SOUTHERN HISTORY OF THE WAR, OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES, AS PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE CONFEDERATE CONGRESS AT RICHMOND. NEW YORK: CHAELES B. RICHARDSON, 594 & 596 BROADWAY. 1863. ■CTIt f*t! OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES PUBLISHED BY ORDEK OF CONGEESS EICHMOND, VA.: ENQUIRER BOOK AND JOB PRESS. 1862. REPORT OF GENERAL BEAUREGARD OF THE BATTLE OF MANASSAS. Head-quakteks Fiest Coeps Arsit of the Potomac, ) Manassas, August 26, 1861. f Geneeal :_ * * * The War Department having been informed by me, by telegraph on the 17th of July, of the movement of Gen. McDowell, Gen. Johnston was immediately ordered to form a junction of his army corps with mine, should the movement, in his judgment, be deemed advisable. Gen. Holmes was also directed to push forward with two regiments, a battery, and one company of cavalry. In view of these propositions, approaching reinforcements modi- fying my plan of operations so far as to determine on attacking the enemy at Centreville as soon as I should hear of the near approach of the two reinforcing columns, I sent one of my aids. Col. Chisholm, of South Carolina, to meet and communicate my plans to Gen. Johnston, and my wish that one portion of his force should mai'ch by the way of Aldie, and take the enemy on his right flank and in **he rear at Centreville. Difficulties, however, of an insuperable character in connection with means of transportation, and the marching condition of his troops, made this impracticable, and it was determined our forces should be united within the lines of Bull Run, and thence advance to the attack of the enemy. Gen. Johnston arrived here about noon on the 20th July, and being my senior in rank he necessarily assumed command of all the forces of the Confederate States, then concentrating at this point. Made acquainted with my plan of operations and dispositions to meet the enemy, he gave them his entire approval, and generously directed their execution under my command. In consequence of the untoward detention, however, of some five thousand (5000) of Gen, Johnston's army corps, resulting from the inadequate and imperfect means of transportation for so many troops at the disposition of the Manassas Gap Railroad, it became neces- b OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. sary, on the morning of the 21st, before daylight, to modify the jDlan accepted to suit the contingency of an immediate attack on our lines by the main force of the enemy, then plainly at hand. The enemy's forces, reported by their best-informed journals to be 55,000 strong, I had learned from reliable sources, on the night of the 20th, Avere being concentrated in and around Centreville, and along the Warrenton turnpike-road, to Bull Run, near which our respective pickets were in immediate proximity. This fact, with the conviction that, after his signal discomtiture on the 18th of July, before Blackburn's Ford — the centre of my lines — he would not renew the attack in that quarter, induced me at once to look for an attempt on my left flank, resting on the Stone- Bridge, which was but weakly guarded by men, as well as but slightly provided with artificial defensive appliances and artillery. In view of these palpable military conditions, by half-j^ast 4 a. m., on the 21st July, I had prepared and dispatched orders, directing the whole of the Confederate forces within the lines of Bull Run, including the brigade and regiments of Gen. Johnston, which had arrived at that time, to be held in readiness to march at a moment's notice. At that hour the following was the disposition of our forces : Ewell's brigade, constituted as on the 18th of July, remained in position at Union Mills Ford, his left extending along Bull Run, in the direction of McLean's Ford, and supported by Holmes' brigade, 2d Tennessee and 1st Arkansas regiments a short distance to the rear — that is, at and near Camp Wigfall, D. R. Jones' brigade, from Ewell's left, in front of McLean's Ford, and along the stream to Longstreet's position. It was unchanged in organization, and was supported by Early's brigade, also un- changed, placed behind a thicket of young pines, a short distance in the rear of McLean's Ford. Longstreet's brigade held its former ground at Blackburn's Ford, from Jones' left to Bonham's right, at Mitchell's Ford, and was sup- ported by Jackson's brigade, consisting of Col. James L. Preston's 4th, Harper's 5th, Allen's 2d, the 27th, Lieut.-col. Echoll's, and the 33d, Cumming's Virginia regiments, 2611 strong, which were posted behind the skirting of pines to the rear of Blackburn's and Mitchell's Fords, and in the rear of this support was also Barksdale's 13th regi- ment Mississippi Volunteers, which had lately arrived from Lynch- burg. Aloiig the edge of the pine thicket, in rear of and equidistant ^•om McLean's and Blackburn's Fords, ready to suj^port either OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 7 position, I had also placed all of Bee's and Bartow's brigades that had arrived — namely, two comjianies of the 11th Mississippi, Lieut.- col. Liddell ; the 2d Mississippi, Col. Falkner, and the Alabama, with the 7th and 8th Georgia regiments (Col. Gartrell and Lieut.- col. Gardner), in all 2732 bayonets. Bonham's brigade, as before, held Mitchell's Ford, its right near Longstreet's left, its left extending in the direction of Cocke's right. It was organized as at the end of the 18th of July, with Jackson's brigade, as before said, as a support. Cocke's brigade, increased by seven companies of the 8th, Hun- ton's ; three companies of the 49th, Smith's Virginia regiments ; two companies of cavalry, and a battery under Rogers of four 6- pounders, occupied the line in front and rear of Bull Run, extending from the direction of Bonham's left, and guarding Island, Ball's, and Lewis' Fords, to the right of Evans' demi-brigade, near the Stone Bridge, also under Gen. Cocke's command. The latter held the Stone Bridge, and its left covered a farm ford about one mile above the bridge. Stewart's cavalry, some three hundred men of the ai-my of the Shenandoah, guarded the level ground extending in rear from Bon- ham's left to Cocke's right. Two companies of Radford's cavalry were held in reserve a short distance in rear of Mitchell's Ford, his left extending in the direc- tion of Stewart's right. Col. Pendleton's reserve battery of eight pieces was temporarily placed in rear of Bonham's extreme left. Major Walton's reserve battery of five guns was in position on McLean's farm, in a piece of woods in rear of Bee's right. Hampton's legion of six companies of infantry, six hundred strong, having arrived that morning by the cars from Richmond, was sub- sequently, as soon as it arrived, ordered forward to a position in immediate vicinity of the Lewis House, as a support for any troops engaged in that quarter. The effective force of all arms of the army of the Potomac on that eventful morning, including the garrison of Camp Pickens, did not exceed 21,833 and 29 guns. The army of the Shenandoah, ready for action on the field, may be set at, 6000 men and 20 guns. [That is, when the battle begun: Smith's brigade and Fisher's North Carolina came up later, and made total of army of Shenandoah engaged of all arms, 8334. Hill's Virginia regiment, 550, also arrived, but was posted as reserve to right flank.] 8 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. The brigade of Gen. Holmes mustered about 1265 bayonets, 6 guns, and a company of cavalry about ninety strong. Informed at half-past 5 a. m., by Col. Evans, that the enemy had deployed some 1200 men [these were what Col. Evans saw of Gen. Schenck's brigade of Gen, Tyler's division, and two other heavy brigades, in all over 9000 men and 13 pieces of artillery — Carlisle's and Ayres' batteries — that is, 900 men and two 6-pounders, con- fronted by 9000 men and 13 pieces of artillery, mostly rifled], with several pieces of artillery in his immediate front. I at once ordered him, as also Gen. Cocke, if attacked, to maintain their jjosition to the last extremity. In my opinion the most efiective method of reheving that flank was by a rapid, determined attack, with my right wing and centre on the enemy's flank and rear at Centre ville, with due precautions against the advance of his reserves from the direction of Washing- ton. By such a movement, I confidently expected to achieve a com- plete victory for my country by 1 2 o'clock, m. These new dispositions were submitted to Gen, Johnston, who fully approved them, and the orders for their immediate execution were at once issued. Brig.-gen. Ewell was directed to begin the movement, to be fol- lowed and supported successively by Gens. D. R. Jones, Long- street, and Bonham respectively, supported by their several ap- pointed reserves. The cavalry, under Stewart and Radford, were to be held in hand, subject to future orders and ready for employment as might be required by the exigencies of the battle. About half-past 8 o'clock, a. m.. Gen. Johnston and myself trans- ferred our head-quarters to a central position about half a mile in the rear of Mitchell's Ford, whence we might watch the course of events. Previously, as early as half-past 5, the Federalists in front of Evans' position. Stone Bridge, had opened with a large 30-pounder Parrot rifle gun, and thirty minutes later with a moderate, ap- parently tentative, fire from a battery of rifle pieces, directed first in front at Evans', and then in the direction of Cocke's position, but without drawing a return fire and discovery of our position, chiefly because in that quarter we had nothing but eight 6-pounder pieces, which could not reach the distant enemy. As the FederaUsts had advanced with an extended line of skir- mishers in front of Evans, that ofiicer promptly threw forward the two flank companies of the 4th South Carolina regiment, and one OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. \) company of Wheat's Louisiana battalion, deployed as skirmishers, to cover his small front. An occasional scattering fire resulted, and thus the two armies in that quarter remained I'or more than an hour, while the main body of the enemy was marching its dubious way through the " big forest " to take our forces in flank and rear. By half-past 8 a. m., Col. Evans having become satisfied of the counterfeit character of the movement on his front, and persuaded of an attempt to turn his left flank, decided to change his position to meet the enemy, and for this purpose immediately put in niotiou to his left and rear six companies of Sloan's 4th South Carolina regiment, Wheat's Louisiana battalion, five companies, and two 6 -pounders of Latham's battery, leaving four companies of Sloan's regiment under cover as the sole immediate defence of the Stone Bridge, but giving information to Gen. Cocke of his change of po- sition and the reasons that impelled it. Following a road leading by the Old Pittsylvania (Carter) man- sion. Col. Evans formed in line of battle some four hundred yards in rear — as he advanced — of that house, his guns to the front and in position, pi'operly supported, to its immediate right. Finding, however, that the enemy did not appear on that road, which was a branch of one running by Sudley's Springs Ford to Brentsville and Dumfries, he turned abruptly to the left, and marching across the fields for three-quarters of a mile, about half-jjast 9 a. m., took a position in line of battle ; his left, Sloan's companies, resting on the main Brentsville road in a shallow ravine, the Louisiana battalion to the right, in advance some two hundred yards, a rectangular course of wood separating them — one piece of his artillery planted on an eminence some seven hundred yards to the rear of Wheat's bat- talion, and the other on a ridge near and in rear of Sloan's position, commanding a reach of the road just in front of the line of battle. In this order he awaited the coming of the masses of the enemy now drawing near. In the mean time, about V o'clock, a. m., Jackson's brigade, with Imboden's, and five pieces of Walton's battery, had been sent to take up a position along Bull Run, to guard the interval between Cocke's right and Bonham's left, with orders to support either in case of need — the character and topographical features of the ground having been shown to Gen. Jackson by Capt. D. R. Harris, of the Engineers, of this army corps. So much of Bee's and Bartow's brigades, now united, as had ar- rived — some 2800 muskets — had also been sent forward to the sup- port of the position of the Stone Bridge. 10 OFFICIAL EI.TORTS OF BATTLES, The enemy beginning his detour from the tm-npike, at a point nearly half-way between Stone Bridge and Centreville, had pursued a tortuous, narrow trace of a rarely-used road, through a dense wood, the greater part of his way, until near the Sudley road. A division under Col. Hunter, of the Federal regular army, of two strong brigades, was in the advance, followed immediately by another division under Col. Heintzelman, of three brigades and seven compa- nies of regular cavalry and twenty-four pieces of artillery — eighteen of which were rifle guns. The column, as it crossed Bull Run, num- bered over sixteen thousand men of all arms, by their own accoimts. Burnside's brigade, which here, as at Fairfax Court-house, led the advance, at about forty-five minutes past 9 a. m., debouched from a wood in sight of Evans' position, some five hundred yards distant from Wheat's battalion. He immediately threw forward his skirmishers in force, and they became engaged with Wheat's command and the 6-pounder gun under Lieut. Leftwich. The Federalists at once advanced, as they report officially, the 2d Rhode Island regiment, volunteers, with its vaunted battery of six 13-poxmder rifle guns. Sloan's companies were then brought into action, having been pushed forward through the woods. The ■enemy soon, galled and staggered by the fire and pressed by the determined valor with which Wheat handled his battery until he was desperately wounded, hastened up three other regiments of the brigade and two Dahlgren howitzers, making in all quite 3500 bay- onets and eight pieces of artillery, opposed to less than 800 men and two G-jJounder guns. Despite these odds, this intrepid command of but eleven weak companies maintained its front to the enemy for quite an hour, and until Gen. Bee came to their aid with his command. The heroic Bee, with a soldier's eye and recognition of the situation, had pre- -viously disposed his command with skill — Imboden's battery having been admirably placed between the two brigades under shelter be- hind the undulations of a hill about one hundred and fifty yards north of the now famous Henry House, and very near where he subsequently fell mortally wounded, to the great misfortune of his country, but after deeds of deliberate and ever-memorable courage. Meanwhile, the enemy had pushed forward a battalion of eight companies of regular infantry and one of their best battei'ies of six pieces (four rifled), supported by four companies of marines, to in- crease the desperate odds against which Evans and his men had maintained their stand with an almost matchless tenacity. tDFFlCIAL REPORTS OF BATfLES. 