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[523] our ammunition being nearly exhausted, we retired to the bottom of the hill.

Soon after, I sent companies A, D, and F, to act in conjunction with two companies of the Fifteenth Kentucky, in endeavoring to hold a fence which ran along the side of the field in which we had been fighting, and perpendicular to our former line; but the fire of the enemy's battery, combined with that of his infantry, was so deadly that these men were again ordered to retire.

The Fifteenth Kentucky having by this time left the crest of the hill, and the enemy opening, from a new battery on our right, a fire which completely enfiladed our line, I concluded, after consultation with Col. Pope, to leave the ravine — filed off into the road, and was marching toward the rear, when I perceived the enemy emerging from the woods upon our right, and coming in great force toward the ground we had just been holding. I immediately ordered my regiment to face about, and advanced to meet the enemy, intending, in the absence of ammunition, to charge him with the bayonet. I was met here, however, by Lieut. Grover, of Col. Lytle's staff, with an order from him to retire.

Accordingly, we turned into a ravine on the right of the road, and were supplying ourselves with ammunition, when, hearing that Col. Lytle, my brigade commander, was killed, and being separated from the other regiments of the brigade, I reported to Col. Harris, commanding the Ninth brigade, for further duty. Night soon came on, however, and the engagement ceased.

During the battle, the flag presented by the people of Ohio to the Third regiment was gallantly upheld. It never once touched the earth, although the Color-Sergeant, McCrovie, was killed, and, after him, five others who successfully bore it, were shot down.

My regiment went into action with five hundred men. Our loss was forty-five killed, one hundred and forty-four wounded, and fifteen missing; a list of whom is hereunto annexed.

Fully appreciating the valor of my own officers and men, I desire to bear testimony to the gallant conduct of the Fifteenth Kentucky, whose members fought side by side with ourselves.

John Beatty, Colonel Commanding Third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry.


Report of Lieutenant-Colonel Strickland.

headquarters Fiftieth regiment Ohio volunteers, camp near Perryville, October 10.
To Colonel A. F. Hall, Commanding Tenth Division Army of the Ohio:
sir: I have the honor to submit the following brief report of the part taken by the Fiftieth Ohio regiment volunteers in the battle near Perryville, on the eighth instant. The regiment was thrown into line of battle by order of Colonel Webster, commanding Thirty-fourth brigade, Tenth division, (the regiment in command of Col. J. R. Taylor,) in the ravine to the left and rear of the Nineteenth Indiana battery, at half-past 2 o'clock P. M. At three o'clock P. M., Col. Webster commanded Colonel Taylor to change position to the left, about a regiment and a half distance on the crest of the hill, to support the same battery at this point. Finding myself the ranking officer present of the regiment, I assumed command, and ordered it to the front, and commenced firing to resist the enemy, who was closely and rapidly marching on us. The movement was successful, and the steady and continuous fire of the Fiftieth regiment drove the enemy back. I was then ordered by Col. Webster to make a charge directly to the front, over a fence and through a cornfield, down a ravine, which was done so promptly and successfully that the enemy fled in great disorder. The regiment continued to hold this position (at which point I was ordered by Colonel Webster to halt it) until about five o'clock P. M., when not having seen nor heard from Col. Webster for some fifteen minutes time, an Aid rode up and reported Col. Webster mortally wounded, and that the order was to move by the left flank. At this moment I saw the Nineteenth Indiana battery moving to the rear. Without having any further orders, I moved the regiment to the left about two hundred yards. I then filed the regiment to the left about battalion distance, where I was met by Gen. Rousseau. He ordered me to move to the front to support a battery, which I promptly did. I must here mention that company A, Captain Cook, and company F, Captain Clark, by order of Colonel Webster, from the first were left to the immediate support of the Nineteenth Indiana battery, and remained in that position, under the command of Capt. Cook, during a continuous and heavy fire of musketry, which was as effectually returned until the moving to the rear of the battery, when the two companies moved off, supporting the battery in perfect order. The officers and men under my command behaved coolly and bravely through the entire engagement. It would be injustice to make any distinction. Captain Carr, of company D, fell in the charge while boldly leading his men on. Captain Carter, of company I, fell as gloriously, with his face to the foe, as a soldier should. Lieut. Key, of company I, after the fall of Captain Carter, while bravely leading his boys in the charge, was seriously wounded in the knee.

I must acknowledge in grateful terms the invaluable services throughout the day of the gallant soldier, Major Thomas L. P. Defrees. I also take great pleasure in bearing testimony to the promptness and bravery of Adjutant George R. Elstner, in his constant assistance throughout the engagement. Although out of the ordinary course of a report of this kind, still I hope you will permit me to make honorable mention of the bravery and timely assistance rendered me at a critical point of the engagement by Lieut. J. T. Collins, of company E, Ninety-eighth Ohio regiment, acting Aid to Col. Webster.

The Fiftieth Ohio regiment went into action with five hundred and ninety-seven men,597
And came off the field with four hundred and sixty-seven men,467
Lost in killed, wounded, and missing, one hundred and thirty,130
Now present and returned fit for duty, five hundred and thirteen,513


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