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

[713] at this time found to be somewhat deranged, caused by the numerous fences and houses over and around which the troops had to pass. The brigade was consequently halted and the alignment rectified, when the command, “forward,” was again given. The brigade moved directly to the front, parallel to the main road, preceded by a company of sharpshooters deployed as skirmishers, and commanded by Lieutenant J. C. Hubbard. At this point the firing commenced first, the line of the enemy having been unmasked by the skirmishers. The firing was continued but a short time when an order was received for the brigade to charge, and the troops rushed forward with a cheer, the enemy breaking before them. Having reached the middle of the field, the brigade was exposed to a fire from the right which could not be returned without exposing the troops of General Clark's division to the fire of the brigade, and was consequently halted until the firing ceased. An advance was made, skirmishing covering the front. The second line of the enemy was thus unmasked and exposed to the fire of the brigade. They gave way precipitately before the steady advance of our troops. On clearing the fields and reaching the enemy's encampment, the right wing was found .to be covered by a portion of General Clark's division. An officer approached from the right and stated that friends were exposed to our fire, when the firing ceased, and the charge ordered by Colonel Thompson, he leading the brigade into the encampment of the enemy to the left, which was early cleared by this brigade, when troops were met on the right returning without any apparent cause, and were ordered by Colonel Thompson to halt and advance, when a mounted officer informed Colonel Thompson that it was the order for all the troops to fall back. This movement became general in the brigade. In retiring the Thirty-fifth Alabama and Sixth Kentucky, forming the left wing, became separated from the right, and occupied a position in line one hundred yards to the left and rear. The enemy re-formed in heavy force behind their tents, rapidly advancing, firing, and cheering. The Third and Seventh Kentucky regiments were thrown under cover and met this advance with a steady fire. The Thirty-fifth Alabama and Sixth Kentucky were ordered forward, but advanced before the order reached them, opening a heavy fire upon the enemy, whose advance was thus checked. At this point Colonel Thompson was severely wounded and taken to the rear. The command devolving upon Colonel Robertson, who being, from complete exhaustion, in no condition at that time to assume command, and finding the right wing separated from the left, placed Colonel Crossland in command of the right and Lieutenant-Colonel E. Goodwin in command of the left, with orders to maintain the line, which was firmly held for nearly an hour, in the face of a terrible fire from musketry and artillery, when the charge, which closed the action, was made 13s in person by the Major-General commanding. It is the request of Colonel Thompson, that his entire approbation of the conduct of all the field and acting field officers engaged, and Captain W. P. Wallace and Lieutenant Charles Temple, Aids, and Acting Adjutant R. B. L. Soney, of the Third Kentucky, be specially expressed in this report. To the deportment of the Thirty-fifth Alabama regiment he desires attention to be called. This regiment, although for the first time under fire, on the fifth instant, proved itself a worthy comrade for the Third, Sixth, and Seventh Kentucky regiments, who in this action sustained the enviable reputation won by them on the field of Shiloh. Colonel Robertson would call special attention to the gallant conduct of Colonel E. Crossland and Lieutenant-Colonel E. Goodwin, who, the first with his regimental colors in hand, and the second with his hat on his sword, led the brigade in the final charge. To the reports of regimental commanders you are referred for notices of gallant conduct in other members of the command. The medical staff deserve the highest praise for their prompt and unceasing attention to the wounded.

By order of

Sir: On the morning of the fifth instant, in pursuance to orders of Brigadier-General Ruggles, I formed the Second brigade, Second division, in line of battle; the left of the brigade resting upon Bernard's fence, in the rear of Magruder's Institute, and the right resting upon the First brigade. On the right was placed Colonel Breaux, of the Thirteenth Louisiana; on the left, Lieutenant-Colonel Hunter, of the Fourth Louisiana, and in the centre was the battalion of Lieutenant-Colonel Boyle. At dawn of day I received orders to advance. The brigade was put in motion and advanced steadily through thick woods, underbrush, corn-fields, and picket-fences. In the midst of the forest we encountered a battery supported by infantry. We halted and delivered several volleys in quick succession. The enemy fled in every direction, taking off his artillery with him. We started in pursuit, and after considerable desultory firing upon the retreating foe, I discovered a.battery on the extreme left (said to be Mimen's), supported by a large amount of infantry. It was evident that this was a flanking movement, and required my immediate attention. I ordered a movement to be made to the left, and advanced in the direction of the battery. At the command “charge,” the whole brigade raised a shout and made as gallant a charge as was ever witnessed. Here I fell, my legs terribly shattered with canister-shot. What transpired