re another body of Minty's command encountered a small regiment of
Confederates and captured them. To this body of the defeated were added
the force taken by Major Deck.

Following the commands of General Rosecrans, Steedman moved forward by
way of Triune and Nolinsville, and joined Davis's forces at Franklin.
But Wheeler was on the alert, and by pushing forward at his utmost
speed, managed to pass between those in his pursuit. On the third day of
February he reached Dover, and there forced a fight with Colonel
Harding, commanding about six hundred and fifty men of the Eighty-third
Illinois. The latter was well intrenched at the new site of Fort
Donelson, and bravely resisted two savage attacks, then charged over his
works and captured nearly half a hundred of the enemy. In his double
onslaught Wheeler lost five hundred and fifty in killed and wounded,
while the loss to the Union forces was less than a hundred, exclusive
of fifty soldiers who were captured. With broken ranks Wheeler started
on his retreat through Centerville. Davis's command tried their best to
cut him off, and so did a portion of Minty's cavalry, but the
Confederate could not be caught, and he escaped with the remnant of his
troops across Duck River. It may be added here that when Colonel Harding
charged over his breastworks, he was sustained by the fire of several
gunboats on the river, which were bound for Nashville with a number of
transports.

The affair near Rover ended the present series of conflicts so far as
the Riverlawn Cavalry was concerned, and they went into camp once more
and were again joined by Batterson's battery. But the Confederates
continued to be active, and early in March an encounter took place three
miles outside of Spring Hill and another at Thompson's Station. The
Union forces, under Coburn, were outnumbered and compelled to surrender;
but the victory was of little value to the Confederates, since it did
nothing for the advancement of their position.

On the 7th of March General Phil Sheridan moved with his division to
Franklin, where he was joined by troops from Nashville and by Minty's
cavalry. The object was to learn the enemy's true position. Van Dorn,
the rebel leader, was at Spring Hill, and Granger was sent to dislodge
him. This was done with the aid of several other Union troops, and Van
Dorn was pursued as far as Rutherford Creek.

Once more the Riverlawns found themselves in the saddle and posted on a
side road n