HEADQUARTERS WHARTON’S BRIGADE,(*)
Dr. Frazier’s, March 17, 1863–12 pm.
Maj. THOMAS M. JACK,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Shelbyville:
MAJOR: The enemy have retired since yesterday morning from the Salem pike, so that there is no force on that road 2 miles south of Murfreesborough. My scouts report large bodies of the enemy (no definite number), supposed to be 10,000, gone in the direction of Triune. Union citizens are leaving the country above Middleton and Versailles, going to Nashville. I have scouts near Murfreesborough, from whom I will get reports before night, I hope. A wagon train from near Salem went on last evening toward Nashville, by dirt road.

The above information is from Colonel [J. S.] Prather’s command.
Very respectfully,
WILL. T. MARTIN,
Brigadier-General

O.R.– SERIES I–VOLUME XXIII/2 [S# 35]
Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations In Kentucky, Middle And East Tennessee, North Alabama, And Southwest Virginia, From January 21 To August 10, 1863.
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE. ETC.–#4
Page 703