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

[703] charged these positions, driving the enemy steadily back until within a few hundred yards of the river, where they were subjected to a destructive fire from the batteries before mentioned and the enemy's gunboats. They charged and took a section from one of the enemy's batteries, Colonel Allen leading the advance with the colors of one of his battalions in his hand. It was at this critical juncture that, as before stated, this gallant soldier fell from his horse severely wounded, and during the confusion which followed this misfortune, the enemy succeeded in recapturing the pieces.

The enemy pressed heavily upon this brigade and poured into it such a galling fire from infantry and artillery that it fell back in some disorder. Colonel Breaux, who assumed command upon the fall of Colonel Allen, succeeded, with the aid of officers of the brigade and two officers connected with the staff, who were sent to his assistance, in rallying a sufficient number to show front to the enemy until Semmes' battery was brought up, as already stated, to their support, and succeeded, by a well-directed fire, in preventing the enemy's advance. This position was maintained despite the heavy firing on the brigade from the enemy's gunboats and land batteries until the troops were withdrawn, with the rest of the army, to the suburbs of the town. Lieutenant-Colonel Shields had been ordered, as already stated, to take position on the Plank road leading from Clinton to Baton Rouge, and as soon as he heard the fire of our main body, to attack a battery of the enemy, said to be stationed at the junction of the Clinton and Bayou Sara roads. This service was promptly and gallantly performed. He drove in the enemy's pickets, followed them up, and opened fire on a regimental encampment to the right of the Greenwell Springs road, driving the enemy from it. He was here met by two regiments of the enemy, but succeeded in holding them at bay till he was fired upon by our own artillery, but fortunately without injury. Four of the artillery horses being disabled, and the infantry unable to withstand the heavy fire of the enemy, he withdrew to his original position, where the wounded horses were replaced by others, when he returned to his advanced position, which he held till General Clark's division came up on his left, when the two companies of infantry were, by order of the Major-General commanding, attached to the Twenty-second Mississippi regiment. The section of artillery under his command retained its position until the army retired, when it rejoined the battery in the suburbs of the town. In concluding this report of the battle, I have the satisfaction of stating that the conduct of both officers and men was gallant and daring, every movement being performed with characteristic promptitude. I respectfully commend the reports of the commanders of brigades, as well as those of regiments, battalions, and independent companies, to the special consideration of the Commanding General, and also recommend the following officers and soldiers, specially named in these reports, to favorable consideration: First, Colonel A. P. Thompson and Colonel H. W. Allen, brigade commanders, both severely wounded. Fifth Kentucky, commanded by Captain Bowman. Seventh Kentucky, Colonel Crossland, and his color-bearer, James Rollins. Sixth Kentucky, Lieutenant-Colonel Cofer; Captains J. Smith, Utterback, and Thomas Page, and First-Lieutenant H. Harned. Thirty-fifth Alabama, Colonel Robertson and Lieutenant-Colonel Goodwin. Of the. second brigade, the Fourth Louisiana, Lieutenant-Colonel Hunter. In this regiment, Lieutenant Corkern, Company B, Lieutenant Jetter, Company H, and Serjeant-Major Daniels. Battalion of Stewart's Legion commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Boyd, who was disabled by a severe flesh wound in the arm. Captain Chum also was wounded. The command devolved upon Captain T. Bynum, who acted with gallantry. The battalion Thirtieth regiment of Louisiana volunteers, commanded by Colonel J. A. Breaux, who speaks in high terms of the officers and men of his regiment, especially Captain N. Trepagnier and Lieutenant Dapremont, both wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel Shields, Thirtieth Louisiana, commanding separate detachment, who speaks in high terms of the intrepidity of Lieutenant Fauntleroy, commanding section of guns in his detachment. Captain Sermmes, commanding battery, and his officers, Lieutenant Barnes and J. A. West, performed gallant service. Captain Blount, Brigade Inspector of Second brigade, rendered gallant service in the field, where it is believed he has fallen, as nothing has been heard of him since. I also have the gratification to name the members of my staff who served with me on this occasion, viz.: Lieutenant L. D. Sandidge, corps artillery Confederate States army, A. A. A. and Inspector-General; Captain George Whitfield, Chief Quartermaster; Major E. S. Ruggles, acting Ordnance Officer, and Acting Chief Commissary of Subsistence; First Lieutenant M. B. Ruggles, Aide-de-Camp. Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Jones, who was severely wounded, and Colonel J. O. Fuqua, District Judge Advocate and Provost Marshal-General, who were all distinguished for their efficiency, coolness, and gallantry throughout the conflict. The following officers, attached to the general staffs, also rendered gallant service: Captain Samuel Bard, on special service; Lieutenant A. B. De Saulles, engineer; Lieutenant H. H. Price and Lieutenant H. C. Holt. Other officers on special service, amongst whom were Captain Augustus Scott, commanding squadron on temporary service; Captains Curry, Kinderson, and Behorn, as volunteer aids for the occasion, and Captain J. M. Taylor served with zeal and gallantry. The entire division entering the fight numbered about nineteen hundred and fifty, infantry and artillery, with a few irregular cavalry and partisan rangers, numbering in all some