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fight of the day, being in an open field, with the exception of a few scattering trees, the enemy far outnumbering us, and fighting with desperate courage.
This fire was fearfully severe, but our officers and men behaved with heroic bravery, never for a moment swerving from their position, pouring in their fire with the coolness of veterans, and driving the enemy before them; but again and again with fresh troops they advanced to the charge.
Our ammunition being expended, a part of a regiment was ordered up by you to take our place while our boxes were refilled.
In a few minutes we again entered the fight, and charged forward far in advance of our former line.
Our color-bearer and guard being either killed or wounded at the same moment, and two other brave men in succession being shot down, our flag riddled with balls, Lieut. Newman, in command of company H, bore it aloft, but soon fell mortally wounded.
It was again taken by our brave men, and carried to the front, both officers and men rallying with heroic energy to its support.
Capt. Murray, company B, acting Capt. George Weamer, and acting Lieut. Warren Banta, company E, fell mortally wounded.
Lieut. Kinmont, in command of company F, and Capt. Cosgrove, company D, were severely wounded.
Space will not permit of my mentioning many instances of personal bravery, nor is it necessary where all acted nobly.
By this time our cartridges were again expended.
You ordered up the Thirty-first Indiana, which had occupied position as a reserve in our rear, to relieve us. We accordingly moved back in good order, and took position near a battery, by order of Gen. Hurlburt.
The enemy in tremendous force drove back our lines, when we again changed position to the right, by order of Gen. Hurlburt.
Soon after this you rejoined us, and at your suggestion, I drew up in line across the road by which the enemy was advancing, and opened fire upon him. We were here entirely unsupported — our friends having passed on. I moved my regiment by the right of companies to the rear, and retired by the flank to the battery on the hill in our rear, where we again formed in line in support of battery.
The enemy made his attack on our left.
A fierce contest ensued, in which some of our men were engaged; night coming on, the enemy withdrew.
We advanced our line one hundred and fifty paces in front of battery, and rested on our arms during the night.
On Monday morning we were relieved by fresh troops; our men, worn out and drenched to the skin by the pelting storm, (as Gen. Hurlburt knows, having spent the night with us,) having been for twenty-four hours without food or rest.
A few hours were given them to prepare for the approaching battle.
At about ten o'clock you again called us into line — the Forty-fourth on the right wing.
Our brigade, sadly reduced in numbers, but still ready for the fight, were put on march for the battle-field, and were led by you to the extreme right, to support Gen. Sherman's division, where we arrived at a very opportune moment.
We found the enemy charging upon and driving our forces to our left and front over cleared ground, and used as drill-ground by our troops.
I immediately brought my regiment into line, and opened fire on the enemy.
Our charge took them by surprise.
They immediately retreated to the right and rear.
Colonel McHenry bringing up the left wing of our brigade, charged forward into the thickest of the fight.
The enemy slowly retreated, returning our fire.
Their battery also opened upon us. We pursued them for over half a mile, but not knowing the position of our forces, I called a halt.
At this moment, seeing Gen. Sherman at a short distance, I rode to him and reported for orders--(you having your horse shot under you, I was unable to find you at the moment.) Gen. Sherman ordered me not to advance further, but form our lines where we were.
Our men had become much scattered in the pursuit of the enemy, leaving us but a small force; and fresh regiments coming up to our support — amongst them the gallant Thirtieth Indiana, Col. Bass--the enemy was attacked with renewed energy; and after a fierce and bloody contest of half or three quarters of an hour, were driven from the field.
During the fight of Sunday and Monday, my regiment fired over one hundred and sixty rounds of cartridge at the enemy.
No men ever fought more bravely; too high praise cannot be given them.
Captain Murray and First Lieut. Barton, company B; Lieut. Newman, commanding company H; Capt. Tannehill and Lieut. Grund, company C; Capt. Williams and Lieuts. Shoemaker and Carey, company G; Captain Cosgrove and Lieut. Wayne, company D; Captain Aldrich and Lieuts. Wilson and Bennett, company K; Acting Captain George Weamer, Lieut. McDonald, and Acting Lieut. Warren Banta, company E; Lieut. Kinmont, commanding company F; and Acting Lieuts. Gunsenhouser and Kinmont of same company; Lieut. Hodges, in command of company I, and Lieut. Curtis of same company; Lieut. Burge Smith and Acting Lieut. Ulam, company A, were all in the thickest of the fight, and no men ever fought more heroically, and justly deserve mention.
I am greatly indebted to Lieut.-Col. Stoughton for his valuable aid; there is no braver man — he had his horse shot under him and was thrown with much force to the ground in the fight on Monday; and to Acting Major Heath, captain of company I, to whom too high praise cannot be given for his bravery and devotion to his duties.
Adjutant Colegrove had his horse shot under him. Nor ought I to forget the bravery and devotion to their duties of our surgeons, Drs. Martin and Rerick; they were with the regiment at all times during the fight, caring for the wounded, and were exposed to the enemy's shot, and were both hit with balls.
Lieut. Wayne and John Frampton deserve mention for their devotion to our flag in Monday's fight.
I cannot refrain from giving expression to my admiration, and bearing testimony to the noble and heroic manner in which Gen. Hurlburt and yourself exposed your lives in your constant and unwearied efforts.
Each of you was at all times to be seen at your several
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