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OFFICIAL ARMY RECORDS 1862-3

HOSPITAL NO. 2, Iuka, Miss., September 21, 1862.

COLONEL: I respectfully report the part taken in the action by my regiment while I

remained on the field near Iuka, Miss., on the 19th instant:

In pursuance to your orders and that of General Hamilton the regiment was formed on a line

nearly with and to the left of the Eleventh Ohio Battery, Lieutenant Sears commanding, on the

crest of a hill or ridge receding to the left and semicircular in form. In the rear was placed the

Sixteenth Iowa for our support, and not more than 20 yards from us, and to the left was the

Fourth Minnesota, in continuation of the front. The men were ordered to lie down and to hold

their fire until they could make it effective. There was a deep gulch or ravine which it was

impossible to reach with musketry as the line was then formed. To the right wing of the regiment

the line of fire was much circumscribed, the range being confined to the sharp slope of the hill

opposite and to a descending plane to the front of the line on which we were formed of not over

25 or 30 yards in width. On the left of the regiment the descent of the ground was less rapid and

abrupt, but rolling, and at many points offered a cover to an enemy's approach. The fire opened

upon us by their batteries at about 5 p.m., and at first seemed mainly directed at the battery on

our right, but taking in its range the first and second companies of the regiment, who suffered

early and severely in the engagement. The fire from the batteries was from converging points,

and therefore enfilading, under which those troops to the front and to the right and left of our

battery suffered severely. After their cannonading had lasted half an hour or more circumstances

indicated the approach of an attacking column, of which I promptly informed you. They

advanced in three lines, two deep each. As soon as they were perceived on the summit and

descent of the hill on the opposite side, at about 250 yards distant, we opened our fire upon them

and continued it until they were hidden by the declivity below, resuming the fire as soon as they

came within reach. Here they met us with a volley, and our support having given away, with a

force in our front at least four to one, the regiment followed. They fell back nearly 100 yards,

where they were rallied, and although the line was irregular, they still showed a front to the

enemy and continued to fire. By your direction I advanced to the support of the battery. When

within about 40 yards of it I was wounded and compelled to retire to the rear. The command of

the regiment then devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Rugg. His report, which no doubt will

accompany this, will embody all the essential facts connected with the regiment after I left the

field.

Considering that it was the first time the regiment had been under fire and that it was

outnumbered four to one by the veteran troops of the rebel army and that they remained in the

battle to its termination, its conduct may be deemed satisfactory, though not in all respects what I

could wish. To the officers especially much praise is due. They were prompt in the execution of

every command, attentive to every duty, and remained with their men, encouraging them by

word and example, to the last. To Lieutenant-Colonel Rugg I am under especial obligations. He

gave me every aid and assistance while I remained on the field and contributed much to the order

and good conduct of the men. His gallantry was conspicuous at every point of danger. I take

pleasure in also mentioning with approbation the conduct of Adjutant Stanfield, and particularly

that of Sergeant-Major Ellis. Other especial instances of meritorious conduct on the part of

commissioned officers and enlisted men deserving notice will doubtless be mentioned by

Colonel Rugg in his report.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

NORMAN EDDY,

Colonel, Commanding.

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Colonel SANBORN,

Comdg. First Brig., Third Div.

HDQRS. FIFTH REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEERS,

September 21, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken in the engagement near

Iuka, on the 19th instant, by the Fifth Iowa Infantry:

We left camp, 6 miles from Jacinto, early on the morning of the 19th instant, leading the

column of the Third Division, and soon came onto the enemy's pickets, posted on the road. Three

companies of my regiment, E, G, and D, were ordered forward as skirmishers, and succeeded in

driving them from their position, and continued to drive them from one position to another,

which they contested, for more than 6 miles, killing 3 and wounding a number, when these

companies were relieved by the Twenty-sixth Missouri Infantry. Our loss was 1 sergeant

severely wounded. The skirmishers soon came onto the main force of the enemy, placed in a

strong position, and received a volley from one or more regiments. My regiment was ordered

into line on the right of the Eleventh Ohio Battery, which had just been placed in position, when

I was informed that a large force was moving on my right, which compelled me to change front,

and had just got into position on the crest of a hill when the enemy, in strong force (two brigades

as I learned), under Generals Green and Martin, came up in front and poured a terrible fire of

musketry into my line, which was promptly returned. The firing continued without cessation on

both sides for more than a quarter of an hour, when I found the enemy was pressing my left

wing, near the battery, and I ordered a charge, which was executed in the most gallant manner,

every officer and man moving up in almost perfect line, cheering lustily. The enemy gave way

before us, when we poured a most deadly fire into their ranks, causing them to fall back down

the hill. They soon returned with renewed vigor on my front and left, cheering as they came, and

were received with a steady fire from the gallant boys of my regiment, holding our position

under the most terrific fire possible. I then gave the command "Forward," and the enemy were

again driven over the hill, but not until they had come so near as to boldly reach out after our

colors, thus showing the United States flag, and saying, "Don't fire at us; we are your friends." At

this juncture the left wing of my regiment was suffering terribly from a cross-fire coming from

the left of the battery, nearly every officer of the three left companies being either killed or

wounded. At this moment four companies of the Twenty-sixth Missouri Infantry came up to the

support of my left, and nobly assisted in holding the ground more than an hour, until I found my

ammunition exhausted, when I ordered my regiment to retire to a field about 100 yards distant,

which was done in good order, and where it was reformed under a galling fire. At this time the

Eleventh Missouri Infantry advanced in order of battle, and my regiment retired by the right of

companies to the rear, passing the Tenth Missouri Infantry, which was advancing to take a

position near the road. Under the direction of an aide-de-camp the regiment was here reformed in

line, ammunition distributed to the men, and, the firing having ceased, the men rested upon their

arms for the night.

The casualties in my regiment were, 7 commissioned officers killed and 8 wounded and 33

enlisted men killed and 168 wounded.

In commanding my regiment before the enemy I was gallantly assisted on the right by

Lieutenant-Colonel Sampson, and on the left by Adjt. R. F. Patterson, acting major, and Lieut.

W. S. Marshall, acting adjutant, which officers, without leaving their places, repeated my

commands and cheered my brave boys throughout the fierce engagement. The long list of

casualties of both officers and men is ample proof of the noble manner in which all stood at their

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posts. The highest praise is due to all. A grateful country will reward them for their deeds of

daring.

Very respectfully,

C. L. MATTHIES,

Colonel, Commanding Fifth Iowa Infantry.

Lieutenant MARTIN,

A. A. A. G., First Brig., Second Div., Army of the Miss.

HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH IOWA INFANTRY,

September 21, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by the Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, in your brigade,

in the battle on the evening of the 19th instant, 1 miles south of Iuka, Miss.:

The regiment, under command of Col. A. Chambers, was placed in position about 5.30 p.m.

in rear of the Eleventh Ohio Battery, the left of the regiment extending across the road from

which it had filed into position. Immediately after the regiment was formed in line a charge of

grape and shell from a battery of the enemy cut down 6 or 7 men, in-eluding an officer, when the

men were ordered to lie down. In this position but few or none were injured by the repeated

discharges of canister and ball from the rebel battery. In probably half an hour from forming in

line the enemy made a charge of infantry on the battery. Our fire was reserved till the last

moment in the center of the regiment, for fear of killing those manning the battery or the horses

of the same and in the two right companies, till a regiment which was lapping them was

withdrawn; but when the enemy's lines were plainly or partially in sight (which, owing to the

trees and thick underbrush, was not till they were very close), Colonel Chambers ordered the

men to rise and fire, which order was instantly obeyed, for a time stopping the enemy's advance,

but they again charged. The attack was evidently by a very heavy force and with the object of

capturing the battery. Our men stood their ground manfully, and I am not aware that a single

officer or man failed in any part of his duty. They were finally beaten back by the overwhelming

force of the enemy, the center, in the rear of the left section of the battery, retiring first, but

warmly contending with the enemy till they were almost in our ranks. The left, holding a

comparatively safe position, did not retire till they were fired into by one of our own regiments in

the rear. The entire right companies, although under a remarkably heavy fire, held their position

longest and experienced the heaviest loss. Company A, Captain Smith, was the last to leave the

field, and for a time held its ground alone, the regiment on its right having at an early hour been

compelled to retire, and the remaining companies of its own regiment the same at a later hour.

Where all the officers did so well it seems scarcely fair to particularize the conduct or bearing

of one from the other, yet I deem it my official duty to notice the fact that Captain Smith

exhibited in this action bravery and gallant conduct for which he cannot receive too much praise.

He brought out of the battle scarcely half the men he took in it, and the same may be said of

Company F, Captain Fraser. The remaining portion of the regiment was immediately after

reformed by my self and took a position near the battle-field, it then being nearly dark, and soon

after; while changing to another position, was directed to rest on the right of an Ohio regiment,

formed along the Iuka road, where it remained during the night.

I regret to report the severe wounding of Colonel Chambers by gunshot wounds in the

shoulder and neck toward the close of the action. He was taken prisoner at the time of receiving

the wounds, but was left by the enemy in the hospital at Iuka.

I have the honor to inclose herewith a list of the killed, wounded, and missing of the

Sixteenth Iowa Infantry at the late action near Iuka, as complete as it can be made at this time,

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summing up, killed, 14; wounded, 48; missing, 14. the regiment went into the battle with about

350 men, exclusive of details made to take care of the wounded.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ADD. H. SANDERS,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Sixteenth Iowa Infantry.

Colonel SANBORN.

Comdg. First Brigade, Third Div., Army of the Mississippi.

HOSPITAL AT IUKA, MISS.,

September 21, 1862.

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to your orders, I marched, on the

morning of the 18th, from camp west of Jacinto, and encamped that evening 6 miles east of the

town on the Iuka road.

On the 19th we marched to within 2 miles of Iuka, the Fifth Iowa Infantry leading the

column; next the Eleventh Ohio Battery, and next the Twenty-sixth Missouri Infantry. About 3

p.m. I relieved four companies of the Fifth Iowa, skirmishers, with Companies B, A, G, and I, of

my regiment, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Holman, who continued to drive back the

enemy's line till they came upon his main body, from which they received a volley, causing

considerable loss. They remained in position till the column came up, and upon my arrival I

ordered them into the line and formed the regiment, according to your orders, in rear of the Fifth

Iowa, the right down a steep ravine and the left resting near the Eleventh Ohio Battery. You also

ordered me, in case the enemy should attempt to flank on the right, to move my regiment in that

direction into the open field. I reconnoitered the position on the right, and seeing no indication of

a flank movement, I remained in position. Shortly after the engagement opened in earnest on the

front of the Fifth Iowa, and Colonel Matthies, finding the left of his regiment next to the battery

too hard pressed, called on me for assistance. I, seeing that the battery was nearly disabled and

that the enemy were directing all their efforts against that point, immediately ordered Major

Koniuszeski to mount and go forward with the left wing of my regiment, composed of

Companies F, E, H, and C, in all 162 men, exclusive of hospital details. I at the same time

ordered the right wing to remain where it was and await my orders. Seeing Koniuszeski

dismount, and that he gave no orders at all, or at least adequate to the occasion, I took command

in person, and remained until I thought the time had arrived to bring up the right wing, with

which, being five large companies, I had intended to charge. In the mean time the colors,

contrary to orders, had advanced with the left wing, and a short time previous to my returning to

the right wing I had ordered the colors back to their former position. When I returned to where I

had ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Holman to remain with the right wing I found it gone, as well as

the colors. I immediately returned to the left wing, where, mixed up with the disabled battery, we

remained, without giving an inch, until I was severely wounded, having been slightly wounded

before. I immediately after this ordered the men to retreat down the ravine, and was carried off

the field. We had lost 79 men, including 5 commissioned officers wounded. The fire was very

severe, and the position, in the midst of tangled horses struggling to get away, was difficult both

to take and to maintain in order.

I did not see Major Koniuszeski during the action. Had he, and Lieutenant-Colonel Holman,

who I since understand ordered the right wing to retreat shortly after I left him, obeyed my orders

properly I think a charge with these fresh troops would have prevented the temporary capture of

the battery.

the Fifth Iowa, with my four companies, fought with great desperation and effect, and we left

the field at the same time. I have no means of knowing with certainty why the right wing left the

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field as it did, as I have not seen the command since I was carried off the field to be able to get

any accurate information; but they could not have left without orders, as they were almost

completely under shelter. It will be necessary for Lieutenant-Colonel Holman to explain this in

his report, which should begin at the time those companies left their position.

It gives me great pleasure to mention the names of several officers engaged with me on the

left wing who behaved with distinguished gallantry and energy: Capt. B. D. Dean and Second

Lieut. J. W. Maupin, of Company F; Capt. Robert C. Crowell, First Lieut. R. B. Denny, and

Second Lieut. J. T. Crowe, of Company E; First Lieutenant Schirmer, commanding Company K,

and First Lieut. J. M. Dennis, of Company C. I was not present with the skirmishers in action,

but understand that all exhibited great coolness and energy.

I inclose a list of killed and wounded, as far as known at this time.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEORGE B. BOOMER,

Colonel, Comdg. Twenty-sixth Regt. Missouri Infty. Vols.

Col. JOHN B. SANBORN,

Comdg. First Brig., Third Div., Army of the Miss.

HDQRS. TWENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT MISSOURI VOLS.,

September 22, 1862.

COLONEL: I beg leave to submit the following report of the action of the troops under my

command in the battle near Iuka, Miss., September 19:

By order of Col. George B. Boomer, commanding the Twenty-sixth Missouri Volunteers, I

took command of Companies A, Captain Robinson; B, Captain Welker; G, Captain Rice, and I,

Lieutenant Berry, and relieved the skirmishers of the Fifth Iowa. I deployed Company A on the

left and Company B on the right of the main road leading to Iuka, holding Companies G and I as

a reserve, under command of Captain Rice. I drove back the enemy's pickets without much

firing, excepting on one occasion, when he had taken refuge in a house on the road, where a

brisk skirmish ensued; but we soon forced him to leave his shelter, and continued to advance

under a brisk fire. The enemy's cavalry attempted a charge, but, seeing me prepared to receive

him with a reserve and flanking companies rallying, he promptly fell back. I again deployed and

advanced, and soon came upon the main force, posted about 40 yards above a ridge, covered

with timber and thick undergrowth, his artillery being in position in the road in front. A few

shots were fired by my skirmishers, but the enemy held his fire. At this time I had advanced to

the top of the ridge in the road and discovered the position of the enemy. At this instant

Company B drew the fire of the whole rebel line on the right and fell back and rejoined the

regiment. Company A rallied on the right, and Captain Rice brought up his reserve, and after

getting into position near the top of the ridge these companies gave him their entire fire, and

almost instantly drew the fire of their artillery and two regiments of infantry. My troops were so

protected by the ridge that their fire took no effect. I gave them a few more shots, when Captain

Robinson reported the enemy flanking him on the left and Captain Rice discovered him on the

right. Seeing our battery in position and line of battle formed in my rear I gave the order to retire,

and soon after received orders to rejoin the regiment and await orders. Soon after rejoining the

regiment Colonel Boomer went to the left, leaving Adjutant Schoenen and myself on the right.

The battle soon opened with great fury, the four companies on the left, with the colors, were here

detached by the colonel (as I afterwards learned) and moved forward, under his and Major

Koniuszeski's command, in support of the battery. I remained in position until the advance of the

enemy had turned our left, which placed me and my right under a destructive cross-fire from the

rear, left, and front. The battery had been carried, and one of the caissons came down on my left

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and threw that part of my line into confusion. Seeing that I was being flanked on the left and that

it was impossible to rally the left of my line, which had become disordered, I ordered my

command to fall back to the field a short distance below my first line. This movement was

quickly executed and in good order, when I again formed in line of battle near the edge of

timbers. I then, by order, moved back my line about 150 or 200 yards and took position on the

right of the Tenth Missouri, awaiting the approach of the enemy, where I remained until the close

of the engagement. I was ordered then to remain on arms, which I did until next morning. About

7 o'clock in the evening I was here rejoined by the remnants of Companies E, F, and H, bearing

the colors, in charge of Lieutenant Wheeler and Lieut. Charles F. Brown, regimental

quartermaster. From the opening to the end of the engagement my command was constantly

under a galling and destructive fire, and my loss in killed and wounded was severe.

Permit me further to report that the officers and men under my command, with scarcely an

exception, during the whole engagement conducted themselves with rare coolness and true

soldierly bearing; but Capts. John Welker, T. M. Rice, and William M. Robinson, and Lieut. F.

G. Schoenen, acting adjutant, and Lieut. C.F. Brown, regimental quartermaster, with many

others, are deserving a special notice. Their conduct was truly brave, gallant, and noble. If space

would permit too much could not be said of their signal acts of daring, their coldness and skill in

discharging the duties respectively assigned them on the field. The country may truly be proud of

such men, for under their leadership continued success will mark the progress of our gallant

army. Of those officers above named it will be doing no injustice to any for me to say that

Captains Welker, Rice, and Robinson, and Lieut. C. F. Brown, regimental quartermaster, and

Lieutenant Schoenen, have won for themselves distinguished merits--efficient in camp, brave

and patriotic on the field. I can cheerfully recommend them for promotion in the army.

JOHN H. HOLMAN,

Lieut. Col., Comdg. Twenty-sixth Regiment Missouri Vols.

Col. JOHN B. SANBORN,

Comdg. First Brig., Third Div., Army of the Miss.

HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., THIRD DIV., ARMY OF THE Miss.,

Iuka, Miss., September 20, 1862.

I have the honor to submit this report of the part the Second Brigade took in the battle of

Iuka:

On the evening of the 18th I received orders to move the next morning at 5 o'clock on

Tuscumbia road toward Iuka, to join in an attack on Major-General Price, who was encamped

with the rebel army at that place. Leaving camp punctually at the time appointed we arrived

within 1 miles of Iuka by 4 p.m., our advance brigade having been skirmishing with the enemy's

pickets for over 6 miles. Halting at this point the First Brigade was formed in line of battle by

General Hamilton, who was in advance, while the Second Brigade was halted on the road until a

reconnaissance could be made of the ground to the left and a position obtained for the battery.

Before a position could be selected the rebels opened a terrific fire along the entire front of our

line, having approached us entirely unperceived, owing to the dense underbrush and broken

character of the ground, and at the same time attempting to turn our position by an attack on both

flanks. I ordered Colonel Holmes, of the Tenth Missouri, to take position guarding our right

flank, while Colonel Perczel, of the Tenth Iowa, with a section of the Twelfth Wisconsin Battery,

was ordered to hold a road leading to our left and rear. (their reports are herewith inclosed.) the

position occupied by Colonel Holmes was so important and so effectually checked the enemy's

advance on our right that their artillery fire was directed especially to that point. Although the

enemy's fire enfiladed his line, the movements of his regiments in taking position were

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performed with as much precision as if on the drill ground. His officers and men are en titled to

praise. Colonel Perczel with his command held the position assigned them and drove back a

brigade of the rebels which was advancing to take possession of the road. He gallantly held his

position and 1)y his determined stand led the enemy to believe we were in strong force at that

point and to desist from their attack. Before the disposition of the regiments above mentioned

could be made the rebels, by bringing a vastly superior force against the left wing of the First

Brigade, had driven in the regiments, flanking Sands' battery and occupied a position

commanding the battery, and were moving down the road with the intention of attacking the First

Brigade in the rear. Forming a portion of the Eightieth Ohio and Seventeenth Iowa, which had

been halted in the road, two volleys, rapidly delivered, checked the enemy's advance and drove

them back to the brow of the hill. By this time portions of the Twenty-sixth Missouri Volunteers,

Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteers, and Sixteenth Iowa Volunteers, whose colonels had all been

seriously wounded, with a few of the Fourth Minnesota Volunteers, joined my command and

fought bravely through the remainder of the action. General Hamilton at this time desired me to

save Sands' battery, which was entirely disabled, every officer and cannoneer being either killed

or wounded and all the horses killed. At the order to advance the men gave three cheers, and with

a rush drove the enemy back out of the battery down the hill and were yet advancing, when a

murderous fire was opened on my flank by a regiment of sharpshooters which lay concealed on

my left in the woods. Ordering my men to fall back I reformed my line, which had become

somewhat disordered. The rebels, taking heart at our supposed retreat, advanced with loud

cheers, but were soon undeceived by a volley, followed by an order to charge, which again drove

them below the brow of the hill. Receiving re-enforcements the rebels again advanced, but were

held in check, when the Thirty-ninth Ohio, through a mistake, and without orders, fired a volley

into the rear of my line, killing and wounding more than my whole loss prior to that time. By this

time it was so dark that friends could not be distinguished from foes. The enemy improved this

occasion to remove the guns from their position, but were not able to take them entirely off, and

were compelled to leave the caissons in their original position. At 8 o'clock the firing ceased and

the field of battle was ours. The position in which the battery was planted and which was so

hotly contested was held by our troops.

