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

[404] flank, and his subsequent retreat. I immediately ordered Col. Willich to advance to the support of Gen. Rousseau's left, and to give the enemy the bayonet as soon as possible. His regiment filed through the line of Kirk's brigade, which had been withdrawn from the right when the danger from that flank had passed, and advanced into a most withering fire of shell, canister and musketry, which for a moment staggered it, but it was soon rallied, and for an account of the numerous conflicts and desperate charges this regiment made, I refer you to Col. Willich's account referred herewith.

Being now satisfied that the enemy had changed his point of attack from the right to my extreme left, I ordered Col. Stambaugh's Seventy-seventh regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers to take up a position on my extreme left, and repel the assault there being made. He immediately engaged them, and at this moment the contest along the whole line became terrible. Col. Kirk's brigade now was ordered to engage, and he arrived precisely at the right moment, as the cartridges of Gen. Rousseau's brigade were all expended. General Rousseau's brigade fell back through Col. Kirk's lines, and retired to the woods in the rear, to be supplied with ammunition. Three hours before, being convinced, from the stubbornness with which the enemy was contending, and the rapid discharges of my regiments, that their forty rounds would soon be exhausted, I despatched Lieut. Campbell, my ordnance officer, for teams to bring up ammunition. He arrived at the opportune moment with three wagon-loads. While Gen. Rousseau's brigade was being supplied with ammunition, I ordered Col. Gibson's brigade to engage on the left of Col. Kirk's brigade, where the enemy was still endeavoring to force his way. At this moment every available man was under fire, and the enemy seemed to increase in the vigor and rapidity of his attacks. Now the contest became terrific. The enemy, to retake the ground and battery lost, advanced with a force of at least ten thousand, against my two brigades, and when he deployed into line of battle, the fires of the contending lines were two continuous sheets of flame. Here Major Levanway, commanding the Thirty-fourth Illinois, was killed by a shell, and the regiment wavered for a moment, when Col. Kirk, Colonel of the regiment, but commanding the Fifth brigade, seized a flag, rushed forward, and steadied the line again; while doing this, he was severely wounded in the shoulder.

The enemy now began to turn the left of Col. Gibson's brigade, when the Forty-ninth Ohio, by this disposition of the enemy, was compelled to change its front twice, which was done under a heavy fire. I am proud to say that this hazardous manoeuvre was performed with apparently as much steadiness as on parade.

As soon as Gen. Rousseau's brigade received its ammunition, it was again ordered into line, and I directed into action two regiments belonging to Gen. Hurlbut's division, which had been lying in reserve on my left since morning. As soon as these dispositions were made, I ordered an advance of my whole command, which was made in a gallant style. The enemy did not withstand the charge, but fled, leaving all of their wounded, and were pursued by my division beyond Gen. Sherman's headquarters, of the day before, when the pursuit was taken up by the cavalry and artillery.

During the action, I momentarily expected the, arrival of Capt. Terrill and his battery. I sent an aid-de-camp to conduct him to me, so that I could put him in position. The aid-de-camp, through mistake, took the road which led to Gen. Nelson's right. Capt. Terrill was there ordered, by Gen. Buell, into position. This officer did not fight under my immediate supervision, but from his report herewith appended, and the verbal acknowledgment to me of Gen. Nelson, he fought his battery gallantly and judiciously, and I commend him and his officers to my superiors. Capt. Terrill, on account of his strict attention to duty in the past, and conspicuous gallantry in this terrible conflict, is worthy of any promotion that can be bestowed upon him.

My other two batteries, Captains Stone's and Goodspeed's, did not arrive in time to participate in the conflict.

To three brigade commanders, Gen. Rousseau, Cols. Kirk and Gibson, the country is indebted for much of the success in this part of the field. Gen. Rousseau led his brigade into action, and opened the conflict in this division in a most hand — some and gallant style. He was ever to be seen watching the contest with a soldierly care and interest, which made him the admiration of the entire command. Col. Kirk, who during the action was severely wounded in the shoulder, coolly and judiciously led his men under fire. He has been in command of the Fifth brigade for some months, and much of its efficiency is due to the care and labor he bestowed upon it. I respectfully call your attention to his meritorious services on this day.

Col. Gibson, although temporarily in command of the Sixth brigade, displayed great steadiness and judgment during the action. The manoeuvres of his troops in the face of the enemy, attest his skill and ability. Col. Stambaugh, with the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania regiment of Volunteers, early in the action being ordered to watch the enemy upon my left, was at a later period ordered to engage. His regiment, partially isolated from the rest of the division, steadily moved over an open field in its front, under a heavy fire. While here the enemy's cavalry charged this regiment twice, but was each time repulsed with a heavy loss. Col. Stambaugh had the satisfaction of receiving the sword of Col. Batteles, of the Twentieth Tennessee, who surrendered to him as a prisoner. Lieut.-Col. Housem and Major Bradford ably seconded the efforts of Col. Stambaugh.

Col. Bass, of the Thirtieth Indiana regiment of Volunteers, was wounded twice, which is the best evidence of his bearing and bravery. After Col. Bass's last wound, Lieut.-Col. Dodge, ably