1 1 Gen. Bee now finding Evans sorely pressed under the crusbing weight of the masses of the enemy, at the call of Col. Evans threw forward his whole force to his aid across a small stream — Young's branch and valley — and engaged the Federalists with impetuosity ; Imboden's battery at the time playing from this well-chosen posi- tion with brilliant effect with spherical case, the enemy having first opened on him from a rifled battery, probably Griffin's, with elon- gated cylindrical shells, which flew a few feet over the heads of our men and exploded in the crest of the hill immediately in rear. As Bee advanced under a severe fii-e, he placed the 7th and 8th Georgia regiments, under the chivalrous Bartow, at about 11a. m., in a wood of second-growth pines, to the right and front of and nearly perpendicular to Evans' line of battle ; the 4th Alabama to the left of them, along a fence connecting the position of the Georgia regiments with the rectangular copse in which Sloan's South Carohna companies were engaged, and into which he also threw the 2d Mississippi. A fierce and destructive conflict now ensued ; the fire was withering on both sides, while the enemy swept our short, thin lines Avith their numerous artillery, which, ac- cording to their official reports, at this time consisted of at least ten rifled guns and four howitzers. For an hour did these stout-hearted men of the blended command of Bee, Evans, and Bartow breast an unintermitting bullet-storm, animated, surely, by something more than the ordinary courage of even the bravest men under fire. It must have been, indeed, the inspiration of the cause and conscious- ness of the great stake at issue, which thus nerved and animated one and all to stand unawed and unshrinking in such extremity. The Federal brigades of Heintzelman'a division were now brought into action, led by Ricketts' superb light battery of 6-pounder rifle guns, which, posted on an eminence to the right of the Sudley road, opened fire on Imboden's battery — about this time increased by two rifle pieces of the Washington Artillery, under Lieut. Ricliardson, and already the mark of two batteries, which divided their fire Avith Imboden, and two guns, under Lieuts. Richardson and Left- witch, of Latham's battery, posted as before mentioned. At this time, confronting the enemy, we had still but Evans' eleven companies and two guns — Bee's and Bartow's four regiments, the two companies 11th Mississippi, under Lieut.-col. Liddell, and the six pieces under Imboden and Richardson. The enemy had two divisions of four strong brigades, including seventeen com- panies of regular infantry, cavahy, and artillery, four companies of marines, and twenty pieces of artillery. [See official reports of 12 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. Cols. Heintzelraan, Porter, &c.] Against this oclds, scarcely credi- ble, our advance position was still for a Avhile maintained, and the enemy's ranks constantly broken and shattered under the scorching fire of our men ; but fresh regiments of the Federalists came upon the field — Sherman's and Keyes' bi'igades, of Tyler's division — as is stated in their reports, numbering over six thousand bayonets, which had found a passage across the run about eight hundred yards above the Stone Bridge, threatened our right. Heavy losses had now been sustained on our side, both in num- bers and in the personal worth of the slain. The Georgia regiment had suffered heavily, being exposed, as it took and maintained its position, to a fire from the enemy, already posted within a hundi"ed yards of their front and right, sheltered by fences and other cover. It was at this time that Lieut.-col. Gardener was severely wounded, as also sevei-al other valuable officers ; the adjutant of the regiment, Lieut. Branch, was killed, and the horse of the regretted Bartov/ was shot under him. The Fourth Alabama also suffered severely from the deadly fire of the thousands of muskets which they so dauntlessly fronted, under the immediate leadership of Bee himself. Its brave colonel, E. J. Jones, was dangerously wounded, and many gallant officers fell, slain or hors de combat. Now, however, with the surging mass of over fourteen thousand Federal infantry pressing on their front, and under the incessant fire of at least twenty pieces of artillery, with the fresh brigades of Sher- man and Keyes approaching — the latter already in musket range — our lines gave back, but under orders from Gen. Bee. The enemy, maintaining the fire, pressed their swelling masses onward as our shattered battalions retired ; the slaughter for the moment was deplorable, and has filled many a Southern home with life-long sorrow. Under this inexorable stress the retreat continued until arrested by the energy and resolution of Gen. Bee, supported by Bartow and Evans, just in the rear of the Robinson House, and Hampton's legion, which had been already advanced, and was in position near it. Imboden's battery, which had been handled with marked skill, but whose men were almost exhausted, and the two pieces of Wal- ton's battery, under Lieut. Richardson, being threatened by the enemy's infantry on the left and front, were also obliged to fall back. Imboden, leaving a disabled piece on the ground, retired until he met Jackson's brigade, while Richardson joined the main body of his battery near the Lewis House. OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 13 As our infantry retired from the extreme front, the two six- pounders of Latham's battery, before mentioned, fell back with ex- cellent judgment to suitable positions in the rear, when an effective fire was maintained upon the still advancing line of the Federalists with damaging effect, until their ammunition was nearly exhausted, when they, too, were withdrawn in the near presence of the enemy, and rejoined their captain. From the point previously indicated, where Gen. Johnston had established our head-quarters, we heard the continuous roll of mus- ketry and the sustained din of the artillery, which announced the serious outburst of the battle on our left flank, and we anxiously, but confidently, awaited similar sounds of conflict from our front at Centreville, resulting from the prescribed attack in that quarter by our right wing. At half-past ten in the morning, however, this expectation was dissipated, from Brig.-gen. Ewell informing me, to my profound dis- appointment, that my orders for his advance had miscarried, but that, in consequence of a communication from Gen, D. R. Jones, he had just thrown his brigade across the stream at Union Mills. But, in my judgment, it was now too late for the eflective execution of the contemplated movement, which must have required quite three hours for the troops to get into position for the attack ; therefore it became immediately necessary to depend on new combinations and other dispositions suited to the now pressing exigency. The movement of the right and centre, already begun by Jones and Longstreet, was at once countermanded with the sanction of Gen. Johnston, and we arranged to meet the enemy on the field upon which he had chosen to give us battle. Under these circum- stances our reserves, not already in movement, were immediately ordered up to support our left flank, namely : Holmes' two regiments and battery of artillery, under Capt. Lindsey Walker, of six guns, and- Early's brigade. Two regiments from Bonham's brigade, with Kemper's four six-pounders, were also called for, and, with the sanction of Gen. Johnston, Gens. Ewell, Jones (D. R.), Longstreet, and Bonham were directed to make a demonstration to their several fronts, to retain and engross the enemy's reserves and forces on their flank, and at and around Centreville. Previously our respec- tive chiefs of staff — Major Rhett and Col. Jordan — b,ad been left at my head-quarters to hasten up, and give directions to any troops that might arrive at Manassas. These orders having been duly disjiatched by staff officers, at 10.30 A. M. Gen. Jolmston and myself set out for the immediate l-ir OrnCIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. Held of action, wliicli we reached in the rear of the Robinson and widow Henry's houses, at about 12 meridian, and just as the com- mands of Bee, Bartow, and Evans had taken shelter in a wooded ravine behind the former, stoutly held at the time by Hampton with his legion, which had made a stand there after having previously been as far forward as the turnpike, where Lieut.-col. Johnston, an officer of brilliant promise, was killed, and other severe losses were sustained. Before our arrival upon the scene. Gen. Jackson had moved for- ward with his brigade of five Virginia regiments from his position in reserve, and had judiciously taken post below the brim of the plateau, nearly east of the Henry House, and to the left of the ra- vine and woods occupied by the mingled remnants of Bee's, Bartow's, and Evans' commands, with Imboden's battery, and two of Stan- ard's pieces placed so as to play upon the oncoming enemy, sup- ported in the immediate rear by Col. J. L. Preston's and Lieut.-col. Echoll's regiments, on the right by Harper's, and on the lefl by Allen's and Cumming's regiments. As soon as Gen. Johnston and myself reached the field, we were occupied with the reorganization of the heroic troops, whosg previ- ous stand, with scarce a parallel, has nothing more valiajit in all the pages of history, and whose losses fitly tell why, at length, their lines had lost their cohesion. It was now that Gen. Johnston im- pressively and gallantly charged to the front with the colors of the Fourth Alabama regiment by his side, all the field officers of the regiment having been previously disabled. Shortly afterwards I placed S. R. Gist, Adjutant and Inspector-general of South Carolina, a volunteer aid-de-Camp of Gen. Bee, in command of this regiment, and who led it again to the front as became its previous behavior, and remained with it for the rest of the day. As soon as we had thus rallied and disposed our forces, I urged Gen. Johnston to leave the immediate conduct of the field tome, while he, repairing to Portico — the Lewis House — should urge re- inforcements forward. At first he was unwilling, but reminded that one of us must do so, and that properly it was his place, he reluc- tantly, but fortunately, complied ; fortunately, because from that position, by his energy and sagacity, his keen perception and antici- pation of my needs, he so directed the reserves as to insure the success of the day. As Gen. Johnston departed for Portico, Col. Bartow reported to me with the remains of the Yth Georgia Volunteers (Garti'ell's), which I ordered him to post on the left of Jackson's line, in the OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 15 edge of the belt of pines bordering the southwestern rim of the plateau on which the battle was now to rage so long and so fiercely. Col. William Smith's battalion of the Forty-ninth Virginia Vol- unteers, having also come up by my orders, I placed it on the left of Gartrell's as my extreme left at the time. Repairing then to the right, I placed Hampton's legion, which had suffered greatly, on that flank somewhat to the rear of Harper's regiment, and also the seven companies of the Eighth (Hunton's) Virginia regiment, which, detached from Cocke's brigade, by my orders and those of Gen. Johnston, had opportunely reached the ground. These, with Har- per's regiment, constituted a reserve, to protect our right flank from an advance of the enemy from the quarter of the Stone Bridge, and served as a support for the line of battle, which was formed on the right by Bee's and Evans' commands : in the centre by four regi- ments of Jackson's brigade, with Imboden's four six-pounders, "Wal- ton's five guns (two rifled), two guns (one piece rifled) of Stanard's, and two six-pounders of Rogers' batteries, the latter under Lieut. Heaton ; and on the left by Gartrell's reduced ranks and Col. Smith's battalion, subsequently reinforced by Falkner's 2d Mississippi regi- ment, and by another regiment of the army of the Shenandoah, just arrived upon the field — the Sixth (Fisher's) North Carolina. Con- fronting the enemy at this time my force numbered, at most, not more than six thousand five hundred infantry and artillerists, with but thirteen pieces of artillery, and two companies (Carter's and Hoge's) of Stuart's cavalry. The enemy's force, now bearing hotly and confidently down on our position, regiment after regiment of the best-equipped men that ever took the field — according to their own ofiicial history of the day — was formed of Cols. Hunter's and Heintzelman's divisions, Cols. Sherman's and Keyes' brigades, of Tyler's division, and of the formidable batteries of Ricketts, GriflSn, and Arnold, regulars, and 2d Rhode Island and two Dahlgren howitzers — a force of over 20,000 infantry, seven companies of regular cavalry, and twenty- four pieces of improved artillery. At the same time, perilous, heavy reserves of infantry and artillery hung in the distance around the Stone Bridge, Mitchell's, Blackburn's, and Union Mills fords, visibly ready to fall upon us at any moment ; and I was also as- sured of the existence of other heavy corps at and around Centre- ville and elsewhere, within convenient supporting distances. Fully conscious of this portentous disparity of force, as I posted the lines for the encounter, I sought to infuse into the hearts of my ofiicers and men the confidence and determined spirit of resistance 16 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. to this wicked invasion of the homes of a free people, which I felt. I informed them that reinforcements M'ould rapidly come to their support, and we must at all hazards hold our posts until reinforced. I reminded them that we fought for our homes, our firesides, and for the independence of our country. I urged them to the resolu- tion of victory or death on that field. These sentiments were loudly, eagerly cheered wheresoever proclaimed, and I then felt as- sured of the unconquerable spirit of that ai'my which would enable us to wrench victory from the host then threatening us with de- struction. O my country ! I would readily have sacrificed my life, and those of all the brave men around me, to save your honor and to maintain your independence from the degrading yoke which these ruthless invaders had come to impose and render perpetual ; and the day's issues have assured me that such emotions must also have animated all under my command. In the mean time the enemy had seized upon the plateau on which the Robinson and Henry houses are situated — the position first occupied in the morning by Gen. Bee, before advancing to the ^support of Evans. Ricketts' battery of six rifled guns — the pride of the Federalists, the object of their unstinted expenditure in out- fit — and the equally powerful regular light battery of Grifiin, were brought forward and placed in immediate action, after having, con- jointly with the batteries already mentioned, played from former positions with destructive effect upon our forward battalions. The topographical features of the plateau, now become the stage of the contending armies, must be described in detail. A glance at the map will show that it is inclosed on three sides by small watercourses, which empty into Bull Run within a few yards of each other, half a mile to the south of the Stone Bridge. Rising to an elevation of quite one hundred feet above the level of Bull Run at the bridge, it falls off on these sides to the level of the inclosing streams in gentle slopes, but which are furrowed by ravines of irregular direction and