Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 11.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[683] hundred prisoners, including over three hundred officers of all grades below Brigadier-General, five stand of colors, about sixty pieces of artillery of all calibres, and about three thousand stand of arms.

There was also large quantities of quarter-master, commissary, medical, and ordnance stores captured in the city, the exact estimates of the stores I have not been able to find out.

We had in the action during the day, twenty-one commissioned officers and five hundred enlisted men. We lost one killed and two wounded.

I have to return thanks to Major J. J. Weiler for the efficient aid given me in commanding the regiment, to Adjutant Doyle for the able manner in which he handled the advance guard whilst in command, and to Lieutenant G. H. McDowell, who ably assisted the major, for his promptitude and energy in getting the prisoners together and retaining them. I have also to return my thanks to every officer and man in the regiment, for the cheerfulness with which they endured the hardships incident to the march, for the alacrity with which they obeyed every order, and for the gallant manner in which they have gone at the enemy wherever they have found him since the opening of the campaign.

And I have also to return thanks to Captain T. W. Scott and Lieutenant Culbertson, of Colonel Minty's staff, for the efficient aid and assistance given me in taking the city.

I had omitted to state that we captured, after getting in the city, four (4) two-pound breech-loading guns-known as Travis guns-made and intended for General Forrest, and a large number of horses and mules.

I have the honor to remain, Captain, respectfully your obedient servant,

Captain — I have the honor to report the following as the operations of the Seventy-second regiment Indiana volunteers, on the first and second of April, 1865.

April first. My regiment having the advance, four companies were sent forward as advance guard, under command of Major L. S. Kilborn, with orders to advance rapidly that the column might not be detained.

The enemy was found near Randolph, and contended for every point on the way, but was so vigorously pressed that the command marched rapidly for fifteen miles, where they were found in line protected by rail works. I received orders from Colonel Miller, commanding brigade, to dismount the remaining six companies of my regiment and dislodge them from their position, which was done at once by charging their lines on the left of the road, after which I was joined by the other regiments of the brigade, and advanced to Vogle's creek, the enemy abandoning the field. The casualties during the day were--one officer, Captain Crayens, and three enlisted men wounded. Private L. B. Edwards was severely wounded while leading a charge (mounted). His action is worthy of special mention for courage and heroism. Major L. S. Kilborn deserves credit for the energy and skill with which he conducted the advance.

My regiment having had the advance on the first, was by the general order of march assigned to the rear on the second, and four companies, under command of Captain Herron, were detailed to guard the division train. On the arrival of the division in front of Selma, five additional companies were ordered in to picket the roads in the rear ,of the line of battle, and the remaining one company to support the battery. Captain Herron brought the train in safely. The companies on picket promptly repelled the advance of a brigade of the enemy which were threatening our rear, and each officer and man discharged the duty assigned him promptly and faithfully.

I have the honor to be your obedient servant,

sir — In accordance with orders, I would respectfully present the names of Corporal John Kidney, and Private Lemuel Edwards, special messenger at headquarters First Brigade, as being worthy of notice. Private Edwards for great gallantry at Ebenezer Church, where he was wounded while leading a charge (mounted), and Corporal Kidney for coolness and daring in action at all times.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Major — I have the honor to make the following report of the organization of the colored troops under my command, and their march from Selma, Alabama, to this place:

On or about the sixth day of April, 1865, at Selma, Alabama, orders were received from Headquarters C. C., M. D. M., authorizing each division commander to recruit one colored regiment; and in compliance with such orders Colonel R. H. G. Minty, commanding Second Division C. O, directed me to take charge of, and organize the regiment of his division.

On the morning of the seventh of April I commenced