Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Chapter XXII: Operations in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Mississippi, North Alabama, and Southwest Virginia. March 4-June 10, 1862.
Lieut. Col. Robert N. Scott, Ed.

At 8 o'clock on the morning of Sunday, the 6th instant, after the engagement had become general all along the left and center of our lines, my regiment, with the balance of the Second Brigade, was ordered from the right to the extreme left of our lines, to support the troops in that part of the field. I arose from a sick bed and took command of my regiment, with Captain Hugunin, Company K, and Captain Ferris, Company I, acting, respectively, as lieutenant-colonel and major. By order of General McArthur, commanding the brigade, I took a position in line of battle in a ravine, with the Ninth Illinois Infantry on my right and the Fiftieth Illinois Infantry on my left.

Soon after getting into line the enemy opened a brisk fire upon me with musketry and artillery from the top of a hill in front. My right suffered severely. I did not open fire at once, not knowing whether the troops at my front and left were the enemy or not. At this time my horse, receiving a shot through the body, threw me, bruising my face and breast badly. Not being able to procure another horse, I was obliged, though quite feeble, to command on foot. The ground I occupied being clearly unfavorable for my men, who could not return the enemy's fire with effect, I determined to fall back some 75 yards, in line with the regiments at my right and left. The movement was effected in good order. Just before leaving this position Captain Ferris, Company I, was shot through the body; Captain Swain, Company H, through the side; Lieutenant Randolph, who remained on the ground with Captain Ferris, was taken prisoner, and Lieutenant Cook was wounded.

My new position was more favorable than the other. I at once deployed Company K, Lieutenant Waite, as skirmishers. I held this ground about forty minutes, during which time I lost many men and several officers. Lieutenant Seaman, Company C, was killed; Lieutenant MacLean, Company A, was wounded; also Lieutenants Watkins, Company G, and Waite, Company K. Not being able to effect much [157] from this position, and seeing that the Fiftieth Illinois Infantry at my left had retired, I ordered my command back some 50 paces, to ground immediately on the top of the ridge. As soon as the enemy came within range of my muskets my men did fine execution, pouring volley after volley into his ranks. I held this position until compelled to leave it by a superior force. During the whole of this engagement we were not assisted by any artillery.

Another position, some 300 yards to the rear, was selected and held by my regiment alone nearly one hour. I sent out, while holding this position, Company F, Captain Campbell, and Company I, Lieutenant Mills, to my right and front as skirmishers. Finding that the left wing of our forces was driven in, and that the engagement was confined to our center, I retired to another part of the field, and took a position enabling me to support a battery of light artillery. Soon after — it being then about 4.30 o'clock p. m.-I received orders to return to my camp. Sick and completely exhausted, I was taken on board the steamer Laton, where I remained two days, unable to leave my bed.

My men, with very few exceptions, acted with coolness and bravery during the whole engagement, although exposed to a severe and destructive fire, when unable to return it with effect. My officers acquitted themselves honorably.

It is exceedingly difficult to discriminate when all have done so well. I will, however, mention the names of Captain Hugunin, Company K; Captain Ferris Company I; Captain Swain, Company H; Captain Campbell, Company F Captain Fisher, Company A; Captain Stephenson, Company B, and Captain Van Sellar, Company E, as having particularly distinguished themselves for coolness and bravery in action.

I am under obligations to my aide-de-camp, Lieutenant McArthur, acting adjutant, for valuable services rendered on the field.

I regret that circumstances should have placed my command during a great part of the time in a position where it was exposed to a destructive fire from the enemy without being able to return it with equal effect.

Herewith I send you the report of Captain Hugunin, who had com mand of the regiment when in action on Monday, the 7th instant.

I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obedient servant,