length, and shaded with clumps and patches of young pines and oaks. The general direction of the crest of the plateau is oblique to the course of Bull Run in that quarter, and on the Brentsville and turnpike roads, which intersect each other at right angles. Completely surrounding the two houses beibre mentioned are small open fields, of irregular outhne, and ex- ceeding 150 acres in extent. The houses occupied at the time — the one by widow Henry and the other by the free negro Robin- sou — are small wooden buildings, densely embowered in trees, and OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 17 environed by a double row of fences on two sides. Aronnd the eastern and southern brow of the plateau an almost unbroken fringe of second-growth pines gave excellent shelter for our marksmen, who availed themseves of it with the most satisfactory skill. To the west, adjoining the fields, a broad belt of oaks extends directly across the crests on both sides of the Sudley road, in which, during the battle, regiments of both armies met and contended for the mastery. From the open ground of this plateau the view embraces a wide expanse of woods and gently undulating, open country of broad grass and grain fields in all directions, including the scene of Evans' and Bee's recent encoimter with the enemy — some twelve hundred yards to the northward. In reply to the enemy's batteries our own artillery had not been idle or unskilful. The ground occupied by our guns, on a level with that held by the batteries of the enemy, was an open space of limited extent, behind a low undulation, just at the eastern verge of the plateau, some 500 or 600 yards from the Henry House. Here, as before said, some thirteen pieces, mostly 6-pounders, were main- tained in action. The several batteries of Imboden, Stanard, Pen- dleton (Rockbridge artillery), and Alburnis', of the army of the Shenandoah, and five guns of Walton's, and Heaton's section of Rogers' battery, of the army of the Potomac, alternating to some extent with each other, and taking part as needed ; all, from the outset, displaying that marvellous capacity of our people as artille- rists which has made them, it would appear, at once the terror and ad.nairation of the enemy. As was soon apparent, the Federalists had sufiered severely from our artillery, and' from the fire of our musketry on the right, and especially from the left flank, placed under cover, within whose galling range they had been advanced. And we are told in their official reports how regiment after regiment, thrown forward to dislodge us, was broken, never to recover its entire organization OU' that field. In the mean time, two companies of Stuart's cavalry (Carter's and Hoge's) made a dashing charge down the Brentsville and Sudley road upon the Fire Zouaves — then the enemy's right on the pla- teau — which added to their disorder, wrought by our musketry on that flank. But still the press of the enemy was heavy in that quarter of the field, as fresh troops were thrown forward thei'e to outflank us, and some three guns of a battery, in an attemj^t to ob- tain a position ai>parently to enfilade our batteries, were thrown so- 2 IS OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. close to the 33d regiment, Jackson's brigade, that that regiment, springing forward, seized them, but with severe loss, and was sub- sequently driven back by an overpowering force of Federal mus- ketry. Now, full 2 o'clock, p. M., I gave the order for the right of my line, except my reserves, to advance to recover the plateau. It was done with uncommon resolution and vigor, and at the same time Jackson's brigade pierced the enemy's centre with the determina- tion of veterans, and the spirit of men who fight for a sacred cause ; but it suffered seriously. With equal spirit the other parts of the line made the onset and the Federal lines were broken and swept back at all points, from the open ground of the plateau. Rallying soon, however, as tliey were strongly reinforced by fresh regiments, the Federalists returned, and by weight of numbers pressed our lines back, recovered their ground and guns, and renewed the offensive. By this time, between half-past 2 and 3 o'clock, p. m., our rein- forcements pushed forward, and, directed by Gen. Johnston to the required quarter, were at liand just as I had ordered forward, to a second effort, for the recovery of the disputed plateau, the whole line, including my reserves, which, at this crisis of the battle, I felt called upon to lead in person. This attack was general, and was shared in by every regiment then in the field, including the 6th (Fisher's) North Carolina regiment, which had just come up and taken position on the immediate left of the 49th Virginia regiment. The whole open ground was again swept clear of the enemy, and the plateau around the Henry and Robinson houses remained finally in our possession, with the greater part of the Ricketts and Griffin batteries, and a flag of the 1st Michigan regiment, captured by the 27th Virginia regiment (Lieut.-col. Echolls), of Jackson's brigade. This part of the day was rich with deeds of individual coolness and dauntless conduct, as well as well-directed embodied resolution and bravery, but fraught with the loss to the service of the country of lives of inestimable preciousness at this juncture. The brave Bee was mortally wounded at the head of the 4th Alabama and some Mississippians, in an open field near the Henry House, and a few •yards distant the promising life of Bartow, while leading the 7th Georgia regiment, was quenched in blood. Col. F. J. Thomas, Acting Chief of Ordnance, of Gen. Johnston's staff, after gallant conduct and most efficient service was also slain. Col. Fisher, 6th North Carolina, likewise fell, after soldierly behavior, at the head of his regiment, with ranks greatly thinned. OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 19 Withers' 18th regiment, of Cocke's brigade, had come up in time to follow this charge, aiid, in conjunction with Hampton's legion, captured several rifle pieces which may have fallen previousl}^ in possession of some of our troops ; but if so, had been recovered by the enemy. These pieces were immediately turned and effectively served on distant masses of the enemy by the hands of some of oiu' officers. While the enemy had thus been driven back on our right entirely across the turnpike, and beyond Young's Branch on our left, the woods yet swarmed with them, when our reinforcements oppor- tunely arrived in quick succession, and took position in that portion of the field. Kershaw's 2d and Cash's 8th South Carolina regiments, which had arrived soon after Withers', were led through the oaks just east of the Sudley-Brentsville road, brushing some of the enemy before them and taking an advantageous position along the west of that road, oi>ened with much skill and eflfect on bodies of the enemy that had been rallied under cover of a strong Federal brigade posted on a plateau in the southwest angle, formed by intersection of the turnpike with the Sudley-Brentsville road. Among the troops thus engaged were the Federal regular infantry. At the same time, Kemper's battery, passing northward by the Stone Bridge road, took position on the open space — under orders of Col. Kershaw — near where an enemy's battery had been captured, w^as opened with effective results upon the Federal right, then the mark of Kershaw and Casli's regiments. Col. Preston's 28th regiment, of Cocke's brigade, had by that time entered the same body of oaks, and encountered some Michigan ti'oops, capturing their brigade commander, Col. Wilcox. Another important accession to our forces had also occurred about the same time, at 3 o'clock, p, m. Brig. -gen. E. K. Smith, with some 1700 infantry of Elzey's brigade, of the army of the Shenan- doah, and Beckham's battery, came upon the field, from Camp Pickens, Manassas, where they had arrived by railroad, at noon. Directed in person by Gen, Johnston to the left, then so much en- dangered, on reaching a position in rear of the oak woods, south of the Henry House, and immediately east of the Sudley road, Gen. Smith was disabled by a severe wound, and his valuable services were lost at that critical juncture. But the command devolved upon a meritorious officer of ex- perience, Col. Elksy, who led his infantry at once somewhat further to the left, in the direction of the Cliinn House, across the road, through the oaks skirting the west side of the road, and around 20 OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLF3. which he sent the battery under Lieut. Beckham. This officer took Tip a most favorable position near the house, whence, with a clear view of the Federal right and centre, filling the open fields to the Avest of the Brentsville-Sudley road, and gently sloping southward, he opened fire with his battery upon them with a deadly and dam- aging effect. Col. Early, who, by some mischance, did not receive orders until 2 o'clock, which had been sent him at noon, came on the ground immediately alter Elzey, with Kemper's Vth Vii-ginia, Hay's Vth Louisiana, and Barksdale's 1 3th Mississippi regiments. The bi-igade, by the personal direction of Gen. Johnston, Avas marched by the Hollaham House, across the fields to the left, entirely around the woods which Elzey had passed, and under a severe fire, into a posi- tion in line of battle near Chinn's House, outflanking the enemy's right. At this time, about half-past 3 p. m., the enemy, driven back on their left and centre, and brushed from the woods bordering the Sudley road, south and west of the Henry House, had formed a line of battle of truly formidable pi-oportions, of crescent outline, re- gaining on their left from the vicinity of Pittsylvania (the old Carter mansion), by Matthew's and in rear of Dugan's across the turnpike near to Chinn's House. The woods and fields were filled with their masses of infantry and their carefully preserved cavalry. It was a truly magnificent, though redoubtable spectacle, as they threw for- ward in fine style, on the broad, gentle slopes of the ridge occupied by their main lines, a cloud of skirmishers, preparatory for another attack. But as Early formed his line, and Beckham's pieces playing upon the right of the enemy, Elzey 's brigade. Gibbon's 10th Virginia, Lieut-col. Stuart's 1st Maryland and Vaughn's 3d Tennessee regi- ments, and CashTs 8th and Kershaw's 2d South Carolina, Withers' 18th and Preston's 28th Vii-ginia, advanced in an irregular line almost simultaneously, with great spirit, from their several positions upon the front and left of the enemy in their quarter of the field. At the same time, too. Early resolutely assailed their right flank and rear. Under this continued attack, the enemy was soon forced, first, over the narrow plateau in the southern angle made by the two roads so often mentioned, into a patch of woods on its western slope, then back over Yoimg's branch and the turnpike into the fields of the Dngan farm, and rearward, in extreme disorder, in all available directions towards Bull Run. The rout had now become general and complete. OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 21 About the .time that Elzey and Early were entering into action, a column of the enemy, Keyes' brigade of Tyler's division, made its way across the turnpike between Bull Run and the Robinson House, under cover of a wood and brows of the ridges, apparently to turn my right, but was easily repulsed by a few shots from Latham's battery, now under and placed in position by Capt. D. B. Harris, of the Virginia engineeis, whose 8er\ices during the day became his character as an able, cool, and skilful officer, and from Albumis' battery, opportunely ordered by Gen. Jackson to a position to the rear of Latham, on a hill commanding the line of approach of the enemy, and supported by portions of regiments collected together by the staff officers of Gen. Johnston and myself. Early's brigade, meanwhile, joined by the l^th Virginia regiment, Lieut.-col. Strange, of Cocke's brigade, pursued the now panic- stricken, fugitive enemy. Stuart, with his cavalry, and Beckham had also taken up the pursuit along the road by which the enemy had come upon' the field that morning ; but, soon encumbered by prisoners, who thronged his way, the former was unable to attack the mass of thefast fleeing, frantic Federalists. Withers', R. J. Pres- ton's, Cash's, and Kershaw's regiments, Hampton's legion and Kemper's battery, also pursued along the Warrenton road by the Stone Bridge, the enemy having opi^ortunely opened a way for them through the heavy abatis which my troops had made on the west side of the bridge several days before ; but this pursuit was soon recalled, in consequence of a false report which unfortunately reached us, that the enemy's reserves, known to be fresh and of considerable strength, were threatening the position of Union Mills Ford. Col. Radford, with six companies Virginia cavalry, was ordered by Gen. Johnston to cross Bull Run and attack the enemy from the direction of Lewis' House. Conducted by one of my aids. Col. Chisholm, by the Lewis road, to the immediate vicinity of the Sus- pension Bridge, he charged a battery with great gallantry, took Col. Corcoran, of the 69th New York Volunteers, prisoner, and captured the Federal colors of that regiment, as well as a number of the enemy. He lost, however, a prominent officer of his regi- ment, Capt. Weston Radford. Lieut.-col Munford also led some companies of cavalry in hot pur- suit, and rendered material service in the capture of prisoners and of cannon, horse, ammunition, &c., abandoned by the enemy in their flight. Oa.pL Lay's company of the Powhatan troops and Unba-ck's 22 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. Rans^rs, Virginia Volunteers, attached to my person, did material service under Capt. Lay, in rallying troops broken for the time by the onset of the enemy's masses. During the period of the momentous events, fraught with the weal of the country, which were passing on the blood-stained plateau along the Sudley and Warrenton roads, other portions of the line of Bull Run had not been void of action, of moment, and of influence upon the general result. While Col. Evans and his sturdy band were holding at bay the Federal advance beyond the turnpike, the enemy made repeated demonstrations, with artillery and infantiy, upon the line of Cocke's brigade, with the serious intention of forcing the position, as Gen. Schenek admits in his report. They were driven back with severe loss by Latham's (a section), and Rodgers' four 6-pounders, and were so impressed with the strength of that line as to be held in check and inactive, even after it had been stripped of all its troops but one company of the Nineteenth Virginia regiment, under Capt. Puke, a meritorious officer. And it is worthy of notice that, in this encounter of our 6-i)ounder guns, handled by our volunteer artillerists, they had Avorsted such a notorious adversary as the Ayers' — formerly Sherman's — battery, which quit the contest under the illusion that it had weightier metal than its own to contend with. The centre brigades — Bonham's and Longstreet's — of the line of Bull Run, if not closely engaged, were nevertheless exposed for much of the day to an annoying, almost incessant fire of artillery at long range ; but by a steady, veteran-like maintenance of their l^ositions, they held virtually paralyzed, all day, two strong brigades of the enemy, with their batteries (four) of rifle guns. As before said, two regiments of Bonham's brigade. Second and Eighth South Carolina Volunteers, and Kemper's battery, took a distinguished part in the battle. The remainder, Third (Williams'), Seventh (Bacon^'s) South Carolina Volunteers, Eleventh (Kirkland's) North Carolina regiment, six companies Eighth Louisiana Volun- teers, Shield^s battery, and one section of Walton's battery, under Lieut. Garnett, whether in holding their post or taking up the pursuit, ofiicers and men discharged their duty with credit and promise. Longstreet's brigade, pui'sviant to orders, prescribing his part of the operations of the centre and right wings, was thrown across Bull Run early in the morning, and, mider a severe fire of ailillery was skilfully disposed for the assault o^n the enemy's batteries in OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. ' Ho that quarter, l)ut was withdrawn subsequently, in consequence of the change of plan already mentioned and explained. The troops of this brigade were — First, Major Skinner ; Eleventh, Garland's ; Twenty-fourth, Lieut.