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.

Colonel Bristow having reported up to within a few minutes before your brigade became generally engaged in the action, I will only give those incidents occurring after he was taken off the field.

About one hour after we had been marched to the field occupied by us in the commencement of the engagement the explosion of a shell near and over Colonel Bristow's head rendered him insensible the remainder of the day. His hearing is seriously, and I fear permanently, injured, and the spinal column injured. I had him removed from the field, and took command of the regiment. About fifteen or twenty minutes after this the whole brigade was engaged in the terrible conflict that ensued afterwards. It is unnecessary for me to call your attention to the gallant and daring conduct of the officers and men under my command, for you were an eye-witness to the coolness and courage with which our men received and returned the enemy's fire. You also witnessed the destructive fire poured into the two rebel regiments of infantry that aimed to cross the field opposite our line by the Twenty-fifth and Seventeenth Kentucky Regiments, whilst they were at the same time attempting to force their way through your right by breaking through the Thirty-first and Forty-fourth Indiana Regiments. After we had maintained our position at this point and were led by you to the support of General s-- division, you witnessed the scene that occurred at that point and how your entire brigade acted.

In the evening, about 4 o'clock, I received two shots-one in the thigh and one in the foot-but both were very slight. At about 4.30 o'clock I received a Minie ball in the right breast, which was more serious, but not dangerous, but which so weakened me that I was compelled to surrender the command the remainder of the day to Capt. B. T. Underwood, the senior captain of the regiment. Early in the action my horse was shot, and I was on foot the balance of that day, and was so much exhausted that I could not get to camp without assistance. Our entire loss is 6 killed and 26 wounded.¹ There are but few wounded but what will recover.

I respectfully ask the privilege of stating the names of the commanders of our several companies, as I deem it but justice to them, and from the fact that some of our companies were represented by regimental appointment:

Company A, B. T. Underwood, captain; Company B, John V. Boyd, first lieutenant; Company C, D. M. Claggett, captain; Company D, Albert R. Shackelford, first lieutenant; Cohpany E, James W. Anthony, captain; Company F, Frank H. Bristow, first lieutenant; Company G, William S. Johnson (by regimental appointment); Company K, R. C. Sturgis, first lieutenant.

Captain Cooper was severely wounded at Fort Donelson, and unable to take command of his company; Captain Campbell, of Company D, had resigned and gone home; Captain Tribble, of Company G, had also resigned and gone home; Captain Holloway, of Company K, was [245] taken with typhoid fever soon after the battle of Fort Donelson and sent home on sick furlough. I feel proud to say that I do not believe there is a more gallant and brave combination of company officers in the Union Army than those herein named, and as such I especially recommend them to your favorable consideration.

I was not in the action of Monday, the 7th instant, and cannot therefore speak of what occurred on that day.

In conclusion, general, allow me, on behalf of the officers and men of this regiment, to express to you their warmest gratitude and highest admiration for the coolness and daring displayed by you when leading us through the trying scenes of the 6th and 7th.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,