Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 4.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[157] were communicated to me, by which I was directed to form my regiment upon the left of the Seventeenth Illinois volunteers, this last regiment being then formed on the left of the Forty-ninth regiment, and both being to my right about five hundred yards. I at once ordered the Forty-eighth regiment to be formed at the point indicated, and as soon as it was done, I proceeded to the extreme right of the whole line, for the purpose of conferring with Col. Morrison, before then in command of the Seventeenth and Forty-ninth regiments.

I there met Col, Morrison with Capt. Stewart, your aid, and was for the first time there informed that it was your orders for three regiments (Seventeenth, Forty-eighth and Forty-ninth) to storm a redoubt of the enemy's to our front, and not far removed from us. Col. Morrison at once expressed his willingness to yield command of the columns to me, and with some reluctance, not having any orders from you on this point, I assumed command of the same; and under the direction and guidance of Capt. Stewart, your aid, had them formed into line of battle in the Dover road, fronting toward the redoubt, distant less than a quarter of a mile from us. The order of position of said regiments was not changed by me, and this placed Col. Morrison and the Forty-ninth on the right, the Seventeenth under Major Smith, (Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel being absent,) in the centre, and the Forty-eighth, (my own,) Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, now deceased, on the left.

Immediately on the formation of the line of battle, I directed each regimental commander to deploy skirmishers along the front of the whole line of their respective regiments, and to throw them forward from eighty to one hundred yards in advance of the main column. This being done, the commandants of regiments were further directed to communicate with me at or about the centre of the brigade, (centre of Seventeenth regiment,) in case of necessity, and to control their movements upon the right and left wings by the centre. Whereupon I at once ordered the whole line forward toward the enemy's redoubts situated upon the opposite hills.

The entire line advanced in good order and with alacrity, until the redoubts of the enemy were approached to within a short distance, when from the rifle-pits and earthen breastworks, which greatly protected them, the enemy opened a brisk and galling fire upon us. At the same time the enemy's batteries, situated so as to be concealed, and not before known to bear upon us, were opened, and a well-directed fire of shell and canister poured upon our ranks; notwithstanding which our lines continued to advance until almost up to the redoubts of the enemy. In the mean time information which I regarded as reliable reached me, that the enemy was in force behind his works, and well protected by six guns planted immediately to their rear, and also by cannon situated to their west and north. As quickly as possible I proceeded to ascertain the truth, and became satisfied of the fact. The entire line had then been held under a brisk, galling fire for nearly an hour. Colonel Morrison, Commanding the Forty-ninth, had by this time been wounded when leading his men upon the redoubts, and was carried from the field. Other posts of the line had suffered considerably, and learning that the redoubt could not be taken without great destruction and loss of life, I at length reluctantly gave the order to retire down the hill a short distance and await your orders. This was done by the entire line in good order, and without confusion, and was greatly to my gratification, and sanctioned by yourself when reported by me to you.

In this action I am happy to be able to bear testimony to the good conduct of the officers and men under my command. All of them under my own observation labored with the utmost daring and gallantry, challenging my admiration by their heroism, and meriting from their General the highest confidence.

sir: I have the honor to report that on the fifteenth instant, in obedience to your order, I stormed the hill on which the enemy were posted, with my brigade, consisting of the Eighth Missouri and Eleventh Indiana regiments, and retook and held the ground lost by some of our forces in the morning. I was gallantly supported by Col. Cruft's brigade. The hill was occupied by the First and Third Mississippi infantry, First regiment Texas infantry, Eighth regiment of Kentucky infantry, and a battalion of Forest cavalry, (Texas.) The hill was covered at intervals with forest and dense underbrush. I deployed company B, Eighth Missouri, Lieut. Otis commanding, as skirmishers to advance rapidly and draw their fire and ascertain their position. I afterwards deployed company G, Capt. Grier, company H, Capt. Swarthout, company E, Capt. Kirby, and company A, Capt. Johnson, with intervals of two paces, so that every advantage could be taken of trees for cover; in two instances their skirmishers and ours were occupying each side of the same tree for cover. It was here that the gallant Capt. Swarthout fell. In his efforts to keep his men under cover, he forgot himself, and received two rifle-bullets, either of which would have killed him instantly. After about an hour's hard fighting, during which time we were advancing slowly, the enemy gave way. We pursued them for about a mile to within one hundred and fifty yards of their intrenchments — so closely that some of their arms were thrown away and five prisoners were taken, three by company A, and two by company B, Eighth Missouri.

I then posted the grand guard between the battle-ground of the morning and their intrenchments, with orders not to let them put any grand guard between their intrenchments and us, and had details from the Eleventh Indiana and Eighth