Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 5.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[436] front were not definitely ascertained, but it is known they very greatly exceeded our own.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

dear sir: I most respectfully submit to you the following report of the part taken by the Nineteenth Indiana volunteers in the battle of the fourteenth instant, at South-Mountain. On the evening of the thirteenth we encamped two miles south-east from Frederick, Md. We left camp soon after sun up, marched through Frederick, took the road toward Hagerstown and marched twelve miles. On arriving near South-Mountain it was ascertained that the enemy was in force on the mountain and in the pass. I was ordered to form a line of battle about three o'clock P. M., which was done on the hill facing the mountain, and remained there until about five o'clock, when we were ordered to go forward. We went forward in line of battle on the left of the pike leading through the pass, supported by the Second Wisconsin, two companies of which, commanded by Capt. Caldwell, had been deployed as skirmishers. I also employed company B, Capt. Dudley, as flankers, to protect our left flank.

We moved slowly and cautiously, but steadily forward. The skirmishers were soon fired on, but pressed forward with caution. On arriving near a house on our extreme left, surrounded on the south-west and north by timber, I discovered a large number of the enemy in and around the house. They had been annoying us as well as the skirmishers, by firing from the house and out-houses, also from the woods near the house. I ordered Lieut. Stewart, who commanded a section of battery B, Fourth artillery, to come forward and open fire upon the house. He moved forward his section of two pieces and threw several splendid shots, the first of which took effect in the upper story, causing a general stampede of their forces from that point, enabling us to go forward more rapidly and with less loss from their sharp-shooters. Their skirmishers opened a sharp fire upon ours, which made it necessary for us to push forward. We then opened fire on the enemy at short-range, who were concealed in part under a fence. The fire became general on both sides. The Nineteenth gave a shout and pressed forward, continued a steady step forward, cheering all the time. It was a most magnificent sight to see the boys of the Nineteenth going forward, crowding the enemy, cheering as they pressed on. After driving the enemy about three quarters of a mile, I discovered a stone fence in front, which the enemy had fallen back to; at that point they were annoying us very much. I then ordered Capt. Clark, company G, to wheel his company to the left and move by the right flank until he could command the line of battle lying directly behind the stone fence. They then opened a flank fire upon the enemy, causing them to retreat precipitately, which gave us an opportunity of pouring upon them a raking fire as they retreated. Capt. Clark here took eleven prisoners, one major, one captain, and one lieutenant amongst them. The firing then ceased in front of us. The Second Wisconsin came to our support promptly as soon as the firing became general, and stood by the Nineteenth until the enemy fled over the mountains.

After the firing ceased in front we discovered that the enemy, who was concealed behind a stone fence on the right of the pike in front of the Seventh Wisconsin, annoyed them by a deadly fire behind their breastworks. Col. Fairchilds, commanding the Second Wisconsin, wheeled the left wing of his regiment and opened an enfilading fire upon the enemy. After exhausting their ammunition he withdrew them and ordered up his right wing to take their place, in which position they remained until they exhausted their ammunition, when they were withdrawn. I then took forward my regiment and occupied the same position, and continued an enfilading fire upon the enemy, who soon fell back from their strong position. The Wisconsin and Indiana boys gave three hearty cheers as the fate of the day was thus decided. It was then after nine o'clock at night, and pursuit being considered dangerous, we lay down on our arms, holding the battle-field. Small detachments of my command were now engaged in bringing in wounded prisoners. We held the field until about twelve o'clock, when we were relieved by fresh troops.

The losses in the Nineteenth regiment were nine killed, thirty-seven wounded, and seven missing, making an aggregate of fifty-three.

It was a glorious victory on the part of Gen. Gibbon's brigade, driving the enemy from their strong position in the mountain gorge. The boys of the Nineteenth Indiana behaved most gloriously. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon them for their courage and gallantry. The officers all were active in the discharge of their duties. Lieut.-Col. Bachman was very efficient on the occasion, rendering me important service.

Capt. Hart, of company H, and Lieut. Rariden, of company F, were wounded in the leg.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Soldiers of the First New-Jersey Brigade: The fourteenth day of September, 1862, is long to be remembered, for on that day you daringly met and drove the enemy from every point. Your advance in line of battle under a galling fire of artillery, and final bayonet-charge, was a feat seldom if ever surpassed. The heights you took show plainly what determined and well-disciplined soldiers can do. You have sustained the reputation of your State, and done great credit to your officers and yourselves. While we lament