ly indebted to him in a degree corresponding with the importance of the subordinate position on the field.
But if the commander of a reserve, having his position designated, checks with the fire of his fresh troops the enemy, more or less exhausted by the contest with the first line, he does no more than was expected — he meets the foreseen emergency just as the general ordered, and it is simple absurdity to say that such a commander won the battle.
If he did, Kellerman, lot Napoleon, won Marengo.
Yet scarcely a battle is fought that precisely such a claim is not made in behalf of some commander, itching, perhaps, to double his stars, who may or may not have been used by the general at the decisive moment.
The thing has become chronic, and he must save the day whether there is danger of losing it or not. He cannot wait for the necessity; it would be like Don Quixote awaiting an attack from the wind-mills — the affair would go by default.
Therefore, as soon as the enemy approaches
tion, as the regimental commanders decline mentioning any one in particular where undoubtedly all did their duty well.
First Sergeant Bedtelyon, of company K, Fourth Michigan cavalry, rode by my side during both charges against the enemy in the engagement of Wednesday evening, December thirty-first, and displayed great gallantry and coolness.
I have recommended him to his Excellency, the Governor of Michigan for promotion.
Bugler Ben Depenbrock Second Indiana cavalry, and Quartermaster Sergeant Edward Owen, Fourth Michigan cavalry--when we were driven back in the early part of the evening of December thirty-first, I was on foot and in rear of the dismounted skirmishers who were running for their horses — when these two gallant soldiers galloped to the front, bringing up my horse.
Lieut. John Woolley, Second Indiana cavalry, A. A.A. G. First cavalry brigade, was thrown from his horse and so severely hurt that he could not walk without great difficulty, continued to press to the f
. Humphrey, Corporals David Labonty, David S. Allen, Oliver Bunker, and priva<*>es Joseph Zach, L. W. Beardsley, W. H. Millibam, Charles Fisher, Marion King, Mada Rubidi, Henry Tinsley, Co. D.
The following additional in company B are paroled prisoners: privates Wm. Voerhees, John Miller, Wm. S. Rice, Jackson Arnold, W. D. Walker and Leo Lawrent; Corporals Geo. Shears, Andrew Golden and G. L. Richards; and privates H. G. Bramble, C. M. Bryant, Thos. Clark, S. G. Eggleston, F. W. La Compt, R. B. Mack, John Pinegan, Daniel Porter, Wm. Saddler, Wm. H. Simmons, Jubal Shaw.
Co. E; Sergeant Joseph Cushman, Corporal Jason Wallace, musician Walter Huff, and privates Joseph Babbitt, James Perkins, Russell Huntley, Washington Cox, Curtis B. Knox, William Chamberlin, Addison Weaver, Reuben L. Kelly, Wm. Golden, Henry Couch, Co. F; Corporals Thomas H. Berry and George H. Wagoner, and privates Hiram Cole, Jas. Livingston, Wm. H. Nesbitt, Andrew Topper, Geo. Wells, Co. G; privates W. H. Delancy, N
