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began and thus it continued for nearly an hour, when the enemy, having their artillery in position, sent a shell plunging into our earth-works, disabling two of our men. Before we had an opportunity of clearing the enemy away from their guns, Major Elliot, of Morgan's staff; approached with a flag of truce, with the following despatch:
Colonel Moore replied: “Present my compliments to General Morgan, and say to him that this being the Fourth of July, I cannot entertain the proposition.” Shaking hands, the Colonel and Major parted, and the Colonel regaining our lines said: “Now, my men, rise up, take good aim, and pick those gunners.” The words were sufficient; but ere the deadly fire was poured in upon them, the old Parrott gun of the enemy boomed forth again in its tones of thunder. The volley from our fortification did splendid execution, for not a man was left to tell the story. The enemy charged upon us, and we fell back to the timber. The fight now became terrible. The men fought with a desperation I never saw equalled. They seemed to feel that the enemy was yet to be organized that was to whip them. All possible chance of retreat was cut off, and no support within thirty-five miles. The enemy occupied one side of the tree-tops while we held the other. The case was indeed one: that called forth the exertions of every member <*>, <*>he little band. 'Twas life or death, and all were determined rather to die nobly and manfully fighting than cowardly surrendering without a struggle; seven charges followed the first, but the advancing foe fell dead before us. The firing continued for nearly four hours, when the enemy retreated, leaving their dead on the field. Their loss in killed and wounded was very severe, being much greater than our entire numbers, and among the former many of Morgan's ablest officers. There cannot be too much said in praise of the men. In a fair field-fight they defeated John Morgan, the rebel raider, the terrifier of Kentucky. The officers were ever where needed, and deserve credit for their coolness and bravery. Colonel Moore's courage, coolness, daring, and will must call forth the admiration of all. His conduct on the field of battle cheered his men to strenuous efforts, for in every post of danger he was in their midst. He was ever where the bullets fell the thickest, and by his good generalship won the day. General Morgan admired his generalship so much that he promoted him to a Brigadier-General, but the Colonel says that the largest brigade he wishes to command is the Twenty. fifth Michigan infantry. Our loss was six killed and twenty-three wounded. I send inclosed the official report. The enemy acknowledged a loss of seventy-three killed, and over two hundred wounded. About a mile in our rear was a dilapidated stockade which Morgan had on a previous raid endeavored to destroy; we, however, did not think enough of such pens to refit it, and accordingly engaged the enemy in a fair field-fight. After the battle, as we paid our last honors to the brave men that had fallen, the Colonel issued the following order:
Thus the fourth day of July, made memorable ever in the annals of history, was to-day brought nearer and dearer to us by the gaining of a splendid victory over John Morgan's entire division.
headquarters Morgan's division, in the field in front of Green River stockade, July 4, 1863.
To the Officer Commanding Federal Forces at Stockade near Green River Bridge:
Sir: In the name of the confederate States government I demand an immediate and unconditional surrender of the entire force under your command, together with the stockade.
I am, very respectfully, To the Officer Commanding Federal Forces at Stockade near Green River Bridge:
John H. Morgan, Commanding Div. Cavalry C. S. A.
Colonel Moore replied: “Present my compliments to General Morgan, and say to him that this being the Fourth of July, I cannot entertain the proposition.” Shaking hands, the Colonel and Major parted, and the Colonel regaining our lines said: “Now, my men, rise up, take good aim, and pick those gunners.” The words were sufficient; but ere the deadly fire was poured in upon them, the old Parrott gun of the enemy boomed forth again in its tones of thunder. The volley from our fortification did splendid execution, for not a man was left to tell the story. The enemy charged upon us, and we fell back to the timber. The fight now became terrible. The men fought with a desperation I never saw equalled. They seemed to feel that the enemy was yet to be organized that was to whip them. All possible chance of retreat was cut off, and no support within thirty-five miles. The enemy occupied one side of the tree-tops while we held the other. The case was indeed one: that called forth the exertions of every member <*>, <*>he little band. 'Twas life or death, and all were determined rather to die nobly and manfully fighting than cowardly surrendering without a struggle; seven charges followed the first, but the advancing foe fell dead before us. The firing continued for nearly four hours, when the enemy retreated, leaving their dead on the field. Their loss in killed and wounded was very severe, being much greater than our entire numbers, and among the former many of Morgan's ablest officers. There cannot be too much said in praise of the men. In a fair field-fight they defeated John Morgan, the rebel raider, the terrifier of Kentucky. The officers were ever where needed, and deserve credit for their coolness and bravery. Colonel Moore's courage, coolness, daring, and will must call forth the admiration of all. His conduct on the field of battle cheered his men to strenuous efforts, for in every post of danger he was in their midst. He was ever where the bullets fell the thickest, and by his good generalship won the day. General Morgan admired his generalship so much that he promoted him to a Brigadier-General, but the Colonel says that the largest brigade he wishes to command is the Twenty. fifth Michigan infantry. Our loss was six killed and twenty-three wounded. I send inclosed the official report. The enemy acknowledged a loss of seventy-three killed, and over two hundred wounded. About a mile in our rear was a dilapidated stockade which Morgan had on a previous raid endeavored to destroy; we, however, did not think enough of such pens to refit it, and accordingly engaged the enemy in a fair field-fight. After the battle, as we paid our last honors to the brave men that had fallen, the Colonel issued the following order:
headquarters twenty-Fifth Michigan infantry, battle-field of Tebb's Bend, Green River, July 4, 1863.
special orders no. 42.
My brave, my noble men!
It is with pride and pleasure that I congratulate you upon the great victory won to-day.
While you numbered but two hundred men, the enemy numbered thousands.
Being advised of their strength, and of their advantage in having artillery bearing upon us, their demand for a surrender was answered with a response that echoed the feelings of the gallant little band of the Twenty-fifth Michigan infantry that was about to engage them.
The engagement was long and.bloody; charge after charge was successfully repelled, and after three and a half hours hard fighting, the enemy was defeated and victory crowned our efforts.
Our brave companions who fell, fell gallantly fighting for their country, and in defence of the starry flag; their names, deeply inscribed on the pages of memory, will be wreathed ever in bright laurels of fame, and though 'tis hard to part with our noble dead, we know 'tis sweet in the cause of our country to die. Although no marble slab have we placed o'er their heads to mark their last resting-place; although no monumental pile have we erected o'er their graves; yet, in the hearts of the people of our own Peninsula State will be erected a monument that will perpetuate their names to all eternity.
By order of Colonel O. H. Moore. Ed. M. Prutzman, Lieutenant and Adjutant.
Thus the fourth day of July, made memorable ever in the annals of history, was to-day brought nearer and dearer to us by the gaining of a splendid victory over John Morgan's entire division.
E. M. P.
Colonel Moore's report.
headquarters twenty-Fifth Michigan infantry battle-field of Tebb's Bend, Green River, July 4, 1863.
Colonel: I have the honor to report that I have had a fight with the rebel General, John Morgan.
I did not move my command from where it was encamped, on the north side of the river, until Morgan's advance had entered Columbia.
I then moved forward to occupy the ground I had previously selected, and had the night before prepared for the fight, which was one and a half 