At about nine o’clock in the morning, Colonel Wilder met the enemy’s pickets eight miles from Murfreesboro’, and drove them, together with all their reserves, on a quick run before him, to beyond Hoover’s Gap, which is a long winding hollow through a chain of hills which divide the Stone and Duck rivers. For about two-thirds the distance through the gaps the rebels had fortified a strong position, but were driven so closely by the men under Colonel Wilder, that before they had time to deploy into their works, the Union soldiers were inside also. The rebels fled instantly, leaving behind the battle-flag of the First Kentucky cavalry regiment, and also forty-two prisoners. For full four miles beyond Hoover’s Gap, Colonel Wilder’s men drove them on a sharp run; when he heard the long-roll sounded in the enemy’s infantry camp two miles beyond the Garrison Fork, down Duck river toward the right. Immediately the proper dispositions were made for an expected fight, for Colonel Wilder determined to hold the gap until General Reynolds with his force should come up to his assistance. Almost on the instant, two brigades of rebel infantry came up on the double-quick, and formed in line of battle; the Unionists poured a volley into their ranks, which caused them to hastily turn about and beat a retreat; upon the right of Colonel Wilder’s column five regiments of rebels had charged, and outflanked the Seventeenth. The Ninety-eighth Illinois, Colonel Fernhouser, hastened to their relief, before whom the rebels did not stand more than five minutes. Wheeling about, the enemy, despite the cries and entreaties of their officers, beat a hasty retreat, and with great noise and clatter carried their batteries away with them, and posted them behind some hills in their rear. General Reynolds’ division held possession of the gap.