To Major John A Cravens From MT Thomas Dec 5 1864

              Head Quarters 8th Minn. Vols. 

Fortress Rosencrans, Tenn. 

                                                                        Dec. 5, 1864 


Major John A. Cravens 

	A. A. G. 

			Major, 

				I have the honor to make  
the following report of the part taken by the 8th Minn. Vols.  
in the engagement at Overall’s Creek, on the evening of the 4th  
inst. 


	The first position was to the right, with the left resting  
near the Brick House on the right of the Pike Road.  I was  
then ordered to move by the right flank in the direction  
of the Block House on the railroad, following and sup- 
porting a line of skirmishers from the 61st Ill.  When within  
fifty yards of the Block House, halted and formed line of battle,  
the enemy in front were sharpshooters trusted in a wood and  
behind a rail fence, between the enemies battery and the Block  
House. 


	After remaining in this position for a short time, and  
being annoyed by the sharpshooters, and shell from the enemy, I first  
moved down two companies to the right of the Block House,  
and by opening fire, drove the sharpshooters from cover, and was  
in the act of opening on the battery, when I discovered our  
cavalry charging through the intervening place, which compelled  
me to cease and moved down the whole force.  When in this position