-col. Hairston's; Seventeenth, Corse's, Vir- ginia regiments ; Fifth North Carolina, Lieut.-col Jones ; and Whitehead's company of Virginia cavalry. Throughout the day these troops evinced the most soldierly spirit. After the rout, having been ordered by Gen. Johnston in the direction of Centreville in pursuit, these brigades advanced to near to that place, when night and darkness intervening, Gen. Bonhani thought it proper to direct his own brigade and that of Gen. Long- street back to Bull Run. Gen. D. B. Jones early in the day crossed Bull Run with his brigade, pursuant to orders indicating bis part in the projected attack by our right wing and centre on the enemy at Centreville, took up a position on the Union Mills and Centreville road, more than a mile in advance of the mm. Ordered back in consequence of the miscarriage of the orders to Gen. Ewell, the retrograde movement was necessarily made under a sharp fire of artillery. At noon this brigade, in obedience to new instructions, was again thrown across Bull Run to make demonstrations. Unsupported by other troops, the advance was gallantly made until within musket range of the enemy's force — Col. Davis' brigade in position near Rocky Run, and under the concentrated fire of their artillery. In this afiliir the Fifth, Jenkins' South Carolina, and Capt. Fontaine's company, of the Eighteenth Mississippi regiment, are mentioned by Gen. Jones as having shown conspicuous gallantry, coolness, and discipline under a combined fire of infantry and artillery. Not only did the return fire of the brigade drive to cover the enemy's infantry, but the movement unquestionably spread through the enemy's ranks a sense of insecurity and danger from an attack by that route on their rear at Centreville, which served to augment the extraordinary panic which we know disbanded the entire Fed- eral arms for the time. This is evident from the fact that Col. Davies, the immediate adversary's commander, in his ofticial report, was induced to magnify one small comjDany of our cavalry which accompanied the brigade, into a force of two thousand men ; and Col. Miles, the commander of the Federal reserves at Centrevillo, says the movement " caused painful apprehensions for the left wing " of the army. Gen. Ewell, occupying for the time the right of the lines of Bull Run at Union Mills Ford, after the miscarriage of my orders for his 24r OFFICIAL REPOKTS OF BATTLES. advance upon Centreville, in the afternoon was ordered by Gen. Jolinston to bring up his brigade into battle, then raging on the left flank. Promptly executed as this mo^'ement Avas, the brigade, after a severe march, reached the field too late to share the glories, as they had the labors, of the day. As the important position at the Union Mills had been left but with a slender guard, Gen. Ewell was at once ordered to retrace his steps and resume his position, to pre- vent the possibility of its seizure by any force of the enemy in that quarter. Brig.-gen. Holmes, left with his brigade as a support to the same position in the original plan of battle, had also been called to the left, whither he marched with the utmost speed, but not in time to join actively in the battle. Walker's rifle guns of the brigade, however, came up in time to be fired with precision and decided execution at the retreating enemy, and Scott's cavahy, joining in the pursuit, assisted in the capture of prisoners and war munitions. This victory, the details of which I have thus sought to chronicle as fully as were fitting an official report, it remains to record, was dearly won by the death of many officers and men of inestimable value, belonging to all grades of our society. In the death of Gen. Bernard E. Bee the Confederacy has sus- tained an irreparable loss, for with great personal bravery and coolness he possessed the qualities of an accomplished soldier and an able, reliable commander. Cols. Bartow and Fisher, and Lieut.-col. Johnson, of Hampton's legion, in the fearless command of their men, gave earnest of great usefulness to the service had they been spared to complete a career so brilliantly begun. Besides the field-officers already mentioned as having been wounded while in the gallant discharge of their duties, many others also received severe wounds after equally honorable and distinguished conduct, whether in leading their men forward, or in rallying them when overpowered or temporarily shattered by the largely superior force to which we were generally opposed. The subordinate grades were likewise abundantly conspicuous for zeal and capacity for the leadership of men in arms. To mention all who, fighting well, paid the lavish forfeiture of their lives, or at least crippled, mutilated bodies on the field of Manassas, cannot well be done within the compass of this paper ; but a grateful country and mourning friends will not suflTcr their names and services to be forgotten and pass away unhonored. Nor are those officers and men who were so fortunate as to escape OFFICIAL EKPOETS OF BATTLES. 25 the thick-flying deadly missiles of the enemy, less worthy of praise for their endurance, firmness, and valor, than their brothers in arms, whose lives were closed or bodies maimed on that memorable day. To mention all who exhibited ability and brilliant courage were im- possible in this report ; nor do the reports of brigade and other subordinate commanders supply full lists of all actually deserving of distinction. I can only mention those whose conduct came imme- diately under ray notice, or the consequence of whose actions hap- pened to be signally important. It is fit that I should in this way commend to notice the daunt- less conduct and imperturbable coolness of Col. Evans ; and well indeed was he supported by Col. Sloan and the ofiicers of the Fourth South Carolina regiment, as also Major Wheat, than whom no one displayed more brilliant courage until carried from the field, shot through the lungs, though happily not mortally stricken. But in the desperate, unequal contest, to which those brave gentlemen were for a time necessarily exposed, the behavior of officers and men generally was worthy of the highest admiration, and assuredly hereafter all those present may proudly say, " We were of that band who fought the first hour of the battle of Manassas." Equal honor and credit must also be awarded in the pages of history to the gallant officers and men who, under Bee and Bartow, subse- quently marching to their side, saved them from destruction, and relieved them from the brunt of the enemy's attack. The conduct of Gen. Jackson also requires mention, as eminently that of an able and fearless soldier and sagacious commander, one fit to lead his brigade ; his efficient, prompt, timely arrival before the plateau of the Henry House, and his judicious disposition of his troops contributed much to the success of the day. Although pain- fully wounded in the hand, he remained on the field to the end of the battle, rendering invaluable assistance. Col. William Smith was as efficient as self-possessed and brave ; the influence of hia example and his words of encouragement was not confined to his immediate command, the good conduct of Avhich is especially noticeable, inas- much as it had been embodied but a day or two before tlie battle. Cols. Harper, Hunter, and Hampton, commanding regiments of the reserve, attracted my notice by their soldierly ability, as with their gallant commands they restored the fortunes of tlie day, at a time when tlie enemy, by a last desperate onset, with heavy odds, had driven our forces from the fiercely contested ground around the Henry and Johnson houses. Veterans could not have behaved bet- ter than these well-led regiments. 26 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. High praise must also be given to Cols. Cocke, Early, and Rizey, brigade commanders ; also to Col. Kershaw, commanding for the time the Second and Eighth South Carolina regiments. Under the instructions of Gen. Johnston, these officers reached the field at an opportune critical moment, and disposed, handled, and fought their respective commands with sagacity, decision, and successful results, which have been described in detail. Col. J. E. H. Stuart likewise deserves mention for his enterprise and ability as a cavalry commander. Through his judicious recon- noissance of the country on our left flank he acquired information, both of topographical features and the positions of the enemy, of the utmost importance in the subsequent and closing movements of the day on that flank, and his services in the pursuit were highly effective. Capt. E. P. Alexander, C. S. Engineers, gave me seasonable and material assistance early in the day with his system of signals. Al- most the first shot fired by the enemy passed through the tent of his party at the Stone Bridge, where they subsequently maintained their position in the discharge of their duty — the transmission of messages of the enemy's movements — for several hours under fire. Later, Capt. Alexander acted as my aid-de-camp in the transmission of orders and in observation of the enemy. I was most efficiently served throughout the day by my volunteer aids, Cols. Preston, Manning, Chesnut, Miles, Rice, Heyward, and Chisholm, to whom I tender my thanks for their unflagging, intelli- gent, and fearless discharge of the laborious, responsible duties in- trusted to them. To Lieut. S. W. Ferguson, A. D. C, and Col. Heyward, who were habitually at my side from twelve noon until the close of the battle, my special acknowledgments are due. The horse of the former was killed under him by the same shell that wounded the latter. Both were eminently useful to me, and were distinguished for coolness and courage, until the enemy gave way and fled in wild disorder in every direction, a scene the President of the Confederacy had the satisfoction of witnessing, as he arrived upon the field at that exultant moment. I also received, from'the time I reached the front, such signal ser- vice from H. E. Peyton, at. the time a private in the Loudon cavalry, that I have called him to my personal staff; Similar services were also rendered me repeatedly during the battle by T. J. Randolph, a volunteer acting aid-de-camp to Col. Cocke. Capt, Clinton H. Smith, of the general staff", was also present on the field, and rendered efficient service in the transmission of orders. OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 27 It must be permitted meliere to record ray profound sense of ray- obligations to Gen. Johnston, for his generous permission to carry out my plans, with such modifications as circumstances had required. From his services on the field — as we entered it together — already mentioned, and his subsequent watchful management of the rein- forcements as they reached the vicinity of the field, our countrymen may draw the most auspicious auguries. To Col. Thomas Jordan, ray efficient and zealous Assistant Ad- jutant-general, much credit is due for his able assistance in the or- ganization of the forces iinder my command, and for the intelligence and promptness with which he has discharged all the laborious and important duties of his office. Valuable assistance was given to me by Major Cabell, chief officer of the quarter-master's depa)'tment, in the sphere of his duties — du- ties environed by far more than the ordinary difficulties and embar- rassments attending the operations of a long oi'ganized regular es- tablishment. Col. B. B. Lee, Chief of Subsistence Department, had but just en- tered upon his duties, but his experience, and long and varied ser- vices in his department, made him as efficient as possible. Capt. W. H. Fowle, whom Col. Lee had relieved, had previously exerted himself to the utmost to carry out orders from these head- quarters, to render his department equal to the demands of the ser- vice ; that it was not entirely so, it is due to justice to say, was cer- tainly not his fault. Deprived by the sudden severe illness of the medical director, Surgeon Thomas H. WiUiams, his duties were discharged by Sur- geon R. L. Brodie, to my entire satisfaction, and it is j^roper to say that the entire medical corps of the army, at present embracing gentlemen of distinction in the profession, who had quit lucrative private practice, by their services in the field and subsequently, did honor to their profession. The vital duties of the ordnance department were effectively dis- charged under the administration of my Chief of Artillery and Ordnance, Col. S. Jones. At one time, when reports of evil omen and disaster reached Camp Pickens, with such circumstantiality as to give reasonable grounds of anxiety, its commander, Col. Torrett, the commander of the intrenched batteries, Capt. Sterritt, of the Confederate States Xavy, and their officers, made the most efficient possible prepara- tions for the desperate defence of that position in extremity ; and in this connection I regret my inability to mention the names of 28 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. tliose patriotic gentlemen of Virginic% by the gratuitous labor of whose slaves the intrenched camp at Manassas had been mainly constructed, relieving the troops from that laborious service, and giving opportunity for their military instruction. Lieut.