Lieutenant-Colonel Bartilson, of the Eightieth Ohio, together with his Adjutant, Joseph E.

Philpott, were wounded early in the fight, when Major Lanning took command. The Seventeenth

Iowa Regiment was without a field officer, and Captain Archer, the senior captain, soon fell,

severely wounded, when Captain Young assumed command and did his duty nobly.

Our troops labored under a great disadvantage, from want of knowledge of the ground, by

being compelled to fight in the dense underbrush and in a position chosen by the enemy. The

enemy attacked my position in vastly superior force, a fresh brigade of the rebels having been

sent to relieve the troops first repulsed.

Lieutenant Immell, of the Twelfth Wisconsin Battery, is especially mentioned by Colonel

Perczel, and I desire to recommend him to the favorable notice of the general commanding. I am

also indebted to Capt. T. H. Harris, assistant adjutant-general; Lieutenant Jacobson, acting

assistant commissary of subsistence, and Lieutenants Delahoyde and Buchanan, of my staff, for

efficient service rendered on the field. They displayed a coolness under fire worthy of older

soldiers. Lieutenant White, of the Forty-eighth Indiana and the assistant adjutant-general of

Colonel Mower's brigade, who joined me, rendered valuable assistance.

The victory gained is sufficient evidence of the bravery of the men. The number of the dead

and wounded is sufficient evidence of their devotion to our glorious cause. They are justly

entitled to the highest praise, for a battle against such superior numbers and on such ground has

not been fought in this war.

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I inclose reports received from commanding officers of regiments, together with a list of the

killed, wounded, and missing of my brigade.

The regiments of my brigade engaged were: Tenth Iowa, Colonel Perczel; Seventeenth Iowa,

Captain Archer; Eightieth Ohio, Colonel Bartilson, and one section of the Twelfth Wisconsin

Battery, commanded by Lieutenant Immell.

I have the honor, captain, to be, yours, respectfully,

JER. C. SULLIVAN,

Brigadier-General.

Capt. R. M. SAWYER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS TWELFTH WISCONSIN BATTERY,

Jacinto, Miss.: September 20, 1862.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the part which the Twelfth Wisconsin Battery took in

the engagement of September 19, near Iuka, Miss.:

I was ordered by General Sullivan to take position, with one section of the battery, on the

road leading to the left and front of the line of battle, which was formed across the main road

leading to Iuka. I took position 500 or 600 yards to the front and left of the Eleventh Ohio

Battery, under the immediate direction of Lieut. Col. W. L. Lothrop, chief of artillery, and

Colonel Perczel, of the Tenth Iowa Volunteers, whose personal bearing won the applause of

myself and men. Several shells were thrown into the field and timber in front, to find the position

of the enemy, who soon advanced from our right through the thick timber. I then fell back a short

distance and took position while Colonel Perczel was engaging the rebel infantry, who now came

in great numbers. It was about this time the Eleventh Ohio Battery was taken and the enemy had

cut us off from the main body. At this time the enemy were driven back with great loss by the

Tenth Iowa and the two guns under my charge, which were served with great dexterity by the

cannoneers, most of the time using canister.

I call your attention to the great bravery of Colonel Perczel, his officers and men, the gallant

manner in which they fought, supported the artillery, and repulsed the enemy with great loss. My

non-commissioned officers and men stood well to their posts. Those most meritorious, I am

constrained to mention, are First Sergt. S. E. Jones and Sergt. Philander Cody, who nobly did

their duty.

At the time the enemy opened fire on us First Lieut. Edward G. Harlow, chief of the first

section, left his section, and I saw no more of him till after the engagement was over. When I

returned to where I had left the second section, in command of First Lieut. William Miles, I

found the guns with the poles broken out of both pieces and caissons, the drivers and horses all

gone, the gunners and cannoneers at their posts, but their commanding officer was gone, while

the battle was still raging in their immediate front. I caused the pieces and caissons to be drawn

off and repaired. The action lasted some time, but the battery was not under fire more than an

hour or all hour and a quarter.

the loss sustained in this engagement was 6 horses killed, 1 man killed (Private James J.

Atherton, Company D, Seventeenth Iowa Volunteers, who was on detached service in the

battery), and 3 men slightly wounded.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. D. IMMELL,

Second Lieutenant, First Missouri Light Artillery,

Commanding Twelfth Wisconsin Battery.

Capt. T. H. HARRIS,

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Assistant Adjutant-General.

CAMP IN the FIELD, September 21, 1862.

SIR: Agreeably to orders from General Sullivan, I advanced on September 19, at about 5

p.m., with my regiment and a section of the Twelfth Wisconsin Battery under Lieutenant Immell.

After a short survey of our line of battle I took position with seven companies a cheval on the

Iuka road about a quarter of a mile ahead of our left wing. Sent three companies to the right into

a dense wood; then I put my two pieces into position and threw a few shells in an oblique

direction where I discovered the rebel lines. My three companies in the woods reported a full

brigade of the rebels advancing on our left wing, on which I withdrew them, and leaving only

one company for the observation of the enemy I changed front perpendicular to our line of battle

on the Iuka road. I planted my two pieces anew and thus obtained a dominating flanking

position. Being on a ridge I could watch the enemy's movements, who had to cross a broken

open field in order to attack our forces. They soon emerged from the woods, opened a heavy fire,

and advanced on our lines. Their fire was returned, and I too opened with musketry and canister.

The rebels wavered, fell back a little, but were soon rallied by an officer on a gray horse, and

advanced again, nothing daunted by our fire, which made great havoc in their ranks. They

followed our left wing into the woods and for a short while there was no enemy in our sight; but

suddenly a full regiment marched out from the woods on their side, offering their right flank to

my fire, with the evident intention to advance for the support of their forces already engaged. I

opened instantly with canister and musketry, on which they fell back to the woods, formed there

parallel to my regiment, advanced to the edge of the woods, and commenced a brisk fire. We

replied vividly. They attempted twice to advance, but were driven back each time. We had the

advantage of the ground. Our fire told fearfully upon them, while we suffered next to nothing.

Their fire, up a steep hill, had been altogether too high. In the mean time the battle, wavering to

and fro and apparently approaching the Iuka road, which was our only road of retreat, I got a

little alarmed lest the pieces under my charge should be cut off in case we should be compelled

to fall back. At this time one of General Hamilton's aides-de-camp rode up, inquiring how

matters stood on our side. He told me that the road, although raked by the enemy's fire, was still

in our possession, on which I ordered the pieces back, and they were withdrawn safely. Night

coming on, I drew a little closer to our main body; but on the report of Company I, which I left to

observe the enemy's movements, that a new body of rebels was advancing, I advanced again with

three companies. Advised by the noise of our steps, the enemy opened and gave us several

tremendous volleys. Owing to the darkness, and again to their uphill firing, not a man was hurt.

We returned their fire and made great execution, as we found on the morning of the 20th all the

ground strewn with dead rebels.

They left part of their wounded, having carried away a great number even during the action.

We may safely assert having killed between 60 and 70 and wounded in proportion, while our

loss was 7 wounded and one of my orderlies had his horse killed.

Thus ended our part in this memorable fight.

I have but to add that officers and men behaved with the greatest bravery. All movements

have been executed promptly in spite of the shower of bullets, and I dare to say that the Tenth

Iowa are good soldiers.

I have yet to mention the efficient services and assistance of our brave major, N. McCalla,

and of my adjutant, William Manning, and also the able and brave manner in which Lieutenant

Immell handled his two pieces.

Yours, respectfully,

N. PERCZEL,

10

Colonel, Comdg. Tenth Regiment Iowa Volunteers.

Capt. T. H. HARRIS,

Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Brigade, Third Division.

HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH IOWA INFANTRY,

Jacinto, Miss., September 22, 1862.

GENERAL In compliance with your request I make the following brief statement concerning

the battle near Iuka on the 19th instant: When you ordered the Seventeenth Iowa to form line of

battle across the ridge at right angles with the road leading up from the hospital building we were

filed off' to the right by Colonel Rankin, then commanding, until a little more than the right wing

of the regiment had filed to the right, when the regiment was halted and brought to a front and

the remainder of the left wing formed on the left of the road. We were then ordered forward. We

advanced a few paces and were ordered to give way to the right, which the right wing of the

regiment obeyed and which I think the left wing failed to hear. The right wing passed I should

think 30 or 40 yards to the right, and was ordered by Colonel Rankin to halt and come to a front.

By this movement of the right wing to the right the regiment was divided near the center. About

this time the firing from the enemy became quite brisk and there seemed to be a strong

inclination to fall back. I communicated this fact to Colonel Rankin, and he told me to do the

best I could for them and keep them together if possible. After this I saw no more of him during

the engagement. I learned afterward from him that his horse was shot under him and that he

plunged him against a tree, which rendered him unable to longer command the regiment.

Lieutenant-Colonel Hillis being absent, and Major Wise being under arrest, I was the next officer

in rank, and I took command of the right wing of the regiment, that being all that was in sight or

hearing of me. About the time I mention as having lost sight of Colonel Rankin our men

retreated without any command, which caused great confusion they had not proceeded far to the

rear, however, until I succeeded in rallying them, and got them back to about where our line was

first formed and succeeded in quieting them for a time. About this time I saw you and told you I

had assumed command, and was told to take command of the battalion and do the best I could. I

then went to near the right of the right wing and urged the men forward. We had proceeded but a

short distance when a tremendous volley from the enemy caused a panic in the battalion, and

with all my efforts, and assisted by Capt. D. A. Craig (who was the only captain I saw after

Colonel Rankin left the field), could not rally them until they had retreated almost to the road

near the old log church. I here succeeded in stopping them, got a line partly formed, and marched

them forward. By the time I had got them to our former line I had I should think about 300 men,

consisting of the right wing of our regiment and stragglers from the Fifth Iowa, Eleventh

Missouri, Fourth Minnesota, Thirty-ninth Ohio, and some others. I now held them near where

our first line was formed for about three-quarters of an hour, waiting orders, not having been told

by Colonel Rankin what the design was in placing us there or whether any of our own forces

were between us and the enemy, and when some of my men fired I ordered them to cease firing

until ordered. About this time a soldier from the Fifth Iowa, I think, came near us and told me

that my men were firing upon our own men. I then ordered my men forward with the intention of

taking a better position to support our men in case they should fall back. We had not proceeded

far when some of my men again commenced firing, which was apparently answered by a

tremendous volley from the direction of the enemy; but a soldier who was some distance in

advance came rushing back and said that our own men were firing upon us. I then ordered my

men to fall back in good order so as not to come in contact with them. I fell back I should think

about. 25 or 30 yards and to near where our original line had been, halted them, about-faced

them, and ordered them to kneel. They remained in this position for some time and until quite a

11

number of men in the front of us came back on the double-quick, which, together with increased

firing from the front, caused another panic among the men, and in spite of all exertions they ran

back about 100 yards, when I succeeded in forming another line, and having advanced a few

yards I ordered the men to stand and wait for orders. We had stood here but a short time when a

tremendous volley was fired by the enemy and was immediately answered by some regiment still

in our rear. We were now between two heavy fires from front and rear. This caused a dreadful

stampede among the men, and all commenced firing in all directions without regard to where

their guns were aimed. This however continued but a short time, for as soon as the guns were all

discharged I had no difficulty in preventing a repetition of the fire. I again rallied the men and

kept them in pretty good line until the retreat was sounded, when I brought the men off and

formed them on the right of the Thirty-ninth Ohio. I brought off I should think about 350 men

belonging to the regiments above named.

It may be said that the foregoing would not add much to the reputation of a regiment, but this

I cannot avoid. I give you a simple statement of the facts that came under my own observation,

hoping to be able to give a better account of the Seventeenth Iowa in the next engagement.

It is due to Captain Craig, Company H; Lieutenants Garrett and Johnson, of Company A;

Lieutenants Rice and Snodgrass, of Company I; Lieutenant Hull, Company E; Lieutenant Morris,

Company F; Lieutenant Stapleton, Company C, and one or two others probably who were with

me during the entire engagement, to say that they acted in a very brave and unflinching manner

and deserve great credit.

I do not wish either to be understood as casting any insinuations upon any officer in the

regiment, but I only mention those whom I saw in the engagement.

Respectfully submitted.

JOHN L. YOUNG,

Captain Company A, Commanding Regiment.

Brigadier-General SULLIVAN,

Comdg. Second Brig., Third Div., Army of the Miss.

HDQRS. EIGHTIETH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEERS,

Camp near Jacinto, Miss., September 22, 1862.

I herewith send you the following report of the part taken in the late engagement near Iuka,

Miss., by my command:

My first position in the field was such that the left of my command rested near the old church

on the hill and the right rested a few rods across the Iuka road, where it turns down the hill, being

at the time exposed to a heavy fire of musketry and grape shot. It was near here that Adjutant

Philpott was shot through the left arm and compelled to leave the field. The Seventeenth Iowa

was at the same time on my right. While there I received orders to advance down the hill,

eastward, through the thick wood and brush. I executed the order by advancing my command

down the hill, across the ravine, and up the next hill, expecting to find a line of our own forces,

which General Hamilton informed me had taken position in front of the place where I was

ordered to take a position. I did not find the line referred to by General Hamilton, and advanced

to within 30 paces of the enemy's line, which I found concealed in the woods, covering my front

and right. The enemy raised and fired upon us, to which salute we heartily responded for about

ten minutes, at which time the enemy fell back to the edge of the field in my front.

During the firing just mentioned my horse was shot dead under me, and I received a severe

wound through the right thigh by a buck-shot. I found myself unable to command longer, and

ordered the company commanders to hold their position until relieved by some proper officer,

which they accordingly did.

12

I must here state that but eight companies crossed the ravine with me and formed in line.

Companies B and G, with Maj. R. Lanning, owing to the thick brush, became separated from the

left, and did not cross the ravine until after I had left the field. Soon after Major Lanning joined

the command with Companies B and G. He, acting under orders from General Rosecrans,

recrossed the ravine, taking position so that the right rested in the ravine, which position he held

about one hour, when he was ordered to take a position on the old road leading in the direction

of the Twelfth Wisconsin Battery, which he accordingly did, and remained there until 2.30 a.m.,

20th instant, at which time the command was ordered from the field.

I am, respectfully,

M. H. BARTILSON,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Comdg. Eightieth Regiment Ohio Vols.

Capt. T. H. HARRIS,

A. A. G., Second Brig., Third Div., Army of the Miss.

HDQRS. CAVALRY DIV, ARMY OF the MISSISSIPPI,

Jacinto, Miss., September 23, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the movements and operations of the

cavalry under my command during the advance upon and engagement with the enemy at Iuka,

Miss., on the [9th instant:

the Second Iowa Cavalry, under the command of Colonel Hatch, moved out early on the

morning of the 19th instant on the Tuscumbia road, with instructions to proceed to Peyton's Mill

via Russellville road, and was charged with covering the movements and protecting the flanks of

the advancing columns. At Peyton's Mill he fell in with and had a sharp skirmish with 600 of the

enemy's cavalry, which he drove from their position, they losing 6 men killed, 10 wounded, and

6 prisoners. The Third Michigan Cavalry, under the command of Captain Willcox, with the

exception of four companies employed in escorting trains, formed the advance of Genera

Hamilton's division, which moved east on the Tuscumbia road. At a point about 9 miles east of

Jacinto the enemy's pickets were met and driven in rapidly. About 5 miles south of Iuka the

enemy's cavalry made a stand; but upon being charged by a portion of the advance guard, led by

Sergeant Cutting, Third Michigan Cavalry, they were forced back. Here an officer of General

Hamilton's staff was mortally wounded. Without further loss the cavalry succeeded in driving the

enemy to within 3 miles of Iuka. This point was reached at 4 p.m. Here the infantry skirmishers

were thrown in the advance. About this time the enemy's long roll was beat and they formed line

of battle. Soon the armies became engaged and a terrible conflict ensued. Four companies of the

Third Michigan Cavalry, under Captain Willcox, were sent to the right wing, on the right of

Constable's Ohio battery; two companies were sent to the northeast and the remaining two to the

northwest, to observe the movements of the enemy. A portion of the four companies on the right

wing were dismounted, and becoming engaged with the enemy, prevented a flank movement on

our right wing. At this point Captain Latimer and 2 men were slightly wounded. Two companies

of the Seventh Kansas Cavalry, under the command of Captain Swoyer, were ordered to form a

junction with the Second Iowa Cavalry at Peyton's Mill, which they did, and with this regiment

moved east to the main Fulton road, thence to Thompson's Corners, w here they found tents,

commissary stores, and two wagons be longing to the enemy, which they burned; then moved

west to Barnett's, a point 7 miles south of Iuka, where they arrived about dark. Eight companies

of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel Prince commanding, were the advance of

General Ross' division of the left, wing, under General Ord, which moved on the Burnsville and

Iuka road. In consequence of this division not moving forward on the night of the 19th instant

they were not engaged with the enemy, except in some slight skirmishing.

13

Captain Dyckman, of the Third Michigan Cavalry, on the evening of the 18th instant, with

his company, made a reconnaissance in the direction of Iuka for the purpose of ascertaining the

practicability of a road direct from Jacinto to Iuka and to learn the whereabouts of the enemy. He

conducted the movement in a manner very satisfactory and worthy of high commendation. The

battle near Iuka was sanguine, the firing heavy and rapid, and the ground hotly contested. Night

coming on closed the scene of carnage. The morning disclosed the fact that during the darkness

of night the enemy had evacuated, and were retreating south on the Fulton road. Eight companies

of the Second Iowa Cavalry, under command of Colonel Hatch, and eight companies of the

Third Michigan, under Captain Willcox, were sent in pursuit of Price's retreating army, each

portion of the regiments striking for different points of the enemy's column, while our infantry

followed on the Fulton road. Four companies of the Second Iowa Cavalry, under command of

Captain Kendrick, and two companies of the Seventh Kansas Cavalry, under Captain Swoyer,

were directed to move on the Tuscumbia road, to check the enemy's movements at the

intersection of the Tuscumbia and Fulton roads, 6 miles south of Iuka. The enemy's movements

were greatly retarded and his flanks attacked and his troops harassed by frequent attacks and

skirmishes until our cavalry was forced to retire by the enemy's artillery, which was repeatedly

turned upon them. Seven miles south of Iuka the Second Iowa Cavalry came on the flank of a

heavy patrol of the enemy's cavalry, which they engaged and drove nearly 4 miles, when his

skirmishers, falling back rapidly, drew the Second Iowa upon a masked battery, heavily

supported by both infantry and cavalry. The artillery and infantry opened a very sharp fire, but

did not succeed in doing much damage. Soon the firing ceased and the enemy's cavalry charged,

but were repulsed. The Second Iowa then fell back fighting through the timber until out of the

range of the enemy's guns, and formed line to receive a second charge from his cavalry in force,

in which the enemy were repulsed with loss, the Second Iowa capturing 10 prisoners, from 300

to 400 stand of arms, and one wagon, and losing but 6 men, wounded. The Third Michigan

Cavalry and the two companies of the Seventh Kansas continued the pursuit 11 miles, becoming

several times engaged and causing the enemy repeatedly to form a line of battle. Our troops

being much fatigued from having marched 20 miles the day previous farther pursuit was

impossible. The Third Michigan Cavalry occupied a position for the night at Peyton's Mill,

watching closely the movements of the enemy and following his movements on the succeeding

day until ordered to return toward Jacinto. Taking into consideration the great exposure to which

the cavalry was subjected, that our losses were so slight is most remarkable and truly a subject of

congratulation. One officer and 8 men were wounded and 10 horses killed. During the advance,

engagement, and pursuit the officers and men of the cavalry division displayed great zeal,

enterprise, and gallantry, and are all entitled to great credit. The conduct of all was in a high

degree praiseworthy, and where all behaved so well it is difficult to particularize individual acts

of bravery without a seeming neglect of the claims of others.

