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[641] rushed upon the hill and rifle-pits with the most determined gallantry, routed and drove off the enemy, causing them in their hasty retreat to abandon a twenty-pounder Parrott gun and caisson, with the limber of another gun. In this assault the following regiments are named as particularly distinguishing themselves, viz.: the Ninth Arkansas, Colonel Dunlop, and Third Kentucky, Colonel Thompson, of Rust's brigade; the Twenty-second Mississippi, Captain Lester commanding; Caruthers' Mississippi battalion, and the First Missouri regiment, Colonel Riley, of Bowen's brigade; and the Third Mississippi, Colonel Hurst, of Villepigue's brigade. The hill was carried mainly by the Ninth Arkansas and Twenty-second Mississippi, each vieing with the other in the dashing gallantry of their charge. The enemy's camps, half a mile beyond the position, were taken and held by the First Missouri regiment. Rust and Villepigue were thrown in advance, in line of battle, and Bowen's was posted on the hill until we should hear from Price's command on our left. On our right front was a strong redoubt well flanked with infantry and with an abatis of felled timber, half a mile in width, extending around it in one direction, but with no obstructions to the north, in the direction of Price's right. This fact I communicated to the Major-General commanding, and shortly afterwards the work was attacked and gallantly carried, from its right rear, by Moore's brigade, while Bowen was ordered to turn its left with his brigade from our side. Having replenished our ammunition, the whole division was moved forward and formed in line of battle on the bridge south of the railroad, Villepigue and Bowen in front and Rust in reserve. I received orders from the General commanding to move forward cautiously, feeling our way along the ridge to develop the position of the enemy.

Before advancing far, night put an end to the operations of an arduous and fatiguing, but glorious day.

In the night I was notified by the commanding General that early in the morning Price would open with a large battery of artillery and then attack in force with his left, and that while thus engaged my division should pass forward and attack with vigor on our right. Accordingly, at daylight, the division was moved forward, in line, along the ridge, for a mile and a half, with some very heavy firing of infantry on Villepigue's left, and artillery on Bowen's right. Rust, hitherto in reserve, moved up and occupied the centre, the line advancing until within a few hundred yards of two strong works of nine guns each, protected by heavy infantry forces. While reconnoitring these positions, with a view to the assault, I received an order from the commanding General to detach my strongest brigade to the support of Price's centre, which was being overpowered by large reinforcements of the enemy. This order was obeyed, and I was about to move the remaining brigades to the left, to close the gap made by detaching Villepigue, when the further order was received to retire, covering the retreat of the army. The division was withdrawn from under the very guns of the works without the slightest confusion, and in the most excellent order. Villepigue crossed the railroad, and with his artillery, under Major Watts, put an effectual check upon the pursuit by the enemy's cavalry.

Rust's brigade was put in position on the hill carried the day before, until everything had been withdrawn across Indian Creek, when he followed, bringing up the rear to Chewalla, where the division was reunited. The march was resumed on the fifth, this command acting as the rear guard to the army. Before reaching Tuscumbia bridge an order was received from the General commanding to press forward, with two brigades, to the support of Price, who was checked by large reinforcements of fresh troops at Hatchie bridge. Leaving Bowen's brigade as a rear guard on the Corinth road, Villepigue and Rust were pushed forward rapidly. The former, arriving first, was put in line of battle on the road to Hatchie bridge, to hold the enemy in check in that direction, while Rust was directed to proceed with General Price, in advance, to the crossing at Crumb's Mills, where it was decided to pass the army over.

Villepigue held the enemy back with skirmishers. Bowen, however, was attacked in force, on the other road, but repelled the attack, with great slaughter to the enemy and but little loss to his own command. They were clear from the field when he crossed the Tuscumbia and burned the bridge, all the wagons having been passed over in safety. The Fifteenth Mississippi distinguished itself particularly on this occasion. From the Hatchie to Hickory Flat (forty miles) this division continued as the rear guard to the army, frequently forming line of battle when the enemy was reported to be coming too near, cheerfully toiling along through heat and dust and undergoing long marches, loss of sleep, and want of food, with a fortitude worthy of the most unqualified admiration. Good order, discipline, and subordination suffered no detriment under this severe and trying ordeal.

To the commanders of brigades, Generals Rust, Villepigue, and Bowen, my thanks are especially due. Displaying their well-known and approved gallantry on the field, they evinced sound judgment, discretion, and ability in handling their troops, both in action and on the march, achieving signal success with small loss. The admirable condition in which the division returned to this point is the best proof of their merits. Surgeon Hawes, chief medical officer of the division, performed his duties quietly, systematically, and with the utmost efficiency. Our wounded, with very few exceptions, were brought to this depot. My thanks are due to the officers of my staff, Lieutenant-Colonel Ivy, Captain Toutant, and Captain Quitman, for their assistance in the field, and in the conduct of the retreat. Being few in number, additional labor devolved upon them. Their duties were performed


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