Below are descriptions of that action from Confederate sources.
11 16 1863 [Monday]
Yanky forces retreating towards Knoxville. Longstreet, in close pursuit, has captured a number of prisoners and waggons. (Blair, 62nd Tn-87)
HEADQUARTERS LONGSTREET'S CORPS,
En Route, November 16, 1863 10.30 a.m.
Major-General WHEELER,
Commanding Cavalry :
GENERAL: I am just in receipt of your communication of the 14th instant reporting your operations.
We arrived near Lenoir's Station late yesterday afternoon and found the enemy there. While operating to intercept their farther retreat, it fell dark and suspended further operations for the night.
The enemy took the right-hand road from Huff's Ferry; we the other, or road to Campbell's Station, and struck them at Lenoir's. They left last night, and are now retreating precipitately with the head of our column just on their rear. They must soon be brought up. In the flight of the enemy some prisoners, 100 wagons (some in a damaged condition), and many medical stores have fallen into our hands.
In reference to your own movements the lieutenant-general commanding directs me to say that if you think your operations can be prosecuted with success and advantage on your present line, you had best continue on it, doing all the damage you can to the enemy and operating effectually on his flank. If, however, you, with your means of information, deem that you could accomplish more with us, you had better move across and join us. Your action should be decided by the information you receive and the prospect of accomplishing most. I hope to hear soon from you. We shall probably be beyond Concord to-night.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. M. SORREL,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Assistant Adjutant-General. OR 31/3,702/3)
11 18 1863 [Wednesday]
HEADQUARTERS,
Four Miles from Knoxville, November 18, 1863.
General B. BRAGG:
Your note of the 14th is received. I am very much occupied at present with our affairs with the enemy. I will furnish the copy you desire as soon as I have a little time, provided the paper has not been misplaced.
May I ask that you will send me I or 2 telegraph operators. We have driven the enemy into his fortifications around Knoxville and he now confines himself closely to the town, the only road from it that is not guarded being the road across the river by his pontoon bridge.
We have captured 100 wagons, many of them injured by cutting the spokes and some partially burned; 400 or 500 prisoners have been taken; four or five stand of colors, and a considerable amount of ammunition and other property and baggage. We got greatly the advantage of the enemy in our moves after crossing the river, but were an hour or two too late on one day in reaching him, and he retreated hastily during the night. The next day we failed to get to our points by about fifteen minutes, so that he got his position behind the point where I had proposed to intercept him--Campbell's Station. Then, after getting his position, we were unable to make our plan and arrangements for attack, but he escaped and got into another position a little before night. It was then too late to make other plans and arrangements, night coming on.
General Leadbetter promised to send up engineer companies to rebuild the railroad bridge at Loudon. May I ask that you will hove this attended to for us as soon as possible, as I have no means myself of having the bridge rebuilt.
We have been occupied to-day in driving the enemy from his advance line of defenses, only succeeding a little before night. Though we had no general battle, we have been skirmishing every day since we crossed the river and have sustained considerable loss. Various rumors here state that the enemy expects relief from the army at Chattanooga.
I remain, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. LONGSTREET,
Lieutenant-General, Commanding. (OR 31/3, 707)