To Edward Anderson From Alfred Reed Dec 17 1864

              Head Quarters 12th Ind. Cav. 

Fortress Rosencrans, Tenn. v
Dec. 17th, 1864 

Edward Anderson 

	Col. Comdg. 1st Brig. 

				Col. 

					In the battle of  
“Nolansville Pike” on the 7th inst. the 12th Indiana Cavalry  
Volunteers sustained the following part: 


					During the  
advance upon the enemy’s position the regiment  
constituted part of the reserves.  It advanced in line  
to the left of the pike until it came to a cotton field,  
across which the enemy had extemporized earth- 
works and planted his batteries.  At this time the  
skirmish line in the cotton field to our right began  
to waver and the regiment moved by the right flank  
to the support of this portion of the line.  Being thus  
supported the line of skirmishers and the regiment  
moved forward across the cotton field into the woods  
abandoned by the enemy, whose battery being cap- 
tured and his forces routed , and no further pursuit  
ordered the entire Federal forces returned to the fortress  
– the 12th Ind. Cav. constituting the rear guard. 


		Owing to the fact that a skirmish line was  
continually in advance of it the regiment first but  
from shots.  At times, however, the fire it sustained was  
heavy, but it offers me great pleasure to say that all