Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 8.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[539] heard in our front, denoting an engagement between our advance (the Thirteenth and Nineteenth corps) and the enemy. At two o'clock A. M., of the ninth, we were in line of battle awaiting the approach of the enemy, who had defeated the Thirteenth and Nineteenth corps. We remained on our arms until ten A. M., when we moved forward about one mile, and forme in the following order in the east centre of the field, namely, the Eighty-ninth Indiana infantry in front, the Ninth Indiana battery in its rear, and the Fifty-eighth and One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois infantry in rear of the battery. We remained in this position till twelve M., when the Fifty-eighth and One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois infantry were moved by the left flank to a point about three hundred yards to the left, and formed on a ridge in the woods facing outward. From this point the Fifty-eighth Illinois was moved about half a mile to the front and left of the original position. Here this regiment was halted, and a breastwork of fallen timber thrown up, behind which the men took shelter. After these arrangements were made,skirmishers were thrown out from this regiment and the One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois. The Eighty-ninth Indiana was then moved a short distance to the left to support the Third Indiana battery on the right, and the First Vermont battery on the left. The Ninth Indiana battery was placed in position on the right of the Third Indiana battery and about two hundred yards therefrom, there being a New-York regiment between. In this position we remained till four P. M., when musketry in our front admonished us that the fight had begun. Soon the enemy advanced from the woods, driving before them a brigade of Eastern troops which had occupied a position in the ravine or ditch on the opposite side of the field. Pursuing this brigade, and flushed with victory, the rebels continued to advance with yells, that carried terror to many a stout heart. Still pressing on, they drove our troops back, and even had possession of one of our batteries, (battery L, First United States artillery,) when, on a sudden, the Fifty-eighth Illinois infantry, which had been advanced to the left and front, appeared in the edge of the woods, on the enemy's right flank. The order was given to charge, and with unearthly yells and with lightning-like rapidity they were on the enemy. Fierce was the struggle, and nobly did the brave Fifty-eighth do their work, driving the before victorious enemy before them. They halted not until they drove the rebels into the ditch in front. Here we captured about four hundred prisoners, whom I sent to the rear in charge of an officer, with instructions to report them to Brigadier-General Mower, but who delivered them to a staff-officer belonging, I have since understood, to the Nineteenth army corps. The Fifty-eighth Illinois claim to have captured more prisoners than they have men in the regiment. Certain it is that their furious attack completely turned the flank of the enemy, and decided in a great measure the fate of the day. At this point the battle was most fierce; first success seemed to favor one, and then the other. Twice were our boys driven back between the guns of the abandoned battery L, First United States artillery, and as often did they rally and repulse the enemy. At last the enemy were driven into the woods in confusion, and three pieces of artillery captured by the Fifty-eighth Illinois. During the fight a portion of the Fifty-eighth was aided by other troops of our corps and army. At the time of the driving back of the Eastern brigade, the Eighty-ninth Indiana was advanced, delivering volley after volley. They continued to move forward, inclining toward the right. Reaching the woods, they drove the rebels in confusion before them into the very depths thereof. In the advance of the Eighty-ninth regiment, they drove away a rebel brigade which had driven in disorder through the Ninth Indiana battery an entire Maine regiment and portion of a New-York regiment. The Eighty-ninth certainly saved the Ninth battery from capture. During the fight here many prisoners were captured by this regiment, among them several officers. The conduct of the officers and men of the Eighty-ninth was most gallant; nobly did they stand up to their work. At the time of the attack by the Fifty-eighth Illinois on the enemy's flank, the One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois changed front obliquely to the rear, and advanced on the enemy, keeping the left of the field. They drove before them a Texas regiment, the colors of which they captured. This regiment, although less exposed than either the Eighty-ninth Indiana or Fifty-eighth Illinois, still did the work assigned to them with the greatest promptitude and courage. After driving the enemy far into the woods, the Eighty-ninth Indiana was withdrawn to the edge of the field, and formed into a new line, where it remained until it was joined by the other regiments of the brigade, at about half-past 6 P. M. The Fifty-eighth Illinois, after entering the woods, became separated, a portion following the colors and the remainder accompanying myself. After coming into the woods, I found the men in the greatest confusion; but knowing that our situation was most precarious, I ordered all to push forward. With a rush, the men obeyed, the color-bearers to the front. Closely we pressed the rebels, driving them to the left through the woods, and up the road for a distance of over three miles. Never did a man flinch, though the enemy outnumbered us six to one--the number of colors with us probably deceiving them as to our real strength. In the pursuit, so close were we to the rebels that our men seized them by the collars, bayoneting some and capturing others while in the very act of firing their pieces. Six caissons and a large number of very fine horses were taken by us during this charge. Having pursued the enemy three miles, I found him forming beyond an open field in considerable force. Hastily forming my broken column, I found myself opposed to about three thousand rebels, while my force did not exceed as many hundred. I directed the men to open fire, which