previous next

[367] directing the battle. No general, in my opinion, ever conducted a fight with more ability or displayed greater bravery.

Our loss in these engagements is thirty-four killed, one hundred and seventy-seven wounded, and one taken prisoner.

I am, General, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

Hugh B. Reed, Col. Commanding Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteers.

Recapitulation.--Commissioned officers, killed, three; wounded, eight. Privates, killed, thirty-one; wounded, one hundred and sixty-nine. Total, two hundred and eleven.


Col. Gibson's official report.

headquarters Sixth brigade, field of Shiloh, April 10, 1862.
Capt. D. McCook, A. A. Gen. Second Division:
Captain: I have the honor to submit the following report of the participation of this command in the memorable action of the seventh inst. Reaching Savannah at ten o'clock P. M., of the sixth, and holding the rear of the Second division, we were compelled to await transportation until the next morning, near nine o'clock. After great exertion the entire brigade with two batteries of artillery, were embarked on the steamer John J. Roe. We reached Pittsburgh Landing at near eleven o'clock, and at once hastened forward to the scene of conflict in the centre, where a portion of our division was then engaged.

Col. Willich, with the Thirty-second Indiana, being first to debark and reach the field, was detached from the brigade, and at once placed in position by Gen. McCook in person.

Nothing further was heard from him by me during the day, but his list of casualties shows that he hotly engaged, and the testimony of distinguished officers who witnessed the conduct of his command, justify me in saying that officers and men gave proof of skill and courage worthy the heroes of “Rowlett's Station.” Herewith I submit Col. Willich's report for full particulars.

Obedient to orders, the balance of the brigade was deployed in line of battle in the rear of the Fourth, under Gen. Rousseau, then closely engaged. His ammunition being exhausted, the Sixth brigade was ordered to advance, which command was executed promptly and in perfect order.

The enemy's infantry, concealed in tents, behind trees and in dense undergrowth, opened a terrific fire on our line.

Simultaneously he opened upon the left of the Fifteenth Ohio, holding the extreme right, with one battery; with another he annoyed the left of the Forty-ninth Ohio, holding the extreme left; whilst with a third he poured a torrent of grape upon the right and centre of the Thirty-ninth Indiana, holding the centre of the line.

The fire of the enemy's infantry was promptly responded to along our entire line. Our volleys were delivered with rapidity, regularity and effect. The enemy's lines were shaken, and we steadily pressed forward, driving the enemy before us eighty rods. I then discovered, that under cover of a ravine, the enemy was turning my left, and ordered the Forty-ninth Ohio to change line of battle to the rear on first company, which movement was executed in perfect order, under a heavy fire. Lieut. W. C. Turner, senior Aid-de-Camp of my staff, was despatched to Gen. McCook to inform him of the danger to my left, but the telling fire of the Forty-ninth, from its new position, soon drove back the enemy, and the regiment promptly moved forward into line. The enemy in increased force made a second demonstration on my left, and the Forty-ninth Ohio changed line of battle to the rear, and quickly averted the enemy's advance. Capt. A. Bouton, of Chicago, with two guns of his battery, reached the ground at this juncture, and after silencing the enemy's battery that had annoyed my left, moved to the left of the Fifteenth Ohio, and opened his well-directed fire on the batteries which had up to that time harassed the left of that regiment and the right of the Thirty-ninth Indiana. The enemy's guns were silenced, and Capt. Bouton has my cordial thanks for aid so promptly and skilfully rendered. The Forty-ninth having again moved forward into line, and my left being supported by troops ordered forward for that purpose by Gen. McCook, I again ordered an advance, and our entire line pressed forward in gallant style, driving the enemy before us a full half-mile, taking possession of the camp from which a portion of Gen. Sherman's division had been driven the day previous, including the quarters of the General himself.

Here he abandoned the contest and returned under protection of his cavalry, leaving us full possession of that part of the field, with two of his hospitals crowded with wounded: The Thirty-ninth Indiana captured fifteen and the other regiments captured sixteen prisoners on the field. As the conflict was waged under the immediate supervision of Gen. McCook commanding the division, I cheerfully commit the conduct of the Sixth brigade to his judgment and criticism. Every order was executed promptly, and nothing could exceed the order and firmness with which our entire line moved upon the enemy.

Colonel Dickey and Lieut.-Col. Wilson, of the Fifteenth Ohio, being absent on account of sickness, the command of the regiment devolved on Major Wm. Wallace, who managed his command with promptness and skill, exhibiting throughout the bloody contest the highest traits of coolness, courage and energy. His horse was killed on the field.

He had called Capts. Dawson and Kirby to his aid on the field, and they merit especial praise for their gallantry, in cheering on the regiment under a galling fire of artillery and infantry. Adjutant Taft performed his whole duty regardless of danger, and the entire regiment gave proof of its thorough discipline.

To the Thirty-second Indiana too much praise cannot be awarded. Active and vigilant at every moment, Col. Harrison exhibited skill and the highest courage and coolness, in manoeuvring his command. Major Evans was prompt and


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License.

An XML version of this text is available for download, with the additional restriction that you offer Perseus any modifications you make. Perseus provides credit for all accepted changes, storing new additions in a versioning system.

hide Places (automatically extracted)
hide People (automatically extracted)
hide Dates (automatically extracted)
Sort dates alphabetically, as they appear on the page, by frequency
Click on a date to search for it in this document.
April 10th, 1862 AD (1)
7th (1)
hide Display Preferences
Greek Display:
Arabic Display:
View by Default:
Browse Bar: