Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[509] in the morning and sent to reinforce the right. It remained on that part of the field during the entire day, I am not able, consequently, to speak of its service from personal observation. But its extremely heavy list of casualties shows how hotly it was engaged, and what valuable service it rendered. I am sure it met the expectation I had ever confidently entertained of what would be its bearing in presence of the foe. Bradley's Sixth Ohio battery was associated with this brigade during the day, was skilfully handled and did most effective service. It lost two of its guns, but they were spiked before they were abandoned. They were subsequently recaptured by the Thirteenth Michigan, attached to this brigade. From all I have learned of the service of the Third brigade and Bradley's battery, I am sure they deserve equal commendation with the other two brigades and batteries, which so stoutly held the left. An official report of events so thrilling as those of the battle of the thirty-first ult., made from personal observations amid the din and roar of the conflict, and unaided by the reports of the subordinate commanders, must necessarily present but a brief and meagre outline of the part enacted by the troops whose services it professes to portray. A report so prepared may, entirely unintentionally on the part of the writer, do injustice to particular troops and officers. From the inability of reference to the reports of subordinate commanders, I cannot give any detail of the heavy casualties of the battle of the thirty-first. I must leave them to be reported, with the subsequent casualties, by my successor in command. The absence of such reports prevents me from signalizing by name such regimental and company officers as particularly distinguished themselves. But where all did so well it would be difficult, perhaps invidious, to discriminate among them. To my brigade commanders, Brigadier-General Hascall, commanding First brigade, Colonel Wagner, Fifteenth Indiana, commanding Second brigade, and Colonel Harker, Sixty-fifth Ohio, commanding Third brigade, my warmest thanks are due for their valuable assistance, their hearty co-operation, and intelligent performance of duty throughout the whole of that trying day. For these services and their gallant and manly bearing under the heaviest fire, they richly deserve the highest commendation and the gratitude of their countrymen. Colonels Wagner and Harker have long and ably commanded brigades, and I respectfully submit it would be simply an act of justice to confer on them the actual and legal rank of the command they have so long exercised. To Major S. Race, Chief of Artillery; Surgeon W. W. Blair, Fifty-eighth Indiana; Captain M. P. Bestow, Assistant Adjutant-General; First Lieutenant J. L. Yargan, Fifty-eighth Indiana, Aide-de-Camp; Captain Y. R. Palmer, Thirteenth Michigan, Inspector-General, and Major Walker, Second Indiana cavalry, volunteer Aid-de-Camp, my thanks are due and cordially given. Captain L. D. Myers, Division Quartermaster; Captain Henderson, Commissarary of Subsistence to the division, and First Lieutenant Martin, Twenty-first Ohio, Signal Officer, but for some time engaged in performing the duties of Acting Assistant Quartermaster, great credit is due for the intelligent and efficient performance of duty in their respective departments. Captain Bruce, Fifty-eighth Indiana, Ordnance Officer of the First Virginia, deserves credit for valuable services rendered in the Ordnance Department for the entire division, during the absence of the Division Ordnance Officer.

My division is composed of regiments from the States of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky. To the relatives and personal friends of those who have fallen in defence of their country, I would respectfully offer my sympathy and condolence.

About ten o'clock Wednesday morning, during one of the heaviest attacks, I was struck by a Minnie ball on the inner side of the left heel. Fortunately the ball struck obliquely, or the injury would have been much severer. My boot was torn open, the foot lacerated, and a severe contusion inflicted. I did not dismount from my horse till seven o'clock in the evening. The coldness of the night, combined with the injury, made my foot so painful and stiff as to render it evident I would not be effective for immediate service. I was ordered by the commanding General of the corps to repair that night, by ambulance, with an escort, to the city. It was with extreme regret I found myself in a condition to make it necessary, on account of my injury, to leave the division I had formed and so long commanded; but the regret was alleviated by the reflection that I had left the division under the command of an able and experienced officer, one who had long served with it, who knew it well, and in whom it had confidence--Brigadier-General Hascall.

I am still confined to my room, but trust ere long to be able to resume my duties.

I am, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

Major: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my division on the thirty-first of December, 1862:

At seven o'clock on the morning of that day, I received an order to cross Stone River, on which my left rested, and march toward Murfreesboro. The First brigade, Colonel Beatty, Third brigade, Colonel Price, and the batteries, Captain Swallow commanding, were promptly moved over and formed into line; the Second brigade, Colonel Fyffe, being retained on the south side by a subsequent order.

My lines being formed and about to advance,