-col. Thomas H. Williamson, the engineer of these works, assisted by Capt. D. B. Harris, discharged his duties with untiring energy and devotion, as well as satisfactory skill. Capt. W. H. Stevens, Engineer Confederate Army, served with the advanced forces at Fairfax Court-house for some time before the battle ; he laid out the works there in admirable accordance with the purposes for which they were designed, and yet so as to admit of ultimate extension and adaptation to more serious uses as means and part of a system of real defence when determined upon. He has shown himself to be an officer of energy and ability. Major Thomas G. Rhett, after having discharged for several months the laborious duties of Adjutant-general to the commanding officer of Camp Pickens, was detached to join the army of the Shenandoah, just on the eve of the advance of the enemy ; but, vol- unteering his services, was ordered to assist on the staff of Gen. Bon- ham, joining that officer at Centreville on the night of the iVth, be- fore the battle of Bull Run, where he rendered valuable services, un- til the arrival of Gen. Johnston, on the 20th of July, when he was called to the place of Chief of Staff of that officer. It is also proper to acknowledge the signal services rendered by Col. B. F. Terry and T. Lubbock, of Texas, who had attached them- selves to the staff of Gen. Longstreet. These gentlemen made daring and valuable reconnoissances of the enemy's positions, assisted by Capts. Goree and Chichester. They also carried orders to the field, and on the following day, accompanying Capt. Wiiitehead's troops to take possession of Fairfax Court-house, Col. Terry, with Ills unerring rifle, severed the halliards, and thus lowered the Federal flag found still floating from the cupola of the court-house there. He also secured a large Federal garrison flag, designed, it is said, to be unfurled over our intrenchments at Manassas. In connection with the unfortunate casualties of the day — that is, the miscarriage of the orders sent by courier to Gens. Holmes and Ewell to attack the enemy in flank and reverse at Centreville, through which the triumph of our arms was prevented from being still more decisive — I regard it in place to say, a divisional organization, with officers in command of divisions, Avith appropriate ranks, as in European services, would greatly reduce the risk of such mishaps, OFFICIAL EFFORTS OF BATTLES. 29 and would advantageously simplify the communications of a general iu command of a field with his troops. "While glorious for our people, and of crushing effect upon the morale of our hitherto confident and overweening adversary, as were the events of the battle of Manassas, *the field was only won by stout fighting, and, as before stated, w^ith much loss, as is pre- cisely exhibited in the papers lierewith, marked F, G, and H, and being lists of the killed and wounded. The killed outright numbered 209, the wounded 1483 — making an aggregate of 1852. The actual loss of the enemy will never be known ; it may now only be conjectured. Their abandoned dead, as. they were buried by our people where they fell, unfortunately were not enumerated ; but many parts of the field were thick with their corpses, as but few battle-fields have ever been. The official reports of the enemy are studiously silent on this point, but still afford us data for an approx- imate estimate. Left almost in the dark in I'espect to the losses of Hunter's and Heintzelraan's divisions — first, longest, and most hotly engaged — we are informed that Sherman's brigade — Tyler's division — suffered in killed, wounded, and missing, 609 — that is, about eighteen per cent, of the brigade. A regiment of Franklin's bri- gade — Gorman's — lost twenty- one per cent. Griffin's (battery) loss w^as thirty per cent., and that of Keyes' brigade, which was so han- dled by its commander as to be exposed only to occasional A^olleys from our troops, was at least ten per cent. To these facts, and the repeated references in the reports of the more reticent commanders to the "murderous" fire to which they were habitually exposed — the "pistol range" volleys and gallino- musketry, of which they speak as scourging their ranks, and we are warranted in placing the entire loss of the Federalists at over forty-five hundred in killed, wounded, and prisoners. To this may be legitimately added, as a casualty of the battle, the thousands of fugitives from the field, who have never rejoined their regiments, and who are as much lost to the enemy's service as if slain or disa- bled by wounds. These may not be included under the head oi " missing," because, in every instance of such report, we took as many prisoners of those brigades or regiments as are reported " missing." A list a])pended exhibits some 1,400 of their wounded and others who fell into our hands and were sent to Richmond. Some were sent to other points, so that the number of prisoners, includino- wounded who did not die, may be set down at not less than 1,600 30 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. Besides these, a considerable number who could not be removed from the field died at several farm-houses and field hospitals, within ten days following the battle. To serve the future historian of this war, I will note the fact that among the captured Federalists are officers and men of forty-seven regiments of volunteers, besides from some nine different regiments of regular troops, detachments of which were engaged. From their official reports we learn of a regiment of volunteers engaged, six regiments of Miles' division, and the five regiments ofRunyon's bi'igade, from which we have neither sound or wounded prisoners. Making all allowances for mistakes, we are warranted in saying that the Federal army consisted of at least fifty-five regiments of volunteers, eight companies of regular infantry, four of marines, nine of regular cavalry, and twelve batteries, one hundred and nineteen guns. These regiments at one time, as will appear from a published list appended, marked " K," numbered in the aggregate 54,140, and average 964 each ; from an order of the enemy's com- mandei-, however, dated July 13th, we learn that 100 men from each regiment were ordered to remain in charge of respective camps — some allowance must further be made for the sick and details, which would reduce the average to eight hundred — adding the reg- ular cavalry, infantry, and artillery present, an estimate of their force may be made. A paper appended, marked " L," exhibits, in part, the ordnance and supplies captured, including some twenty-eight field-pieces of the best character of arm, with over one hundred rounds of ammu- nition for each gun, thirty-seven caissons, six forges, four battery wagons, sixty-four artillery horses, completely equipped, five hun- dred thousand rounds of small-arms ammunition, four thousand five hundred sets of accoutrements, over five hundred muskets, some nine regimental and gari'ison flags, with a large number of pistols, knapsacks, swords, canteens, blankets, a large store of axes and intrenching tools, wagons, ambulances, horses, camp and gar- rison equipage, hospital stores, and some subsistence. Added to these results may rightly be noticed here, that by this bat- tle an invading army superbly equipped, within twenty miles of their base of operations, has been converted into one virtually besieged, and exclusively occupied for months in the construction of a stupen- dous series of fortifications for the protection of its own capital. I beg to call attention to the reports of the several subordinate commanders, for reference to the signal parts played by individuals of their respective commands. Couti'adictory statements, found in OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 31 those reports, should not excite surprise, when we remember ho'vv difficult, if not impossible, it is to reconcile the narrations of bystanders or participants in even the most inconsiderable aflair, much less the shifting, thrilling scenes of a battle-field. Accompanying are maps showing the positions of the armies on the morning of the 21st July, and of three several stages of the battle ; also, of the line of Bull Run north of Blackburn's Ford. These maps, from actual surveys made by Capt. D. B. Harrison, assisted by Mr. John Grant, were drawn by the latter with a rare delicacy worthy of high commendation. In conclusion, it is proper, and, doubtless, expected, that through this report my countrymen should be made acquainted with some of the sufficient causes that prevented the advance of our forces and a prolonged, vigorous pursuit of the enemy to and beyond the Potomac. The War Department has been fully advised long since of all those causes, some of which only are proper to be here com- municated. An army which had fought like ours on that day against uncommon odds, under a July sun, most of the time with- out water and without food, except a hastily-snatched meal at dawn, was not in condition for the toil of an eager, effective pursuit of an enemy immediately after the battle. On the following day an unusually heavy and unintermitting fall of rain intervened to obstruct our advance with reasonable pros- pect of fruitful results. Added to this, the want of a cavalry force of sufficient numbers, made an efficient pursuit a military impossibility. Your obedient servant, P. G. T. BEAUREGARD, General Connnandmg. To Gen. S. Coopee, Adjutant and Inspector-general, Rich- mond, Va. R. H. Chilton, Adjuta7it. .^9, OFFICIAL EFFORTS OF BATTLES. EVACUATION OF PENSACOLA NAVY-YARD. FORTS, &c. Brigadiek-genekal S. M. Jones, Commanding. Mobile, January 24th, 1862. Sir : In accordance with yonr instructions, I have the honor re- spectfully to tender the following report of my evacuation of the forts, navy-yard, and position at and near Pensacola, Fla. On being placed in command of that place by Brig.-gen. Samuel Jones, on the 9th of March last, his instructions were to move, as fast as my transportation would allow, the machinery and other valuable property from the navy-yard This was kept up steadily until the night of the evacuation. On receiving information that the enemy's gunboats had succeeded in passing the forts below New Orleans, with their powerful batteries and splendid equipments, I came to the conclusion, that with my limited means of defence, reduced as I had been, by the withdrawal of nearly all my heavy guns and ammunition, that I could not hold them in check, or make even a respectable show of resistance. I, therefore, determined, upon my own judgment, to commence imme- diately the removal of the balance of my heavy guns and their am- munition, and dispatched to you for your approval, which was an- swered by one, advising me to continue doing so. On receipt of Gen. Lee's written instructions on the subject, I pushed on the work with renewed vigor, and night and day kept up the removal of guns and valuable property. On the afternoon of the 7th instant, I received a dispatch from your Adjutant-general, stating that there were a number of mortar and gun boats olf Fort Morgan, and that the fort had fired ten shots at them. Conceiving that the contingency, naraeJ in Gen. Lee's instructions, had arrived, viz. : to bring all my available force to this IDoint in the event of an attack, I concluded to promptly leave my position. I, therefore, sent to Montgomery a regiment of unarmed troops. On the next day I ordered the 8th Mississippi regiment, Lieut.-col. Yates, commanding, to proceed at once to this place and repoit to you, and on the 9th I prepared my plans for generally evacuatine:. OFFICIAL EFFORTS OF BATrLES. 33 On the night of the 8th, three companies of cavah-y arrivecl from Montgomery. With tliese and two companies I ah'eady had, I de- termined to desti'oy the pnbHc property, etc., which I had not been able to remove, and which might prove of benefit to the enemy. As the few troops were so disposed that any reduction in the day- time would attract the notice of the enemy, I merely withdrew the camp and garrison equipage, and sick, in accordance with an order from Gen. Lee to " keep the army mobilized." On the morning of the 9th, all the work of removing sick and baggage having been completed, I published orders that my forces should present them- selves to the best advantage to the enemy, and as soon as it was dark they were quietly marched out from their camps and started on the road to Oakfield. Sentinels Avere posted as usual on the beach, and they were withdrawn one hour after the other troops had left. All these instructions were obeyed to the letter, and much to the credit of the comparatively raw troops under my command. When my infantry were well on the road and out of range of the enemy's guns, the cavalry were assigned their places to commence the necessary destruction, at a signal previously agreed upon, to be given from the cupola of the hospital, and one answering at the navy- yard, Barrancas, and Fort McRae. Precisely at 11 1-2 o'clock, when every thing was perfectly quiet, both on the enemy's side and ours, the most painful duty it ever fell to my lot to perform was accomplished, namely: the signalizing for the destruction of the beautiful place which I had labored so hard night and day for over two months to defend, and which I had fondly hoped could be held from the polluting grasp of our insatiate enemies. The two blue lights set off by Col. Tattnall and myself at the hospital were promptly answered by similar signals from the other points designated, and scarcely had the signals disappeared ere the public buildings, camp tents, and every other combustible thing from the navy-yard to Fort McKae, was enveloped in a sheet of flames, and in a few moments the flames of the public property could be distinctly seen at Pensacola. The custom-house and com- missary storehouses "^'ere not destroyed, for fear of endangering private property, a thing I scrupulously avoided. As soon as the enemy could possibly man their guns and load them, they opened upon us with the greatest fury, and seemed to increase his charges as his anger increased. But in spite of the bursting shell, which were thrown with great rapidity, and in every direction, the cavalry proceeded with the greatest coolness to make the work of destruc- tion thoi'ough and complete, and see that all orders were implicitly 3 84 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. obeyed. Their orders were to destroy all the camp tents ; Forts McRae and Barrancas, as far as possible ; the hospital, the houses in the navy-yard, the steamer Fulton, the coal left in the yard ; all the machinery for drawing out ships, the trays, shears, in fact every, thing which could be made useful to the enemy. The large piles of coal were filled with wood and other combustibles, and loaded shell put all through it, so that when once on fire the enemy would not dare to attempt to extinguish it. Loaded shell were also placed in the houses for the same purpose, and the few small smooth-bore guns, I was compelled to leave, were double-shotted, wedged, and spiked, and carriages chassie burned. The shears in the navy-yard were cut half in two, and the spars and masts of the Fulton were cut to pieces. By the most unremitting labor, I succeeded with my little force and limited transportation in saving all the heayy guns, and nearly all the small-size guns. I took away all the flank- ing howitzers from Barrancas and the redoubt. In removing the large columbiads from the batteries, which were in full view of the enemy's, I was compelled to resoi't to Gen. Johnston's plan of re- placing them with wooden imitations as they were removed. All the powder and most of the large shot and shell were removed ; the small-size shot were buried. I succeeded in getting away all the most valuable machinery, besides large quantities of copper, lead, brass, and iron. Even the gutters, lightning rods, window weights, bells, pipes, and every thing made of these valuable metals were removed, also cordage, blocks, cables, chain-cables, and a large number of very valuable articles of this character, which I cannot here enumerate. All the quarter-master and commissary stores, except such as were not worth the transportation, were sent away. As soon as this was completed, I set hands to Avork taking up the railroad iron at Pensacola, and others to reeling up the telegraph wires under the protection of a strong guard of cavalry, infantry, and one piece of light artillery. Having received orders not to destroy any private property, I only destroyed at Pensacola a large oil factory, containing a con- siderable quantity of rosin, the quarter-master's storehouses, and some small boats, and three small steamers, used as guard-boats and transports. The steamers Mary and Helen were the only private property of their kind burned. The steamboat " Turel," which we had been using as a transj^ort, was sent up the Escambia river, she being of very light draft, well loaded with stores, machinery, etc., with orders to cut down trees, and place every obstruction possible, in the river, behind her. She has arrived safely at a point I deem OFFICIAL REFOKTS OF BATTLES. 