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.

Sir: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the Twelfth Regiment Illinois Infantry Volunteers, under my commnand, during Monday, the second day of the battle at this place:

On Sunday, the first day of the battle, the regiment was under the [158] command of Lieut. Col. A. L. Chetlain, who will make his report for the part he took.

On Monday, the 7th instant, the lieutenant-colonel being sick and haN ing been hurt by a fall from his horse, the command of the regiment devolved upon me. The regiment had lost about 100 men in the action of Sunday, and it now turned out with only about 220 men.

On Sunday our division commander, Brig. Gen. W. H. L. Wallace, was mortally wounded, and our brigade commander, Col. John McArthur, was also wounded. Our division and brigade had been scattered and broken up, and I had to act without orders. I heard heavy firing to the right and at the center of our lines, and I moved in that direction. The battle opened about 8 o'clock in the morning, and about 9 o'clock I joined, with several other parts of regiments, the division commanded by General McClernand. There had been some fighting before I came up and the enemy had been driven back.

At 9.30 a. m. I formed in line of battle, and was ordered to advance across a cleared field upon a point of woods occupied by the enemy. I obeyed the order, but found the enemy sheltered by a breastwork of logs and brush. They opened such a brisk fire upon us that we were obliged to fall back a few rods. After a very short delay a new line was formed, and, our whole division advancing, we drove the enemy from his position. The fighting here was at very close quarters. I was now left as a reserve, with two other broken regiments, while General McClernand's division advanced some 400 yards without any important fighting. In about an hour I again advanced, and took my position in the front line. The fiercest of the battle was now changing ovei to the extreme right, and our whole division moved that way.

About noon we were again engaged in quite a brisk fusillade for nearly an hour, but it was at long distance, and could not have effected much. Now General BuelPs army had come in from the left, and was mainly in our immediate front. We could do but little else than to watch those brave fellows, occasionally putting in a shot or two, but always at long distance. About 12.30 p. m. the battle was general and most furious, both armies as hotly engaged as it is possible for men to be. Our army pressed the enemy on all points. We followed the first line, supporting them when they needed support. We advanced in this manner for nearly two hours, and until the enemy, beaten at all hands, were breaking and flying so fast that the engagement was narrowed to a front of not over half a mile wide. We then moved quite slowly and did no more fighting. I remained on the field until the battle was all over. At 6 o'clock in the evening I withdrew from the field and returned to my camp.

All my officers and men behaved handsomely; all fought bravely.

I beg leave to mention honorably and favorably all the officers under my command: Capt. William Fisher, Company A; Capt. Harvey S. Stephenson, Company B; Capt. Henry Van Sellar, Company E; Capt. Wallace Campbell, Company F; Capt. Guy C. Ward, Company G; Lieut. James N. McArthur, Company G (acting adjutant); Lieut. Robert Koehler and William F. Jobe, Company D; William C. Magner, Company E (Lieutenant Magner was seriously wounded); Lieuts. David C. Jones, Company C; Nicholas Roth, Company F; John M. Mills, Company H; William D. Mills, Company I; Charles E. Beaumont, Company K, and Sergt. Maj. Marcy H. Randall. They all obeyed orders with alacrity. I would also mention favorably Mr. George Mason, aide to Brigadier-General McATthur, who accompanied me to the field. [159]

The casualties in the regiment for both days are all embraced in the list which I herewith report to you.¹

I am, sir, your obedient servant,