To James A Cravens From MT Thomias Dec 8 1864

              Hd. Qrs. Independent Brigade 

Fortress Rosencrans, Tenn. 

Dec. 8th, 1864 


	Major James A. Cravens 

			A. A. G. 

				Major
 
					I have the honor  
to make the following report of the operations of the  
Independent Brigade in the engagement of the 7th inst.  
on the Wilkinson Pike near Stone River. 


				In the moving round the  
fortress, the enemy was first discovered in force about  
one mile from the left of the Wilkinson Pike, and two miles  
from the south west corner of the fortress, two sections of  
artillery; one of the 12th Ohio, and one of the 13th New York  
Batteries were placed in position and engaged the enemy  
with spirit, and showed him to be well posted and in  
strong force.  Having but a limited amount of artillery  
ammunition (50 rounds per piece).  The Brigade was moved  
by the right flank until the 8th Minn. Regt. had crossed  
the Wilkinson Pike, when it was formed in line of battle to  
the front with its left resting on the Pike.  The 181st Ohio  
on the left of the Pike and 174th Ohio on the left of it – the  
61st Illinois being deployed in front as skirmishers – an  
advance was immediately made of several hundred yards  
when an interval appearing in the skirmish line two companies