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the left, causing something of a diversion of our troops in that direction.
The One Hundredth Illinois,
Colonel Bartleson, was sent to me by the
General commanding the army, which was posted with the One Hundred and Tenth Illinois and Ninth Indiana in line to the front, with the right resting on the railroad.
Here, with a German regiment, (I think the Second Missouri,) these troops fought the remainder of the day, the troops previously occupying this position retiring on the last approach of the enemy.
A period of about one hour now ensued, with but little infantry firing, but a murderous fire of shot and shell from several directions was rained upon the position, which was covered by a thick growth of timber.
A portion of
Wood's division (now commanded by
Gen. Hascall) was also posted in these woods, in rear of my troops.
About four o'clock the enemy again advanced upon my front in two lines.
The battle had hushed, and the dreadful splendor of this advance can only be conceived, as all description must fall vastly short.
His right was even with my left, and his left was lost in distance.
He advanced steadily, and, as it seemed, certainly to victory.
I sent back all my remaining staff successively to ask for support, and braced up my own lines as perfectly as possible.
The Sixth Kentucky had joined in from the right some time previously, and was posted just over the embankment of the railroad.
They were strenghened by such fragments of troops as I could pick up, until a good line was formed along the railroad track.
A portion of
Sheridan's division was also but a few hundred yards in rear replenishing their boxes.
A portion of
Gen. Hascall's troops were on the right of the railroad.
The fire of the troops was held until the enemy's right flank came in close range, when a single volley from my men was sufficient to disperse this portion of his line, his left passing far around to our right.
This virtually ended the fight of the day. My brigade rested where it had fought — not a stone's throw from where it was posted in the morning — until withdrawn at dawn next day.
The Sixth Kentucky was not under my immediate observation from the first assault until late in the day, but during the portion of the time it was with me — and I have reason to believe at all other times — it fought unflinchingly, and is deserving of all praise.
It repelled three assaults of a rebel brigade from the burnt house, endeavoring to gain the woods, and only retired when its ammunition was exhausted.
Among its killed are
Lieut.-Col. Cotton and
Capt. Todd, men possessing in the highest degree the esteem and confidence of their brothers in arms, and who will be deeply lamented by a large circle of friends.
The One Hundred and Tenth Illinois, a new regiment, never before under fire, displayed that fearless courage one admires in veterans.
Their losses from artillery were heavy.
The Ninth Indiana and Forty-first Ohio maintained fully their well-known reputation for perfect discipline, dauntless courage, and general fighting qualities.
Their steadiness under fire was incredible.
The latter, while resting, was taken by its commander, without orders, to repel an assault of the enemy's cavalry upon our train, effecting the object and returning to its position.
The casualties of this day were as follows:
| | Officers | Enlisted Men | Missing. | Total. |
| Killed. | Wo'd. | Killed. | Wo'd. |
| 6th | Kentucky, | 2 | 5 | 11 | 85 | 10 | 113 |
| 9th | Indiana, | 1 | 5 | 9 | 89 | 13 | 117 |
| 110th | Illinois, | 1 | 3 | 6 | 43 | 12 | 65 |
| 41st | Ohio, | 1 | 3 | 12 | 96 | 17 | 129 |
| | | | | | | |
| Total, | 5 | 16 | 38 | 313 | 52 | 424 |
A large list also occurred among the other troops under my immediate control on the field; but they will be reported by their proper brigade commanders.
I am under many obligations to the commanders of those troops (many of their names I do not know) for implicit obedience to my orders, and to
Col. Bartleson, of the One Hundredth Illinois, for valuable services.
To the officers commanding regiments in this brigade too much consideration cannot be given, both by their commanding generals and the country.
Besides the actual service rendered their country this day, such heroic and daring valor justly entitles these men to the profound respect of the people of the country.
To them the commander of the brigade feels that he owes every tiling this day, as there were times when faltering on their part would have been destruction to the left of the army.
He owes the success of this day not only to proper conduct on the field, but more to strict obedience to orders and a manly cooperation in bringing this brigade to its present high state of discipline and efficiency, through constant care, labor, and study for a period of over twelve months. This alone has produced this proud result.
To
Lieut.-Colonel Suman, also, of the Ninth Indiana, twice wounded, great credit is due for gallantry.
Capt. Cockerill, battery F, First Ohio volunteer artillery, showed, as he always has, great proficiency as an artillery officer.
He was also severely wounded.
Lieut. Osborne, of the same battery, being, at the rear to fill his caissons when the train was menaced, turned his pieces upon the enemy, and greatly assisted in dispersing them.
Lieut. Parsons, of the Fourth United States artillery, who was in the thickest of the fight near my position all day, is also deserving of the warmest consideration of the
Government for the efficient manner in which his battery was manoeuvred.
To my staff, also, every thing can be said in their praise.
To
Major R. L. Kimberly, Forty-first Ohio volunteers,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General;
Lieuts. William M. Beebe and
E. B. Atwood, of the same regiment, aids-de-camp, and
Captain L. A. Cole, Ninth Indiana, topographical officer, for intelligently carrying my orders and assisting in posting troops, under a galling fire, the whole day; to
Capt. James McCleery, Forty-first Ohio volunteers,
Acting Inspector General, for assisting to bring forward ammunition even after being wounded; to
Harry Morton, Sixth
