Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 5.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[508] Russell's house. The enemy had placed three batteries in position, and were firing upon his line. Loomis's and Simonson's batteries were replying. There being then no infantry of the enemy in sight, I sent an order for these batteries to cease firing and economize ammunition. The command suffering greatly for water, I repaired to make the reconnoissance toward Chaplin River, as ordered. Having been informed by my guide, Captain Beverly D. Williams, Assistant Quartermaster on Gen. Jackson's staff, and also by Col. L. A. Harris, commanding Ninth brigade, that by moving a short distance to the left of the Perry-ville road, I could get high commanding ground for a portion of my line, I went forward in person, after having ordered a portion of the Thirty-third Ohio into the woods on the right, as skirmishers, to ascertain if any of the enemy was present in that vicinity, to a point overlooking and within six hundred yards of Chaplin River. I then sent for Generals Jackson and Terrell, showed them the water, marked their line of battle, ordered a battery to be posted on the line with strong supports. Gen. Terrell was ordered to advance a body of skirmishers cautiously down the slopes of the hill to the water as soon as his line was formed. During my presence on the ground, no enemy was seen, save some cavalry on the opposite hills across the river, who, I supposed, were threatening my train in the rear. A few well-directed shots from Stone's First Kentucky battery, posted to the left and rear of this position, put them to flight.

Not being apprehensive of an attack, I left this position and moved toward the right of the line. This was about half-past 1 P. M. in the day. At two P. M. an attack was made by the enemy on the skirmishers of the Thirty-third Ohio. I then ordered the remainder of the regiment under Lieutenant-Col. Moore, to support the line, also the Second Ohio to support the Thirty-third. My line of battle at this moment, was formed as follows: the right of Rousseau's division resting near the barn, on the right of the Maxville and Perryville road, extending to the left on a commanding ridge, through a corn-field (the corn being cut and shocked) to the skirt of woods occupied by the Second and Thirty-third Ohio; the right of Terrell's brigade of Jackson's division resting on some woods, running along to the left on the commanding ground, overlooking a portion of Chaplin River to the north, the left forming a crotchet to the rear, in order to occupy the high ground on his left and rear.

Starkweather's brigade and Stone's and Bush's batteries of Rousseau's division were posted to the left and rear of Jackson's left, on high, commanding ground. Webster's brigade of Jackson's division, was posted to the left of Russell's house, and in the rear of the centre of Rousseau's line on the right. The attack on my line now became general. My attention was directed principally to the left, where the attack was most fiercely made. I had no apprehension about my right, as it rested near Gilbert's left. A fierce onset being made on Terrell's brigade and Gen. Jackson being killed at the first fire, this brigade in a few moments gave way in confusion. Gen. Terrell did every thing in the power of man to steady them.

At this juncture--half-past 2 P. M.--seeing that I was assailed by at least three times my number, I despatched my Aid-de-camp, First Lieutenant L. M. Hosea, Sixteenth United States infantry, to General Sheridan, commanding Gen. Gilbert's left division, to request him to look to my right to see that it was not turned. At three P. M., I despatched Captain Horace M. Fisher, of my staff, to the nearest commander of troops, for assistance. He first met General Schoepf, marching at the head of his division, and reported my condition to him. General Schoepf expressed a desire to come up, and stated that he was moving to the front for some purpose, and requested Captain Fisher to see General Gilbert, who was riding with the column. Captain Fisher then reported to General Gilbert that my entire command was engaged, that the reserves were all in line, and the safety of my corps was compromised. General Gilbert referred him to Gen. Buell, to whom this officer reported.

At three P. M. I also despatched another aid, Captain W. T. Hoblitzell, to General Schoepf, commanding the First division and reserve of Gilbert's corps, or the commander of the nearest troops in rear, to inform him of my condition and ask for troops.

I remained in rear of my left centre until I saw the enemy's right completely routed and driven back by the gallant brigade of Starkweather, so admirably posted for the work they performed so well. I then galloped to the right of the line, but only in time to see it turned by a large force of the enemy. I then ordered Colonel Webster, of the Ninety-eighth Ohio, to move his troops to the right and repel this attack, if possible, and it was in obeying this order that this gallant officer received a mortal wound. Returning to Russell's house, I ordered my Chief of Artillery, Major C. S. Cotter, to bring up a section of artillery to stop their advance. This was done promptly; the guns were well handled, but could not stop this determined attack.

At this time the right of Rousseau's line was also compelled to fall back to avoid being enveloped by the enemy. The enemy placed a battery in the open field near Bottom's barns, about eight hundred yards from Russell's house. The fire from this battery was so heavy that the point near Russell's house could not be held. Loomis's battery, having exhausted all its long-range ammunition, had been retired from its position in the afternoon, to a commanding ridge about one hundred and fifty yards in rear of Russell's house and on the right of the Perryville road supported by three companies of the Michigan Mechanics and Engineers, commanded by Major Hopkins. I ordered Captain Loomis to reserve his canister for close work. This battery opened fire and repulsed this wicked attack for the first time. I then went to the point where the Dixieville and Springfield road crosses the Maxville