with several other prisoners,
succeeded in making our escape, and reached Washington in safety about
March 1. The balance of my officers, or nearly all of them, are still
confined as prisoners or have died of disease the result of long
confinement, insufficient food, and cruel treatment at the hands of
the enemy.

I am unable to report the exact number of casualties in the command,
but from the best information I have been able to obtain there were
fifteen officers and about one hundred and thirty enlisted men killed
and wounded. It was a matter of astonishment to all that so much
fighting should occur with so few casualties on our side; but we acted
purely on the defensive, and took advantage of the