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No. 62.-report of Lieut. Col. A. Gerard, Thirteenth Louisiana Infantry, of engagement at Farmington, Miss., May 9.
Hdqrs. Thirteenth Regt. La. Vols., C. S. A., Corinth, Miss., May 11, 1862.
Captain: Herewith I have the honor to transmit to you the account of the proceedings of this regiment immediately preceding and during the engagement at Farmington, Miss., on May 9:
On Thursday, May 8, having received orders from General Walker about 2 p. m. to have the regiment formed and to move to our position in the trenches, I gave orders to have the left wing of the regiment, which was then on fatigue duty at the trenches, recalled and to form the regiment.
The first company which was formed (Company C) was sent at double-quick step to support the battery which is behind our position at the trenches.
The rest of the right wing was also sent immediately on its formation to our position.
The left wing, which had been on fatigue duty at the trenches all day, could not be recalled, formed, and sent up until about a half an hour afterward.
While awaiting the arrival of the brigadier-general I threw out as skirmishers in front of the fortifications Companies I and C.
The first order of the general on his arrival was to form in line of battle and advance over the fortifications.
I ordered the right wing to move by the right flank and file left and the left wing to move by the left flank and file right, owing to the difficulties of the ground, when, arriving at their indicated place the wings joined rapidly, dressing on the center.
A lively cannonade was heard on our left, in the direction of the Farmington road.
We received the order to march in that direction and to remain behind the Twentieth Louisiana Regiment at brigade distance, marching in the woods which skirted this side of the field in front of our works.
Immediately afterward we received the order to rest our right on the railroad.
Immediately in executing this order I threw out Company A as skirmishers on the right and in front of the regiment, the left being protected by the Twentieth Louisiana and the other regiments of the brigade.
Between 8 and 9 p. m. the regiment followed the brigade and took position on the right and in front of the house, from near which our artillery had fired in the afternoon.
The left wing was then, by order of General Walker, thrown forward as skirmishers, to cover the front of our brigade.
After a few moments, the brigade changing direction to the right, our skirmishers were left on the left and rear.
I then deployed forward the right wing, while I rallied and reformed the left wing.
I then reformed the regiment, except four companies from the left wing, which were deployed forward so as to cover the brigade front.
The six remaining companies were formed in line of battle and occupied the extreme right of the brigade.
The night was passed quietly, we only hearing at a long distance off a noise like that of wagons passing over bridges; this noise lasted during the whole night.
At 3 a. m. Friday we resumed the position occupied the evening before in front of the fortifications, where we remained until about 6 a. m. I took advantage of this delay to have some of the men get their coffee, but the order to move, which was received between 5 and 6 a. m., prevented the distribution from being general.
The brigade moved forward, arriving near a bridge on the Farmington road.
Company H was thrown out as a picket on the right of the road and distant
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from the road about 200 yards. Two companies were left to guard the bridge, two were placed on the right, and two on the left of the bridge, and three in front of the bridge.
The companies on the right and left were left as the reserve for the skirmishers.
About 9.30 a. m. the whole of General Ruggles' division arrived, when all the brigade, except our regiment, moved to the front.
A half an hour afterward I received orders to reform the regiment and take my position in line of battle.
On reaching the position occupied by the Orleans Guards Battery I received orders to deploy forward four companies as skirmishers and to examine the houses which were in front of us. Before the execution of this order was completed the skirmishers were ordered back to the regiment, and General Ruggles had some shots fired by the cannon.
It was then 11 o'clock. At this time Captain Dubroca, Company C, and Lieutenant Stuart, Company K, took a prisoner, who was hid under the house in which was the telegraph office of the enemy.
Four of our companies were then again thrown forward as skirmishers on the extreme right of our brigade, which had become the extreme right of the whole division.
The division was formed in column by regiments, and I drew in my skirmishers; and the regiment moved with the brigade about 300 or 400 paces forward, when we were halted, and at 12.40 p. m. General Bragg arrived by the same route we had come.
He was enthusiastically welcomed by the troops.
Ten minutes afterward General Van Dorn arrived on our right.
A quarter of an hour afterward we received orders to again form in line of battle and march against the enemy, who was in front and on our right.
I deployed Company D as skirmishers in front, to cover the advance of the regiment.
In front of us was a belt of wood, from which a fire was opened on us. Our skirmishers answered vigorously, and the brigade advanced in good order and crossed a field without experiencing any loss that I am aware of. On reaching the second belt of woods our skirmishers met so vigorous a fire that they were compelled to fall back and rejoin the regiment.
There was a momentary hesitation in the brigade.
General Walker gave the order to move forward.
The regiment advanced at a doublequick step, passing the other regiments about 100 yards. At this moment I received a ball in the thigh, which prevented me from remaining mounted, and obliged me to transfer the command to Captain Dubroca, Company C, the ranking captain present.
