Colonel Moffet, Western Brigade

November 12, 1862

Col. James Moffet
44th. Indiana Vol

The following action of the morning of November 22, 1862 is respectfully submitted.  The 44th. Indian Vol. were called to join the Brigade at 8:30 and took our place behind the Missouri Battalion and followed these past our camp and off to the South.  After a short movement the Missouri Battalion moved off to the right to a larger field we came upon and formed line of battle to their left with the remain battalion joining on our left.  We moved South on this field until we reached a wooded rise with a road off to the left. We were ordered up that road in column of companies with Co.___ in the lead.  At the top of the rise there was a field, a rebel squadron of cavalry and a company of infantry were protecting a field piece.  Co. A was sent through the woods then Co. ___and F headed to the right.  The rebel infantry moved into woods to our right but  pressed by Co. D and F to retire. With their companies in line, we pushed uphill to the Southeast forcing the cavalry and field piece to retire also.  On the far side of the field there was another wooded defile that the rebels retired behind.  The Battalion formed a skirmish line and pressed through the woods.  Our left was an_______or impassable terrain and the rest of the brigade was to our right.  The action continued on our front as we  pushed the  rebels on the field beyond.  The 44th. moved into the field beyond as a field piece was being unlimbered. Co. D charged the piece and took it before they could fire a shot.  As this occurred the other companies pushed the remaining rebels off the high ground with the piece of artillery in our possession.  Our casualties were light, a dozen soldiers received sniper wounds that were treated quickly and returned to duty.  After the action we returned to our camp without incident.  Of particular note was the meritorious conduct of Cpt. Nathan Dapper.

November 13, 1862    Near Dover, Tenn.
44th. Indian Vol. in the field

Col. W. James Moffet

This report is respectfully submitted for the action that occurred in the afternoon of November 12th. We were called at 7:20 into the Brigade formation.  Our position in the line of march was the rear with a small cavalry section covering our rear.  After a short movement through rolling and wooded terrain we arrived on a plateau with a large field cut by some hedgerows.  Our general line of march had been North West.  This field was occupied by a battery of our artillery who were keeping up a lively fire with rebel batteries in wooded hills to the Southwest.  We halted for a brief time after we marched behind the battery and stacked arms behind a hedgerow to the Northwest.  Our cavalry headed down a road into the woods in front of the artillery.  We were shortly ordered forward.  We marched up the same road and came upon a branch in the road.  It was decided to split the companies to press up the left fork.  A dismounted section of cavalry were in a skirmish line between the branches and the rebel battery of howitzers was placed there without supports.  Co. A was sent to the right and Co F was sent to the left on either side of the road.  There movement distracted the rebel gunners so Co D could form on the road and take three guns without loss.  The regiment reformed on the road and pressed further South through rolling and wooded terrain.  We came to the point where a fence ran from the road we were on both sides restricting our movement.  At this point we were attacked by rebel cavalry, our position behind these fences protected us from them but also prevented our ability to drive them off.  In addition a rebel battery was emplaced in a field to the South covering our road.  Simultaneously, 1st. Lt. Crowder dismounted his cavalry  company and made their way under the fence to the left, while Capt. Dapper’s company moved to the right in the woods.  As these notions continued a squadron of our Cavalry arrived, formed in column of fours and charged into the field driving the rebels from two guns.  Capt. Poe’s Company followed the cavalry and consolidated the captured guns.  The regiment reformed on the military crest of the hill with the cavalry to our front.  At this point a parley was conducted by the brigade that allowed the rebels to collect their wounded and dead.  I feel required to bring to your attention the actions of Captain Poe and Lt. ______. The former, seeing a section of field guns unsupported, charged and took the guns without firing a shot.  The later is credited with security for the three other pieces taken.

Your Most Obedient Servant,
W. James Moffet