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

[540] was done at once, causing the rebels to break in confusion. Being so far from any support, I found it necessary to rejoin our main force, and at once ordered a return, in which we were unmolested. I can only account for the unprecedented success of my little corps by the complete defeat of the rebels sustained on the open field, and in the woods near the field. It being quite dark, and being burdened with our wounded. which we brought with us, I was compelled to leave the caissons, though I at the time supposed we were to bring them off in the morning.

Having moved back to the open field, we joined the other regiments of the brigade, and after obtaining a supply of ammunition, moved out with the brigade about a mile upon the road over which we had driven the rebels, there formed line of battle, and remained during the night. At this time the Fifty-eighth Illinois regiment was detached, and moved to their original position behind their fortifications, upon the left of the open field.

The Ninth Indiana battery at the beginning of the engagement, although in the finest position on the field, was completely masked by battery L, First United States artillery, consequently could not be used till late in the engagement, at which time it made some very fine shots, dismounting one of the enemy's guns, and totally silencing the remaining guns of the battery.

The officers and men of the First brigade have fully indicated their great superiority over the rebel hosts to which they were opposed in the battle of Pleasant Hill. Feeling satisfied that if my brigade had been together, greater would have been the results, I still feel a pride in knowing that to the First brigade, Third division, Sixteenth army corps, belongs the credit of giving the enemy the first check, of turning his flank, of driving him further, and of holding longer the grounds captured, than any troops on the field. . . . .

Captain George R. Brown, of the Ninth Indiana battery, has proved himself a capable, cool, and gallant officer. Captain John Tobin, company K, Fifty-eighth Illinois, fell, shot through the heart, while gallantly leading his men in the charge. Captain F. S. Zeek, company C, Eighty-ninth Indiana, fell severely wounded in both feet, while bravely leading his men across the field. In this connection, I would respectfully state that quite a number of the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth New-York, with their colors, were with me on the three-mile charge through the woods, and acquitted themselves with honor. Again thanking the brave officers and men whom I have the honor to command, I am, Captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Captain: I have the honor to submit the following report of the Eighty-third regiment O. V.I., under my command, from the time it left Natchitoches until the close of the battle of Sabine Cross-Roads:

My regiment, together with the balance of the Fourth division, by order of Colonel W. J. Landrum, commanding, left Natchitoches at halfpast six o'clock A. M., on Wednesday, the sixth instant, marched some fifteen miles on the Pleasant Hills road, and encamped for the night.

On the morning of the seventh, the division moved soon after six o'clock, and reached Pleasant Hills at half-past 1 o'clock, a march of nineteen miles, but by reason of a heavy rain the teams did not arrive until seven o'clock in the evening.

Friday, eighth instant, the division was ordered to march at half-past 5 o'clock, but my regiment was detailed as a guard for the ammunition train, and did not leave till more than an hour later. At noon the rear of the train had not advanced more than six or seven miles, on account of the heavy skirmishing in front, when Captain Dickey, Assistant Adjutant-General, brought an order from General Ransom for me to assemble my regiment, which was disposed as guard through the train, and move to the front as fast as possible to support my division. I immediately started with the rear-guard, assembled the regiment as I passed the train, and moved as rapidly as possible past troops and through the train, which was also moving forward to the front, a distance of eight or ten miles, and then moved to the right of the road diagonally toward the woods, and formed in line of battle at a point designated by Major Lieber of General Banks's staff. General Ransom then ordered bayonets to be fixed, and conducted the regiment forward into the woods to support a battery, and ordered a company thrown out to protect our right flank. Soon after, by order of Colonel Vance, an officer and twenty-five men were advanced as skirmishers.

It was about three o'clock when an order was received from General Ransom to pile up the knapsacks, advance through the woods and take a position at the edge of the field on the right of the Ninety-sixth Ohio, which was already in position. The enemy was advancing through the field in line of battle, and the regiment opened fire the moment it had gained the position designated, which was on the right of the line of battle. The enemy outflanked our line, and was closing in upon the right, when Captain----delivered to me an order from General Ransom to move the regiment by the left flank from its position on the right to the support of the centre, which was heavily pressed. I explained to him that we were outflanked upon the right, and that it was necessary for me to change the front of my regiment diagonally to the line of battle, and to hold my position to protect the right flank. But he assured me that the last order was peremptory, and must be obeyed. I therefore immediately moved my regiment by the left flank, in good order, to the position to