No. 196.-report of Lieut. Col. J. O. Marrast, Twenty-second Alabama Infantry.
Hdqrs. Twenty-Second Ala. Regt., Prov. Army, Corinth, Miss., April 12, 1862.
General: I have the honor to report that about 11.30 a. m. Sunday, April 6, the command of this regiment devolved upon me in consequence of the wounding of the gallant Colonel Adams, First Louisiana Regiment, and the succession of Colonel Deas to the command of the Gladden brigade.
Colonel Adams fell at 11.30 o'clock, while the two regiments were under cover, the enemy firing upon us with artillery and infantry.
We advanced from that position, through one of the enemy's camps, into a hollow, from which point we discovered the enemy in houses on the hill beyond.
Colonel Deas ordered me to send two companies to dislodge them, whereupon Capt. John Weedon, in command of his company (A) and Capt. J. D. Nott, of Company B, gallantly charged the enemy, and driving him before them, the regiment then closed upon the houses and occupied them as a cover for about one hour, and did the enemy much damage, who was throwing a heavy fire of artillery and infantry upon us. Our loss in this engagement was very severe.
We then charged upon the enemy's position, driving him before us about 400 or 500 yards, when he made another stand, pouring into us a heavy fire.
We were then halted in support of our artillery, and kept as much as possible under cover; but our loss in this affair also was considerable.
Capt. A. L. Gaines, of Company C, was here killed, gallantly leading his company.
From this position the enemy were finally driven back, and retreated beyond their camps, when the regiment was halted and ordered into camp for the night.
On the morning of April 7 (Monday), at daylight, I formed my regiment, numbering 1 field and 18 company officers, and 124 non-commissioned officers and privates.
This regiment, together with the First Louisiana, under command of Colonel Deas, was ordered to march and form on the extreme left of the line of battle then being formed, in which position it remained one hour.
Orders being received to. advance, the regiment moved forward about 300 yards in the direction of a point occupied by the enemy's batteries, then playing without effect upon us; we then halted in a hollow, under cover.
From this position I threw out a skirmishing party of 20 men, under command of Captain Hart, of Company K.
A few minutes thereafter we were ordered to fall back.
The skirmishers not hearing the call to return,
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Lieutenant Wood, of Company I, with 2 men, were ordered p the slope of the hill to warn them, which party has not since been heard from, and are supposed to be prisoners.
Captain Hart's party returned to the command all safe and reported not having seen them.
The regiment was then, with the First Louisiana, placed under cover, in support of two of our batteries, where we lay for about two hours, when the whole fell back a distance of perhaps a half mile, when, the new line of battle being formed, my regiment again regained its position on the extreme left, and advanced towards the enemy's position some 300 yards. When under cover of the timber we engaged the enemy for perhaps twenty-five minutes, having been left, with the First Louisiana Infantry, isolated and alone, the main line having fallen back to near the original place of formation.
In this affair our loss being severe, we were ordered by Colonel Deas to fall back to our position in the line, which was done in good order very soon thereafter.
The second advance upon the enemy's position was attempted, and after advancing about 200 yards was halted.
Placing my men under cover of the timber we opened fire upon the enemy, which was sustained for only a few minutes, meeting with very heavy fire from the enemy.
Our entire line at this time wavered and fell back again to the original position.
Our lines being reformed, my regiment in its position on the left, we again advanced toward the enemy some 100 to 200 yards, and very soon fell back again under orders.
At this time Colonel Deas was compelled, from loss of blood from wounds received hours before, to retire from the field, from which time my regiment was represented in every movement made toward the enemy, and never retired without an order, and did not leave the field until the horses and gunners were removed from the two pieces of Captain Ketchum's battery, which had to be abandoned.
Being informed by the officer in command of the battery that he had been deserted by the troops left for his support, I felt it my duty to volunteer the services of my regiment for his support.
When my command left this position not a man of our army was in front of us.
I beg to mention the following officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, who were particularly conspicuous for soldierly bearing and bravery throughout the action of the two days:
Company A-Capt. John Weedon; Lieut. J. M. Whitney; Corps. Alexander Inman (killed), S. V. Cain (wounded), and W. D. Sumner (wounded), and Privates J. L. Penly and J. J. Faught.
Company B-Capt. J. Deas Nott, and Privates Bartlett Anderson (wounded)-and H. C. McMillan.
Company C-Capt. A. L. Gaines (killed), and Private Frank Allen.
Company H-Private William West.
Company I-Capt. A. P. Love (wounded), and First Sergt. S. J. Skinner.
Company E-Capt. J. R. Northcott; Sergt. R. J. Moore (wounded), and Corp. James M. Tedder (wounded).
Company K-Capt. B. R. Hart, Second Lieut. R. L. Myrick (wounded), and Privates Aaron Coffey and Monroe Brown.
Company D-Capt. E. H. Armistead; Capt. R. J. Hill, assistant quartermaster (wounded); Adjt. E. F. Travis (wounded); Sergt. Maj. Nott, and Quartermaster-Sergt. C. I. Michailoffsky.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. C. Marrast, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.
