Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 4.
Frank Moore, Ed.

To Acting Asst. Adjt.-Gen. E. S. Quay, and Aid-de-camp Lieut. Henry Z. Eaton, of my staff, I am greatly indebted for the prompt performance of their respective duties.

Herewith I hand you a report of the dead and wounded of my command.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

I am, sir, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

The Seventh Indiana infantry formed a part of the Third brigade of Gen. Shields' division and at the time, was under the command of Lieut.-Col. Cheek, in the absence of Col. James Gavin, on important private business. The engagement was opened early in the day, and kept up by the artillery until about three o'clock P. M. The enemy had possession of a hill on their extreme left, which commanded our right, on which they had their batteries, supported by infantry, and was playing upon us with considerable effect, when the Third brigade was ordered to turn their flank and charge their batteries. The Seventh Indiana was the second regiment in line, and with the first received the opening fire of the enemy's sharpshooters, and a moment after a volley from the entire line; yet our men moved forward until they received orders to deliver their fire, which they did, accompanied with a terrific yell, which none but Western men can give. The effect met fully my expectations. We found the enemy greatly outnumbering us, posted behind rocks and a stone wall running parallel with our advancing line. Still with the advantage of position and nearly or quite double our force, they were compelled to retire after contesting sharply for two hours and forty minutes, leaving their dead, wounded, and two pieces of artillery on the field.

I desire to call your attention particularly to the Seventh regiment, which was under a galling fire during the entire engagement, fully sustaining the reputation of Indiana's gallant soldiery, standing up against such fearful odds with unequalled bravery. To Lieut.-Colonel Cheek and Major Shaw great credit is due for the manner in which each discharged his respective duties, fearlessly and without a fault.

The line officers, so far as I observed, did their whole duty as gallantly as any other in the conflict, and deserve much credit for their daring bravery. At one time, had they given way, the battle must have been lost to us. The whole regiment, officers and men, merit special notice,

The Fourteenth Indiana, Lieut.-Col. Harrow, and the Thirteenth Indiana, Lieut.-Col. Foster,