Colonel Hatch, Major Coon, and Captain Kendrick, of Second Iowa Cavalry; Captains

Willcox, Latimer, Dyckman, Newell, and Reese, and Adjutant Buchanan and Sergeant Cutting,

of the Third Michigan Cavalry, and Captain Swoyer, of the Seventh Kansas Cavalry, having

command of companies and detachments, with the commands under them, performed their duty

with great energy. Lieutenants McGregor and Martin, of my personal staff, conveyed with

becoming spirit and ability my orders to the various parts of the field, displaying coolness and

efficiency. The usefulness and efficiency of the cavalry on this occasion cannot be too highly

estimated, covering as they did so many important movements, guarding the flanks of the army,

and rendering valuable service, which I feel assured will be fully appreciated, and will gain for

them such confidence and respect as will fully reward them for their efforts to discharge their

whole duty.

14

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. K. MIZNER,

Colonel, Commanding Cavalry Division.

Lieut. C. GODDARD,

A. A. A. G., Army of the Mississippi.

HDQRS. 4TH BRIG., 1ST DIV., ARMY OF the WEST,

Baldwyn, Miss., September 23, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor respectfully to report that about 3 p.m. on the 19th instant I received an

order to move rapidly from line of battle, which had been formed on the Burnsville road the

night previous, to the Jacinto road. In obedience to orders the brigade was rapidly moved. Upon

arriving near the scene of action Brigadier-General Hebert's brigade was formed across the road

and engaged with the skirmishers and artillery of the enemy. My brigade was immediately

formed in his rear. As soon as formed Brigadier-General Little ordered me to take command of

the two regiments of the left wing, to wit, the Thirty-sixth Mississippi and the Thirty-seventh

Alabama, and support General Hebert's left wing, who had become hotly engaged, stating that he

(General Little) would in person take command of the two regiments of the brigade that would

support the right of the brigade already in action. In obedience to orders I moved the two

regiments to the left of General Hebert's brigade, my left resting on the skirts of an old field, and

moved rapidly across a hollow. Upon arriving near the top of the hill, within 30 or 40 paces of

their line, the enemy with three regiments rose and poured a volley upon us. Though the fire was

terrific the fatality was not great, they overshooting us, owing to the cover of the hill. We

returned their fire, advancing slowly, the enemy stubbornly disputing every foot of the ground.

After a fight of three-quarters of an hour it began to grow dusky from the smoke and coming

twilight. By pressing and cheering the men on we had driven the enemy to the brink of the hill,

where they obstinately disputed every inch of the ground. Here, noticing that General Hebert's

brigade had ceased firing, I went down his line and requested Colonel Colbert to give one more

volley to the front, to demonstrate that we were there in force, when the Thirty-sixth Mississippi

and the Thirty-seventh Alabama, with fixed bayonets and a cheer, charged, capturing several

prisoners, from whom we learned that the regiments we fought were the Fifth Iowa, Third

Michigan, and First Missouri. The enemy now gave way and fled in confusion from the side of

the hill and the old field, when the fighting ceased a little after night.

I now received an order from Brigadier-General Hebert to get my two regiments, which had

been placed on the right of his brigade? and form my line to the left of his command and on

continuation of the line of battle which had just been fought, where we rested upon our arms

until near daylight, when we commenced the retreat.

I regret the necessity which demanded the separation of my brigade, as it placed two

regiments of my command entirely beyond my view and control.

I deem it but simple justice to notice the cool gallantry and daring of Colonel Dowdell,

commanding the Thirty-seventh Alabama, who was slightly wounded but did not leave the field.

He was most gallantly assisted by Lieutenant-Colonel Greene, who was in the thickest of the

fight and very severely wounded near its close, and by Major Slaton, who acted bravely and

nobly.

Colonel Witherspoon, of the Thirty-sixth Mississippi, managed his regiment with courage

and discretion. Lieutenant-Colonel Brown behaved gallantly and Major Yates heroically and

nobly.

15

the officers of the line vied with each other in pushing forward the line of battle, and the men

conducted themselves with the coolness and valor of veterans, though for the first time under

fire.

Lieutenant McDonald, of my staff, was cool, courageous, and efficient. His horse was shot

under him.

Lieutenant Worthington, C. S. Army, acted gallantly, cheering the men on regardless of

personal danger.

Lieutenant Ferrell's horse was shot early in the action. Lieutenant Davis acted with daring

and heroism.

The total engaged was about 1,600. the loss in killed [and wounded] was:

Killed. Wounded. Total.

36th Mississippi Regiment 1 21 22

37th Mississippi Regiment 5 27 32

38th Mississippi Regiment 4 4 8

37th Alabama Regiment 12 43 55

Total 22 95 117

For the character of the wounds, &c., reference is made to the report of the brigade surgeon.

For the special part borne by the Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eighth Mississippi Regiments

reference is made to the reports of the commanders of those regiments, herewith forwarded.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

Your obedient servant,

JNO. D. MARTIN,

Colonel, Commanding.

Captain HARDEMAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND IOWA CAVALRY,

Camp, near Barnett's, September 19, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report (complying with Colonel Mizner's order to proceed to

Peyton's Mill, from there on the Russellville road to main Fulton road, and thence via

Thompson's house to Barnett's) that I moved with my regiment at 6 o'clock this morning from

Jacinto to Peyton's Mill. Two miles this side of Peyton's Mill began skirmishing with the pickets.

Drove them into the mill and engaged a regiment of dismounted cavalry. After a sharp firing of

twenty minutes routed the enemy. The enemy, falling back into a swamp, escaped with nearly all

their wounded, leaving 3 dead and 2 mortally wounded. Captured 6 prisoners, then moved

forward to main Fulton road, and from there to Thompson's Corners. Near there found tents and

commissary stores, which we burned, with 2 wagons of the enemy, then moved west to Barnett's

to camp.

Very respectfully, yours,

EDWARD HATCH,

Colonel Second Iowa Cavalry.

W. A. MARTIN,

Lieut. and A. A. A. G., Cavalry Division.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND IOWA CAVALRY,

Camp, near Jacinto, Miss., September 22, 1862.

16

SIR: I have the honor to report, complying with order of Colonel Mizner to pursue the enemy

retreating southward on the morning of the 20th and if possible to fall upon his trains, that I

moved forward with my regiment from Iuka at 9 o'clock in the morning. The enemy's trains and

flankers were so heavily guarded that I could find no practicable point to attack them. Fell on the

enemy's guard about 7 miles south of Iuka, on the main Fulton road; attacked and drove their

rear 4 miles, when, the enemy's skirmishers falling back rapidly, my men were drawn upon a

masked battery, with a support of two regiments of infantry and a strong reserve of cavalry. My

men, being dismounted, dropped flat upon the ground, the guns and volleys of the enemy's

infantry playing over them, not hurting a man. The enemy's cavalry charged the moment the

firing ceased. The charge was repulsed, our men falling back fighting in the timber to my reserve

of mounted men. Learning the enemy had run two of his guns up, fell back, the enemy keeping

up a fire of grape and canister down the road until out of range I then formed four companies of

my mounted rifles (to receive cavalry charge) in rear of fence to open fields, when the enemy

charged in force over the fields and was repulsed with loss, when the enemy again ran up his

guns, forcing us back to another position, where we again prepared to receive a cavalry charge.

Our infantry coming up rapidly, the enemy retreated. We captured 10 prisoners, 300 to 400 stand

of arms, and a wagon. When we were repulsed we destroyed them.

Our loss is very slight; 6 wounded and 3 horses killed. Captain Egbert had his horse killed

under him.

Very respectfully,

EDWARD HATCH,

Colonel Second Iowa Cavalry.

W. A. MARTIN,

Lieut. and Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Cavalry Division.

FORT HENRY, October 5, 1862.

SIR: A scouting party from my command, under Major Brackett, Fifth Iowa Cavalry, when

beyond La Fayette, during the night of the 3d instant, were fired upon by rebels and 1 man killed;

the fire was returned, and 1 rebel lieutenant named Maddern killed. The rebels fled in confusion,

but could not be followed owing to dense fog.

W. W. LOWE,

Colonel, Commanding.

Major-General GRANT.

GENERAL ORDERS No. 145.

HDQRS. ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

THIRD DIV., DIST. OF WEST TENNESSEE,

Corinth, Miss., October 23, 1862.

The general commanding cannot forbear to give pleasure to many, besides the brave men

immediately concerned, by announcing in advance of the regular orders that the Seventeenth

Iowa Infantry, by its gallantry in the battle of Corinth on the 4th of October, charging the enemy

and capturing the flag of the Fortieth Mississippi, has amply atoned for its misfortune at Iuka,

and stands among the honored regiments of his command. Long may they wear with unceasing

brightness the honors they have won.

By order of Maj. Gen. W. S. Rosecrans:

C. GODDARD,

First Lieut., Twelfth Infty., Ohio Volunteers, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen.

17

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

Corinth, Miss., October 24, 1862.

GENERAL: In anticipation of an engagement with the enemy on October 3, upon

information derived from the Engineer Department I selected the large building recently

constructed for a commissary depot as the place best protected by the nature of the ground and

the safest for hospital purposes. The men furnished by the quartermaster worked expeditiously,

and everything was prepared (medicines, instruments, cots, and buckets of water ready) some

time before the first wounded man was brought in. It became evident in a short time that the

building, although a very large one, would be altogether too small for their accommodation.

According to your order, issued upon my recommendation, I then took possession of the

Tishomingo Hotel, and, when it was full, of the Corinth House, as hospitals, preparations having

been made in the morning for that purpose. All the surgeons worked faithfully and diligently,

and by 6 o'clock the wounded were all comfortably disposed of and their wounds dressed.

At 3 o'clock next morning I received your order to remove all the wounded to Camp Corral.

By 6 a.m. they were all collected into the new hospital. The ambulances then went to the scene

of action to bring off those recently fallen.

I am particularly indebted to Surg. J. L. Crane, medical director of Stanley's division, who

superintended the arranging and pitching of the tents, and to Surg. H. Wardner, medical director

of Davies' division, who received and disposed of the wounded as they arrived on both days. I

found upon the railroad platform a large number of tents, which I took possession of and used.

The battle ceased just before noon, and by night all the wounded were under shelter, their

wounds dressed, and provided with cots.

I have to compliment all the surgeons for their kindness, energy, and indefatigable

endurance. Surg. E. Winchester, Fifty-second Illinois Regiment, in charge of the Corinth House;

Surg. P. A. Carpenter, Fifth Iowa Regiment, in charge of the Tishomingo Hotel, and Acting

Assistant Surgeon Swaying, at the commissary building, remained until the last man and all the

property had been loaded and sent to the newly selected hospital.

The wounded, being thoroughly arranged and cared for, were turned over on Sunday

morning, October 5, to the supervision of Surg. N. Gay, in charge of the general hospital. An

ample supply of medical officers was left to take charge of them, and the surgeons of divisions

and regiments, with one assistant to each regiment, reported back to their commands and joined

in the pursuit of the enemy, which occupied from eight to ten days.

I have to state that there was neglect on the part of the rebel surgeons for their wounded. The

surgeon placed by Van Dorn in charge of over i00 wounded left at Ripley neglected to make out

a requisition, although repeatedly urged to do so, with the assurance from myself that all the

needed supplies should be delivered to him within forty-eight hours. Everything that has been

called for from their large hospital at Iuka and the other hospitals within our lines has been

furnished them on your order, except blankets, of which our supply ran short. The balance will

be sent as soon as possible.

It is due to Private H. Douglass, Company A, Thirty-sixth Illinois who acted as my orderly

both in this battle and that at Iuka, to say that no man was exposed to more danger or could

exhibit more bravery than he did in the performance of his duties.

18

Herewith annexed is a statement of the number' of killed, wounded, missing, and prisoners:

Officers. Non-commissioned officers. Privates.

Killed 32 60 223

Wounded 86 276 1,450

Missing 3 12 200

Prisoners .... .... 17

Total 121 348 1,890

Grand total .2,359

The loss of the enemy, calculated from the best sources of information within my reach, was

1,423 buried, 3,000 prisoners, including their wounded left in our hands, and 5,000 wounded

taken away and dropped by the road-side; making 9,423 in all.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. B. CAMPBELL,

Medical Director, Army of the Mississippi.

Maj. Gen. W. S. ROSECRANS,

Commanding Army of the Mississippi.

HDQRS. EIGHTH REGT. WISCONSIN VOLUNTEERS,

Camp at Corinth, Miss., October 13, 1862.

COLONEL: I have the honor to report the part taken by the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry in the

action at Corinth, October 3 and 4:

The lieutenant-colonel and I, having been on duty at Corinth, were relieved and joined our

regiment at 1 p.m. the 3d instant about 2 miles from Corinth, immediately after which the

regiment, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Robbins, was ordered to march around to the

right, following our old line of breastworks, in the direction of the Chewalla road, our position in

the brigade being the third battalion from the right. Shortly after crossing the road we were

halted and formed a line of battle upon a ridge. About the same time the right of the brigade

became engaged with the enemy. In front of the right wing of my regiment, in the hollow, was an

Iowa regiment engaged with the enemy. My position upon the ridge being exposed to the longrange

guns of the enemy and my left wing becoming engaged and the right wing not engaged, on

account of the Iowa regiment being in front, and the lieutenant-colonel being wounded, at this

juncture I ordered the regiment forward across the hollow, partially mussing the right wing with

the left wing of the Iowa regiment. The regiment now became generally engaged. The enemy

commenced getting around my left flank, and in fact had, and were enfilading us. A change from

front to rear on my first company at this time was necessary; but the Forty-seventh Illinois

Volunteers had closed into my rear so near and the thick wood and ground was such that it would

have been almost impossible to have executed the movement to any advantage. I then ordered

my regiment to march to the ridge originally occupied by us. I had proceeded but a short distance

when a ball shattered my revolver, which I held in my hand, and at the same instant I was

wounded in the shoulder-blade with a missile, rendering me senseless, and was taken from the

field. The senior officer, Captain Britton, informs me that he retired with the regiment in good

order, with the balance of the line, to our fortifications, at which place I rejoined the regiment in

the evening.

The next day (4th) our position was upon the extreme left of General Stanley's division

between Forts ----- and ----. At 11 a.m. I was ordered to send two companies to our front, in our

abatis, as skirmishers Shortly after this the remaining companies of my regiment and the

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Twenty-sixth Illinois were led by General Stanley away to the right to support General Davies.

Subsequently General Rosecrans ordered me to double my column upon the center, in which

position I remained during the night.

I can truthfully state, colonel, that the officers and men, particularly Captain Dawes, who was

wounded in the first day's action, behaved as soldiers should.

With much respect, colonel, your obedient servant,

J. W. JEFFERSON,

Major, Commanding.

Colonel] HUBBARD,

Comdg. Second Brig., Second Div., Army of the Miss.

CAMP SECOND IOWA BATTERY,

October 9, 1862.

COLONEL: In obedience to your orders of this date I submit the following report of the part

taken by the battery under my command in the action of October 3 and 4, as follows:

The battery attached to the Second Brigade, Second Division, Army of the Mississippi, left

camp on the Tuscumbia River on the morning of the 3d, and after remaining some time in line to

the southwest of the town was placed in position on the western part of the fortifications.

Lieutenant Walling rejoined the battery during the forenoon from detached service. A little after

noon the battery was ordered forward by Colonel Mower, and followed the Eighth Wisconsin

Infantry until we passed the road leading to Corinth from the west. At this road the battery was

ordered by General Davies to take a position to the front, and at the same time was directed by

Colonel Mower to follow the brigade. Some delay was occasioned, during which the Second

Brigade had gone into the woods en the right, and the enemy were advancing rapidly. The

infantry about our front were falling back in some confusion. I then placed the battery in position

on the road about 300 yards from the white house en echelon, right in front. As soon as our

infantry had fallen back and the enemy's line appeared on the ridge on which the white house

stands I commenced firing with shell and spherical case shot. In a short time I observed the

enemy moving across an open field on our left, and they attempted to charge, but were repulsed

with canister. Immediately after a heavy column moved down the road past the white house,

directly toward the battery, from the front. This column advanced to within 60 yards of the

battery, exposed to a most destructive fire of canister before it broke and retired in confusion.

After the repulse of this column, the battery being entirely alone, I retired to the rear of the fort

commanded by Lieutenant Robinett. First Infantry. At sunset I received orders from Col. J. V Du

Bois to move into town and await further orders.

On the morning of the 4th, when the action commenced, I received orders to hold my battery

in readiness to move instantly in any direction. When the attack on our right wing was in

progress I was directed to place the battery in position on the ridge to the rear of the town, where

I remained until the enemy were driven back, when I was placed in position on the right of the

Tenth Ohio Battery on the Purdy road, where I remained until I rejoined my brigade on the

morning of the 5th.

I must speak in the highest terms of the bravery and coolness of the officers and men under

my command. Lieutenants Walling and Reed commanded sections and acquitted themselves as

usual--nobly. Lieutenant Reed's horse was shot in the action and he injured by the fall; but he

remained upon the field and has been with the battery since.

First Sergeant Raynolds is deserving of special mention for his efficiency in commanding the

line of caissons. Also Sergts. [John W.] Coons, [Thomas] Tallis, [Jay W.] Kellogg, and Corpl.

20

[Harry D.] Shelly, in charge of pieces' and Corpls. [Albert G.] Atkinson, John Burke, [Oliver P.]

Davis, [Morris] Sober, and [Charles] Norton.

During the action of the 3d I fired all the canister in my ammunition-chests. Four horses were

disabled in the action.

I append a list of casualties. The battery was fortunate in choice of position, and the list is

therefore slight.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

N. T. SPOOR,

Captain, Commanding Second Iowa Battery.

Colonel HUBBARD.

HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

Corinth, Miss., October 18, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor herewith to submit a report of the operations of my division during the

battles before Corinth on the 3d and 4th instant:

At daylight on the morning of the 3d the division took position on the north of the town,

covering the approaches by the Purdy and Pittsburg roads and the ground between them.

Subsequently I was ordered to the intersection of the Purdy road with the line of rebel

intrenchments 2 miles north of the town. The command was in this last position by 10 a.m., and

communication opened with the right of Davies' division, then resting on the Mobile and Ohio

Railway. The enemy approaching in force between the Memphis and Charleston and Mobile and

Ohio Railways forced Davies by successive attacks back to the vicinity of the town. My front

was gradually changed to meet the advance of the enemy, and so steady and rapid was his

progress that in order to present my front to him my position at 5 p.m. was nearly the reverse of

that when communication was opened with Davies. The division had swung around on the center

as a pivot. Owing to his advance, and in order to carry out the instructions of the general

commanding, I prepared to attack his left flank while he was engaged in front. Brigadier-General

Sullivan with the Second Brigade was directed to move down on the enemy with his left

covering the Purdy road, and having gained a favorable position to attack as soon as General

Buford with the First Brigade should get into position on Sullivan's right to support him in the

attack and to cover his right flank. The ground was too uneven and the forest too dense to use

artillery, and but one battery (Dillon's) was sent forward. This battery took position on Sullivan's

left, on the Purdy road. The other batteries were held in reserve and put in position to cover any

movement on Buford's right flank and rear.

