Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[603] saw them rush out of the rifle-pits into a deep gorge immediately in their rear. Discovering the enemy moving around the crest of the hill, and, fearing that I would be surrounded, I retreated into the ravine between the two forts attacked, and re-organized what command I had with me, and then moved to the rear, forcing every straggler that I found to fall into the ranks. The first field officer that I met was Colonel Hawthorne, at some huts where some of General Fagan's wounded were, and in a short time General Fagan came up. After moving a short distance from here I met General Holes.

I must here call your attention to the fact that the information concerning the localities, strength of the enemy, &c., was very erroneous. The ground over which we moved was almost entirely impassable; the crest of the hill so narrow that it would have been murder to have attempted to have assaulted along it; the sides of the hill full of gullies, with almost perpendicular sides, and that covered with fallen timber, so placed as most to impede an approach; the day one of the hottest; our column not only exposed to a storm of shell, but for a long way (say six hundred yards) to a fire of canister and grape, front and flank, as well as from sharp-shooters from rifle-pits, which were placed by the enemy to protect every possible approach.

Under all this, I am proud to say that my little brigade of less than three regiments, and these small, moved steadily, without faltering, upon the foe, protected by fortifications and artillery; and the hill up which the final rush was made, was so steep and slippery that it was almost impracticable. For all that, with a wild shout they rushed up it, drove the concealed enemy from his position, and seized his works.

I am happy and proud to state that the officers and men in my brigade did their whole duty, and when all did so well a distinction is difficult. As for my field officers — that they did their duty, it needs but to state that, of nine who went into the battle, six were wounded, two mortally.

Attention is called to the gallant conduct of Colonel Hart, who led his men, to the assault, and, when in the fort, seized one of the enemy's guns and fired it against them.

Here also fell mortally wounded Lieutenant W. F. Rector, Adjutant of Hart's regiment, whose gallantry and undaunted bravery signally distinguished him in the assault.

Major Davie, gallantly leading his men, fell shot through the thigh in front of the fort.

Captain Robinson, acting Major, fell mortally wounded in front of his men.

There also fell mortally wounded the brave, .the zealous Major Martin, of Hart's regiment, as also Major Stephenson, of Gause's regiment. There also fell Captain Garland, of Glenn's regiment; Lieutenant Eppes, of Gause's regiment, than whom a better man or braver soldier has not offered up his life during the war.

Colonels Glenn and Gause and Lieutenant-Colonels Rogan and Hicks deserve special mention for the cool and daring manner in which they led their men.

Lieutenant Crabtree, of Green's regiment, displayed the greatest intrepidity.

Sergeant Champ, Company A, of Hart's regiment, deserves the greatest credit for gallantry, rushing in advance of his regiment in the charge.

Color-Sergeant Garland, of Glenn's regiment, also deserves special mention. He advanced his regimental colors to the front, and maintained his position through the assault, his colors being torn into ribbons.

My thanks are due my staff for efficient aid rendered me during the action, especially to Lieutenant John McKoy, my A. A. I. G.

In conclusion, I will state that I left the field without orders. Having been ordered by General Holmes to the part of the field upon which General Fagan's brigade fought, I was unable to communicate with Major-General Price, but when he left all effort upon our part had ceased. My loss is as follows: Killed, forty-six; wounded, one hundred and sixty-eight; missing, one hundred and thirty-three; total, three hundred and forty-seven. For further particulars reference is made to list, which is respectfully submitted.

Respectfully,

Major: I have the honor to report as follows in regard to the part taken by my brigade in the attack on Helena, upon the fourth instant:

On the evening of the third instant, at dark, I ordered Colonel Brooks, with his regiment, one section of Etter's battery of light artillery, commanded by Lieutenant John C. Arnett, and three companies of cavalry, commanded by Captain Densen, to move to the front in support of the cavalry, then within three miles of the town of Helena. About eleven o'clock at night, with the three remaining regiments, commanded respectively by Colonels King, Hawthorne and Bell, and Blocker's battery of light artillery, commanded by Captain W. D. Blocker, I moved forward on the road towards Helena. On joining Colonel Brooks, where the old hill road leaves the Little Rock road, I ordered him to advance at once with his command, on the latter road, to attract and engage the attention of the enemy, south of the town, and hold his forces in the rifle-pits on the river. At the same time, I ordered Colonel Hawthorne, whose regiment