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Post also refused to leave the field until it was insisted on by Surgeon Maynard. Capt. C. F. Dickerson, of the Thirty-seventh, and Capt. Clinton F. Hunter, of the Fifty-ninth, who by virtue of seniority filled the places of Major Black and Major Post, respectively discharged the duties devolving upon them with great gallantry and efficiency.
All the officers of the line, without exception, deserve the highest praise; not one flinched or shrunk from his duty; the same of all the non-commissioned officers and privates.
The Peoria light artillery company, under the command of Capt. Peter Davidson, deserves honorable mention.
Although not brought into action until late in the day, their fire was delivered with precision and great effect, all the officers and men of that command displaying the utmost firmness and efficiency.
Our loss was as follows:
Thirty-seventh Illinois, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Myron S. Barnes:
Killed on the field--Corporal James Valentine, company A; Corporal James E. Lee, company B; Corporal Fred. A. Payne, company C; Corporal George H. Smith, company G, and sixteen privates — total killed, twenty-one.
Mortally wounded--First Lieut. O. R. Powers, of company E, (since dead.)
Wounded--Major Charles Blent; Capt. Henry Curtis, Jr., company A; Capt. E. B. Payne, company C; First Lieut. J. J. Huntly, company C; Capt. E. B. Misser, company F; Second Lieut. M. F. Atkinson, company G; First Lieut. H. W. Woodford, company H; Capt. W. J. Black, company I, and one hundred and four non-commissioned officers and privates — total wounded, one hundred and twelve.
Fifty-ninth Illinois volunteers, commanded by Lieut.-Col. C. S. H. Frederick:
Killed and mortally wounded, who have since died--Capt. Richard Everitt, company B; Capt. Willard H. Shepard, company K, and twelve privates — total killed, fourteen.
Wounded--Major P. Sidney Post; Second Lt. Jas. A. Beach, company I; acting Sergt.-Major John F. Smith, and forty-eight non-commissioned officers and privates — total wounded, fifty non-commissioned officers and privates.
Peoria light artillery, under the command of Capt. Peter Davidson: killed, none; wounded, five--none mortally.
All our wounded have been attended to by Assistant Surgeons E. A. Clark, of the Thirty-seventh, and Maynard, of the Fifty-ninth, in the most assiduous manner.
Their skill and zeal in the discharge of their responsible position is worthy of high commendation.
Report of the engagement of the Eighth inst.
On the morning of the eighth inst. I took position in front of the enemy, our right resting on the Springfield road, three companies supporting the battery of the Peoria light artillery on the extreme right, and the remainder of the brigade to the left in an open field, with no shelter from the enemy's batteries but a rail-fence.
Our battery, by my direction, opened fire (the first of the day) upon the woods in front, where a portion of the enemy's infantry were discerned in the act of forming their line of battle.
Our fire was responded to by the guns of the enemy to our right, where they were masked by a dense growth of underbrush, and within grape and canister distance.
For about half an hour I sustained this position alone, with but four guns, our infantry being entirely out of range, and therefore useless, while at the same time they were greatly exposed to an enfilading fire which began to tell upon them; at this time I directed a movement to the left, and about two hundred and fifty yards distant, placing the infantry out of range of the enemy's artillery, and establishing Davidson's battery on an eminence within easy range of the enemy.
From this position our fire was received and told with fearful effect.
The artillery of Gen. Sigel's and Col. Carr's divisions soon formed on our left, and the action became general.
The artillery gradually advanced on the enemy, while my command under the same order moved to the right, in connection with the first brigade under Col. Pattison, forming a continuous line, and connecting with Gen. Sigel's infantry; we now advanced in perfect order upon the enemy's left, delivering volley after volley with great rapidity, precision, and effect.
The rout of the enemy was complete, and we halted at the “Elkhorn Tavern,” about a mile and a half in advance of our first position, the pursuit of the enemy being continued by Gen. Sigel's column.
The conduct of officers and men was but a repetition of the previous day. None faltered; all performed their duty nobly.
The Peoria light artillery, however, on this day, had the opportunity which they had not so fully before, to exhibit the great skill and daring of their officers, and the discipline and bravery of their men. Their guns were served with the regularity and rapidity of a parade-day, and that under a terrible fire of shell, grape, and canister, from more than double the number of their own guns, for some time before any artillery, except that of the First brigade of this division, was brought into action.
This battery was subsequently moved to the front and right, where, after taking position near the main road, it opened a very effective fire of canister upon the enemy, who was concealed in the brush, but was immediately routed from their position by this fire.
The officers of this battery, Capt. Peter Davidson, and Lieuts. Burns, Hintel, and Fenton, have exhibited all the qualities requisite to the highest perfection, and are entitled to the respect and thanks of their countrymen.
To Brigade Adjt. J. C. Dodge, I am indebted for prompt aid at the commencement of the action of the seventh, but having been sent to yourself with a message, he was prevented from joining
