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

[460] its ammunition, by your order, and then took position with the brigade further to the right. We were not engaged again during the day, but were constantly annoyed and suffered some from the enemy's shell, which continued to fall among us till dark.

During the entire engagement, my officers and men behaved with the utmost gallantry — not a man gave way. Our colors received seventeen balls, but were never once depressed during the storm of battle.

Major A. H. Winslow and Lieut. David Lewis, Acting Adjutant, Were constantly at their posts, and performed all their duty. All my officers and men who were present deserve especial mention, but as they fought under your own eye, it is unnecessary now.

Our record of losses is a long and sad one. We went into action with seventeen officers and three hundred and twenty-four men, of whom two officers were killed and seven wounded. Of the non-commissioned officers and privates, thirty were killed and one hundred and twenty-two wounded, and five missing, probably killed. Appended hereto is a list of killed and wounded, name and company; also Corporal W. W. Farmer, killed the day previous.

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

sir: I report as follows: On the morning of the seventeenth instant, in obedience to your order, my regiment moved forward on the right of the brigade, advancing rapidly toward the enemy, who were then engaging our lines. We passed through an orchard, emerging into a ploughed field, receiving during the execution of this movement a rapid fire from the enemy — this about eight A. M. We ascended the hill in front and occupied the crest, from which position we engaged the enemy, sheltered under ditches, rocks, and fences, with a large reserved force in a field of corn in their rear. The contest here continued for near four hours, during all which time the enemy poured upon us a terrific and murderous fire from infantry, also of grape and shell thrown from a battery on our right and front. In our immediate front as many as eight stand of rebel colors were exhibited at a time. My regiment went into the fight with sixty rounds of cartridges, and after firing the last one, the enemy were discovered moving in heavy force upon my right flank. At this moment my own regiment and the Eighth Ohio volunteers, Colonel Sawyer commanding, on my left, immediately changed their front, and formed at a right angle to our original line. The line thus formed was held and the enemy repulsed, our men using the ammunition taken from their dead and wounded comrades. After twelve M. the enemy retired, and my regiment was not again engaged during the day, but lay upon their arms until night, under a hot fire of shot and shell from the enemy's batteries.

My officers and men, without a single exception, conducted themselves with a courage and daring seldom equalled and never surpassed.

I cannot mention one without naming all. We went into the fight with three hundred and twenty men, and lost in killed and wounded one hundred and eighty-one. A list of the names and rank of each is herewith furnished. My Adjutant, J. J. P. Blinn, was with me during the day, and conducting himself as only a brave man can, bearing messages for me, and when not thus engaged, remaining by my side, witnessing the heroic conduct of his regiment.

General, our record is a proud one, but one which can never be thought of, save with feelings of the most intense sorrow for the brave dead and wounded.

Very respectfully,

I have the honor to report that on the morning of September seventeenth, 1862, the late Colonel Wm. B. Goodrich, of the Sixtieth regiment New-York State volunteers, being in command of this brigade, was ordered to take the brigade, then composed of the Sixtieth and Seventy-eighth regiments New-York State volunteers, Third Delaware and Purnell Legion, into the field, on the right of the line of battle. Before getting into line, the Purnell Legion was ordered into some other position of the field, which reduced the line to the three first-named regiments. On getting into position skirmishers were thrown out on the right and left, who cleared the woods of the enemy's sharp-shooters. While thus engaged, and about an hour after the commencement, the Colonel commanding was mortally wounded and borne from the field. The command then devolved upon Lieut.-Col. Austin, of the Seventy-eighth New-York volunteers, who remained in command during the day. About an hour and a half after this time orders were received to with-draw the brigade from the field, and the line was shortly after re-formed about half a mile to the rear of its former position. The brigade remained in this position till nearly dark, when they received orders from yourself to rejoin the division.

This report is made from recollection only, no data having been kept, as the command was not handed over to me till late in the evening. I deem it just, however, to make honorable mention of the coolness and bravery of officers and men in action, especially of the true soldierly bearing of Col. Goodrich, the daring and courage of Lieut.-Col. Austin, and the valuable service of