O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XVII/1

DECEMBER 15, 1862-JANUARY 3, 1863.
Forrest's Expedition into West Tennessee.

No. 18.--Report of Col. Michael K. Lawler, Eighteenth Illinois Infantry,
of skirmish near Clifton, January 3, 1863.

HEADQUARTERS COMMANDER OF POST,
Jackson, Tenn., January 9, 1863.

GENERAL: In obedience to orders received from General Sullivan on the
1st instant, I proceeded with my command to the Tennessee River, opposite
Clifton, in pursuit of the rebels under General Forrest. The first day marched
 26 miles, to Mr. Sparks', 9 miles this side of Clifton, and on the 3d January
marched with our brigade to the river. The rebels had all crossed the river
the evening previous at Clifton and other points below. One regiment was
ordered to deploy in front of the town and shelter behind the timber and reply
to the battery on the other side, which they did in handsome style, driving
the artillerists from their guns. Their batteries played upon us for two hours
pretty vigorously, and, with intermission, for one and one-half hours more. The
 river bank on the Clifton side being much higher than this side we could not
 use artillery to advantage, and did not use it. There was no force of the enemy
 in sight except those with the guns. My adjutant-general, Joseph B. Thorp,
 was wounded in the leg by a rifle-ball. This was the only casualty at the river.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. K. LAWLER,
Colonel, Commanding

Captain BUCHANAN,
Assistant Adjutant-General

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