35 beyond the enemy's reach, and she has been unloaded of her freight. The casemates and galleys of Fort McRae were filled with old lumber, and many loaded with shell and fired. The galleries and implement rooms, at Barrancas, were similarly dealt with, and the destruction at both places was as complete as it could be without the use of gunpowder ; this I did not deem it necessary or proper to use for this purpose. The enemy's furious cannonade only served to make the havoc more complete. There was no damage done by it to man or horse. When it is remembered that all this work has been done by a mere handful of raw troops, with but few arms, and many of them without any arms at all, and this, too, in the very face of a formidable force, I deem it but simple justice to my men to say, that the conduct of each and all of them was worthy of the highest praise. It not unfrequently happened that after standing guard all night, they cheerfully labored all the next day and night. I have not room to make distinctions where all did so well, but I feel constrained to make particular mention of Capt. J. H. Nelson, of the 27th Mississippi regiment, who commanded at Fort McRae, the most exposed and dangerous point ; Major Kil- patrick, who commanded at the navy-yard, and Lieut.-col. Conoly, who commanded at Pensacola. These gentlemen deserve the greatest credit for their zeal and watchfulness, in the management of their respective stations. I feel that I am also authorized in saying of the 2'7th, under Capt. Hays, that during the frequent and terrible alarms, so unavoidable with new troops, it was always cool and ready for serious work. The unwearied exertions, both night and day, of my personal staff officers have received my personal thanks, and I feel called upon to remark that they deserve great credit, as they were so zealous and unremitting in their exertions to assist me in carrying out my orders and of serving the country, that I frequently had to insist on their taking rest for fear that they would completely wear themselves down. On the completion of my work, I proceeded to rejoin my army at Oakfield, six miles north of Pensacola on the railroad, leaving five companies of cavalry in command of Capt. J. T. Myers, an efiicient and daring officer, to watch the enemy's movements. The next morning I proceeded, with the 27th Mississij^pi regi- ment, to Mobile, leaving Lieut.-col. Conoly with the 29th Alabama regiment ; and Lieut.-col. Tullen, with five companies of Florida volunteers, two of which companies were armed, to guard the rail- road, whilst the iron was being removed. I regret to acknowledge the receipt of a telegraphic dispatch from the Hon. Secretary of 36 OFFICIAL EErORTS OF BATTLES "War, dated subsequent to my evacuation, directing me not to burn the houses in the navy-yard. I received one from him the day before the evacuation, directing me to spare all piivate dwellings not useful to the enemy for war purposes, which was done. The first-named dispatch reached me after my arrival in the city. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, THOS. M. JONES, Acting Brig.-gen. C. S. A. To Brig.-gen. John H. Foeney, Gommmiding Dep't Ala. and W. Fla. Heab-quaetees Dep't Ala. and W. Fla., May 23d, 1862. I have the honor to transmit, with my approval, the accompany- ing report of Brig.-gen. T. M. Jones of the evacuation of Pensacola. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, JNO. H. FORNEY, Brig.-gen. Commanding. To Gen. S. Coopee, AdjH and Insjo'Vr-general^ Richmond. BOMBARDMENT OF FORT HENRY, Brigadier-general Tilghman, commanding. Richmond, Va., Aug. 9th, 1862. J. Coopee, Adjutant and Inspector-general^ C. S. A. : ♦General : — Inclosed, you will please find a copy of my official re- port of the bombardment of Fort Henry, on February 6th, 1862, by the Federal fleet, together with accompanying papers. OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 37 The original of this report was forwarded from Alton, Illinois, but not having reached your office, I have prepared a copy of the same at the earliest moment practicable, since my release from Fort War- ren, Massachusetts. I remain, respectfully. Your obedient servant, LLOYD TILGHMAN, Brigadier- general C. S, A^ Commarvding. Report of Brigadier-general Tilghman on the Bombardment of Fort Henry. Febkuaky 12th, 1862. CoL. W. W. Mackall, A. A. General, C, S, Army^ Bowlhig Green: SiK : — My comillunication of the 7th inst., sent from Fort Henry, having announced the fact of the surrender of that fort to Com- modore Foote, of the Fedei-al navy, on the 6th inst., I have now the honor to submit the following report of the details of the action, together with the accompanying papers, marked (A) (B), oontainiug list of officers and men surrendered, together with casualties, pi, under Major Adair ; the 15th Arkansas, Col. Gee; the 51st Ten- nessee, Col. Browder ; Alabama battalion, Maj. Garvin ; light bat- tery of three pieces, under ^Capt. Clare, and the Alabama battalion of cavalry, Capt. Milners' company of cavalry, with Capt. Padgett's spy company, a detachment of Rangers, under acting Captain Mel- ton. Total, officers and men, 1215. The heavy artillery, under command of Capt. Taylor, numbering 75, were placed at the guns in Fort Henry. As indicated, some time since, to the general com- manding department, I found it impossible to hold the commanding ground, south of the Tennessee river, with the small force of badly armed men at my command, and, notwithstanding the fact, that all my defences were commanded by the high ground on which I had commenced the construction of Fort Heiman, I deemed it i)roper to trust to the fact that the extremely bad roads leading to that point would prevent the movement of heavy guns by the enemy, by which I might be annoyed ; and leaving the Alabama battalion of cavalry and Capt. Padgett's spy company on the western bank of the river, transferred the force encamped on that side to the opposite bank. At the time of receiving the first intimation of the approach of the enemy, the 48th and 51st Tennessee regiments having only just re- ported, were encamped at Danville, and at the mouth of Sandy, and had to be moved from five to twenty miles, in order to reach Fort OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 39 Henry. This movement, together with the transfer of the 2'7th Alabama and 15th Arkansas regiments from Fort Heiman across the river, was all perfected by 5 o'clock, a. m., on the morning of the 5th, Early on the morning of the 5th the enemy was plainly to be seen at Bailey Ferry, three miles below. The large number of heavy transports reported by om* scouts gave evidence of the fact that the enemy were there in force, even at that time, and the arrival every hour of additional boats showed conclusively that I should be engaged with a heavy force by land, whilst the presence of seven gunboats, mounting fifty-four guns, indicated plainly that a joint at- tack was contemplated by land and water. On leaving Fort Donelson, I ordered Col. Head to hold his own and Col. Suggs' regiment of Tennessee Volunteers, with two pieces of artillery, ready to move at a moment's warning, with three days' cooked rations, and without camp equipage or wagon train of any kind, except enough to carry the surplus ammunition. On the morning of the 5th I ordered him, in case nothing more had been heard from the country below, on the Cumberland, at the time of the arrival of my messenger, indicating an intention on the part of the enemy to invest Fort Donelson, to move out Avith the two regi- ments, and the two pieces of artillery, and take position at the Fur- nace, half way on the Dover road to Fort Heniy, — the force em- braced in this order was about seven hundred and fifty men, — to act as circumstances might dictate. Thus matters stood at 9 a. m. on the morning of the 5th. The wretched military position of Fort Henry, and the small force at my disposal, did not permit me to avail myself of the ad- vantages to be derived from the system of outworks, built with the hope of being reinforced in time, and compelled me to determine to concentrate my efforts by land, within the rifle-pits surrounding the 10th Tennessee and 4th Mississippi regiments, in case I deemed it possible to do more than to operate solely against the attack by the river. Accordingly, my entire command was paraded and placed in the rifle-pits around the above camps, and minute instructions given, not only to brigades, but to regiments and companies, as to the ex- act ground each was to occupy. Seconded by the able assistance of Major Gilmer, of the engineers, of whose valuable services I thus early take pleasure in speaking, and by Cols. Heiman and Drake, every thing was arranged to make a formidable resistance against anything like fair odds. It was known to me, on the day before, that the enemy had reconnoitred the roads leading to Fort Donel- son, from Bailey's Ferry, by way of Iron Mountain Furnace, and at 40 OFFICIAL REPORT OF BATTLES. 10 o'clock, A, M., on the 5th, I sent forward fi'om Fort Henry a strong reconnoitring party of cavahy. They had not advanced more tlian one-and-a-half miles in the direction of the enemy when they encountered their reconnoitring party. Our cavalry charged them in gallant style, upon which the enemy's* cavalry fell back, with a loss of only one man on each side. Very soon the main body of the Federal advance-guard, com- posed of a regiment of infantry and a large force of cavalry, was met, upon which our cavalry retreated. On receipt of this news, I moved out in person with five companies of the 10th Tennessee, five companies of the 4th Mississippi, and fifty cavalry, ordering at the same time two additional companies of infantry to support Capt. Red at the outworks. Upon advancing well to the front I found that the enemy had retired. I returned to camp at 5 p. m,, leaving Capt. Red reinforced at the outworks. The enemy were again re- inforced by the arrival of a large number of transports. At night the pickets from the west bank reported the landing of troops on that side, opposite Bailey's Ferry, their advance pickets having been met one-and-a-half miles from the river. I at once ordered Capt. Hubbard, of the Alabama cavalry, to take fifty men, and, if possi- ble, surprise them. The inclemency of the weather, the rain having commenced to fall in torrents, prevented any thing being accora- jilished. Early on the morning of the 6th, Capt. Padgett reported the arrival of five additional transports over night, and the landing of a large force on the west bank of the river, at the point indicated above. From that time up to nine o'clock it appeared as though the force on the east bank was again reinforced, which was subse- quently proven to be true. The movements of the fleet of gun- boats at an early hour prevented any communication, except by a light barge, with the western bank, and by 10 o'clock, a. m., it was plain that the boats intended to engage the fort with their entire forces, aided by an attack on our right and left flanks from the two land forces in overwhelming numbers. To understand properly the difficulties of my position it is right that I should explain fully the unfortunate location of Fort Henry, in reference to resistance by a small force against an attack by land co-operating with the gun- boats, as well as its disadvantages in even an engagement with boats alone. The entire fort, together with the intrenched camp spoken of, is enfiladed from three or four points on the opposite shore, whilst three points on the eastern bank completely command them both, all at easy cannon range. At the same time the intrenched cam}), arranged as it was in the best possible manner to meet the OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 41 case, was two-thirds of it completely under the control of the fire of the gunboats. The history of military engineering records no parallel to this case. Points within a few miles of it, possessino" great advantages and few disadvantages, were totally neglected and a location fixed upon, without one redeeming feature, or filling one of the many requirements of a site for a work such as Fort Henry. The work itself was well built ; it was completed long be- fore I took command, but strengthened greatly by myself in build- ing eifibrasures and epaulements of sand-bags. An enemy had but to use their most common sense in obtaining the advantage of hio-h water, as was the case, to have complete and entire control of the position. I am guilty of no act of injustice in this frank avowal of the opinions entertained by myself, as well as by all other officers who have become familiar with the location of Fort Henry. Nor do I desire the defects of location to have an undue influence in di- recting public opinion in relation to the battle of the 6th instant. The fort was built when I took charge, and I had no time to build anew. With this seeming digression, rendered necessary as I be- lieve to a correct understanding of the whole affair, I will proceed with the details of the subsequent movements of the troops under my command. By 10 o'clock, a. m., on the 6th, the movements of the gunboats and land force indicated an immediate eno-ao-ement and in such force as gave me no room to change my previously con- ceived opinions as to what, under such circumstances, should be my course. The case stood thus : I had at my command a grand total of 2610 men, only one-third of whom had been at all disciphned or well armed. The high water in the river filling the sloughs, gave me but one route on which to retire, if necessary, and that route for some dis- tance, in direction, at right angles to the line of approach of the enemy, and over roads well nigh impassable for artillery, cavalry, or infantry. The enemy had seven gunboats, with an armament of fifty-four guns, to engage the eleven guns at Fort Henry. Gen. Grant was moving up the east bank of the river from his landing three miles below Avith a force of twelve thousand men, verified afterwards by his own statement ; whilst Gen. Smith, with six thousand men, was moving up the west bank to take a position within four or five hundred yards, which would enable him to enfilade my entire works. The hopes (founded on a knowledge of the fact, that the enemy had reconnoitred on the two previous days thoroughly the several roads leading to Fort Donelson) that a portion only of 42 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. the land force would co-operate with the gunboats in an attack on the fort, were dispelled, and but little time left me to meet this change in the circumstances which surrounded me. I argued thus : Fort Donelson might possibly be held, if properly reinforced^ even though Fort Henry