Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 7.
Frank Moore, Ed.

The bodies of Colonel Torrence and Captain Randall arrived here last evening, where they were embalmed, and will be sent North to-day in charge of C. D. Gage, Sutler of the Thirtieth regiment. Colonel Torrence lived at Keokuk, Iowa. He served with distinction through the Mexican war, and was one of those men whose influence and character were almost without blemish. Tall and commanding in person, active, energetic, strict in discipline, kind of heart, he was held in great regard among the troops. Iowa has lost in him one of her most worthy and gallant sons.

Since the above was written, we have gathered a few additional items of interest, which are subjoined:

It appears that the rain and fog had delayed an early advance movement on Wednesday morning, and the first known of the proximity of the rebels was the driving in of our pickets and forage-teams, and their appearing in sight. The regiments above named were immediately ordered into line, and skirmishers thrown out to feel their position. The enemy did the same, except that a large portion of their force had dismounted and were lying in ambush. The advance of the enemy wore the United States uniform, and in the fog it became difficult for Colonel Torrence to distinguish friends from foes. He therefore ordered his men to cease firing, and approached the enemy dressed in blue, and when within a short distance they opened a galling fire upon him, piercing his body in many places, and killing him instantly. At the same time they opened a murderous fire upon our left flank, killing and wounding the Captain and Adjutant above named. For a few moments the Thirtieth regiment was thrown into confusion, but when Colonel Torrence's Orderly came back and announced that their Colonel was in the hands of the enemy, the men rushed forward with a yell, recovered his body and dispersed the rebels. They found, however, that his body had been searched, and all his money and watch stolen. Our troops pursued the fleeing rebels back to their fortifications.

The rebels are said to have very strong fortifications about one mile this side of Tuscumbia, on the railroad, and prisoners report that they expect to make a strong defence there. They say they had four thousand men there on Tuesday, and received reenforcements of one thousand cavalry on Wednesday morning, and that some twenty thousand more are expected there from Bragg's army. The following officers are said to be in command there: Generals Loring, S. D. Lee, Roddy, Richardson, and Forrest.

Colonel Torrence, who was in command of the thirtieth Iowa, is said to have been an officer of rare excellence. He served with distinction in the Mexican war, and entered the service again as soon as the war commenced--first as Major of the First Iowa cavalry, and then Lieutenant-Colonel of the Thirtieth Iowa infantry. On the death of the gallant Colonel Abbott, in the charge on Vicksburgh, he assumed command of the regiment, and was an officer of substantial merit and a man of rare virtue.

Some of the prisoners taken at the Cherokee Station give as an explanation of their blue uniforms, that the rebel Government intends to clothe all their troops with blue overcoats. This statement may have been trumped up for the moment, but the fact that hundreds of their men appeared in the front rank of battle dressed in the uniform, would seem to give it some color of probability.

It is said that rebel despatches from Johnston have recently been captured, in which rebel officers have been conjured not to permit our forces to open up the road between Memphis and Decatur.

Tennessee River is reported to have risen in the vicinity of Eastport some nine feet, and is still rising fast. There have been heavy rains in that section, and, if necessary, we presume that gunboats can now ascend that stream to any point where their services may be effective.

An impression exists, induced by existing circumstances, to the effect that probably before this our forces have encountered the enemy and drove them from their fortiflcations. If such a conflict has not taken place, it is because the rains have prevented, or the enemy has run away.