The movement by Sullivan was executed promptly as directed; but Buford, diverging a half

mile to the right beyond any point where he could support Sullivan, became engaged with a force

of the enemy's skirmishers and drove them back, but not until so much time was lost that before

Buford could be brought back into position night had fallen and the attack was defeated. Sullivan

advanced his line to the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, and his skirmishers became warmly engaged

with the enemy's left flank. Unsupported by Buford, I deemed it unwise for Sullivan, with his

small brigade, to attack alone. The movement, however, immediately checked the enemy's

advance on the town and caused him to change front to meet my force. This check I regard as a

most happy result of the movement. Had the enemy pushed his advantage over Davies until night

the result must have been disastrous to our arms. He would have occupied the town, isolating my

division from the rest of the army, and to have reunited we should in turn have been compelled

to assault the town. As it was, the check enabled us, under the cover of the night, to take up new

lines near the town and put the divisions within supporting distance of each other. Sullivan's

contact with the rebel left flank resulted in the capture of about 100 prisoners. Four batteries of

21

the enemy were turned on him for half an hour, with the loss, however, to him of very few men,

so well was he protected by the uneven ground.

The division was withdrawn from its advanced position soon after night-fall, and at 3 o'clock

in the morning was posted nearly in the position occupied the previous morning. The infantry

was drawn up in two lines, facing the north. The batteries were posted at advantageous points, so

as to sweep all approaches from the northwest to the east. The extreme right of the line was

refused, so as to command the approach by the Pittsburg road. Dillon's battery (the Sixth

Wisconsin) was thrown to the front on the ridge to the right of Davies' division, and supported by

the Eightieth Ohio, under Major Lanning, and the Tenth Missouri, under Major Horney. In this

position the dawn of the morning was anxiously awaited.

The commanding general, in assigning the position to my command, had said it was the post

of honor. He was answered that it would be held against any force that might be sent against it.

How well this pledge was redeemed the history of the battle must show.

The enemy opened at early dawn by artillery, with a view of feeling the position of our

batteries. His fire was promptly returned by the batteries in the advance. From sunrise to 9 a.m.

there was little firing; but by 10 a.m., the enemy having completed all his arrangements under

cover of the woods, his columns moved to the assault. The lines of the two armies converged

toward the center, and while one column of attack moved directly across the open ground against

Davies two columns, equally strong, crossed the Purdy road a full half mile north of Davies, and

one deploying as it came upon the crest of the ridge, the other moved over the ridge far to the

eastward, and changing direction to the right deployed under cover of a cloud of skirmishers and

came directly down on my front from the north. While this was being done the column moving

against Davies had progressed steadily up the slope and into the town, sweeping away his troops

and carrying his batteries on the ridge with the bayonet--had swept over the ridge with resistless

force into the valley below. Dillon's battery of my division, on Davies' right, was carried in this

assault; but here the advance of the rebels was checked by the firm stand of the Tenth Missouri

Regiment under Major Horney. Along the ridge and to the eastward on my right, as soon as the

enemy came in sight, my reserve batteries (Twelfth Wisconsin, Eleventh Ohio, and Battery M,

First Missouri) opened with guns double-shotted with canister and sweeping over the whole front

with their storm of iron. The rapid play of these batteries seemed to check the advance of the

enemy, and I directed an immediate advance of my whole line of infantry. It was executed at the

opportune moment. The regiments opened fire, and, advancing with cheers and volleys, their

banners streaming to the winds, they moved to the onset. It was too much for even rebel courage.

Checked by the storm of canister, they could not stand up against the charge of the veterans who

had met and conquered them at Iuka. Halting, wavering, they turned and fell back, pursued by

the whole line. Their left was routed, and, followed up by the regiments on the left of my line

under Sullivan and Holmes, they were driven from the valley over the ridge, followed by a line

of bayonets and a deadly fire. The batteries were all recaptured, and, quick as the hands of brave

men could man them, they again poured into the retreating, routed host the death-dealing

canister. The tide of assault was thus first stemmed and turned on my extreme right by the

splendid charge of Buford's brigade, spread along my left over the ground from which Davies

had been driven through the town, along Stanley's front and to the enemy's extreme right. The

repulse was complete. The day was saved. The victory, which hung in the balance, was ours.

The pleasing duty now devolves upon me of bringing to the notice of the general

commanding the names of the most conspicuous in this successful action.

Brig. Gen. N. B. Buford handled his brigade on the second day with a skill and bravery

worthy of his high reputation.

22

Brig. Gen. J. C. Sullivan was seriously confused by a splinter during his operations the first

day on the enemy's flank. The command of his brigade devolved upon Col. S. A. Holmes, of the

Tenth Missouri Infantry, who managed it with a discretion and gallantry unsurpassed during the

action of the second day. He deserves high praise for his conduct throughout the battle. When the

action became general along my line on the second day General Sullivan sprang from his sick

bed and bravely led the Fifty-sixth Illinois and Seventeenth Iowa Regiments, which took the lead

in the charge against the rebels on my left, recapturing the earthwork battery and guns of the

First Missouri Battery, Davies' division.

The Tenth Missouri Regiment, supporting the Sixth Wisconsin Battery, under the brave

Horney, nobly stood its ground against the panic-stricken regiments that gave way in its front,

and, as soon as its front was uncovered by the retiring soldiers and the caissons and limbers of

the battery, it opened a vigorous fire on the advancing rebels, and then, joining in the advance of

the division, charged the battery with the bayonet, recovering every piece and turning them

rapidly on the enemy.

The commanders of regiments-Col. J. B. Sanborn, Fourth Minnesota; Col. C. L. Matthies,

Fifth Iowa; Col. J. 1. Alexander, Fifty-ninth Indiana; Lieut. (Col. J. H. Holman, Twenty-sixth

Missouri (severely wounded); Lieut. (Col. D. W. C. Rugg, Forty-eighth Indiana (severely

wounded), of the First Brigade; Lieut. Col. G. B. Raum, Fifty-sixth Illinois; Maj. L. Homey,

Tenth Missouri; Maj. R. Lanning, Eightieth Ohio (killed); Major Banbury (of the Fifth),

commanding Seventeenth Iowa, and Major McCalla, Tenth Iowa, in the face of the enemy and

under a heavy fire, were all that officers should be, leading and inspiring their men by their

dauntless bearing.

To Maj. A.M. Powell, chief of artillery, the country is greatly indebted for conspicuous

bravery and the masterly manner in which his batteries were brought to the front and handled,

while of' his brave subordinates, in immediate command of the batteries, Captain Dillon, Sixth

Wisconsin; Lieutenant Nell, Eleventh Ohio; Lieutenant Immell, Twelfth Wisconsin, and

Lieutenant McMurray, of Battery M, First Missouri, I cannot say too much. From the first

appearance of the enemy within range their batteries were handled with a vigor and daring

unsurpassed, and contributed largely to the success of the day.

On the fall of Lieutenant-Colonel Rugg, of the Forty-eighth Indiana, the regiment was

thrown into some disorder, but was promptly rallied, and fought through the engagement under

the command of Lieut. J. W. Archer, aide-de-camp of Brigadier-General Buford.

The Eightieth Ohio, in advance and supporting Dillon's battery on the death of its brave

commander, Major Lanning, early in the action, fell back in confusion, but was stopped by the

second line, and under its senior Captain (Skeels) was held in position to the close of the battle.

To my personal staff, Capt. R. M. Sawyer, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. J. W. Mott,

commissary of subsistence; Lieuts. E. T. Pearce and W. F. Wheeler, aide-de-camp, I am again

under great obligations. All that was required of them they performed with the highest bravery

and promptness. They rallied great numbers of fugitives of Davies' division and led them back to

the field.

Surg. J. H. Murphy, acting medical director, was prompt and un-wearying in his care of the

wounded. No one could have done more or have done it better.

Reports of all subordinate commanders are herewith transmitted, to which I beg earnest

attention, as showing in detail the operations of each command during both days, and in naming

those subordinates, both officers and men, whose bravery was conspicuous, but whose names

cannot be condensed in this report.

A list of casualties in full accompanies this, together with a supplementary report of minor

operations during the battle, as also of the pursuit.

23

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. S. HAMILTON,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Third Division.

Lieut. Col. H. G. KENNETT,

Chief of Staff.

HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

Corinth, Miss., October 19, 1862.

COLONEL: The length of my official report of the battle of Corinth precluded the possibility

of detailing many minor operations of the battle, as well as of the pursuit, while justice to

individuals and commands, as well as a thorough understanding of the operations of the division,

renders this supplementary report important and necessary.

In the afternoon of the 3d Buford's brigade, which had been ordered to support Sullivan, by

diverging too far to the right got out of sup porting distance, and the right of his line came upon a

body of the enemy concealed in the woods. General Buford deemed it necessary to dislodge this

force, and ordered a charge by the Fourth Minnesota Regiment, under Col. J. B. Sanborn. The

charge was most gallantly executed and the enemy routed from his position, but not until the

gallant Captain Mooers and one private of the Fourth Minnesota were killed, and Captain Clubb,

assistant quartermaster, and several privates wounded. During the movement of Buford's I twice

dispatched aides to him, with instructions to keep to the left and support Sullivan, but without

effect, and it was only when I sent a peremptory order to him to fall back to the position assigned

him that any change was made in the direction his brigade was moving.

Before this movement of Buford's was made a body of the enemy's cavalry was seen in

position to the west of us, and a company of the Seventeenth Iowa, under Lieutenant Garrett, was

deployed as skirmishers and pushed down to the enemy, soon routing them by an effective fire.

When the division moved out on the Purdy road on the 3d the Fifth Iowa Regiment, Colonel

Matthies, was detached from the First Brigade and ordered into position at the crossing of the

Pittsburg road with the rebel intrenchments east of the town, and held that position until 4 a.m.

on the 4th, when it was recalled to the brigade, and the Pittsburg road covered by an inner

position and a battery of artillery.

When the attack developed itself on the morning of the 4th the deployment of the rebel line

in the woods north of my position reached so far to the eastward as to cover my whole front, and

it was not until this line was driven back over the ridge that the fire of the regiments of my First

Brigade reached the flank of the enemy, then retreating from the town.

When the earthwork battery, occupied by the First Missouri Artillery, on the ridge was

captured by the enemy, Maj. A. M. Powell turned two of his guns on the battery, and by a skillful

fire of spherical-case shot soon cleared the battery of rebels, though the remaining horses of the

battery were killed by his fire.

Immell's battery (Twelfth Wisconsin) fired during this action 507 rounds of ammunition.

When the charge was ordered against the enemy the Seventeenth Iowa captured, with many

prisoners, the colors of the Fortieth Mississippi Regiment. I beg particularly to call the attention

of the general commanding to the gallant conduct of this regiment, which nobly redeemed itself

from the cloud cast upon it by conduct at Iuka.

As soon as the rapid firing and advance of my line on the 4th showed the rout of the rebels in

my front I turned my attention for a short time to rallying the men of Davies' division, who were

running through and over my Second Brigade. With a part of my staff and the whole of my

cavalry escort I succeeded in stopping at least 1,000 just in rear of my lines, and by

24

encouragement and cheers they were moved rapidly back to the ground from which they had

been driven, and I doubt not did good service in assisting to complete the rout of the enemy.

As soon as the enemy had retreated out of sight and beyond the range of fire, in order to be

prepared for another attack, as well as to keep the men from scattering over the battle-field and to

replenish the ammunition, I ordered the whole division back to the position it had occupied when

the attack opened. This closed the operations on the battle-field.

On the morning of the 5th the division started at 7 o'clock without other instructions to me

than to follow McKean's division. By a misunderstanding of the roads the four divisions within a

few miles all came together upon the same road. Much confusion and delay occurred from want

of a commander. I deemed myself restrained by my instructions from assuming the command so

long as the march was without resistance. Had we encountered the enemy I should not have

hesitated to exercise my right of seniority in the absence of the general commanding. The first

day's march was to within 4 miles of the Tuscumbia River, the men suffering much from

deficiency of water. Distance marched about 14 miles.

On the 6th the division marched to within 3 miles of the Hatchie, and there, under orders

from the general commanding, diverged to the Kossuth road and bivouacked at Gum Spring.

Distance marched about 15 miles. Here orders were received to proceed to Kossuth, and from

thence to seize the Hatchie Crossing. Under instructions to post a regiment at Kossuth to protect

supply trains, the Fifty-sixth Illinois, Colonel Raum, was pushed forward from Gum Spring on

the night of the 6th and occupied the town. The division marched at dawn of day. When 3 miles

beyond Kossuth a brisk cannonade, accompanied with musketry firing, was heard in the

direction of Rienzi. Learning that Rienzi had been occupied on the 5th by two regiments of rebel

troops, and knowing that the supplies for the army were to be sent there by rail, and also that the

Hatchie Crossing was in possession of Colonel Hatch with a considerable force of cavalry, I

deemed it my duty to proceed to Rienzi, and to clear that point, in our line of supplies, from any

rebel force. Rienzi was reached after night-fall, the division having marched 23 miles, over dusty

roads, and with but a single well of water on the whole route. The day was exceedingly hot and

the suffering of the men extreme. At least 600 of the command gave out by the wayside during

the last 8 miles of the march. They, however, regained the column during the night and the

following morning. No supplies had reached the place; but at 5 a.m. a train of cars arrived, and

two regiments were forthwith supplied with rations, and moved at an early hour, under Colonel

Matthies, to the Hatchie River. The whole command, together with two regiments, arrived from

Corinth, followed during the day. The 9th was spent at the Hatchie, and the bridges across it,

which had been destroyed by the rebels, were rebuilt.

During the 10th the division returned, under orders, to Rienzi, and during the night rebuilt the

bridge over the Tuscumbia near Danville; and on the 11th reached its old camp near Bridge

Creek, 2 miles from Corinth.

I may here remark that this division, from the morning of the 5th to include the 11th,

marched about 100 miles, over roads almost destitute of water, through intense heat, and did

much severe labor in rebuilding bridges and repairing roads.

I cannot refrain from bringing to the notice of the general commanding the unfailing alacrity

and cheerfulness with which both officers and men bore the labors and privations of this severe

march, and this, with its unflinching courage in battle, leads me to express the encomium that it

is a division which may be relied upon in any and every emergency.

Respectfully submitted.

C. S. HAMILTON,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Third Division.

Lieut. Col. H. G. KENNETT,

25

Chief of Staff.

[OCTOBER 3, 1862.]

General HAMILTON:

Your dispatch received. I had no intention to have you occupy the whole front of the rebel

intrenchments, but to straddle the Purdy road, covering it effectually, resting your right flank

upon the works wherever it may happen to come and placing your left within supporting distance

of Davies. Should an attack develop itself on the northeasterly front the Fifth Iowa can get

support from the garrison of the town and that long line from General Davies or General Stanley.

It will be merely necessary to picket that front against a surprise. I would be glad to come out

and examine that ground, but do not think you need it.

By order Major-General Rosecrans:

C. GODDARD,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD DIV., ARMY OF THE MISS.,

Corinth, Miss., October 13, 1862.

SIR: On the 3d instant this brigade broke up its camp at dawn, and before 7 o'clock took up

the position assigned it on the extreme right, on the north side of the city. By order of General

Rosecrans one regiment (I selected the Fifth Iowa, Colone1 Matthies) was sent to hold the pass

of the Pittsburg Landing road where it crosses the fortifications, which it did faithfully until

relieved at 4 a.m. the next day.

About 10 a.m. the column, consisting of the Fourth Minnesota, Colonel Sanborn; Fifty-ninth

Indiana, Colonel Alexander; Forty-eighth Indiana, Lieutenant-Colonel Rugg; Twenty-sixth

Missouri, Lieutenant-Colonel Holman; Eleventh Ohio Battery, Lieutenant Neil, and Battery M,

First Missouri Light Artillery, Captain Powell, moved, by your order, into the Purdy road, and

followed to the extreme outer fortifications made by the rebels, where it was engaged all the day

in watching the enemy, and particularly his left flank. A cavalry force was seen during the day

west of my position and was engaged by skirmishers of' the Second Brigade. At 5 p.m. I obeyed

your order to deploy three regiments at right angles to the Purdy road, but facing south, and cooper-

ate with the Second Brigade in finding the enemy, who was supposed to have crossed the

railroad and got between us and Corinth. I deployed the Fourth Minnesota on the extreme right,

next the Fifty-ninth Indiana, and last the Forty-eighth Indiana, into an open field, but it was

closed on the south and west with down brush-wood and timber: The deployment was made with

Company K, Fourth Minnesota, as skirmishers, which was immediately hotly engaged by a much

larger concealed force. In my opinion it became absolutely necessary to dislodge him. It was

done by Colonel Sanborn, commanding the Fourth Minnesota, most gallantly, at the doublequick,

but not without the loss of the life of Captain Mooers, one of the choice officers of the

service, and 1 private; and of Captain Clubb, assistant quartermaster, who was a volunteer aidede-

camp, and 4 privates of the Fourth Minnesota, wounded. Night approaching the troops

returned and took up the position first occupied in the morning.

At 2 a.m. of the 4th the Fifth Iowa was called in, and the brigade altered its position. At dawn

the cannonading announced the beginning of another sharp contest. It was grand. The different

calibers, metals, shapes, and distances of the guns caused the sounds to resemble the chimes of

old Rome when all her bells rang out. In one hour it was interspersed with one continuous roar of

musketry. It was soon ascertained that the enemy were gaining upon us. The First Brigade was

given to understand that they had no reserve; that not one foot of ground must be yielded. The

Missouri battery had been detached from the brigade. The Fifty-ninth Indiana was assigned a

26

special duty in supporting the ------- Battery [M, First Missouri Light Artillery], which it

faithfully performed. At about 9 o'clock the line of battle was formed, the Twenty-sixth Missouri

on the right, next the Fourth Minnesota, next the Eleventh Ohio Battery, next the Fifth Iowa, and

next the Forty-eighth Indiana. The battle raged with great fury. In front of us we saw regiment

after regiment give way. Our whole front moved forward with the accuracy, precision, and

steadiness of a review. Every man exhibited the resolve that not one foot of ground should be

lost. The Forty eighth Indiana was the first actively engaged, when the gallant Lieutenant-

Colonel Rugg was first partially disabled by a severe wound in the foot, and soon after totally by

his horse being killed. My aide-de-camp, Lieut. J. W. Archer, of the Fifty-ninth Indiana, was at

the moment invited by the senior captain, which was unanimously confirmed by the officers, to

assume the command. He did not hesitate, and the regiment preserved its steadiness and moved

forward to victory. The Eleventh Ohio Battery took up a commanding position and opened an

effective fire. The enemy were soon within range of the rifles of the Fourth Minnesota, the Fifth

Iowa, and the Forty-eighth Indiana. Two of the regiments that had been thrown into disorder in

advance of us rallied under our protection, and were soon proudly advancing.

At about 11.30 the enemy, with a desperation seldom paralleled, broke into the city. He was

met with a valor as steady as his desperation. His slaughter was immense. No success followed

the spasmodic efforts. They recoiled and the repulse was complete. The First Brigade was thus

saved from a hand-to-hand fight, but their readiness was eager.

The gallant bearing of Colonels Sanborn, Matthies, and Alexander, Lieutenant-Colonels

Rugg and Holman, and Lieutenant Neil, commanding the battery, fills me with admiration.

My staff officers, Capt. J.P. Foley, assistant adjutant-general; Lieuts. J. W. Archer and L. B.

Martin; of the Fourth Minnesota, aides-de-camp, conducted themselves so as to deserve

particular mention both days for conduct and courage.