should fall, but the reverse of this proposition was not true. The force at Fort Henry was necessary to aid Fort Donelson, either in making a successful defence, or in holding it long enough to answer the purposes of a new disposition of the entire army from Bowling Green to Columbus, which would necessarily follow the breaking of our centre, resting on Forts Donelson and Henry. The latter alternative was all that I deemed possible. I knew that rein- forcements were difficult to be had, and that unless sent in such force as to make the defence certain^ which I did not believe j^i'ac- ticable, the fate of our right wing at Bowling Green dej^ended upon a concentration of my entire division on Fort Donelson, and the holding of that place as long as possible, trusting that the delay by an action at Fort Henry, would give time for such reinforcement as might reasonably be expected to reach a point sufficiently near Donelson to co-operate with my division by getting to the rear and right flank of the enemy, and in such a position*as to control the roads, over which a safe retreat might be effijcted. I hesitated not a mo- ment. My infantry, artillery, and cavalry, removed of necessity, to avoid the fire of the gunboats, to the outworks, could not meet the enemy there. My only chance was to delay the enemy every mo- ment possible, and retire the command, now outside the main work, towards Fort Donelson, resolving to suffiar as little loss as possible. I retained only the heavy artillery company to fight the guns, and gave the order to commence the movement at once. At 10 1-4 o'clock, Lieut. McGavock sent a messenger to me, stating that our pickets reported Gen. Grant appi'oaching rapidly, and within half a mile of the advance work, and movements on the west bank indicated that Gen. Smith was fast approaching also. The enemy, ignorant of any movement of my main body, but knowing that they could not engage them behind our intrenched camp, imtil after the fort was reduced, or the gunboats retired, without being themselves exposed to the fife of the latter, took a position north of the forks of the Dover road in a dense wood (my order being to retreat by way of Stewart road), to await the result. At 11 A. M., the flotilla assumed their line of battle. I had no hope of being able successfully to defend the fort against such over- whelming odds, both in point of numbers and in calibre of guns. My object was to save the main body by delaying matters as long OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLFS. 43 as possible, and to this end I bent every effort. At 11.45 a. m., tlie enemy opened from their gunboats on the fort. I waited a few moments until the eifects of the first shots of the enemy were fully appreciated. I then gave the order to return the fire, which was gallantly responded to by the brave little band under my com- mand. The enemy with great deliberation, steadily closed upon the fort, firing very wild until within twelve hvmdred yards. Tlie cool deliberation of our men told from the first shot fired with tremendous eflTect. At twenty-five minutes of 1 o clock, p. jr., the bursting of our 24-pounder rifle gun disabled every man at the piece. This great loss was to us in a degree made up by our disabling entirely the Essex gunboat, which immediately floated down stream. Immediately after the loss of this valuable gun, we sus- tained another loss still greater, in the closing up of the vent of the 10-inch columbiad, rendering that gun perfectly useless, and defy- ing all eflforts to reopen it. The fire on both sides was now perfectly terrific. The enemy's entire force was engaged, doing us but little harm, whilst our shot fell with unerring certainty upon them, and with stunning eflTect. At this time, a question presented itself to me, with no inconsider- able degree of embarrassment. The moment had arrived when I should join the main body of troops retiring towards Fort Donelsou, the safety of which depended upon a protracted defence of the fort. It was equally plain, that the gallant men working the batteries (for the first time under fire), with all their heroism, needed my presence. Col. Heiman, the next in command, had returned to the fort for instructions. The men working the heavy guns were be- coming exhausted with the rapid firing. Another gun became use- less by an accident, and yet another by the explosion of a shell im- mediately after stiiking the muzzle, involving the death of two men and disabling several others. The efiect of my absence, at such a critical moment, would have been disastrous. At the earnest soli- citations of many of my oflicers and men, I determined to remain, and ordered Col. Heiinan to join his command and keep up the re- treat in good order, whilst I would fight the guns as long as one was left, and sacrifice myself to save the main body of my troops. No sooner was this decision made known, than new energy was in- fused. The enemy closed upon the fort to within six hundred yards, improving very much in their fire, which now began to tell with great effect upon the parapets, whilst the fire from our guns (now reduced to seven) was returned with such deliberation and 44 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. judgment that we scarcely missed a shot. A second one of the gunboats retired, but I believe was brought into action again. At 1 o'clock 10 minutes, so completely broken down were the men, that but for the fact that four only of our guns were then really serviceable — I could not well have worked a greater number. The fire was still continued with great energy and tremendous efiect upon the enemy's boats. At 1.30 o'clock, I took charge of one of the 32-pounders to relieve the chief of that piece, who had worked it with great effect from the beginning of the action. I gave the flagship Cincinnati two shots, which had the effect to check a move- ment intended to enfilade the only gun now left me. It was now plain to be seen that the enemy were breaching the fort directly in front of our guns, and that I could not much longer sustain their fire without an unjustifiable exposure of the valuable lives of the men who had so nobly seconded me in the unequal struggle. Several of my ofiicers. Major Gilmer among the number, now suggested to me the propriety of taking the subject of a sur- render into consideration. Every moment, I knew, was of vast importance to those retreat- ing on Fort Donelson, and I declined, hoping to find men enough at hand to continue awhile longer the fire now so destructive to the enemy. In this I was disappointed. My next effort was to try the experiment of a flag of truce, which I waved from the parapets myself. This was precisely at 10 minutes before 2 o'clock, p. m. The flag was not noticed, I presume, from the dense smoke that enveloped it, and leaping again into the fort, I continued the fire for five minutes, wlien, with the advice of my brother oflicers, I or- dered the flag to be lowered, after an engagement of two hours and ten minutes with such an unequal force. Tlie surrender was made to Flag-oflicer Foote, represented by Capt. Stemble, commanding gunboat Cincinnati, and was qualified by the' single condition that all oflicers should retain their side arms, that both oflicers and men should be treated with the highest con- sideration due prisoners of war, which was promptly and gracefully acceded to by Com. Foote. The retreat of the main body was eftected in good order, though involving the loss of about twenty prisoners, who from sickness and other causes, were unable to encounter the heavy roads. The rear of the army was overtaken at a distance of some three miles from Fort Henry by a body of the enemy's cavalry, but on being engaged by a small body of our men, under Major Carving, were repulsed and retired. This fact alone shows the necessity of the policy pur- OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 45 sued by me in protracting the defence of the fort as long as j^ossi- ble — whicli only could have been done by my consenting to stand by the brave little band. No loss was sustained by our troops in this affair with the enemy. I have understood from the prisoners, that several pieces of artillery also were lost, it being entirely im- possible to move them over four or five miles with the indifferent teams attached to them. The entire abscfnce of transportation rendered any attempt to move the camp equipage of the regiments impossible. This may be regarded as fortunate, as the roads were utterly impassable, not only from the rains, but the backwater of the Tennessee river. A small amount of quarter-master's and commissary stores, to- gether Avith what was left of the ordnance stores, were lost to us ; also the tents of the Alabama regiment were left on the west bank of the river, the gunboats preventing an opportunity to cross them over. Our casualties may be reported strictly as follows : killed by the enemy, two; wounded severely by the enemy, three (one since dead) ; wounded slightly by the enemy, two ; killed by pre- mature explosion, two ; wounded seriously by premature explosion, one; slightly wounded, one; temporarily disabled by explosion of rifle gun, five ; making total killed, five ; seriously wounded, three ; slightly wounded, three ; disabled, five ; missing, five ; total casual- ties, twenty-one. The total casualties of the enemy were stated, in my presence on the following morning, to be seventy-three, includ- ing one officer of Essex killed, and Capt. Porter, commanding Es- sex, badly scalded. The enemy report the number of shot that struck their vessels to have been seventy-four, twenty-eight of which struck tlie flag-ship Cincinnati, so disabling her as to compel her to return to Cairo. The Essex received twenty-tAvo shots, one of which passed, we know, entirely through rtie ship, opening one of her boilers and taking ofi" the head of Capt. Porter's aid-de-camp. Several shots passed entirely through the Cincinnati, whilst her underworks were completely riddled. The weak points in all their vessels were known to us, and the cool precision of oiir firing developed them, showing conclusively that this class of boats, though formidable, cannot stand the test of even the thirty-two pounders, much less the twenty-four calibre rifle shot, or that of the ten-inch coluinbiad. It should be remembered that these results were principally from no heavier metal than the ordinary thirty-two pounders using solid shot, fired at point blank, giving vessels all the advantages of its peculiar structure, with 46 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. jjlanes meeting this fire at angles of forty-five degrees. The im- mense area forming what may be called the roof is in every respect vulnerable to either a plunging fire from even thirty-two pounders or a curved line of fire from heavy guns. In the latter case shells should be used in preference to shot. Confident of having performed my whole duty to my Government in the defence of Fort Henry, with the totally inadequate means at my disposal, I have but little to add in support of the views before expressed. The reasons for the Hue of policy pursued by me, are, to my mind, convincing. Against such overwhelming odds as sixteen thousand well-armed men (exclusive of the force on the gunboats), to two thousand six hundred and ten badly armed in the field, and fifty-four heavy guns against eleven medium ones, in the fort, no tactics or bravery could avail. The rapid movements of the enemy, with every facility at their command, rendered the defence, from the beginning, a hopeless one. I succeeded in doing even more than was to be hoped for at first. I not only saved my entire command, outside the fort, but damaged, materially, the flotilla of the enemy, demonstrating thoroughly a problem of infinite value to us in the future. Had I been reinforced so as to have justified my meeting the enemy at the advanced works, I might have made good the land defence on the east bank. I make no inquiry as to why I was not, for I have en- tire confidence in the judgment of my commanding general. The elements even were against us, and had the enemy delayed nis attack a few days, with the river rising, one-third of the entire fortification (already affected by it) would have been washed away, whilst the remaining portion of the works would have been unten- able by reason of the depth of water over the whole interior por- tion. The number of officers surrendered (s^e paper marked A) was twelve. The number of non-commissioned officers and privates in the fort at the time of the surrender (see paper marked B) was sixty-six, whilst the number in hospital boat (Patton) was (see paper marked C) sixteen. I take great pleasure in making honorable mention of all the officers and men under my command. To Capt. Taylor of the artillery, and the officers of his corps, Lieuts. Watts and Weller ; to Capt. G. R, G. Jones, in command of the right battery; to Capts. Miller and Hayden of the engineers ; to A. A. A. General McCor- nico ; to Capt. H. L. Jones, Brigade Quarter-master ; to Capt. Mc- Laughlin, Quarter-master 10th Tennessee, and to Surgeons Voorhies OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 47 and Horton, of the lOth Tennessee, the thanks of the whole coun- try are due for their consummate devotion to our high and holy cause. To Sergeants John Jones, Hallum, Cubine, and Selkirk ; to CorjDorals Capass, Cavin, and Kenfro, in charge of guns, as well as to all the men, I feel a large debt is due for their bravery and effi- ciency, in working the heavy guns so long and so efficiently. Officers and men alike seemed actuated by one spirit, that of devo- tion to a cause in which was involved " life, liberty, and tlie pursuit of happiness," Every blow struck was aimed by cool heads, sup- ported by strong arms and honest hearts. I feel that it is a duty I owe to Col. A. Heiman, commanding 10th Tennessee regiment, to give this testimony of my high appreciation of him as a soldier and as a man, due to his gallant regiment, both officers and men. I place them second to no regiment I have seen in the army. To Capt. Dixon of the engineers, I owe, as does the whole country, my special acknowledgments of his ability and unceasing energies. Under his immediate eye, were all the works proposed by myself at Forts Donelson and Heiman executed, whilst his fruitfulness in resources to meet the many disadvantages of iwsition, alone enabled us to combat its difficulties successfully. To Lieut. Watts, of the heavy artillery, as acting ordnance offi- cer at Fort Henry, I owe this special notice of the admirable con- dition of the Ordnance Department at that post. Lieut. Watts is the coolest officer under fire I ever met with, I take pleasure in acknowledging the marked courtesy and con- sideration of Flag-officer Foote of the Federal navy, of Capt. Stemble and the other naval officers to myself, officers, and men. Their gallant bearing during the action, gave evidence of a brave, and, therefore, generous foe. Respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed,) LLOYD TILGHMAIST, Brig.-gen. commanding. (Official,) ED. A. PALFRED, A. A. General, A. & I. G. Office, August 29, 1862. 