From the Official Records Series 1, Volume XVII, Part 1, page 145ff. (The attachments marked A and B were not found for inclusion with the report).
SEPTEMBER 28-OCTOBER 5, 1862.
Expedition from Columbus, Ky., to Covington, Durhamville, and Fort Randolph, Tenn.
Report of Colonel Frederick A. Starring, Seventy-second Illinois Infantry, commanding expedition.
HDQRS. SEVENTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY Regiment,
Columbus, Ky., October 6, 1862.
GENERAL: In accordance with orders from Brigadier General I. F. Quinby, September 26, 1862, a copy of which is furnished herewith, marked A,* four companies Seventy-second Illinois Regiment, numbering 240 men, were embarked on board steamer Tecumseh for an expedition under my command, as per instructions and orders from General Quinby, to proceed down the Mississippi River to Island Numbers 10 and New Madrid, to take on board a section of artillery and two companies of cavalry, then to proceed to a point at or near Gayoso Landing, Mo., march out across the "Sunk Lands" swamp to West Prairie, Clarkson, Hawkins' Island, and other places, to break up, capture, or disperse several parties of guerrillas and marauders said to be in the neighborhood in large force, with orders if we got short of rations to live off the country-prominent secessionists-giving if necessary proper receipts for what was taken.
After command was embarked and as steamer was about to leave a letter, copy of which is furnished herewith, marked B,* with the following order indorsed thereon, was received:
ORDER.] HDQRS. FOURTH DIVISION, DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE,
Columbus, Ky., September 27, 1862.
Colonel Starring, with the force under his command, will proceed first to Fort Randolph, stopping at Fort Pillow for information, after which he will proceed on expedition first ordered.
By order Brigadier-General Quinby, commanding district:
M. ROCHESTER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
In accordance with above order last received the steamer proceeded down the river, taking on board at Island Numbers 10 a platoon of Company L, Second Illinois Cavalry, 20 men (all that could spared), and at New Madrid a section of De Golyer's battery, 25 men, Captain De Golyer commanding, and Company D, Second Illinois Cavalry, 61 men, Captain Frank Moore commanding.
Arrived at Fort Pillow on the morning of September 29; found the place garrisoned by Fifty-second Indiana Regiment (with one piece of artillery), Major Strickland commanding; learned from him that the town of Fort Randolph, 13 miles below, had been burned a day or two previous; that no rebel force was there, but that a few miles in rear of Fort Randolph and Fort Pillow, near a big spring across the Hatchie, a large rebel force was concentrated, supposed to be commanded by Faulkner, Haywood, Binford, and others.
The command was disembarked, and being re-enforced by Major Strickland with seven companies from his regiment, numbering some 300 men, we proceeded on the march from Fort Pillow to attempt to surprise, capture, or disperse any marauding parties that might be found.
We reached the Hatchie about 6 miles from Fort Pillow early in the evening; effected a crossing at Bond's Ford; bivouacked for the night at 9 p. m. at plantation of a notorious and avowed secessionist named Overall, who mistook our advance guard for the enemy; proposed to send them aid if necessary. Learning the guerrillas had left their camp at the big spring, and that Faulkner's men were t Covington, 7 miles distant, we started on their track, made a cavalry dash through the town, capturing several prisoners; found no guerrillas in force. Faulkner's men had been burning cotton in the town and vicinity, evidences of which, by burnt cotton, ashes, &c, were visible around the public square and along the roads. Marched through Covington to vicinity of Tyson Spring, 4 miles beyond; found Faulkner had divided his forces, a part going with them off in direction of Jackson. Haywood and Binford, the parties that fired on steamer Forest Queen, had crossed the Hatchie in vicinity of Durhamville.
Captain De Golyer and Captain Moore, each with a squad of cavalry, were directed to scout the country, arrest several prominent secessionists we learned were in the vicinity, and rejoin the command before night. Command again proceeded on march back through Covington out on Durhamville road; recrossed the Hatchie 6 miles from Covington at Gaines' Ferry; bivouacked for the night 2 miles from river near plantation of---, the occupants having fled at our approach, leaving everything.
The cavalry rejoined us at the ferry; had scouted the country thoroughly; arrested a man named Rose, who escaped from Covington when force first went in; said Rose was engaged recruiting for Jackson's rebel cavalry, of which he claims to be a member and is supposed to be an officer.
Our rations giving out, and having become satisfied that none of the enemy were in force in vicinity of Covington or Durhamville, we resumed march early on the morning of October 1 for Fort Pillow, where we arrived large in the evening.
On the route from Fort Pillow to Covington, Durhamville, and return 19 horses, 13 mules, 2 wagons, 2 oxen, &c., were confiscated and turned over to Lieutenant Smith, quartermaster Fifty-second Indiana Infantry, acting quartermaster [of] posit, their owners being either avowed secessionists or absent in the rebel army. The prisoners (all except four) whom it was deemed necessary to take to Columbus for trial, were turned over for examination to Major Strickland, commanding post. Horses, mules, and other property not names herein, confiscated by command of Major Strickland, were also properly turned over by him to post quartermaster.
On the morning of October 2 the cavalry and artillery were embarked on transport and proceeded to Fort Randolph, where an expedition was met from Memphis, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Loudon, with artillery and detachment of Seventieth Ohio Infantry, on transport steamer Ohio Belle, with United States gunboat Pittsburg as convoy. They were under orders from Major-General Sherman to proceeded up the river to Fort Pillow, take away all serviceable heavy guns from Fort Randolph and vicinity, look out for guerrillas, &c.
Returned to Fort Pillow, where the detachment of the Seventy-second Illinois Infantry re-embarked. Transport proceeded up the river. On return, October 3, landed cavalry and mounted men (artillery) under command of Captains De Golyer and Moore, some 15 miles below Gayoso, with orders to scout the country and join the steamer at that place. They returned late in the evening, having captured the notorious Captain Cloud, 2 other prisoners, also 4 horses, one of which broke away and was lost in the woods. Dispatch steamer Meteor landed alongside of us here at Gayoso late in the evening, with General Steele on board, and proceeded down the river for Memphis.
Learning from the cavalry that a company of guerrillas were in the vicinity of Island Numbers 21 watching for a boat, we started after them, but the steamer becoming disabled, were obliged to abandon the trip.
Having been absent from Columbus much longer than was anticipated or intended, many officers and men being sick and foot-sore, the force not considered adequate or now prepared for the expedition first ordered, and having learned also from General Steele the absence of troops from Columbus, it was deemed best to return to that place with as little delay as possible.
......
Respectfully submitting the foregoing, I have the honor to be, your most obedient servant,
F. A. STARRING,
Colonel Seventy-second Illinois Infantry,
Commanding Detachment U. S. Troops.
Brigadier General GRENVILLE M. DODGE,
Commanding Fourth Division, West Tennessee, Columbus, Ky.
But I think the battle you refer to involved Col Falkner's unit, and he got the worst of it. It was a Union victory but I'm fuzzy on the details of this skirmish.
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Bringing the