All the officers and men did their entire duty, and for the victory I call on all the brigade to

unite with me in attributing it to Almighty God, who ruleth in the heavens and the earth.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

N. B. BUFORD,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Capt. R. M. SAWYER,

Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Division, Army of the Miss.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH IOWA INFANTRY,

Camp near Corinth, Miss., October 12, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the Fifth Iowa

Infantry in the battle at Corinth the 3d and 4th in tent:

In obedience to orders we left camp about 3 o'clock the morning of the 3d with three days'

rations in the haversacks, and marched with the brigade to a point about half a mile north of

Corinth, and were immediately ordered into line of battle. I had just placed my regiment in

position when, by order of General Hamilton, we moved to the Pittsburg road and took a position

within the intrenchments, to prevent a surprise in that direction. Two companies were detached

to support a section of a Missouri battery on the Farmington road and two companies to support

a section of the same battery east of the Pittsburg road.

After strengthening our position with abatis we remained until 2 o'clock on the morning of

the 4th, when, by order of General Buford, I moved my regiment toward town to rejoin the

brigade, and took a position in line of battle, fronting north, on the left of the Eleventh Ohio

Battery. Here he remained until about 10 o'clock, when the brigade was ordered forward, to

prevent a flank movement which was being attempted by the enemy. My regiment advanced

27

double-quick by the right flank to the right of the Eleventh Ohio Battery, and then advanced in

line of battle. After firing two volleys and giving three hearty cheers the enemy retreated, and we

moved rapidly forward to the crest of the hill. Subsequently we took two other positions, when

by order of General Hamilton we returned to our former position in line of battle north of town.

Here we remained until the following morning, when by order of General Hamilton we

moved with the brigade in pursuit of the retreating enemy on the Chewalla road, and encamped

that night about 8 miles from Corinth.

The next morning we were again on the march toward Kossuth over rough and hilly road,

making about 12 miles, passing wagons, camp equipage, ammunition, and arms which the

enemy had thrown away in 1 is hasty retreat.

The following morning we left our bivouac and marched toward Rienzi, reaching that place

about dark, the men worn-out with fatigue and exposure and the suffering to which they had

been subjected in the intense heat over dusty roads and by great scarcity of water, having

marched more than 24 miles.

The next morning I received an order from General Hamilton to take command of the Fourth

Minnesota Infantry, the Fifth Iowa, and one section of the Eleventh Ohio Battery, and proceed at

once to the Hatchie River and seize and hold the bridge. After issuing rations to the men (it being

about 1 p.m.) I marched with this command, reaching the Hatchie River at 5 o'clock, a distance

of 12 miles, and found the bridge destroyed, and Colonel Hatch, with the Second Iowa Cavalry,

who had partially repaired it, preparing to cross. I crossed my command that night, fording the

river, and took a position on the west side of the swamp, which place I held until the morning of

the 10th, when, receiving orders from General Hamilton, I recrossed the river, joined the brigade,

and marched that day back to Rienzi.

We were on the march early the following morning, and reached our present encampment, 10

miles southeast of Corinth, about 1 p.m., the men worn-out with fatigue and many of them

destitute of shoes an, I comfortable clothing.

It gives me pleasure to report that not a single casualty occurred in my regiment during the

battle of Corinth nor during the pursuit of the enemy.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. L. MATTHIES,

Colonel Fifth Iowa Infantry.

Capt. J. P. FOLEY,

Asst. Adjt. Gen, First Brig., Third Div., Army of the Miss.

HDQRS. 2D BRIG., THIRD DIV., ARMY OF THE MISS.,

Camp near Corinth, Miss., October 11, 1862.

CAPTAIN: I herewith submit the following report of the part taken by the Second Brigade,

Third Division, Army of the Mississippi, in the battle of Corinth, on the 3d and 4th instant, and

the subsequent pursuit of the enemy:

At 1.30 o'clock on the morning of the 3d instant I received orders from General C. S.

Hamilton, commanding the Third Division, Army of the Mississippi, to form my brigade and

march to Corinth, distant from my encampment about 3 miles. I was informed by his aide that

Major-General Price, of the rebel army, was expected to make an attack at daylight on Corinth

with 40,000 men, and that our troops were being rapidly concentrated to defend the position.

Allowing the men to cook a hasty breakfast, tents were struck, wagons packed, and the brigade,

with its entire train of camp and garrison equipage, was in motion by 3 o'clock. The prospect of

again meeting General Price aroused the enthusiasm of the troops, which was a sure presage of

victory.

28

On arriving at Corinth our first line was formed under the immediate direction of General

Hamilton, which position was occupied until about 9 a.m., when orders were received to advance

on the Purdy road and occupy the breastworks between the Purdy road and swamp, which lies to

the right of the railroad, and joining which, immediately across the railroad, the right of General

Davies' division rested.

By the time the last position was taken the enemy made a determined attack on General

Davies' division in overpowering numbers, and although resisted gallantly the superior numerical

forces of the enemy compelled our troops to fall back, thus exposing our left flank to the enemy's

attack. Our front was immediately changed, and a ridge was occupied, which gave us an

opportunity to advance and attack the enemy on the flank as they moved forward, following

General Davies' division, which was falling back toward Corinth, and also secure a road on

which we could retire in case of necessity.

The enemy still advancing, General Hamilton ordered me with three regiments to attack their

left flank, while the First Brigade would sup-pert me on my right. Between my position and the

enemy lay a swamp, covered with a dense growth of underbrush, vines, and fallen trees, through

the center of which runs the dry bed of a creek, whose banks, some 6 feet deep, afforded a fine

shelter for the enemy. Cautioning the men to silence, with the Seventeenth and Tenth Iowa and

Eightieth Ohio, numbering about 800 men, I moved forward to the attack. Our advance was so

entirely unexpected by the enemy that, had we been supported as intended, I may be pardoned

for stating that in my opinion the fight of the succeeding day would not have occurred. Taken by

surprise the enemy fell back, but not rapidly enough to save themselves from a loss of 82

prisoners. We were compelled to halt for support, which the enemy noticing rallied and opened

on us a heavy fire of grape and canister from two batteries, when the column fell back in good

order with its face to the foe. This ended the fighting of the day, although a sharp skirmish was

kept up until darkness closed the scene and death ceased from his busy harvest.

Having received a severe contusion during the latter part of the engagement I was unfitted for

service, and the disposition of the troops for the anticipated attack of the enemy the next morning

was made by Col. Samuel A. Holmes, of the Tenth Regiment Missouri Volunteers.

There was no desponding heart in camp that night. Our own general we had tried and

Rosecrans had ever been victorious. But two short weeks before we had slept victors on the

battle-field of Iuka, and memories of that glorious fight but nerved us to more desperate deeds.

Ordnance officers were kept busy distributing ammunition; soldiers were occupied cleaning their

weapons, while general officers were engaged in consultation.

By 3 o'clock perfect quiet reigned through our entire lines. We knew the enemy were

desperate; we felt death was preferable to surrender, and friends separated determined to meet no

more on earth unless victory perched on our banners.

Just before dawn the enemy opened a heavy cannonade. Ere the first report had ceased

reverberating through the woods our whole force was under arms. Our artillery quickly

responded and the ear was deafened with the answering reports. General Hamilton's division

held the right of our line, having been formed in line of battle by General Hamilton himself, with

a support of three regiments, General Davies' division the right center. No attack was made by

the enemy on our right until 8 o'clock, when the rebels in force (commanded by Major-General

Price in person and numbering as many as our whole army) emerged from the woods in front and

advanced rapidly in column of attack on our whole line. Part of General Davies' division fled at

the first fire, leaving several of our batteries exposed which the enemy temporarily took

possession of, the Tenth Missouri Fifty-sixth Illinois, Eightieth Ohio, and Tenth Iowa bravely

holding their ground. The Twelfth Wisconsin Battery coolly playing grape and canister into the

massed columns of the enemy caused them to halt. The desperate charge made by the First

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Brigade recaptured the batteries and drove the enemy from that portion of the field. By order of

General Hamilton two regiments were placed under my command to drive back the enemy, who

had penetrated our center. Heroically our boys rushed to the fight; two well-delivered volleys, a

charge, a cheer, and the enemy fled, leaving us their colors, their dead, wounded, and over 300

prisoners. The enemy was routed on our right wing and our part of the line was sate.

Where each regiment and the batteries of my brigade won imperishable honor by their

steadfastness and bravery through two days' hard fighting it is hard to particularize the deed

which entitles them to most merit. On the first day's fight the Seventeenth and Tenth Iowa and

the Eightieth Ohio, by their steadiness and coolness in marching to make the attack upon the

enemy's flank, deserve special mention. One company of the Seventeenth Iowa fought a superior

force of the enemy until they had expended all their cartridges and were compelled to fall back

for a supply. One company of the Eightieth Ohio brought off safely 33 prisoners, taken under a

heavy fire and in the presence of a greatly superior force of the enemy. The Tenth Iowa

maintained its usual name for discipline and courage.

On the second day the Tenth Missouri and Fifty-sixth Illinois charged the enemy and retook

two batteries. Their courage was deserving of all praise, as five times their numbers had fled

ingloriously from the foe they drove from the field. For over half an hour the Tenth Missouri had

sustained a fire of musketry without answering, losing one-sixth of their number killed and

wounded. The Fifty-sixth Illinois in this their first fight proved that consciousness of a just cause

makes men invincible. All honor to their noble dead; praise and credit to the living.

The Eightieth Ohio, after losing their only field officer present, nobly fought on, nor ceased

until the fight was done. Their list of dead and wounded proves the position they held was one of

danger, and by their valor they made it the post of honor.

The Tenth Iowa sustained the brunt of the first attack of the enemy until the regiment on their

left gave way and their flank was exposed, when they slowly fell back fighting.

The Seventeenth Iowa had the honor of driving back the enemy from the position once

occupied by Davies' division and advancing in pursuit until ordered to halt by General

Rosecrans, who feared their valor was leading them beyond prudence. They captured a stand of

colors, which I suggest be sent to the Governor of their State.

Of the Twelfth Wisconsin Battery I cannot say too much. Twice they have been tried in

desperate battles and twice they have proven themselves heroes.

The Sixth Wisconsin Battery effectively worked their pieces in the early part of the action,

but being feebly supported, were so unfortunate as to lost their guns; but when quickly retaken

and returned to their possession did fearful execution in the enemy's ranks.

To Col. Samuel A. Holmes, commanding the Tenth Missouri Volunteers, I am indebted for

assistance while I was temporarily disabled. His intelligence coolness, bravery, and welldisciplined

regiment entitle him to my favorable notice and I trust to some mark of approbation

from the Government.

To Major Banbury Fifth Iowa., temporarily in command of the Seventeenth Iowa; to

Lieutenant-Colonel Baum, commanding Fifty-sixth Illinois; to Major McCalla, commanding

Tenth Iowa; to Captain Dillon, commanding Sixth Wisconsin Battery, and to Lieutenant Immell,

commanding Twelfth Wisconsin Battery, I am especially indebted. Their desire seems to be to

do their duty; their pride in knowing it is well done.

To Major Lanning, Eightieth Ohio, who yielded up his life in battling for our glorious flag,

which traitor hands were trying to destroy, no words of mine can add honor. He died a soldier's

death. His body fills a patriot's grave. He will ever live in the memory of his comrades in arms.

The reports of commanding officers are herewith submitted, with the names of officers and

men who distinguished themselves on those memorable days.

30

Of my own staff, who were under fire during the entire two days, I desire to make particular

mention of Captain Harris, assistant adjutant general, who, while carrying orders on the field,

narrowly escaped with his life, receiving a wound in the hand and having his clothes torn with

bullets. To Lieutenant Jacobson, who was on the field lending assistance, rallying the men and

carrying orders, and to Lieutenant Buchanan, my aide-de-camp, for his willingness and bravery,

I am greatly indebted, and desire to recommend both to the Governor of their State as worthy of

promotion, as they will fill with credit to themselves and honor to the State any post they may be

intrusted with.

To Sergt. B. A. May, Thirteenth Indiana Volunteers, I call especial attention. I recommend

him as worthy to fill, by him education and bravery, a higher position in the U.S. Army.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JER. C. SULLIVAN,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Capt. R. M. SAWYER,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Division.

HDQRS. TENTH REGIMENT MISSOURI VOL. INFTY.,

Camp near Corinth, Miss, October 12, 1862.

CAPTAIN: The following is my report of the movements of the Tenth Regiment of Missouri

Infantry during the battle of Corinth and of the Second Brigade, Third Division, while under my

command, by reason of the disability of Brigadier-General Sullivan:

The regiment moved before daylight on the morning of the 3d with the rest of the brigade

from the camp south of Corinth to the plateau to the north, and about 1 mile from the center of

the town. The brigade was here formed in line of battle, Immell's battery on the left, occupying a

crest commanding the Purdy road, supported by the Tenth Missouri Regiment, formed in column

by division on its right, the rest of the brigade extending eastwardly in line facing and near to the

woods. By order of the brigadier-general commanding I detached 300 men of the Tenth

Missouri, under Maj. Leonidas Horney, to make a reconnaissance to the northwest, on the Purdy

road, with instructions to advance 3 or 4 miles, as occasion might require, and observe the

movements of the enemy. Shortly after this the rest of my regiment moved with the brigade out

the same road about 2 miles, and took position in the old rebel intrenchments, supporting the

same battery on the right. The brigade remained in this position until about 12 o'clock, no enemy

showing himself in front, although constant and heavy skirmishing was going on in the woods

with some other part of the army some distance across the open fields to our left and rear. The

brigade now again moved by the right flank down the intrenchments and then filed to the right

along the woods, fronting westwardly on the open fields last named, as I have since understood,

with the view of attacking the left flank of the enemy, advancing down the railroad. I was here

detached from the brigade with the Tenth Missouri and Fifty-sixth Illinois Regiments, with

orders to occupy the edge of the woods, which I did, throwing out two companies as skirmishers

some 400 yards to the front. The remainder of the brigade passed on toward the railroad, where it

encountered the enemy, advancing in heavy force, and, gallantly fighting, was gradually pressed

back toward the Purdy road, on which we had come out in the morning. To my left a portion of

the First Brigade was already posted, and the right now coming up to my position I moved my

two regiments to the right, uncovering its front, with my right resting on the old rebel works. I

was here joined by Major Horney with his detachment, and under the orders of Brigadier-

General Hamilton I moved the Tenth Missouri and Fifty-sixth Illinois Regiments back to the

angle of the Purdy road and the rebel intrenchments and halted. About 4 p.m. I was ordered by

General Hamilton, at the request of Brigadier-General Sullivan, to relieve him and take

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command of the brigade. I accordingly at once reported to him in person, and finding him very

much exhausted and barely able to keep his saddle, 1 took command. I found the Twelfth

Wisconsin Battery posted near a house, on a prominent crest, on the Purdy road, about 1,000

yards in advance of its first position taken in the morning, supported on the left by the Tenth

Iowa Regiment and on the right by the Eightieth Ohio Regiment, and the Seventeenth Iowa

extended along the road and near to and fronting the woods through which this portion of the

brigade had retired. The enemy kept showing themselves in considerable numbers in front and

particularly to the left of this position, as if designing to penetrate there, but were kept at bay by

the excellent handling of the Twelfth Wisconsin Battery, Lieutenant Immell commanding. I

immediately reported to General Hamilton the dangerous state of the case, with a request for the

other two regiments of the brigade, which was granted. I also received orders from him to hold

the ground until dark, and then to quietly remove the brigade back to the position which it

occupied in the morning. Leaving one regiment as outposts, I brought down the Tenth Missouri

and Fifty-sixth Illinois Regiments, and posted them to the left and rear of the Tenth Iowa

Regiment, warding the threatened flank movement of the enemy. At dark I quietly withdrew the

brigade, with the exception of the Tenth Iowa, left as outposts. Immell's (Wisconsin) battery

(Twelfth) was posted in its first position on the crest, supported on the right by the Tenth

Missouri and the Fifty-sixth Illinois Regiments and on the left by the Eightieth Ohio Regiment.

Dillon's (Sixth Wisconsin) battery was placed in the redoubt, supported by the Seventeenth Iowa

Volunteers. About 10 p.m. I received orders to change my whole line, and to take up a position

farther to the right and rear, nearly at a right angle to the one now held, with my right connecting

with the First Brigade. After having examined the ground I brought the brigade into the new

position selected. I placed Immell's (Twelfth Wisconsin) battery at the white house, in the center

of the plateau, supported on the right by the Tenth Missouri, and the Fifty-sixth Illinois in a

second line, 200 yards in the rear; on the left by the Eightieth Ohio Regiment, with the

Seventeenth Iowa in the second line and on the left of the whole Dillon's (Sixth Wisconsin)

battery. The brigade remained in this position until morning.

At daybreak of the 4th, perceiving that my right was too close upon the reserves of the First

Brigade, and that owing to the darkness Dillon's battery was not effectually posted, I advanced

the latter to the crest, commanding the Purdy road, and moved to its support, on the left, the

Eightieth Ohio Regiment, and on the right the Tenth Iowa Regiment, which was now withdrawn

from outpost for that purpose. The Tenth Missouri and Fifty-sixth Illinois were then placed on

the left of the Twelfth Wisconsin Battery in line of battle in the order named, the Seventeenth

Iowa Regiment being drawn up in rear of the whole in column by division as a reserve. This was

the position occupied by the brigade during the battle, with the changes incident to the field, my

right resting on the left of the First Brigade and my left connecting with the right rear of Davies'

division.

About 8.30 o'clock the enemy made the grand attack upon the center and right wing of the

army, advancing in heavy masses from the woods all along the front and down the Purdy road.

That portion of the brigade first exposed to attack was Captain Dillon's Sixth Wisconsin Battery

and its supports. These for a while gallantly maintained their position against an overwhelming

force. Soon the line of Davies' division, to their left, began to give way in confusion, and almost

at the same time the Eightieth Ohio Regiment was forced back from its position in disorder,

followed by the limbers and caissons of the battery. The enemy rushed up and took possession,

killing the gunners at their guns. The gallant Tenth Iowa, under Major McCalla, gradually fell

back some 300 yards, fighting as they went. The battery and redoubt to the left of the Sixth

Wisconsin, as well as the whole line, now seemed to be in possession of the enemy, and the

fugitives came pouring on in great numbers through and over the lines of the Tenth Missouri and

32

Fifty-sixth Illinois, which still bravely held their ground under the most terrific fire. Immell's

Twelfth Wisconsin Battery at the white house, as soon as the enemy had obtained possession of

the crest, opened upon them with great effect, and, aided by the well-directed fire of the Tenth

Missouri and Fifty-sixth Illinois, repeatedly drove them back out of sight and prevented the

removal of the guns. Never could any battery do more effective service at a more critical period.

The enemy had now advanced in large numbers from the direction of the redoubt, under cover of

houses, toward the front of the Fifty-sixth Illinois and left of the Tenth Missouri, and were

pouring upon them a most galling fire. Seeing that Lieutenant-Colonel Raum, of the Fifty-sixth

Illinois, was wheeling his regiment to the left, preparatory to making a charge, I gave the order to

Major Horney, commanding the Tenth Missouri, to retake the Sixth Wisconsin Battery with the

bayonet, and away went these regiments to their work at double-quick in the most splendid style.

The Tenth Missouri Regiment retook the Sixth Wisconsin Battery and turned the guns upon

the flying enemy, serving them with such ammunition as was found upon the ground. The Tenth

Iowa Regiment quickly came forward to its original position, which was maintained during the

remainder of the day. The two last-named regiments were here exposed to a severe fire of the

enemy, who still held possession of the redoubt on their left, and from which he was finally

expelled after a sharp contest. The troops of Davies' division gradually came back to their

original position, and the whole line was held to the end of the action. Shortly after it was retaken

Dillon's battery was withdrawn from the field for want of men and ammunition to serve the

guns.

In making this report it may be proper for me to state that during the action I was not advised

of the presence of the brigadier-general commanding upon the field, although later I learned that

notwithstanding his physical condition he was there personally heading a gallant charge of the

Seventeenth Iowa Regiment, taken from the reserve, in which a rebel flag was captured.

