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: Having assumed command of this brigade, composed of the Forty-eighth, Fifty-third, Seventieth, and Seventy-second Regiments Ohio Volunteer Infantry, on the 16th ultimo, the general commanding the division ordered me the next day to send two regiments to take part in the contemplated movement on Russell's house. Taking the Seventy-second and Forty-eighth, according to instructions, 1 passed along the ridge road, and after reaching the line of outer pickets I halted the command, deployed and sent forward the skirmishers, and prepared the reserves. While this was being done the firing commenced, and became quite sharp in the direction of the main road in front of General M. L. Smith's brigade. My skirmishers moved forward rapidly, and at the point where the Morton battery was afterward planted, at Camp No. 7, the firing between them and the enemy became quite brisk, and as we passed along we saw unmistakable evidences of the effect of their fire.

Following down the road, the command arrived at the summit of the next little ridge of ground, when the artillery on the main road opened on Russell's house. From the direction of the sound I became satisfied that I had got too far in advance and halted. In a short time I was informed that the woods were full of the enemy, and that they were getting between my skirmishers and the head of the column. Ordering forward two companies to re-enforce the skirmishers, I rode up myself, and discovered the supposed enemy to be some of General [747] mi. L. Smith's men, and it was with some difficulty that they were prevented from firing on each other.

In this affair I am happy to inform you that I did not lose a man. In the different picket camps of the enemy through which we passed the blood-marks, and abandoned muskets, equipments, and provisions indicated some considerable loss on their part.

On the 21st the whole division moved forward and fortified at Russell's.

On the 28th we moved forward to Camp No. 8, and it was well known that theground we intended to take was strongly occupied by the enemy. Advancing southward through the woods and thick brush with my whole brigade and the Morton battery, Captain Miller, we arrived at the north side of a large field and directly in range of the enemy's guns, and while Captain Miller's battery was getting into position one of the gunners was struck and severely, if not mortally, wounded. The opposite woods having been shelled for some time, at a signal given by the general commanding the division, the skirmishers, under Major McFarren, of the Seventieth, jumped over the fence, crossed the field at a run, and gained the opposite wood before the enemy had time to rally. They were followed closely by the Seventieth and Seventysecond, the Forty-eighth and Fifty-third being kept in reserve. The artillery then moved up, and the position was secured and fNrtified that night. One man of the Seventieth was also severely wounded in this day's fight.

Early on the morning of the 30th General Sherman ordered me to take two regiments — the Forty-eighth and Seventy-second Ohio-and to advance in the direction of Corinth and endeavor to feel for the position of the enemy. On the way we were informed by the outer line of our pickets that the woods in our front were full of the enemy; that they had been seen there but a short time before, and that we must expect an obstinate resistance. Pushing forward the skirmishers, we steadily advanced through a very thick growth of underbrush without meeting with any other obstacle until we arrived in full view of the enemy's fortifications. It was some time before we could at that distance make out whether they were occupied or not. The artillery could not follow through the woods we had just passed, and we had no way of drawing their fire. In this emergency my chief of staff, Capt. C. F. Clarke, in the most gallant manner, rode forward alone, and found them deserted. We then pressed forward to Corinth, where we came under the immediate observation of the general commanding the division.

Through all these movements the officers and men of my command, including those of the Morton battery, are deserving of all praise for their steadiness, perseverance, and patience. Where all have done so well it might be unnecessary to particularize, but I will refer especially to some of those who came under my own personal observation. To Colonel Buckland, Seventy-second Ohio; Colonel Cockerill, Seventieth Ohio; Colonel Jones, Fifty-third Ohio, and Captain Peterson, Fortyeighth Ohio, all commanding their respective regiments; also to Lieutenant-Colonel Loudon and Major McFarren, of the Seventieth Ohio; Captain Snyder, of the Seventy-second Ohio, who commanded the skirmishers on the 30th ultimo, and Lieutenant Russell, Seventy-second Ohio, who performed the same duty on the 17th ultimo. I would also refer to the following members of my staff for the zeal and efficiency they have displayed in the performance of their respective duties: Capt. C. F. Clarke, Sixth Kansas, acting assistant adjutant-general; [748] Capt. J. Condit Smith, assistant quartermaster, and Lieut. M. T. Williamson Seventy-second Ohio, aide-de-camp.

I inclose herewith copies of the reports of the officers commanding regiments in my brigade.

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

This report of General Denver briefly but clearly gives the history of events connected with his command. I confirm his account, and indorse fully his terms of praise to his officers and men as well as those more specially mentioned.