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

[606] blockaded by fallen timber that it was impossible for anything but infantry to pass, and it was with great difficulty that the men could get through it at all. By the time I got my regiment to the open road, skirmishing commenced by Colonel Hawthorne, who was moving in front. I immediately moved my regiment up at a double-quick, arriving at the scene of action about daylight. I was immediately ordered by General Fagan to take position on the right of Colonel Hawthorne, who had formed line of battle, and was skirmishing with the enemy in the rifle-pits, which were immediately in front of us. I moved my regiment as ordered, taking position on the crest of a hill overlooking the town, where I was exposed to a galling fire from the enemy's rifle-pits or breastworks, which were about one hundred and fifty yards in front of us. By the time I got my men well up and in line, I received an order from General Fagan to charge the works in front of me, which I did; but, as you yourself know, the ground was so very rough that it was impossible to move rapidly. After scrambling over and under the fallen timber, across a ravine, that I would at any other time, or under any other circumstances, have considered impossible to make my way through, and at last up the side of a hill that was so steep that the men had to pull themselves up by the bushes, we reached the first line of breastworks, and drove the enemy back. Here we were met with a terrific fire, not only from the inner line of works and an enfilading fire from our left, but from the fort on the hill in front of us, near Hindman's house, which was about two hundred yards distant from us, and also from the battery on what is known as Graveyard Hill.

In this position we kept up a heavy fire, moving forward from one line of works to another, until we reached the inner line of the enemy, taking refuge in their forts. I then received an order from General Fagan to send a small force round to the right of my position, to see that the enemy did not flank us; also, to move my regiment to the left, where I found Colonel Hawthorne, with his regiment and a portion of Colonel Bell's, behind the last line of works, which was about one hundred yards from the first line. Here it was we found that it was impossible for our men to go further. Many of them had been left so exhausted that they could not go on.

While in this situation, General Fagan ordered me to take the fort, but the men were so exhausted that most of them were unfit for further service.

We remained behind the breastworks, keeping up a steady fire at the fort, until about eleven o'clock A. M., at which time we were ordered off the field.

I cannot speak too highly of the most of my officers and men throughout the fight, particularly of the gallant Major Dillard and Adjutant Bourne, who were in every charge, and cheering the men on at all times.

My loss was as follows: twelve killed, forty-six wounded, and twenty missing.

I have the honor to be,

Your obedient servant,

Captain: I have the honor to report the following as the part taken by my command in the engagement of the fourth instant at Helena:

At dusk on the third, in compliance with instructions from Brigadier-General Fagan,I moved forward with my regiment and one section of Etter's light artillery, Lieutenant J. C. Arnett commanding, to the support of the cavalry, then within three miles of the enemy.

At half-past 1 o'clock A. M., on the morning of the fourth, I received orders from Brigadier-General Fagan, to advance on the Little Rock road with my regiment, Captains Denson's, Miller's and------companies of cavalry, and the section of artillery; make a feint on the south of Helena; attract the attention of the enemy in that direction, hold the force in the rifle-pits south of the town, and operate otherwise as I could.

Before reaching Beech Grove, I withdrew the cavalry advance, and deploying skirmishers, met the enemy's infantry and cavalry pickets at day-break. A sharp skirmish ensued, in which three of the enemy were killed and six captured. The company of cavalry in position on the right of the line of skirmishers received a fire which killed three horses. Moving forward to the negro quarters, I found them abandoned, the occupants having fled to the town at the first alarm. Eight negroes were taken and sent to the rear. Shortly afterwards I reached the hill at the Clements House, and placed my command in position, advanced skirmishers well to the front and right, extending nearly to the river. The enemy soon opened with a rifled battery from the left of the rifle-pits next to the levee, but without doing any injury. Immediately the gunboat commenced firing, one shell exploded in Captain Denson's company, wounding three men, and killing three horses. Captain Blocker reported to me with his battery, but a position for it could not be obtained. I moved Etter's section to the hill, and upon gaming the summit it was found impracticable to use but one piece. This opened briskly, drawing a terrific fire from the battery and gunboat, and after expending thirteen rounds Lieutenant Arnett was compelled to withdraw. About eleven o'clock, I ordered Lieutenant E. T. Delony upon the hill with the gun. The range of the enemy's guns was so accurate, and the fire so furious, that he retired after firing eight rounds. The force in front and on the right was fully three times as