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

[249] only avoided by keeping my men close to the ground. We were then ordered to bivouac for the night.

At twelve o'clock we were ordered to move in silence from our station, and take position on the right of the main road, in the thick brush, bordering on a low bottom field. On our right were three pieces of artillery — the Twenty--second Indiana and the left wing of the Eighth Indiana. In this position we lay until seven o'clock in the morning, when our battery opened upon the woods in our front. After a couple of shots from our battery, we were opened upon by a masked battery, not more than two hundred yards in our front. The fire was so hot as to oblige the battery and infantry on our right to retire in some confusion. My regiment, I am happy to say, remained in their position until ordered by you to fall back, while the enemy poured in a perfect storm of shell and grape-shot, and we only avoided a heavy loss by lying down. When ordered to fall back, we formed our line on the hill, and awaited orders. Between ten and eleven o'clock we were ordered to move by our right flank to a position beyond the enemy's with left. The Eighteenth being on the extreme right of our whole line, we were ordered to fix bayonets, and to drive back and turn the enemy's flank, which order was obeyed, driving them back in the greatest confusion. Our column was halted, and our men, wearied by charging over hills and hollows, through thick underbrush, were allowed to rest, the enemy having abandoned the field.

I cannot close this report without calling your attention to the coolness and courage displayed by the men and officers of my command; and I am greatly indebted to Major D. C. Thomas, who had charge of the right wing, for his coolness and bravery during the whole action, and his prompt action in carrying out all my orders. I am happy to say that Capt. S. W. Short, who had charge of the left wing, discharged his whole duty with promptness and fidelity. Indeed, my commissioned officers on this occasion proved themselves not only brave but equal to any emergency. Without disparaging ,the merits of the rest, I mention the names of Captains J. W. Williams, and John C. Jenks, who were thrown under my immediate notice, and I am happy to say that their coolness and bravery shown on this occasion cannot be excelled by any. To Dr. G. W. Gordon we are much indebted for the promptness with which he followed the regiment to every part of the field, and the skilful attention he paid to the wounded.

Enclosed please find the report of our dead, wounded and number engaged.

With great respect, I am your obedient servant,

General: In obedience to your order received at about one o'clock P. M., of the seventh instant, this command, consisting of the Thirty-seventh Illinois volunteers, the Fifty-ninth Illinois volunteers, (late Ninth Missouri,) and the Peoria light artillery--in all about nine hundred and fifty-six men — took position in front of the enemy near Leetown, in this county. The force we encountered consisted of the Third Louisiana, under Col. Herbert-regiment formerly commanded by Gen. McIntosh; Col. Mitchell's and Col. McRae's two regiments of Arkansians, and a large body of Indians under the command of Gen. McIntosh, with a reserve of several other regiments — all being under the chief command of General Ben. McCulloch.

The enemy taking position in a dense thicket on our right, the command was moved in and formed in line of battle in perfect order within one hundred and fifty yards of the enemy's front. Both lines then advanced, not a gun being fired until the distance between them was reduced to sixty or seventy yards, when the fire opened about simultaneously from both sides, and was maintained for about three quarters of an hour, very little intermission, at very short range.

At this time, finding that the enemy were out-flanking our right, notwithstanding I had deployed this command to an extent which was of itself hazardous in the effort to perfect such a result, and desiring to execute a change of front corresponding to the requirements of the emergency, I threw back the Thirty-seventh Illinois in good order to the corner of the field on our left, where it was again formed. While in the execution of this duty, a fresh regiment of the enemy made a sudden charge from the brush-wood, and after disabling a number of horses by their volley, succeeded in capturing the guns of the light artillery. Their triumph was short-lived, however, for the Thirty-seventh immediately fired upon them and charged, routing their right wing, at the same time that the First brigade, under Col. Pattison, came into action on our right, driving the left wing of the enemy in confusion from the field, and retaking our guns. After following the enemy into the woods, about a mile beyond the battle-field, this command rested for about two hours, when we marched by your direction to a position on the main road in the direction of Crossville, where we bivou acked for the night.

Among officers who all exhibited the utmost gallantry and efficiency, it is impossible to distinguish individuals. Of Lieut.-Colonel M. S. Barnes, of the Thirty-seventh, and Lieut.-Col. C. H. Frederick, of the Fifty-ninth, it is but just to say that they were cool, determined, and discharged their duties as commanding officers of their respective regiments in a manner that entitles them to the thanks of their countrymen. Both Major Chas. Black, of the Thirty-seventh, and Major P. Sidney Post, were wounded early in the engagement, each severely in the swordarm. The former continued on the field until peremptorily ordered by myself to leave it for the purpose of having his wound dressed. Major