For the part taken in the battle by my regiment during the time I was in command of the

brigade I desire to refer to the report of Maj. Leonidas Horney, herewith inclosed. I cannot at the

same time too much commend the coolness and gallantry of that fine officer during the whole

day, and especially in the charge upon and recapture of the Sixth Wisconsin Battery, in which he

was wounded, but refused to leave the field. Adjt. Francis C. Deimling, of the same regiment,

deserves honorable mention for exemplary bravery on the same occasion and throughout the day.

Among other events deserving of a particular mention was the brilliant fighting of the Fiftysixth

Illinois Regiment, under the gallant Lieutenant-Colonel Raum. Too much importance

cannot be attached to his prompt action at a very critical moment of the day. Great credit is also

due to the Tenth Iowa Regiment, under Major McCalla, for the steadiness with which it

maintained its support of the Sixth Wisconsin Battery until overwhelmed and the promptness

with which it again resumed its place. The brave Major Lanning fell trying to rally his regiment

when forced from its position, and deserves to be held in grateful remembrance as a gallant

soldier.

I also desire to make honorable mention of the valuable assistance I received while in

command of the brigade from Capt. Thomas H. Harris, assistant adjutant-general, who was

slightly wounded in the hand; also from Lieuts. T. Jacobson and A. S. Buchanan, of the brigade

staff.

The loss of the Tenth Missouri Regiment in the action was 12 killed, 76 wounded (2 of

whom are since dead), and 3 missing, a list of whom is hereto appended.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

SAML. A. HOLMES,

Colonel, Commanding.

Capt. T. H. HARRIS,

33

Asst. Adjt. Gen., 2d Brig., 3d Div., Army of the Miss.

HDQRS. FIFTY-SIXTH REGT. ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS,

Kossuth, Miss., October 7, 1862.

SIR: I embrace the first leisure moments to submit a report of the part taken by my regiment

in the battle of the 3d and 4th instant in defense of Corinth:

My regiment was not engaged on the 3d. On the morning of the 4th at 2 o'clock I had my

men under arms. Soon after daylight Colonel Holmes, temporarily commanding the brigade,

assigned me the position of reserve to the First Missouri Battery, which was supported by the

Twelfth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, as I have been informed. About 9 a.m. it became manifest

that a determined enemy was in strong force in front. As soon as the front line engaged him I

deployed my regiment into line and caused both officers and men to lie down. In this position I

watched the progress of events. After delivering a few volleys the front line began to waiver and

fall back. Their retreat soon became a rout, and they came down pell-mell upon us, running over

my men in every direction. The caissons and a number of loose horses came thundering down

and passed through the interval between the Tenth Missouri and my regiment. The gunners at the

battery gave the rebels a parting salute and then made good their retreat. As soon as the debris of

the broken line had passed by I discovered the enemy occupying the earthworks and houses on

the right and left. Expecting him to advance upon us, I reserved the fire for a time, intending at

the proper moment to deliver a volley and use the bayonet. Soon, however, a musketry duel

ensued, the enemy firing over the brow of the hill and up which he came from his place of

concealment; we from the ground. By the giving way of the front line upon my left I was

outflanked and exposed to a galling cross-fire, to meet which I hastened to the left and directed

Major Cooper to change the front of three companies. The din was so great that commands could

not be distinctly heard and three other companies were put in motion, which created a

momentary confusion. This, however, was promptly set to rights by the gallant officers who led

the companies. As soon as my wishes were understood the men again laid down, the left in

position to meet the flank fire. At this juncture the enemy turned one of our guns and opened

with grape upon us. I directed the men to pay their compliments to those who handled it. After

firing 4 rounds the gun was completely silenced. My left flank, which had been so heavily

threatened, was now relieved by the opportune arrival of the Seventh and Seventeenth Iowa

Regiments and the Union Brigade. A few troops of the Twelfth Illinois, numbering perhaps 30,

had formed upon my right. The enemy beginning to waiver I ordered an advance, and my

regiment retook the battery and captured two rebel officers in the works, who, endeavoring to

rally their men, were unable to make their escape. One of the artillery officers, who only

withdrew to my line and to whose bravery I would take pleasure in attesting if I knew his name,

joined in the advance, improvised an artillery squad, and soon rained grape upon the retreating

foe with telling effect. The enemy endeavored to rally at the foot of the hill, but a few welldirected

volleys broke his lines, and he found safety in the depths of the thick woods beyond.

Both officers and men of my command acted with a great deal of coolness and determination.

Major Cooper bore himself gallantly, directing the fire of the left wing with much energy.

Captains Rankin, Cochran. Welsh, and Reavis were at all times at their posts, cheering their men.

Lieutenants Cone, Webber, O'Neal, Scott, and Dempsey, commanding companies, conducted

themselves with great determination. Lieutenant Webber made himself a conspicuous mark by

assisting to erect our colors after Color-Bearer P.M. Hale, of Company G, was stricken down

mortally wounded. Lieutenants Walbright, Joiner, Keffer, and Dillon by their conduct

demonstrated that they are men of courage and ability. Captain Hall, under arrest, was released

for meritorious conduct on the field. Captain Files, also under arrest, remained with his company

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during the greater part of the fight, urging them to do their duty. The non-commissioned officers

and privates all emulated each other in coolness and courage.

I lost 7 killed and 32 wounded. One since died.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant.

GREEN B. RAUM,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Fifty-sixth Illinois.

Capt. T. H. HARRIS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. TENTH REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEERS.

Camp near Corinth, Miss., October 12, 1862.

SIR: On the morning of the 3d instant at this camp I received orders to be in readiness to

march at 3 a.m. with tents and baggage loaded, and at the appointed hour I formed the regiment

in line and marched in the direction of Corinth, which place I passed through, and proceeding to

a distance of about one-half mile north formed in line of battle, my regiment constituting the

right of the brigade, and in pursuance of your order I ordered Companies A and F to be deployed

as skirmishers in front of the brigade at a distance as far as the old intrenchments.

About 8 a.m. I moved the regiment from this position a distance of about one-half mile to the

left, and took a position immediately on the left of the Twelfth Wisconsin Battery. At about 9

a.m. I received orders to change position, and marched in a northwesterly direction about 1

miles, and formed a line of battle on the left and in support of the Twelfth Wisconsin Battery,

where I remained about one hour, when I was ordered farther to the left and rear, and formed line

near an old farm house northeast from a battery of the enemy, and within easy range of its shells,

several of which fell both in the rear and front of the line. I then ordered the regiment to the rear

about 200 yards, which was marched in line of battle and took a position on the road. Remaining

here near half an hour, I formed column and was conducted by yourself in person in the direction

of the enemy's battery, to the left and front of my late position, through dense woods and brush,

passing the line of our skirmishers. On arriving near the line of the Memphis and Charleston

Railroad came upon the line of the enemy's skirmishers, and passing through it took about 20 of

them prisoners and ordered them to the rear. I ordered a line to be formed on the railroad. During

the execution of the order the enemy opened upon us at a distance of about 150 yards a most

destructive fire of grape and canister, in which several of my men were wounded; but

notwithstanding this severe fire the line was formed on the railroad in excellent order. While in

this position the fire from their batteries was kept up, raking the ground, and would have done

immense damage but for the fact that at this point where the line was formed on the track there

had been a cut about 5 feet in depth the bank of which formed a good shelter, their balls passing

over our heads, many of them lodging in the opposite bank, so closely had they raked the ground.

Seeing an attempt on the part of the enemy to move forward one of their batteries to a point on

the railroad on our right from which they could open upon us an enfilading fire, I ordered the

regiment to file into the dense woods in our rear by the left flank, having cleared the track in time

to avoid a raking fire. I again formed a line of battle and marched to the rear under the incessant

fire of their battery, whose firing had now become too high to do much damage. On arriving at

the road we followed it to the left until our left arrived at a white house, situated on a road

leading directly to the front. On this road the pickets of the enemy were posted in full view about

150 yards in front of us. In this position I deployed the regiment as skirmishers to the right and

remained till morning.

On the morning of the 4th I marched to left and rear about 1 mile, and formed a line of battle

immediately on the right of the Sixth Wisconsin Battery. At about 10 a.m. the firing of the

35

skirmishers in front of us became rapid, and the advancing columns of the enemy soon drove

them back; but they rallied to a point directly in front of our line, and until they had again retired

to our rear I could not order my regiment to fire; but as soon as the space in front was cleared I

gave the order to commence firing, which was kept up with spirit, but without very materially

checking the advance of the enemy, who approached us in overwhelming numbers. My men had

fired from 15 to 20 rounds, when I perceived that numbers of the enemy were passing around the

right and getting in the rear of my line, and also that the battery on my left had been silenced and

taken and the enemy pressing forward to the left of us. I ordered the regiment to fall back, which

it did in good order, to a distance of about 70 yards, when I made a halt, facing about and again

opening the fire; but being unable to retain this position I again ordered the regiment back under

cover of the Twelfth Wisconsin and Powell's regular batteries. Passing to the rear in line of battle

I halted at a position immediately between these batteries. I then marched forward and occupied

the same ground from which I had retired during the action.

The casualties in the regiment were 6 men wounded on the first day, and 1 commissioned

officer, 30 men wounded, and 3 killed on the second day.

During both days I was assisted in the field by Capt. N. A. Holson, acting lieutenant-colonel,

and Capt. Jackson Orr, acting major, also William Manning, adjutant; who acted throughout with

great coolness and courage and to whom much credit is due.

The line officers, without an exception, deported themselves with the greatest gallantry, and

did much to accomplish our successful movements on the field in the presence of danger.

Upon the men of my command too much praise cannot be given for their endurance, courage,

and strict obedience to orders under all circumstances.

Yours, respectfully,

NATHANIEL McCALLA,

Major, Commanding Tenth Iowa Regiment.

Brig. Gen. J. C. SULLIVAN,

Commanding Second Brigade, Third Division.

HDQRS. SEVENTEENTH IOWA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS,

Camp at Hatchie Church, Miss., October 9, 1862.

GENERAL: As directed by order of General Hamilton, I took command of the Seventeenth

Iowa on the morning of the 3d instant, after the regiment had been marched about one-half mile

north of Corinth by Captain Young. About 7 a.m. we were moved with the rest of the brigade to

the breastworks 2 miles north of town, and after changing position Company A, at about 2

o'clock, under command of First Lieutenant Garrett, was thrown out about three-fourths of a mile

as skirmishers, and was soon engaged in a brisk skirmish of about an hour, during which time it

did good service, leaving quite a number of dead rebels on the ground. Company B was also

deployed as skirmishers in front of our regiment, and while out the regiment changed position,

and it did not get to the regiment until the next day, after the battle on Saturday was over. This

company, under command of Second Lieutenant Hull, of Company E, deserves great credit for

the brave and unflinching manner in which it held its perilous situation until relieved. About 4.30

o'clock this regiment was placed on the extreme right of the brigade and ordered forward in line

of battle, and after marching about half a mile we were met with heavy fire from the enemy's

batteries, which we found were not more than 100 yards in our advance. We also found the

enemy in large force, supporting their batteries, which were three in number, and finding we

were now some distance from the balance of the brigade and entirely unsupported, the enemy

also having commenced a flank movement to our right, we fell back to the road an(l there joined

36

the balance of the brigade, which was already in position on the road-side and near where we

were before forming our line. I was now ordered by General Rosecrans to take position on the

right of the Twelfth Wisconsin Battery (perhaps the Sixth Wisconsin), and remained there until

the brigade was ordered into the city. I was then ordered by Colonel Holmes, then commanding

the brigade, to take position on the right of the Sixth Wisconsin Battery, where I remained until

10.30 o'clock, when I was ordered to take a position on the left of

Battery, which up to that time, it appears, had been entirely unsupported. I remained here

until about 1.30 o'clock in the morning, when, with the rest of the brigade, I moved the regiment,

and after going out some distance and returning was put in position about 200 yards in the rear of

the Eightieth Ohio Regiment. This position we kept until after daylight on October 4, when we

were ordered into column by General Rosecrans. When the firing from the enemy had become

quite brisk I deployed the battalions into line, and finding we were to be kept back as a reserve I

ordered the men to lie down, which they did, and here remained for about fifteen or twenty

minutes under considerable fire from the enemy, who were now fairly to be seen following our

men, who were slowly giving back, over the brow of the hill. It was while lying in this position

that First Lieutenant Garrett, Company A, and First Lieutenant Morris, Company F, were

wounded, and were compelled to retire from the field. When the enemy had gained fearful odds

by advancing so rapidly upon our ground I was ordered by you to form on the left of a section of

a battery which was then on our left. I remained in this position but a short time when I was

ordered forward, just as the troops on our right were falling back quite fast, and with the balance

of our brigade I marched the regiment forward to the brow of the hill, firing and driving the

enemy before us. After firing and driving the enemy for probably twenty minutes we were

ordered to charge, which we did, taking quite a number of prisoners and capturing a rebel flag

from (I understand from the prisoners) the Fortieth Mississippi Regiment. Corporal King, of

Company G, was the first to lay hands on the rebel colors, and took the bearer prisoner and

brought him to the rear of our lines.

I cannot speak in too high terms of praise of both officers and men throughout the regiment.

Not a man in the entire regiment evinced the slightest inclination to shirk or fall back, and all,

without a single exception, stood up to the work nobly and with an apparent determination to

drive the rebels back at all hazards.

As the regiment was under your immediate observation during the entire engagement I do not

deem it necessary to mention any as deserving of more mention, but will leave for you to say

whether any are entitled to more praise than that already received by this report.

I am, general, your obedient servant,

J. BANBURY,

Major Fifth, Commanding Seventeenth Iowa Infantry.

Brigadier-General SULLIVAN,

Comdg. Second Brig., Third Div., Army of the Miss.

HDQRS. EIGHTIETH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEERS,

Camp on Ripley Road, Miss., October 9, 1862.

SIR: I herewith send you the following report of the part taken in the late engagement at

Corinth, Miss.:

The fight commenced on Friday morning, 3d instant, about 6 o'clock, and continued with

very little intermission until night. The brigade of which we formed a part was not engaged in

action until about 3 p.m., when we were drawn up in line of battle and our artillery planted. Our

position was on the left of our division, the first brigade forming our extreme right. We were

37

here subjected to a galling fire from the enemy's battery on our left. Companies A, B, and F were

here deployed as skirmishers. We were then ordered to change position and advance steadily to

the front. We formed our line immediately on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, the Tenth Iowa on

our right. We were here exposed to a very severe fire from the enemy's batteries, which were

planted in short range in our front and right. We remained here but a short time, when we were

ordered to move a short distance to the left. After some sharp skirmishing we were ordered to fall

back, which we did in good order, capturing about 50 prisoners, including a captain and

lieutenant. We were then ordered to a position near Corinth, where we rested on our arms for the

night. No men killed or wounded.

R. LANNlNG,

Major, Commanding Eightieth Ohio Volunteers,

Per S.S. WEST,

Sergeant-Major and Acting Adjutant.

Brig. Gen. J. C. SULLIVAN,

Comdg. Second Brig., Third Div., Army of the Miss.

HEADQUARTERS SIXTH WISCONSIN BATTERY,

Camp near Corinth, Miss., October 15, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report relative to the part taken by the Sixth

Wisconsin Battery in the action at Corinth October 3 and 4:

Friday morning, the 3d instant, I left camp, southeast of Corinth, between 3 and 4 o'clock,

pursuant to orders, and marched to Corinth, forming in battery with the reserve forces, under

Brigadier-General Sullivan, north of town. In the afternoon I was ordered to take up a position on

the right, and accordingly moved farther out on the road, near where the battle was then raging. I

was here brought under the enemy's fire and had 2 men wounded, but was unable to return the

fire without endangering the lives of our own men, deployed as skirmishers in the woods before

us. Late in the evening I was ordered back to town and occupied two or three different positions

during the night.

Early on the following morning (Saturday, the 4th) I took up a position on the brow of a hill

north of the bastion occupied by the First Missouri Artillery, and to the right of Davies' division.

I was supported on the right by the Tenth Iowa and on the left by the Eightieth Ohio. About 9

o'clock the skirmishers in the woods in our front became engaged and were soon driven from the

woods, followed by the enemy, marching in three separate columns. Being then but a few

hundred yards distant, I opened on them with shell and canister with good effect, though it

scarcely checked their progress. Once, when within less than 100 yards of our guns, they

wavered for an instant, and I hoped to repel them; but on emerging from the woods they had

deployed a column to the left, which had by this time so far gained our right flank as to pour in

upon us a destructive enfilade fire, seeing which they again rallied and came forward. They were

close upon our guns before our left support opened upon them, and many of my cannoneers were

by this time either killed or wounded and the rest had already been driven from their guns at the

point of the bayonet. At this juncture I commanded the limbers and caissons to fall back. It being

now too late to limber up the pieces I was forced to leave them in possession of the enemy. I

succeeded in safely removing from the field all except the pieces and one limber, which was

disabled, upset, and left.

Throughout the action the conduct of my men was uniformly good, each doing his whole

duty---doing his best.

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My loss in the aggregate during the two days was 26---5 killed (including 1 lieutenant) and

21 wounded.

Our pieces soon fell into our hands in as good condition as when abandoned.

When mustering my remaining effective men I again took the field with a four-gun battery,

but I was not again brought under fire during the day.

I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient,

HENRY DILLON,

Captain, Commanding Sixth Wisconsin Battery.

T. H. HARRIS,

Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Brig., Third Div., Army of the Miss.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION,

Corinth, Miss., October 19, 1862.

COLONEL: In compliance with Special Orders, No. 254, of October 9: 1862, calling for

reports from the division commanders of the part taken by their respective commands in the

battle of Corinth and the ensuing pursuit of the enemy, I have the honor to submit the following:

No sooner had the enemy commenced concentrating his forces, by messing his columns at

Ripley, than their movements were discovered by our scouts, and strong parties of cavalry were

immediately sent to Kossuth, toward Baldwyn, out on the Purdy road, and to Chewalla.

On October 1 a portion of the Third Michigan Cavalry, occupying a position near Kossuth,

proceeding via Bone Yard to Davis' Bridge, were attacked by the enemy's advancing column,

and after a short skirmish the enemy retired. Captain Willcox, commanding the party, caused the

bridge over the Hatchie at this point to be destroyed. At this time Colonel Lee, with a portion of

his brigade, was stationed at Bone Yard, from which point he sent out scouting parties on the

various roads, and discovered that the enemy were advancing in strong force from Ripley,

through Ruckersville to Jonesborough and thence northward. Guided by the information gained

from his scouts, Colonel Lee pushed across the Hatchie with a portion of his command to

ascertain the strength of the enemy's column; reached the vicinity of Ruckersville on the evening

of the 1st instant just as the enemy's main column passed the town, and dashing in with a

battalion of cavalry attacked their rear guard, and after twenty minutes' severe skirmishing

completely routed them, capturing 50 prisoners. Colonel Lee then returned to the east side of the

Hatchie, guarding the various crossings of that stream and watching closely the movements of

the enemy. Captain Smith, with the Third Battalion of the Fifth Ohio Cavalry, was stationed at

the junction of the Purdy with the Chewalla and Hamburg roads to watch the movements of the

enemy in that direction. He had some slight skirmishing with the enemy, but held his position

until 2 p.m. on the 4th, reporting frequently; when, finding his communication cut off, he made a

detour to the right of our lines, coming into the Pittsburg road, and after making a reconnaissance

on that road returned to Corinth. Colonel Hatch, with his command, was stationed at Rorey's

Mill with an advance of one battalion at Jacinto. He scouted the various roads leading south and

southeast, but discovered no force moving from that direction.

On the 3d he was ordered, with his command, to Corinth, and was employed during that day

making a reconnaissance north and west of Corinth and in watching the enemy's movements in

that direction.