48 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATILES. Supplement to the Report of Gen. Tilghman. Richmond, Aug. 9th, 1862. My attention having been called, since writing the above report, to certain statements made in the somewhat unofficial reports of the battles at Fort Donelson, on the subject of the condition of the fortifications at that place, at the time of the arrival of the re- inforcements, I deem it highly proper to protect my own, as well as the reputation of the officers and men of my command, and place the facts of the case on record. Nearly broken down by incessant work from the middle of June, in organizing and perfecting the first Kentucky brigade, and in re- modelling the brigade at Hopkinsville, Ky., I was not in the best condition, so late as the \htlh of Decemher, to commence in a new field of operations,^nd work into perfect shape a third brigade, and cai-ry on the system of fortifications on both the Cumberland and Tennessee, necessary for the important line intrusted to my care. The facts of the case are simply these : On reaching Fort Donelson, the middle of December, I found at my disposal, six undisciplined companies of infantry, with an unorganized light battery. Whilst a small water battery of two light guns constituted the available river defence. Four 32-pounders had been rightly jjlaced, but were not available. By the 25th of January, I had prepared the entire batteries (except one piece which arrived too late) for the river de- fences, built the entire field work with a trace of 2900 feet, and in the most substantial manner, constructed a large amount of abatis, and commenced guarding the approaches by rifle-pits and abatis. This was all done when the reinforcements arrived, and when the total lack of transportation is taken into consideration, as well as the inclemency of the season, and yet find not only the original troops there, but nearly all ray reinforcements housed in something like four hundred good cabins, I conceive my time to have been well spent. Whilst this was being done, the strengthening of Fort Henry, the building of all the outworks around it, together with the advanced state of the new works south of Tennessee river, — Fort Heiman, together with its line of rifle-pits and abatis, was all thoroughly performed, and satisfy my own mind that officers and men could not have fallen short in their duties to have accomplished BO much. The failure of adequate support, doubtless from sufficient causse, cast me on my own resources, and compelled me to assume OFFICIAL BEPORTS OF BATTLES. 49 responsibilities which may have worked a partial evil. I aimed at the general good^ and am the last man to shrink from assuming what is most likely to accomplish such an end. I would further state that I had connected both Forts Henry and Donelson by a line of telegraph from Cumberland City, total length of the line about thirty-five miles, thus placing me in close relations with Bowling Green and Columbus. (A) List of Commissioned Officers surrendered at Fort Henrv, Febru- ary 6, 1862. Brigadier-general Lloyd Tilghman, commanding. Captain H. L. Jones, Quarter-master's Department. • Captain John McLaughlin, Quarter-master's Department. Captain Joseph A. Miller, Engineer Department. Captain J. A. Haydon, " " Captain G. R. G. Jones, Heavy Artillery. A. A. A. General W. L. McCornico. Captain Jesse Taylor, Artillery. Lieutenant W. O. Watts, " Lieutenant F. J. Weller, " Surgeon A. H. Voorhies, Medical Department. Assistant-surgeon W. D. Horton, Medical Department. (B) List of Non-commissioned Officers and Privates, surrendered at Fort Henry, February 6, 1862. 1st Sergeant John Jones, Sergeant H. C. Hallum, Sergeant W. J. B. Cubine, Sergeant W. H. Selkirk. Corporal N. Capass, wounded ; Corporal S. W. Greenleaf. Privates— Ed. Drake, J. B. White, Thos. Buckingham, Patrick Stout, C. C. Brooks, C. C. Whitford, John Elliott, O. P. Saltsgiver, Alex. Joyce, Thomas Moran, Michael Dassey, L, A. Garvin, A. G. Gibson, S. D, Johnson, John Hardin, Wm. Daniels, William Carter, Thomas Philips, James Campbell, D. H. Hatin, James McHngh, W. H. Rutherford, L. C. Thoraason, John Wyall, E. F. Lyle,"M. M. Bailey, M. V. Ray, S. R. Myers, B. Sharp, H. Carter, W. J. Miles, C. C. Jones, S. G. Casey, James Mosley, G. W. Cattrell, H. C. Pesk, Fred. Waller, O. F. Wickerson, J. C. Hickey, John Long, R. Gar- ner, T. M. Menitt, J. T. Marshall, J. W. Marshall. 4 50 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. THE BATTLE OF FORT DONELSON. Brig.-gen. Floyd, commanding. Camp, keae Mukfeeesboko', February 27th, 1862. Gen. a. S. Johnston: Sir: — Your order of the 12th of this month, transmitted to me from Bowling Green by telegraph to Cumberland City, reached me the same evening. It directed me to repair at once, with what force I could command, to the support of the garrison at Fort Don- elson. I immediately prepared for my departure; and effected it in time to reach Fort Donelson the next morning, 13th, befoi'e day- light. Measures had been already taken by Brig.-gen. Pillow, then in command, to render our resistance to the attack of the enemy as effectual as possible. He had, with activity and industry, pushed forward the defensive works towards completion. These defences consisted of an earth-work in Fort Donelson, in which were mounted guns of different calibres to the number of thirteen, A field work, intended for the infantry support, was constructed immediately behind the battery, and upon the summit of the hill in rear. Sweeping away from this field work eastward, to the extent of nearly two miles in its windings, was a line of intrenchments, de- fended on the outside at some points with abatis. These intrench- ments were occupied by the troops already there, and by the addi- tion of those which came upon the field Avith me. The position of the fort, which was established by the Tennessee authorities, was by no means commanding, nor was the least military significance attached to the position. The intrenchments, afterwards hastily made, in many places Avere injudiciously constructed, because of the distance they were placed from the brow of the hill, subjecting the men to a heavy fire from the enemy's sharpshooters opposite, as they advanced to or retired from the intrenchments. Soon after my arrival, the intrenchments were fully occupied from one end to the other, and just as the sun rose, the cannunade, from one of the enemy's gunboats, announced the opening of the conflict, which was destined to continue for three days and nights. In a very short time the fire became general along our Avhole lines, and the enemy, who had already planted batteries at several points around OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 51 the whole circuit of our intrenchments, as shown by a diagram here- with sent, opened a general and active fire from all arms upon our trenches, which continued until dai-kness put an end to the conflict. They charged with uncommon spirit at several points along on the lino, but most particularly at n point undefended by intrenchments, down a hollow, which separated the right wing, under the command, of Brig.-gen. Buckner, from the right of the centre, commanded by Col. Heiman. This charge was prosecuted with uncommon vigor, but was met with a determined spii'it of resistance, a cool, delib- ei-ate courage, both by the troops of Brig.-gen. Buckner and Col. Heiman, which drove the enemy discomfited, and cut to pieces, back upon the position he had assumed in the morning. Too high l^raise cannot be bestowed upon the battery of Capt. Porter, for their participation in the rout of the enemy in this assault. My position was immediately in front of the point of attack, and I was thus enabled to witness more distinctly the incidents of it. The enemy continued their fire upon different parts of our intrenchments throughout the night, which deprived our men of any opportunity to sleep. We lay that night upon our arms in the trenches. We confidently expected at the dawn of day a more vigorous attack than ever, but in this we were entirely mistaken. The day ad- vanced, and no preparation seemed to be making for a general onset, but an extremely annoying fire was kept up from the enemy's sharpshooters, throughout the whole length of the intrenchments, from their long range rifles. Whilst this mode of attack was not attended with any considerable loss, it nevertheless confined the men to their trenches, and prevented them from taking their usual rest. So stood the affairs of the field until about 3 o'clock p. m., when the fleet of gunboats, in full force, advanced upon the fort, and opened fire. They advanced in the shape of a crescent, and kept up a constant and incessant fire for one hour and a half, which was replied to with uncommon vigor and spirit by the fort. Once the boats reached a point within a few hundred yards of the fort, at which time it was that three of their boats sustained serious in- juries from our batteries, and were compelled to fall back. The line was broken, and the enemy discomfited on the water, giving up the fight entii-ely, which he soon afterwards renewed. I was satisfied, from the incidents of the last two days, that the enemy did not intend again to give us battle in our trenches. They had been fairly repulsed, with very heavy slaughter, upon every eflfort to storm our position, and it was but fiiir to infer that they would not again renew the unavailing attempt at our dislodgement, when 52 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. certain means to effect the same end without loss were perfectly at their command. We were aware of the fact, that extremely heavy reinforcements had been continually arriving day and night, for three days and nights, and I had no doubt whatever that their whole available force on the western waters could and would be concentrated here, if it was deemed necessary, to reduce our position. I had already seen the impossibility of holding out for any length of time, with our in- adequate number and indefensible position, Tliere was no place within our intrenchments but could be reached by the enemy's artillery from their boats or their batteries. It was but fair to infer, that whilst they kept up a sufficient lire upon our intrench- ments to keep our men from sleep and prevent repose, their object was merely to give time to pass a column above us on the river, both on the right and left banks, and thus to cut off all our com- munication, and to prevent the possibility of egress. I thus saw clearly that but one course was left, by which a rational hope cou.ld be entertained of saving the garrison, or a part of it — that was, to dislodge the enemy frona the position on our left, and thus to pass our people into the open country lying southward towards Nashville. I called for a consultation of the officers of divisions and brigades, to take place after dark, when this plan was laid before them, approved, and adopted ; and at which time it was determined to move from the trenches at an early hour, on the next morning, and attack the enemy in his position. It was agreed that the attack should commence upon our extreme left, and this duty_ was assigned to Brig.-gen. Pillow, assisted by Brig,-gen. Johnson, having also under his command, commanders of brigades — Col. Baldwin commanding Mississippi and Tennessee troops, and Col. Wharton and Col. McCausland commanding Virginians. To Brig.- gen. Buckner was assigned the duty of making the attack from near the centre of our lines upon the enemy's forces upon the Wynn's ferry road. The attack on the left was delayed longer than I ex- pected, and consequently the enemy was found in position when our troops advanced. The attack, however, on our part, was ex- tremely spirited, and although the resistance of the enemy was obstinate, and their numbers far exceeded ours, our jDeoj^le suc- ceeded in driving them discomfited and terribly cut to pieces from the entire left. The Kentucky troops under Brig.-gen. Buckner advanced from their position behind the intrenchments up the Wynn's ferry road, but not until the enemy had been driven, in a great measure, from the position he occupied in the morning. I OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 53 had ordered, on the night before, that the two regiments stationed in Fort Donelson should occupy the trenches vacated by Brig.- gen. Buckner's forces, which, together with the men whom he de- tached to assist in this jKirpose, I thouglit sufficient to hold them. My intention was to hold, with Brig.-gen. Buckner's command, the Wynn's ferry road, and thus to prevent the enemy, during the night, from occupying the position on our left, which he occupied in the morning. I gave him orders upon the field to that eflect. Leaving him in position then, I started for the right of our com- mand, to see that all was secure there, my intention being, if things could be held in the condition they then were, to move the whole army, if possible, to the open country, lying southward, beyond the Randolph forge. During ray absence, and from some misappre- hension, I presume, of the previous order given, Brig.-gen. Pillow ordered Brig.-gen, Buckner to leave his position on the Wynn's ferry road, and to secure his place in his trenches on the right. This movement was nearly executed before I was aware of it. As the enemy were pressing upon the trenches, I deemed that the execution of this last order was all that was left to be done. The enemy, in fact, succeeded in occupying one -angle of the trenches on the ex- treme right of Brig.-gen. Buckner's command, and as the fresh forces of the enemy had begun already to move towards our left, to occupy the position they held in the morning, and as we had no force adequate to oppose their progress, we had to submit to the mortification of seeing the ground which we had won, by such a severe conflict in the morning, reoccupied by the enemy before midnight. The enemy had been landing reinforcements throughout the day. His numbers had been augmented to eighty-three regiments. Our troops were completely exhausted by four days and nights of con- tinued conflict. To renew it with any hope of successful result was obviously vain, and such I understood to be the unanimous opinion of all the officers present at the council, called to consider what was best to be done. I thought, and so announced, that a desperate onset upon the right of the enemy's forces, on the ground where we had attacked them in the morning, might result in the extricating of a considerable proportion of the command from the position we were in, and this opinion I understood to be concurred in by all who were present; but it was likewise agreed, with the same unanimity, that it would result in the slaughter of nearly all who did not succeed in effecting their escape. The question then arose, whether in point of humanity and a sound military policy, a course should be adopted 64: OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. from which the probabilities were that the larger proportion of the command would be cut to pieces in an unavailing fight against overwhelming numbers. I understood the general sentiment to be adverse to the j^roposition, I felt that in this contingency, whilst it might be questioned whether I should, as commander of the army, lead it to certain destruction in an unavailing fight, yet, I had a right individually to determine that I would not survive a sur- render there. To satisfy both proiDOsitions, I agreed to hand over the command to Brig,-ggn. Buckner, through Brig.-gen. Pillow, and to make an effort for my own extrication by any and every means that might present themselves to me. I, therefore, directed Col. