To Maj Cravens From GML Johnson Dec 10 1864

              Headquarters 13th Ind. Cav. 

Murfreesboro. Dec. 10th, 1864 

	Sir, 

		In order to place before the Genl. Comdg.  
in official form the circumstances by which this  
portion of my regiment has become detached from  
it’s proper command, I would respectfully state  
that, on the morning of the 30th November I  
left Nashville with (6) six companies of my  
command and (3) three days rations, under orders  
from Genl. Wilson, Chief of Cavalry Corps, to proceed  
to Lavergne, and scout the country in the direction  
of Nolansville.  On the second day out, met detachments  
of Federal cavalry, reporting that they had met  
a portion of Forrest’s command and been defeated  
which was quite apparent from their condition when  
I saw them. 


		Becoming fearful that my command  
might be cut of from Nashville, I dispatched a  
messenger at 12 o’clock that night to Genl. Wilson  
for orders.  He, returning at 11 o’clock a.m. Dec. 2nd, 1864  
with verbal orders from Genl. Wilson, who had deemed  
it prudent not to give them in writing – to return  
to Nashville, if possible – reported the occupation  
of the Nashville Pike by the enemy, and Maj. Moore  
in charge of a scout towards Nolansville, having