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On the morning of the 4th Colonel Hatch proceeded with his brigade and a section of

artillery, under Lieutenant Green, north, on the Purdy road, to operate on the enemy's left flank;

but before proceeding beyond the old rebel breastworks met the enemy's skirmishers in heavy

force. He placed his artillery in position, sent forward a battalion of cavalry (dismounted) to its

support, keeping the remainder of his command in reserve, and held this point until General

Hamilton's division came up and occupied the position. The enemy having fallen back Colonel

Hatch then moved north 2 miles, crossing the railroad, moved west 5 miles, then southwest 2

miles. Here he placed his artillery in position to command the Chewalla road, and held his

command ready to intercept the trains of the enemy, and remained at this point until ordered to

return to Corinth. Colonel Lee remained on the Kossuth road until the evening of the 3d, when

he was directed to return to Corinth. He arrived late at night and bivoucked. His command

occupied a position in front of General McKean's division, on our southwest front, sending out

scouts during the night.

On the 4th he took position in line of battle in rear of our left wing and sent four companies

(dismounted) to skirmish on our left flank, relieving the men from time to time during the

engagement.

Major Snoddy, Seventh Kansas Cavalry, was sent, with four companies of his regiment to

guard the Tuscumbia Bridge and to watch the enemy's movements on their right flank. He was

twice engaged with a small force of the enemy and twice routed them. The enemy, after repeated

assaults upon our works and vain but desperate endeavors to occupy the town and drive us from

our position, fell back in disorder and began a precipitate retreat.

The Third Michigan Cavalry, under Captain Willcox, guarded the various roads north of

Corinth during the night of the 3d and during the battle on the 4th was posted in rear of and

protecting our right flank. During the pursuit his command moved with Colonel Hatch's brigade,

to which it belongs. Detached companies were employed from time to time on the 3d and 4th in

keeping the infantry in line and in gathering stragglers; also in patrolling the town and preserving

order. During the retreat the main body of the cavalry formed two flanking columns, one brigade

with a section of artillery, under Colonel Hatch, moving on the north side, and one brigade of

cavalry, a section of artillery, and two companies of infantry, under Colonel Lee, on the south

side of the Chewalla road, making frequent dashes upon the enemy's flanks, harassing them,

hanging continually on their skirts, and impeding their retreat, while different detachments

formed the advance of the main columns.

Captain Smith, with a battalion of the Fifth Ohio Cavalry, formed the advance guard of

General McPherson's column, and was three times engaged with the enemy's rear guard,

capturing prisoners, horses, and arms, and on the return of our forces from Ripley acted as the

rear guard to the troops under General McPherson.

Captain Funke, commanding four companies of the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, formed the

advance to General McArthur's column and performed excellent service. It also acted, in

conjunction with the Fifth Ohio Cavalry, as rear guard to General McPherson's column on the

return to Corinth.

Major Love, with a battalion of the Second Iowa Cavalry and two companies of the Third

Michigan Cavalry, commanded by Captain Reese, the whole under Colonel Ingersoll, Eleventh

Illinois Cavalry, remained during the pursuit as a portion of the garrison at Corinth, and were

employed on picket and patrol duty.

Lieutenant Stoddard, who was charged with the superintendence of the courier line between

headquarters and the advance, deserves mention for his able management and his men for long

exposure and fatigue and for their cheerful and prompt performance of duty as dispatch bearers.

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Colonel Lee, with the Second Brigade, was ordered to move on the road south of the

Memphis and Charleston Railroad to protect the left flank of our pursuing columns; came up

with the enemy's rear guard at Kossuth, drove them from the town, and was skirmishing

continually, always routing them, till he reached Ruckersville, at which place he captured 20

prisoners. There met an advance, under General McPherson; headed this advance column and

moved on toward Ripley. Skirmishing ensued from that point until he reached Ripley. The

enemy formed three different lines of battle, which were successively broken by our troops.

Colonel Lee was the first to enter Ripley, and after heavy skirmishing occupied the town,

completely routing the enemy, capturing 75 prisoners, and held the town until our main column

came up. During this pursuit Colonel Lee's troops captured 140 prisoners.

On the morning of the 5th Colonel Hatch, with his command and a section of artillery, was

ordered to move on the road north of the Memphis and Ohio Railroad; scouted north 5 miles,

thence west 14 miles to the Tuscumbia, and thence up to the old State Line road. At 11 o'clock

received orders to return to Corinth; from thence he marched toward Rienzi; was detained

building bridge at Rorey's Mill; from there skirmished 15 miles with the enemy on road to

Ripley; removed obstructions; cut road through Hatchie Swamp and built bridges.

After reaching Ripley, on the morning of the 9th, made a strong reconnaissance 17 miles

south of Ripley, discovering that the enemy were moving toward Hickory Flats. At Ripley the

cavalry was again massed by the junction of the brigades under Colonels Lee and Hatch, and

were employed in making extensive scouts toward Orizaba, Hickory Flats, and Salem, and,

remaining, occupied the vicinity of Ripley until our main force had returned to their camps at

Corinth. Then following twenty-four hours after the rear guard of the army, returned by two

main routes. Colonel Lee, with his brigade, moving south of the Ripley and Rienzi roads,

returned through Rienzi to Corinth, Colonel Hatch, with the First Brigade, passing quietly north

and to the west of Ruckersville through Jonesborough and thence via Crum's Mill to Corinth.

It is due to the cavalry to remark that, although the nature of their service in this wooded

country is such that they are frequently denied a participation in general engagements, yet those

whose praise and approbation is most to be desired do not lose sight of the invaluable services

performed by them. No service is more arduous, yet, with patience and even a spirit of

indifference to fatigue, has their labor been performed weeks without the shelter of a tent or the

ordinary comforts of camp life. They have traversed the country far and near, and, never

remaining long enough in one position to let their whereabouts become known, have ever been

ready to fall upon the enemy wherever found. To watch and to know being their province, all the

preliminaries to a battle devolve upon them, and in the headlong pursuit and rout of an enemy the

cry is always for the cavalry. Both during the approach of the enemy and his subsequent

disastrous retreat were the invaluable services of the cavalry seen. To a portion of this command,

under Colonel Lee, who, by forced marches and overcoming all difficulties, much praise is due

for taking the lead and being the first to enter, occupy, and hold the town of Ripley until the main

columns were brought up. The distance traveled, the labor performed, and the fatigue endured by

the cavalry is almost incredible, and all this, so cheerfully performed and with such alacrity and

spirit, entitle all to the highest commendations.

The colonel commanding takes pleasure in bearing testimony to the zeal, enterprise, and

spirit displayed by the officers and men of his command, among whom he wishes to mention

Col. A. L. Lee, Seventh Kansas Cavalry, commanding Second Brigade; Col. E. Hatch, Second

Iowa Cavalry, commanding First Brigade; Capt. L. G. Willcox, Third Michigan Cavalry; Maj. D.

E. Coon, Second Iowa Cavalry; Capt. J. C. Smith, Fifth Ohio Cavalry; Capt. Otto Funke,

Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, and Major Shoddy, Seventh Kansas Cavalry, commanding brigades,

41

regiments, and detachments, and the officers and men under their command, who all acted most

nobly.

Notwithstanding the danger to which the cavalry was exposed the list of casualties, I am

happy to state, is exceedingly small. I have only to report 5 killed, 21 wounded, and 12 messing.

Company I, Third Michigan Cavalry, my personal body guard, rendered very valuable

service in rallying stragglers, taking charge of prisoners, and in performing with dispatch all

orders given them. When our center first broke Lieutenant Pope, commanding this company, in

his zeal to aid our troops to reform was captured by the enemy. To the officers of my personal

staff, Lieut. W. S. Belden, Second Iowa Cavalry, and Lieut. W. A. Martin, Third Michigan

Cavalry, much credit is due for their energy and spirited discharge of duty.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. K. MIZNER,

Colonel and Chief of Cavalry.

Lieut. Col. H. G. KENNETT,

Chief of Staff.

HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, ARMY OF WEST TENNESSEE,

October 18, 1862.

SIR: In obedience to General Orders, No. 134, I have the honor to make the following report

of the operations of this division on October 3 and 4, at the battle of Corinth, and also in the

pursuit after the enemy:

At 1.45 a.m., October 3, I received the following order by telegraph:

CORINTH, MISS., October 3, 1862--1.30 a.m.

General DAVIES:

There being indications of a possible attack on Corinth immediately, the following

disposition of troops will be made: General McKean, with his division, will occupy his present

position; General Davies will occupy the line between the Memphis and Columbus Railroads;

General Hamilton will, with his division, take position between the rebel works on the Purdy and

on the Hamburg roads, and General Stanley will hold his division in reserve at or near the old

headquarters of Major-General Grant. The respective divisions will be formed in two lines, the

second line being either in line of battle or close column by division, as circumstances may

require.

By command of Major-General Rosecrans:

TEMPLE CLARK,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

A previous order had been received to hold the command in readiness to move at a moment's

notice. Accordingly the arms were stacked on the colorline at 2 a.m. By some mistake in the

telegraph the order to move at 3 o'clock was not received. Learning that Hamilton's division had

moved, I telegraphed for instructions and the division moved about daylight with three days'

rations in haversacks, and blankets. Being late and the morning intensely hot the command was

very much wearied by the travel of the 6 miles which they had to make to arrive at their position.

On passing through Corinth I reported to General Rosecrans for more particular instructions as to

the position I was to occupy. He told me to proceed out on the Columbus Railroad 1 miles from

Corinth and form in line of battle. I took into action three brigades and fourteen pieces of

artillery. The First Brigade, under General Hackleman, including officers, numbered 1,097 men;

the Second Brigade, under General Oglesby, in like manner, numbered 720; the Third Brigade,

under Colonel Baldwin, acting brigadier-general, numbered 1,117 men; the artillery, under

command of Major Stone, chief of artillery, numbered 264 officers and men. Total number of

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infantry, 2,924 officers and men. Total artillerists, 264 officers and men. An investigation has

been had of all absentees. There are a few absent in some regiments without leave and a few who

left the field without permission. These will be branded in general orders from these

headquarters as cowards and poltroons, who will never gain a military standing among their

brave comrades in war till they shall have wiped out the disgrace in some battle and by orders

from division headquarters. The division was very weak, owing to the large number detailed

from it for duty in and about Corinth. All the cavalry was detailed to report to Colonel Mizner.

The Fourteenth Missouri and Twenty-second Ohio were doing duty in Corinth. The Union

Brigade, consisting of remnants of the Eighth, Twelfth, and Fourteenth Iowa and Fifty-eighth

Illinois, was on duty at the Tuscumbia. Four companies of the Twelfth Illinois were on their way

from Burnsville, and one battery of artillery was guarding the Hamburg and Purdy roads north

and east of Corinth.

The division moved out and formed line of battle at the forks of the Columbus and Chewalla

roads about l miles from Corinth, in the woods, the artillery occupying a hill which commanded

the two roads, Colonel Baldwin's brigade being held in reserve. We heard artillery firing before

we got on the ground, which I soon ascertained to be Colonel Oliver's command of the Sixth

Division falling back from Chewalla, and which had made a stand north of the Memphis and

Charleston Railroad with one regiment and one piece of artillery and at the rebel breastworks

2,400 yards in front and to the left of my position--part of the ground to be occupied by my

division. Thinking a movement forward on the Columbus road would support Colonel Oliver and

prevent the enemy flooding down too rapidly upon us I sent to General Rosecrans for permission

to move forward and occupy the rebel breastworks on the Columbus road. He replied that I could

do as I thought best. I accordingly moved forward 800 yards to an open field that commanded

the Columbus road and a bridle-path leading to the left, and sent forward the Seventh Illinois

with a section of artillery 1,000 yards to the rebel breastworks as a reconnaissance. I soon

received a message from Colonel Oliver that if I did not send him two regiments and some

artillery he could not hold his position. I accordingly sent him the Seventh and Fifty-seventh

Illinois and two 20-pounder rifled guns, under Captain Richardson, all under command of

Colonel Baldwin. About this time Colonel Ducat, General Rosecrans' aide, came to me with

directions from him not to let the enemy penetrate beyond the rebel breastworks, and called my

particular attention to the bridle-path which led out between the Columbus and Chewalla roads. I

accordingly ordered forward Generals Oglesby's and Hackleman's brigades to the rebel

breastworks on the Columbus road, and formed the first line of battle, Hackleman on the right,

Oglesby on his left, and Baldwin supporting Oliver on the extreme left, and some artillery and

the Fiftieth Illinois were ordered back to the forks of the Columbus and Chewalla roads, where I

made my headquarters, to take position as the reserve. About this time I received an order from

General Rosecrans to re-enforce Oliver with two regiments, and replied that it had been done.

Oglesby was then ordered to send a section of artillery to his left, with a sufficient support to

cover the bridle-path.

Having received reports of the distances between my right and extreme left and the presence

of the enemy in heavy force in my front, I sent to General Rosecrans for re-enforcements, telling

him that it would be impossible for me to hold my position with the troops at my command. I

received the reply by Colonel Du Bois, aide to General Rosecrans, that re-enforcements should

be sent. About this time I received a notice that my left, under Colonel Baldwin, could not hold

its position without re-enforcements. I sent forward the last of my reserve, the Fiftieth Illinois.

General Oglesby sent the Eighty-first Ohio, numbering 218 men, all told, with one 24-pounder

howitzer and one 10-pounder Parrott gun, to cover the bridle-path. They were attacked in this

43

position by five regiments on the left, a heavy force on the right, and in front at the same time,

the right being first struck.

The Eighty-first Regiment, Colonel Morton, fired from 15 to 21 rounds upon the advancing

enemy and the artillery mowed lanes through their solid columns. Lieutenant Conant was in

command of this section. This feeble force undertook to do too much. The artillery horses were

nearly all shot and the infantry, after a stubborn resistance (several of his men being bayoneted

in the ditch), were compelled to give way, and the pieces could not be brought off for want of

horses. They were abandoned and captured by the enemy. The Confederates here pressed their

advantage, and, falling upon the balance of General Oglesby's small command, were severely

dealt with by them and the most stubborn resistance made. The enemy here advanced to plant a

battery against us and they succeeded in firing three or four shots, but were promptly silenced by

Captain Welker and Lieutenant Green, the latter being in General Hackleman's brigade and on

the right. The enemy pressed in large force on our left, center, and right center against General

Oglesby's brigade, and the Ninth and Twelfth Illinois were compelled to give way; not, however,

until they had left an honorable mark on the enemy's columns. The infantry of General

Hackleman's brigade, being at the right of the Columbus road, was not engaged.

The operations upon the left on the first line on the Confederate intrenchments were also

overpowered. Colonel Baldwin, who was in the rear of his brigade on the Chewalla road,

wounded, was also cut off from his brigade, and General McArthur took command at the time

my re-enforcements arrived at Colonel Oliver's position. The Seventh Illinois was formed on the

breastworks to the right of the Chewalla road. The Fifty-seventh Illinois was formed on the left

of the Fifteenth Michigan and on the left of the Chewalla road. The two left regiments were

severely attacked, and they replied briskly in conjunction with the artillery, driving the enemy

back. They rallied, brought up re-enforcements, attacked the two left regiments, repulsed them,

and they with the artillery fell back about half a mile. One 2O-pounder rifled gun of Richardson's

battery, named the "Lady Richardson," in the retreat ran against a tree, broke the pole, and the

piece was abandoned and captured by the enemy. The main body of the Confederates, which

swept up in front of the intrenchments and attacked General Oglesby's brigade, was opened upon

by the Seventh Illinois with an oblique fire, which staggered the enemy but did not prevent their

onward march. At the same time Colonel Babcock, of the Seventh Illinois, was attacked in front

and on the left by the force of Confederates, which drove back the two regiments on the extreme

left. After some pretty sharp work Colonel Babcock, to prevent capture by the hosts which

surrounded him on both flanks and front, ordered his regiment to the rear by the right of

companies.

It being apparent, from reports received, that the whole Confederate Army was attacking us

in front, it would have been disastrous, resulting in capture, to make a stand on this line,

particularly as the left had given way and was driven back half a mile. I therefore ordered a

retrograde movement on the Columbus road of Generals Oglesby's and Hackleman's brigades, to

form the second line of battle at the open field, 1,000 yards in rear of the Confederate

intrenchments, and at the same time sent a peremptory order to Colonel Baldwin to fall back to

the junction of the Chewalla and Columbus roads. The messenger was shot, but made his way

through and reported that the Confederates were in force between him and that point and entirely

cut off. The second line of my two remaining brigades was only intended to attract the attention

of the enemy and cause them to form line of battle in my front, which they did.

The movement of the Seventh Illinois was executed with order, and it tell back and joined the

Fifteenth Michigan and Fifty-seventh Illinois and the artillery stationed in the road. The Fiftieth

Illinois, from the reserve, had arrived, and the three regiments of Baldwin's brigade of the

Second Division, and the Fifteenth Michigan and the Seventeenth Wisconsin of McKean's

44

division, were formed in line of battle across the Chewalla road, facing west. The main body of

the Confederates having penetrated beyond this line of battle, Colonel Babcock changed front to

the rear on the tenth company, facing north. The Seventh Illinois was attacked in front and a

messenger came to General McArthur that the enemy were crossing the Chewalla road between

him and town. He ordered a movement of all the five regiments and artillery by the left flank

toward Corinth about half a mile. Before any fighting commenced on Generals Oglesby's and

Hackleman's front a retrograde movement was ordered to be made by them 800 yards back to the

junction of the Columbus and Chewalla roads, with the same view and the same effect as their

previous movement, and the formation of the third line of battle.

Again I sent for re-enforcements and determined to make my final stand at the white house,

950 yards back of the forks and 725 yards in front of Fort Robinett. General McArthur, on the

left, ordered a line of battle on his second retrograde movement facing the north with four

regiments--the Seventeenth Wisconsin on the right, Fifty-seventh Illinois on its left, next the

Seventh Illinois, and then the Fiftieth Illinois on the left. Skirmishers were thrown out in front

and a scattering fire kept up for about three-quarters of an hour. General McArthur then ordered

a charge, and the four regiments went forward in fine style, driving in the enemy's pickets to the

main body and driving the main body back to their reserves, and it was believed the enemy's

center was broken. Here brisk firing continued for some time, when the enemy sent a force

against McArthur's left flank, and two regiments of General McKean's division being brought up

at the same moment fired into the rear of the line, breaking the regiments, which fell to the rear.

They soon rallied again, opened fire upon the enemy, steadily falling back to their original

position. This ended the day's engagement on my extreme left, and the Third Brigade of my

division fell back upon General McKean across the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and were

ordered to report to me in Corinth, which they did about dark. All these movements were of the

greatest service to my command, by checking the advance of the enemy and giving ample time

to form at the final stand and more time to hope for re-enforcements. I, however, lost t he

valuable services of the Third Brigade for the day. If General McArthur's movement with these

troops had been assisted by the whole of McKean's division on the left and Hamilton's on the

right, by attacking the enemy's flanks and rear while Oglesby and Hackleman had attacked them

in front, the probabilities are that we should have bagged a large portion of Price's and Van

Dorn's army. General Hamilton informed me the reason why his division did not make a

substantial attack was that General Buford took a wrong road and threw his brigade from instead

of toward the enemy. This line at the forks of the road was not completed when a retrograde

movement was ordered, to form the fourth line of battle at the white house, 725 yards in front of

Fort Robinett. This position was selected as the only one from the Confederate breastworks

where the small force under my command had any hope of meeting the enemy with success. At

all other points it could have been flanked and surrounded by the host in the field before as.

Here, in the edge of the woods, the men could lay partially concealed from view, with an open

field in their front. The right flank was measurably protected by a swamp and the left by Forts

Robinett and Williams, at an easy range of from 800 to 1,000 yards. The artillery, too, had a

favorable location to rake the open field and to command the approaches by the road and through

the woods. It was but too evident that the whole army of Price and Van Dorn would soon make

its appearance and give us battle from the ominous stillness on my right and left flanks.

