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[251] the command again till near the close of the action.

Chaplains Anderson, of the Thirty-seventh, and Shoemaker, of the Fifty-ninth, were present in the field, rendering all the aid in their power in removing the wounded and relieving their sufferings.

I should do injustice if I omitted to mention the very valuable aid received at various times from your aids, Cols. Henry Pease and Morrison, also from Adjt. Holstein. The form and voice of Col. Pease were often seen and heard along the line, cheering and encouraging the men on to victory, regardless of personal dangers which he was under no obligation to encounter except on official business.

The Quartermasters of both regiments, Capts. Peck, of the Thirty-seventh, and Buarhin, of the Fifty-ninth, the Brigade-Quartermaster, Lieut. S. M. Jones, and Brigade-Commander, A. D. Becker, have during the three days of the enemy's presence discharged their duties patiently and efficiently, their several departments so exerted to the welfare of their troops having been always in order.

Losses during the action of the eighth: Thirty-seventh Illinois volunteers--killed, none; wounded, six.

Davidson's battery — killed, none; wounded, twelve. Total, eighteen.

Recapitulation.

Thirty-seventh Illinois--killed, on the seventh, twenty-one; wounded, one hundred and thirteen.

Thirty-seventh Illinois--killed, on the eighth, twenty-one; wounded, six.

Fifty-ninth Illinois--killed, on the seventh, fourteen; wounded, fifty-one.

Fifty-ninth Illinois--killed, on the eighth,--; wounded,--.

Peoria light artillery--wounded, on the seventh, five.

Peoria light artillery--wounded, on the eighth, twelve.

Total — killed, thirty-five; wounded, one hundred and eighty-seven.

I close this report with my warmest thanks to you, General, for the wisdom, firmness, and ability with which the movements of my command have been directed by yourself, and for your kindness to my wounded.

I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Julius white, Colonel Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteers, Commanding Second Brigade Third Division. To Acting Brig.-Gen. J. C. Davis, Commanding Third Division.


Report of Col. Knobelsdorff.

headquarters Forty-Fourth Illinois Volunteers, North-Western rifle regiment. Camp Pea Ridge, Ark., March 11, 1862.
Gen. Sigel, Commanding First and Second Division:
sir: I have the honor to report the action of this regiment from the sixth to ninth of March, inclusive. The regiment, stationed at Camp Cooper, near Bentonville, received marching orders at eleven P. M. of the fifth, and at two o'clock A. M. of the sixth commenced a retrograde movement towards Sugar Creek Hollow.

Other marching orders were received. Company F, under command of Lieut. Hickey, were stationed at Williams' Mill, seven miles west, grinding flour for the use of the regiment. A messenger was immediately sent for them, and they made a very rapid march, reaching the regiment in time to march with us, bringing also a quantity of flour. The regiment, with the First division, passed Bentonville at sunrise, and arrived at Sugar Creek Hollow at eleven A. M. We had hardly stacked our arms before information was received that the Twelfth Missouri regiment had been cut off by the enemy, and we were ordered by you to hasten back to their assistance, which was immediately done, the regiment going double-quick some six miles, but as the enemy had retreated, we were ordered back and took position on the bluff west of the Hollow. Contrary to all expectation, the enemy attacked our forces the next morning on the north-west side of our lines, and the battle of Leetown commenced. My regiment, together with the Twenty-fifth Illinois, Seventeenth Missouri, and part of Waede's battery, were held in reserve until one o'clock P. M., when we were all ordered by you to the field and to the rescue. Companies C and A, under command of Capt. Russell, were previously ordered to skirmish the woods in front of our position, and secure the march of the reserve to the battle-field. Captain Russell succeeded, by skilful management, in taking many prisoners and driving back scattering bodies of the enemy who threatened our left flank. Eight companies proceeded, double-quick, to the battle-ground near Leetown. Arriving on the field, they were ordered by Brig.-Gen. Davis to take position on the right of the road, where the hardest fighting had been done. A line of skirmishers was immediately thrown out, and the regiment followed with great promptness, passing over the dead and wounded, who lay in every direction. Finding the enemy were retreating, I followed them rapidly, taking a number of prisoners and keeping up a lively skirmishing fire. After pursuing them over a mile, I took position on a high ridge commanding the surrounding ground. At this moment you arrived with artillery and other forces, and ordered us forward in pursuit of the enemy. Night overtaking us, we were ordered into an open field on the left, and slept on our arms in front and near the enemy. Early the next morning, together with other regiments, we changed position and went towards the headquarters of Gen. Curtis, near Pea Ridge. At seven o'clock, on the morning of the eighth, we took position on the left of Col. Carr's regiment from the north-east. After taking our position and throwing out skirmishers, the enemy commenced a heavy fire on our right flank, forcing Col. Carr's regiment and the two batteries they were supporting, to retire. Part of the infantry broke through our line, but our men behaved with the


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