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

At thirty minutes past ten o'clock A. M., I received an order from General Fagan to withdraw my regiment from the field. I had marched some forty or fifty paces, in compliance with this order, when I received another requiring me to leave a small guard to cover my retreat. I called for volunteers, but no one responding, I returned myself, and with nine men who volunteered to accompany me, kept up a fire upon the enemy for twenty minutes longer. The ammunition was now expended and I thought it prudent to retire. The enemy were close upon us and advancing from all points. Not a moment was to be lost. We retreated as rapidly as possible, but as we descended the first hill, the enemy assailed us with a terrible volley of musketry. Three of our little party fell to rise no more. The remaining six, myself and a Yankee prisoner, whom we had kept with us all the time, succeeded in making our escape.

My officers and men, with but few exceptions, deported themselves with great gallantry.

My loss, so far as I have been able to ascertain, is as follows: Killed, twenty; wounded, seventy; missing, forty-three.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

I was ordered on the evening of the third of July to be in position, attack and take the fort on Reiter's Hill, at daylight on the morning of the fourth of July.

My command, mounted, consisted of Shelby's brigade, about one thousand one hundred men, and Greene's brigade, six hundred and fifty men, total one thousand seven hundred and fifty men.

At ten o'clock P. M., July third, I marched to get into position; when three miles from the fort I dismounted my whole force except one company, under Major Elliott. I then moved forward. When within two miles of the fort, I found the road and country thoroughly obstructed, the enemy having chopped down the trees and rendered almost impassable that approach to the fort and town. The country was exceedingly rough.

I was delayed some half hour or more by my guides, who lost their way, and reported that they were completely lost, and unable to guide me further; in consequence of which I did not get into position until a little after daylight, but before sunrise.

The enemy's pickets and skirmishers were encountered some three quarters of a mile from the fort, and driven to within one hundred and fifty yards of the fort. In this the enemy lost several killed, wounded, and five prisoners.

Shelby's brigade was in the advance, and so narrow was the road, and so rough and rugged were the hills, that the troops could only march by the flank, and the artillery with great difficulty was brought up, piece by piece and by hand.

By the time the advance had reached within two hundred yards of the fort, and those in rear brought up and deployed along the ridges, the enemy had brought to my left and rear a body of infantry and several pieces of artillery, which during the whole day's fight poured upon me a deadly fire.

I now had a heavy force in my front (infantry in rifle-pits and artillery in position), which it would have been difficult with my whole force to have carried. In addition, I had the force on my left (of infantry and artillery) thoroughly protected by the levee, which engaged a large part of my force, and on every attempt to advance enfiladed my line. It was from the sharpshooters and artillery on my left and rear that I suffered my greatest loss, and not until they were dislodged could I have advanced. I twice dispatched to Brigadier-General Walker to advance and assist me in dislodging them. It was not done.

From half past 4 A. M., till eleven A. M., I held my position, unable to advance; the enemy with their infantry and artillery on my front and left flank constantly engaging my forces. At eleven A. M., I received orders from General Holmes to retire.

My loss was fourteen killed, fifty-two wounded, one missing. Among the killed were Major R. H. Smith, my division Quartermaster, and Captain J. C. Clark, of Company D, Shelby's regiment. Major Smith was a gallant and valuable officer; he was shot dead beside a piece of artillery, encouraging and assisting the canonniers in their duties. Captain Clark was a most exemplary man and excellent officer; he was killed leading his men forward.

Amongst the wounded, I regret to announce that Colonel Shelby, commanding brigade, who was ever in the thickest of the fight, received a painful and serious wound in the wrist.

For a more special report of the conduct of the several regiments and their officers, I respectfully refer you to the brigade commander.

As yet I have not received the report for Shelby's brigade — will forward it as soon as received — have delayed this report awaiting same. The conduct of every officer and soldier of my command, as far as I know, was excellent.

The attack upon Fort Reiter, by my command, was a failure. I have every reason to believe