The following dispositions of troops to meet the emergency were made: Hackleman's

brigade, now numbering 1,211 men and officers, on the right, and his right nearly resting on the

Mobile and Ohio Railroad; General Oglesby's on Hackleman's left, with 576 men and officers;

the artillery, under command of Major Stone, eleven pieces, of all calibers, and 264 men and

officers. Total infantry, 1,787. Total artillerists, 264.

45

The day was intensely hot, and the men having been twelve hours under arms, many had

fallen from sheer exhaustion, sun-stroke, and other casualties.

The regiments were disposed in the following order, commencing from the right to the left:

Fifty-second Illinois, Second Iowa, Seventh Iowa, Twelfth Illinois, Eighty-first Ohio, Ninth

Illinois, eleven pieces of artillery, and the Union Brigade well over to the left and a little in front

and nearly over to the Memphis and Charleston road, to cover the left of the artillery. While the

troops were moving into position I received the following circular from General Rosecrans:

CIRCULAR.] 2 P. M.

For fear of a misunderstanding in relation to my orders, I wish it distinctly understood that

the extreme position is not to be taken till driven to it.

By order of Major-General Rosecrans:

S.C. LYFORD,

Acting Aide-de-Camp

The troops had just got their positions when the enemy presented themselves, moving

through the open field and the woods. We sent him a welcome in one of our 20-pounder guns, to

which politeness they returned the compliment. All of our eleven guns were soon at work, and

poured a steady stream, staggering their advancing column, not forgetting the artillery stationed

at a pleasant range in the vicinity of the house in the open field. The infantry essayed time and

again to advance and their artillery helped them in every way possible. The most murderous fire

on their column was kept up for one hour and a half, keeping the whole Confederate force at bay.

Twice our limbers were filled up with artillery ammunition, from a six-mule team running to

Corinth. The artillery ammunition failed, and the supply not coming up in time, Major Stone,

chief of artillery, ordered them to limber to the rear and came to me for orders. I told him to

proceed to Corinth with all dispatch, fill up with ammunition, and return and take the most

favorable position he could get in line with Fort Robinett. The artillery filed slowly to the rear,

men looking more like coal-heavers than soldiers, with perspiration streaming down their faces

blackened with gunpowder, and the wounded horses leaving a stream of blood in the road.

The artillery had fired, of all calibers, over 1,500 rounds of artillery ammunition, and still no

re-enforcements had arrived and no attack made on the right and left flanks and rear of the

enemy to support me. I again sent down to General Rosecrans asking for re-enforcements, telling

him I feared I could not hold my position unless they were sent.

I feel it my duty to state the reasons assigned by Colonel Du Bois, aide-de-camp to General

Rosecrans, why the reserve did not arrive earlier to our support. He said he could not find

General Stanley at his headquarters nor had he left any one to tell of his whereabouts, which

delayed the re-enforcements two hours.

I had successfully gained an hour and a half by the operations of the artillery, and its

withdrawal brought the enemy's column forward in steady line, firing as they advanced, and,

when within short range, the First Brigade as one man rose from its concealment and delivered a

most deadly volley into the enemy's lines. They fell like the leaves of autumn, staggered for a

moment, closed up their openings, and advanced again. Oglesby's brigade, in like manner with

Hackle-man's, gave them an oblique fire with proportionate effect. The foe, after a short and

sanguinary struggle, reeled, broke, and fled in dismay. Again they formed and advanced with

increased numbers. The rattle of musketry on both sides spoke plainer than words can do that a

most deadly and sanguinary struggle for victory was progressing. The enemy's fire was too high,

while our men planted their shots with great precision, and after a well-directed volley the order

was given to charge, when the enemy was forced back at the point of the bayonet with great

slaughter across the open field and into the woods beyond. They then received re-enforcements,

and, nothing daunted, again moved forward, and the fight between them and the First Brigade

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became terribly fierce and obstinate and again they were driven from our front. I here quote from

the very clear and able report of Colonel Sweeny the following:

Just at this juncture part of Mower's brigade moved up to our support, but before they could

be deployed into line they became panic-stricken and broke in confusion. It was while

endeavoring to rally these men that Generals Hackleman and Oglesby were wounded. The

former received his death-wound while thus rallying troops to sustain his gallant brigade. His last

words were, "I am dying, but I die for my country. If we are victorious, send my remains home;

if not, bury me on the field." No nobler sentiment was ever uttered by soldier or patriot. After he

fell the command of the brigade devolved upon me, and the fight continued with unabated fury

until our ammunition was almost expended; but by this time the enemy had almost disappeared

from our front, although it was evident he was massing his troops on our left for the purpose of

turning our flank. About this time a regiment of Colonel Mower's brigade relieved the Fiftysecond

Illinois, who were out of ammunition, and an order being received from General Davies a

few minutes after to fall back, we retired in good order and took up a position on the right of Fort

Robinett.

Here the chivalric and generous Hackleman and the gallant Oglesby fell, the former mortally

wounded and the latter supposed to be so. On some kind attentions being bestowed on the

bleeding Oglesby he said, "Never mind me; look yonder (pointing to the enemy); I have lived to

see my troops victorious." Here too the brave Colonel Baker met his fate while charging at the

head of his regiment. His last words were, "I die content. I have seen my regiment victoriously

charging the enemy." The Union Brigade being attacked in front, being on our extreme left, part

of them gave way. The remainder left a good record for themselves. The intensity of the firing on

our part may be judged of by the fact, as Colonel Sweeny reports, "The guns became so hot the

men could scarcely hold them and the cartridges prematurely exploded in the guns from heat."

This fact having been stated to him by several officers his reply was, "Let them burst; there is no

time to cool off now."

About the time that the enemy had been repulsed a second time the head of Colonel Mower's

column appeared at the white house. He soon came to report to me. I ordered him to form his

brigade in rear of our line.

It becoming apparent, from the fire of the enemy having ceased in our front and other

evidences, that they were massing their troops to turn our left flank through the woods, and the

position being unfavorable to meet such a movement except at great disadvantage, I ordered a

retrograde movement of the troops 725 yards, being 675 yards from the railroad in Corinth, and

form fifth line of battle on Fort Robinett. The movement was executed at common time, no

enemy appearing to interfere. The artillery by this time had been to Corinth, filled up with

ammunition, and taken up their position in obedience to orders. The infantry were disposed in

line of battle, stretching across the abatis to the right, the left supporting the artillery, resting on

the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. We heard nothing more of the enemy, excepting a few

straggling shots, till just sundown, when he sent forward a small reconnaissance upon the

Columbus road. My artillery stationed on the railroad opened upon them, and at the same time

Mower's battery gave them a little canister. These few shots sent them to the rear flying, and we

saw no more of the enemy that night. Thus ended the hard work of Friday, October 3, and the

battle of the white house.

I regret exceedingly that I had not the advice and suggestions of our commanding general on

this day, but with the exception of the orders heretofore referred to in this report I do not

remember to have received any. The exhausted troops now sank to rest and silence reigned, a

striking contrast to the day's din of battle.

47

I visited Corinth to look after the wounded. In one room I found my three brigade

commanders. General Hackleman breathed his last while I was with him. General Oglesby was

undergoing most excruciating pain. Colonel Baldwin was sickened from the effects of his

wounds. The Tishomingo Hotel was crowded with the wounded and dying of my command. I

then reported to Major-General Rosecrans, and stated to him that the services of my three

brigadier-generals were lost, many of my officers were killed and wounded and the men worn

out with fatigue, and that he must not depend upon my command on the following day, although

the men would do all they could. He therefore ordered me into the reserve for October 4, and to

take up my position east of the town, near Major-General Ord's headquarters. The order was

executed before 12 o'clock. About 11 o'clock General Hamilton called upon me and delivered an

order from General Rosecrans that my division should occupy an earthwork on the line of battle

on the northwest of the town, facing the Purdy road.

I am satisfied from the accounts given by rebel prisoners and other sources that the Second

Division, Army of West Tennessee, had to contend with the combined forces of Van Dorn and

Price during this day. Their loss must have been very heavy, as I was informed by surgeons and

prisoners that they were conveying their dead and wounded to the rear during the whole of

Friday night, and in corroboration of this view I extract the following from Southern papers:

MOBILE, October 8.--A special to the Advertiser and Register, dated Tupelo, 7th, says:

"Having driven in the enemy's skirmishers, the combined forces of Van Dorn and Price attacked

them in their intrenchments at 9 a.m. on Friday, driving them out and capturing nine pieces of

artillery [should be three]. They continued slowly driving them back till night-fall. Our loss was

heavy during the day. Phifer's and Green's brigades suffered most. General Martin was killed.

Colonels MacFarlane, Erwin, and Moore were seriously wounded."

It has been ascertained by prisoners that General Martin was killed at the charge against

General Oglesby's brigade at the Confederate breastworks, and that the whole charge numbered

16,000 men, in three columns.

Our loss in the First and Second Brigades in casualties was about one-third of the number

engaged. In Colonel Baldwin's the casualties were light. Our loss was particularly heavy in

officers of high rank and commissioned officers.

SECOND DAY, OCTOBER 4.

In obedience to orders I moved my command to the position assigned. On account of the

difficulty of waking up the worn-out men the movement occupied the balance of the night, and

the last two guns were going into position in the earthwork when the enemy opened their

batteries upon the town a little before daybreak. Finding that they were within easy range of my

guns, and seeing the flash of their guns through the woods lying between me and their position, I

ordered Lieutenant Green to open upon them with his battery of 10-pounder Parrott guns, using

shells with 5-second fuses, throwing them so far as just to clear the tops of the trees in front. This

had the effect of slackening their fire. I then ordered 6-second fuses, and the enemy's batteries

ceased firing altogether about midway between daybreak and sunup.

The position assigned to the command was from the north garden fence of the house in rear

of earthwork, and the earthwork pierced for six guns, and an irregular line running along and

across the Purdy road to within 250 yards of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad (see map). The

distance was just half a mile. Colonel Sweeny was in command of Hackleman's brigade, Colonel

Mersy of Oglesby's brigade, and Colonel Du Bois, who arrived upon the ground about 8 o'clock,

was assigned to the command of Colonel Baldwin's brigade.

The following disposition of troops was made for the defense of this line: The Ninth Illinois

was stationed in the yard of the house on the right; two pieces of artillery on the right of the

earthwork and in front of the house; the heavy artillery in the earthwork, and the remainder of the

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artillery stationed near a white house, about midway of the position occupied by Colonel

Sweeny's brigade on the left of the earthwork, and Colonel Du Bois on his left, his right resting

near the Purdy road and his left resting 250 yards from the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, and the

Twelfth Illinois and Eighty-first Ohio were held in reserve.

The strength of the division taken into action on October 4 was as follows: Colonel Sweeny,

commanding First Brigade, had 936 men and officers; Colonel Mersy, commanding Second

Brigade, had 634 men and officers; Colonel Du Bois, commanding Third Brigade, had 713 men

and officers; eleven pieces of artillery, under command of Major Stone, 233 men and officers.

Total infantry, 2,283 men and officers. Total artillerists, 233 men and officers.

The Fourteenth Missouri, Twenty-second Ohio, two companies of infantry, all of the cavalry,

and one battery were detailed from the division in and about Corinth.

The Union Brigade, having lost its commander, was pretty much broken up and many of the

men with the division were unable to do duty from exhaustion and casualties the day before.

The number of infantry upon the front line was 1,877 men and officers; and the number in

reserve was 406 men and officers.

Colonel Sweeny's brigade was formed upon the summit of a very gentle slope toward the

Purdy road and to the woods on our front, with no protection. Colonel Du Bols' brigade, which

relieved General McArthur's brigade, was formed behind a few logs that had been thrown up

beyond the Purdy road, and the ground on his front was nearly level. On my right flank was

formed Hamilton's division, Sullivan's brigade being directly on my right flank, and Buford's

brigade formed on his right, and facing to the northeast, being directly in rear of my command.

Dillon's battery was stationed about 200 yards north of the earthwork that I defended and was

supported by some infantry. Two regiments of infantry of this brigade were in line of battle

facing north, their left resting about 400 yards directly in rear of breastworks. Here we waited till

about 9 o'clock, when some skirmishers were sent out on my front. The Seventh Iowa and

Seventh Illinois were moved forward to their support. Skirmishing becoming very sharp I

ordered them back into line. The skirmishers, too, soon returned in sight. I ordered them to get

out of the way, that I might open upon the enemy with the artillery. They had reached the creek,

about 350 yards from the line. The artillery opened in full cry over their heads and upon the

advancing column of the enemy, which now became plainly visible on the rise of ground in the

woods opposite and at a range varying from 500 to 800 yards, the infantry having all been

ordered to lie down. The column steadily advanced, firing as they came, and when within about

300 yards some few of the infantry fired, and one in particular, whose name I shall take great

pains to find out, fired his piece in the air, ducked his head, and ran to the rear. A very few of

those who fired followed his example, and I only regret that I was not near enough to the

cowards to have shot them down, as I had shot at two the day before on leaving the line under

similar circumstances. All the men upon the line remained at their work, firing steadily and

doing well, when that portion of Sullivan's brigade on our right, and which protected the right

flank, gave way, and the limbers and caissons of Dillon's battery came down the road leading

directly in rear of the house upon the full jump, running toward the town parallel with Colonel

Sweeny's brigade, presenting rather an alarming appearance. The heads of the horses of the

limbers and caissons of my artillery were about on a line with the road, and they became

frightened and unmanageable, floundered about, and those of one or two limbers and a caisson

ran away and joined in the race, all of them running through my reserve (the Twelfth Illinois and

Eighty-first Ohio), running down several of the men, injuring 12 in the Eighty-first Ohio and 9 in

the Twelfth Illinois, and throwing the two regiments into confusion. This communicated a

stampede in the ammunition wagons in the hollow in the rear of the line, and they too started on

the run to the rear. They were quickly brought into order by the members of my staff and myself

49

and continued moving slowly to the rear. The guns of Dillon's battery having fallen into the

hands of the enemy, and the enemy pressing very closely upon the earthwork, the officers in

charge endeavored to limber up the heavy guns and lighter pieces, but the space was so small in

the earthwork that, although some of the limbers had nearly succeeded in attaching to the guns,

the horses were so restless and frightened and the enemy pressing so close (within 20 yards) that

the pieces were abandoned and the limbers and caissons made their escape. They passed down

the same road taken by Dillon's limbers and caissons, but Green's battery, farther down the line,

limbered up and retired in order. The artillery moving to the rear and parallel to my lines, and

most of it, including Dillon's, on the keen run, had a very demoralizing effect upon the stability

of the infantry line. The Confederates had now gained the earthwork, turned the flank of the

Ninth Illinois in the yard of the house in the rear, and came in on my right flank, between the

redoubt and the house and in the rear of it, and opened an enfilading fire upon Colonel Sweeny's

brigade. The troops of the Second Division, I regret to say, fell back, beginning from the right of

the line to the left, some earlier than others. The troops of Colonel Sweeny's brigade and the

reserve retired, firing as they went, the reserve 175 yards from their line, and were rallied by

Captain Lovell. Most of Colonel Du Bois' brigade fell back 75 yards and some of it farther. The

Confederates took possession of the earthwork, captured the seven guns left in it, and held our

whole line. Some few of them advanced beyond it some 50 yards, but the troops, having

gallantly rallied, drove back the enemy with slaughter, recaptured the guns, charged the enemy

from the whole line, directing a most murderous fire upon them, punishing them most severely

for their temerity, and in the most splendid style made, I think, a suitable apology for, and

corrected, unassisted, their fault. They continued to charge upon the enemy, cheering and yelling,

till the line had marched 150 yards in front, when Chapman's battery, on the east of the town,

continued a rapid and well-directed fire upon the ground which he supposed the rebels still

occupied, and with such rapidity was solid shot and shell thrown in that it arrested the progress

of Colonel Sweeny's brigade; and although many of our men were killed by the shell and shot

they never wavered, but halted and stood their ground. Seven or eight of these passed directly

over my head, and one very close, brushing my adjutant-general, Captain Lovell, on the right

arm and raising a contusion, and taking off the legs of two of my brave soldiers directly in his

front. Several men of Colonel Du Bois' brigade were also killed by the solid shot and shell from

Chapman's battery. The fire of the battery seemed at first to be directed toward this point, and

prevented the prompt rallying of that brigade. Those who had rallied and made the stand 75

yards from that line were prevented for a time from advancing by the continuous fall of these

missiles in their front and midst, several of Colonel Babcock's (Seventh Illinois) regiment being

killed in this way on the rally. I sent two orderlies in succession to the commander of this battery,

begging him to reserve his fire for the enemy.

When the advancing line had reached the earthwork and recaptured it Captain Lovell, my

adjutant-general, sprang from his horse, captured 5 prisoners in the ditch, and, with the assistance

of one of Colonel Sweeny's men and one bugler of the First Missouri Artillery, manned a 20-

pounder rifled gun, and fired ten or twelve shots at the retreating enemy before the artillerists

returned to their posts.

The enemy did not gain the town on the line assigned to this division to defend, but came in

on the left, over the railroad. The distance from my extreme left to the railroad is 250 yards and

another clear space over the railroad of the same distance or more. The distance from my left to

the railroad was increased to 350 yards by Colonel Du Bois moving the Fifty-seventh Illinois on

the right of his brigade to cover the Purdy road. The two regiments of General Sullivan's brigade,

the left of which rested about 200 yards to the rear of the earthwork on the right of my line and

perpendicular to it, stood fast until the earthwork was retaken, when they made a charge to the

50

north, directly to their front. Lieutenant Miller, Twelfth Illinois, on the advance to retake the

earthwork, seized the colors of the Fifty-second Illinois, whose color-bearer had been shot down,

and planted them on the earthwork.

Colonel Johnson's Confederate brigade now made its appearance out of the woods and made

a second charge in front of my line. They were received with a murderous fire. Colonel Johnson

being killed and falling from his horse, the brigade broke, and the last of the charge against

Corinth was enacted. The brave and noble bearing of the Confederate troops in this charge is

deserving of a better cause. Thirteen Confederate soldiers were found dead in the little ditch of

the earthwork.

A new line was now formed, and in half an hour from the first assault the men were in their

places and I was furnished with four regiments to form a reserve line. The troops stacked their

arms, and when it was ascertained that the enemy had abandoned the idea of further attack the

regiments bivouacked for the night.

Total loss in the artillery arm was one 20-pounder rifled gun, one 24-pounder howitzer, and

one 10-pounder rifled gun, with fixtures complete, 3 caissons, and 131 horses. The casualties in

the division during October 3 and 4 amounted to 114 killed, 705 wounded, 23 sun-stroke, and

159 missing. Total casualties, 1,001.

The following regiments captured prisoners and stand of colors, viz: Seventh Illinois, 74

prisoners; Fiftieth Illinois, 2 officers, 149 prisoners, and 1 stand of colors; Fifty-seventh Illinois,

3 officers, 119 prisoners, and 2 stand of colors; Eighty-first Ohio, 71 prisoners; Fourteenth

Missouri, 78 prisoners; Twelfth Illinois. 40 prisoners and I stand of colors; Twenty-second Ohio,

20 prisoners and 2 stand of colors; Ninth Illinois, 15 prisoners; Fifty-second Illinois, 81 prisoners

(among them 1 colonel, 2 captains, and 2 lieutenants) and 1 stand of colors; Seventh Iowa, 6

prisoners and I stand of colors; Second Iowa, 31 prisoners and 1 stand of colors. Lieutenant

Davidson, Fifty-second Illinois, on Colonel a Sweeny's staff, also captured one stand of colors.

The division in the pursuit captured 78 prisoners. Colonel Burke reports that there were left on

the ground in front of the division, wounded and taken away by the ambulances, and which

prisoners were captured by the division, 693, making a grand total of 1,460 prisoners captured by

the division. Ten stand of colors were captured by the division.

THE PURSUIT.

Pursuant to order the division moved on Sunday morning, October 5, and joined in the

pursuit, the position of the division being in the rear, and on account of the slow motion of the