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part of my command should fall back lest their retreat be effectually cut off.
The Fifty-third regiment, after forming in line of battle, under my order, fired two rounds and fell back into the woods.
It appears from the report of Col. Appler, that apprehending a flank movement on his left, he ordered a retreat, but subsequently rallied in the rear of the Eighteenth Illinois.
This regiment became separated from my command, and its movements throughout the day were general.
The Fifty-seventh, under command of Lieut.-Col. Rice, united with other regiments during the day, and did good service.
My brigade having thus been broken, I became separated from it, and personally took an active part throughout the day in aiding other regiments.
At one time I had the honor of being named by Gen. McClernand as one of his staff.
About three P. M. I assumed command of a regiment already formed, composed of fragmentary regiments.
I marched in a north-western direction, when I aided in foiling the enemy in an attempt to flank our men. In this movement I aided a regiment of sharpshooters.
The night I passed on the battle-field in company with Cols. Buckland, Cockerill, Rice and other officers.
On Monday morning I collected my brigade and marched near the field of battle, forming near the rear, holding my force in readiness to enter into action at any moment when called upon.
We remained in this position until the enemy had retreated and the victory achieved.
On the eighth inst., in compliance with your order, I marched my brigade, accompanied by a large cavalry force, also by Buckland's brigade, on the Corinth road, about four miles from camp.
Halting in an open field, skirmishers were sent forward, who discerned rebel cavalry in considerable force, exhibiting a disposition to fight.
The skirmishers immediately fired upon the enemy, when the Seventy-seventh regiment, under command of Lieut.-Col. De Hass, was ordered up to support them.
Soon after forming in line, a large body of cavalry made a bold and dashing charge on the skirmishers and the whole regiment.
So sudden and rapid was the charge, shooting.
our men with carbines and revolvers, that they had not time to re-load, and fell back, hoping our cavalry would cover the retreat.
Unhappily, our own cavalry were not sufficiently near to render essential assistance.
The rebel cavalry literally rode down our infantry, shooting, sabring and trampling them under foot.
We sustained a loss, in killed, wounded and missing, of fifty-seven. Nineteen were killed on the spot, thirty wounded, and the balance missing.
Of the latter, two captains and one second lieutenant are numbered.
Capt. A. W. McCormick and Capt. A. Chandler were meritorious officers.
This I may also say of Lieut. Criswell.
Having buried the dead and sent the wounded to camp, I returned with my brigade to camp on the same evening before ten o'clock.
I enclose tabular statements of the number killed, wounded and missing from the regiment.
With regard to the officers and men who participated in the battle of Pittsburgh, and the affair of Tuesday, I am happy to bear testimony to the fidelity, bravery and devotion of all — a few having retired without orders, but generally all acquitted themselves with credit.
Major B. D. Fearing and Lieut.-Col. W. De Hass behaved well and exhibited much judgment as well as bravery.
Major Fearing, who was immediately in command of the Seventy-seventh regiment, acquitted himself with as much skill, bravery and military bearing, as an old officer of long experience, and was not excelled by any other field-officer who came under my observation.
Lieut.-Col. De Hass aided on the field of battle wherever his services could be useful — directing the movement of troops, assisting batteries to form in positions where the most effective service could be performed, and rendering such other aid as was proper and judicious.
It is due to Lieut.-Colonel De Hass to say the affair of Tuesday was not responsible to him, he having done his best to rally his men, and behaved throughout with undaunted bravery.
The Fifty-seventh, commanded by Lieut.-Col. A. V. Rice, rendered efficient service.
Lieut.-Col. Rice behaved with signal bravery, and exhibited much skill in the management of the regiment.
Col. Mangen having been sick for several days and confined to bed, was unable to go out. The Adjutant and company officers all behaved well
The Fifty-third I have referred to already.
The regiment, under Col. J. Appler, fell back after two rounds under the order of Colonel Appler.
Soon after, as I am informed, he left the field, and was not with the regiment during the day or Monday.
Lieut.-Col. Fulton, in command of the regiment, the Adjutant, and company officers generally, behaved with becoming bravery.
J. Hildebrand, Colonel Commanding.
Note.--About six P. M. on Sunday, the Seventy-seventh and Fifty-third regiments took a position near the heavy siege-guns on the hill, which they kept, until the enemy finally fell back.
The Fifty-third did good service in the afternoon by operating with other regiments. Report of Major Ezra Taylor.
Battalions one and two, camp near Pittsburgh, Tenn., April 10, 1862.
J. H. Hammond, Assistant Adjutant-General Fifth Division U. S. Forces in the Field, Gen. W. T. Sherman Commanding.
sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the forces under my command in the affair of the sixth and seventh instant.
By instructions from the General commanding the division, the mortar-battery, Capt. Behr commanding, was placed on the Purdy road, in the rear of McDowell's brigade; Taylor's battery, Capt. Barret commanding, to the right and in advance of the chapel on the road leading to Corinth; Capt. A. C. Waterhouse's battery, near the left of the division; four guns on the J. H. Hammond, Assistant Adjutant-General Fifth Division U. S. Forces in the Field, Gen. W. T. Sherman Commanding.