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

[411] are received from the other regiments of my command, I will forward them to you.

I am, sir, very respectfully, yours,

Governor: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Ninety-fifth regiment Ohio volunteers, in the battles before Richmond, Kentucky, on Saturday, August thirtieth, 1862.

About three o'clock P. M., on Friday, twenty-ninth of August, I received an order from Brigadier-General Cruft, commanding the Twenty-first brigade of the army of Kentucky, directing me to form my regiment quietly in line of battle, and to wait further orders. The regiment remained in line until about dark; at which time, the skirmishing in front having ceased, supper was prepared, and the men dismissed, one half at a time, to eat it. During the night the regiment lay on their arms, and at three o'clock on Saturday morning again formed in line of battle. At daylight arms were stacked and breakfast prepared. As soon as possible thereafter, the line was again formed, and at seven o'clock we received marching orders. Taking the advance of the brigade, we were marched rapidly a portion of the distance on the double-quick, seven miles to the front, to a point between Rogersville and Kingston, where General Manson's brigade had already engaged the enemy. Without being permitted to halt for rest, or the men to close up, we were marched at once upon the field, and required to form our line of battle under a heavy artillery fire from the enemy and in advance of our guns. This movement was being executed with alacrity by the men, but before it could be completed we were ordered by General Manson to move across the road and charge a battery which the enemy was planting some four hundred yards to our front. I moved at once with that portion of the regiment which had come up, forming on the right of the road and advancing rapidly at a charge bayonet on the battery indicated. Whilst we were thus engaged the enemy advanced his right and left wings, outflanking and driving our forces before him. Seeing that it would be reckless and useless to continue our assault upon the battery, I ordered the regiment to halt and fall back, which they did, for a time, in good order, losing, however, in addition to our killed and wounded, one hundred and sixty men and a large number of officers captured at this point. In forming for this charge, Captains Allis and Tate, and Lieutenants Bull, Chittenden, Tate and Potts, as well as other company officers, deserve great credit for the coolness and courage displayed.

We continued falling back for about one and a half miles when we found our cavalry drawn up in line; and where a halt was ordered and the regiment re-formed. Notwithstanding my men were very much exhausted and suffering from want of water, which was difficult to obtain, they again formed with spirit and promptness. Taking our place in line, the whole army was ordered to fall back and take up a position on two commanding hills some two miles this side of Rogersville, when the second engagement, lasting about one hour, occurred. Here the Ninety-fifth and the other regiments forming General Cruft's brigade, fought with a gallantry and determination never surpassed by raw troops, holding the enemy in check; at one time driving them some distance, but were finally overpowered, outflanked, and compelled to fall back. The retreat from this point very soon degenerated into a complete rout, and no effort was made to rally the men until within sight of the town of Richmond. There we succeeded in collecting about three hundred of the Ninety-fifth, including Captain Taylor's company, which had been on picket-duty during the former engagements, and was relieved by order of General Nelson, who had recently arrived upon the field. We were posted at the edge of a corn-field to the right, and in sight of our old camping ground, with the Sixty-sixth Indiana on our left, and the Twelfth Indiana on our right. We then waited some time the advance of the enemy, who came up each time with fresh brigades and increased confidence, and engaged us in front at short range until we were again outflanked and compelled to abandon the field. This last engagement was the bloodiest of the day, our men fighting with a desperation worthy of a better result. Our loss here was sad and severe--fourteen killed and fifty-two wounded. Here Major Brumback and Captain Thomas received severe wounds which still detain them at Richmond. Captain Darety and Lieutenant Peters were painfully wounded also during this engagement.

Too much cannot be said in praise of the endurance, spirit and gallantry exhibited by the officers and men composing my regiment upon that unfortunate day. Only one week in the field, and during all that time bivouacked in line of battle in the face of the enemy, with heavy picket and other duties consequent upon our advanced position to perform, but little time or opportunity had been given to organize or drill the regiment. Laboring under difficulties and disadvantages which few, if any, regiments from Ohio have ever experienced, the men went into the engagement with an eagerness which only novices in war ever exhibit, and maintained themselves with a gallantry which would have done honor to veterans. Where all did so well, it may seem unnecessary and unjust to designate any by name, but I cannot close without calling your attention to the gallant conduct and valuable assistance rendered me that day by Major J. Brumback, and Captain J. M. Stuart, company A, who, after the first engagement, acted as one of my field-officers. Among the officers who were in the several engagements, and who displayed great personal courage, I desire to mention Captains Thomas, Darety, and Wylie;