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

[499] Lieuts. McMurtrie and Burbick, of company D, Lakin and Abnerthey, of company F, and Moe, of company C, did their duty bravely and well. Company A was not engaged, having been detailed as guard to the wagon-train. Second Lieut. G. A. Cushman, Acting Adjutant, and Sergeant-Major R. W. Montague, both displayed great coolness and courage, and rendered me very valuable assistance on the field.

The conduct of the rank and file in crossing the bridge, under the terrible fire of the enemy's batteries, and in rallying to the flag, as promptly as they did, deserves the highest praise.

Several cases of individual bravery among the men I shall bring to the notice of the General commanding the brigade as soon as I have fully investigated the circumstances. I take pleasure in noticing here the gallantry of Corp. Anderson Edwards, the color-bearer. This is the third fight in which he has carried the colors of the regiment, and he deserves the notice of the General Commanding. I am ashamed to say that a few, a very few, cases of misconduct in the presence of the enemy, have been reported to me, which on further investigation I shall submit to the General commanding the brigade, with a request that they may be submitted to a general court-martial.

I herewith enclose a list of the killed and wounded in the Third Iowa infantry, in the action of the fifth. The number of killed is very small, considering the terrible character of the wounds received.

I have the honor to be, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,

sir: At eight o'clock on the morning of the fifth instant, under orders from Brig.-Gen. Veatch, the Forty-sixth regiment took position on the right of the Second brigade in the advance, to support Bolton's battery, two miles west of the Big Hatchie. After several shots, the battery took position half a mile in advance, when they opened a galling fire on the rebels, which lasted about three fourths of an hour; when the command “Fire” was given, the men all moved at the word, and soon received the melancholy intelligence that our loved and gallant Colonel Davis was again severely wounded by a canister shot. When I took command and announced this, they all seemed determined to avenge their loss, and soon had the opportunity, for at this moment the rebels opened their first volley of musketry at short-range, which was received with great coolness by the men until they had the command, “Fire,” which they did, and rushed on, driving them over and from their own batteries, to the opposite bank of the river. Here the rebels made a stand, and confidently expected to repulse our forces, but the word was still forward, and on they marched on double-quick, and formed in line over the river. Here Sergt. John E. Hershey, color-bearer, fell wounded. Corp. T. E. Joiner, of company G, true to duty, bore both colors across the open field, and handed one to James Hobday, of company I, who did it honor through the day. At this time Capt. W. W. F. Fox, of Gen. Veatch's staff, took the front, and called on the Forty-sixth to follow him, when they charged with cheer after cheer, until the field was again theirs; and in the last line, formed about four o'clock P. M., the brave and generous Lieut. M. R. Thompson fell mortally wounded.

I cannot close this report without special mention of Assistant Surgeon Benj. H. Bradshaw, who, unassisted, took the wounded from amid the ranks himself, doing far more than his duty. And also the officers of the line, who were at their posts, fearless of rebel power, and if honor has been won, it is due to them and their brave men alone.

General orders, No. 88.--It is with heartfelt gratitude the General Commanding congratulates the armies of the West for another great victory won by them on the third, fourth, and fifth inst., over the combined armies of Van Dorn, Price, and Lovell.

The enemy chose his own time and place of attack, and knowing the troops of the West as he does, and with great facilities for knowing their numbers, never would have made the attack except with a superior force, numerically. But for the undaunted bravery of officers and soldiers, who have yet to learn defeat, the efforts of the enemy must have proven successful.

While one division of the army under Major-Gen. Rosecrans was resisting and repelling the onslaught of the rebel hosts at Corinth, another from Bolivar, under Major-General Hurlbut, was marching upon the enemy's rear, driving in their pickets and cavalry, and attracting the attention of a large force of infantry and artillery. On the following day, under Major-Gen. Ord, these forces advanced with unsurpassed gallantry, driving the enemy back and across the Hatchie, over ground where it is almost incredible that a superior force should be driven by an inferior, capturing two of his batteries, (eight guns,) many hundred small arms, and several hundred prisoners.

To these two divisions of the army all praise is due, and will be awarded by a grateful country.

Between them there should be, and I trust is, the warmest bonds of brotherhood. Each was risking life in the same cause, and on this occasion risking it also to save and assist the other No troops could do more than these separated armies. Each did all possible for it to do in the places assigned it.

As in all great battles, so in this, it becomes our fate to mourn the loss of many brave and faithful officers and soldiers, who have given up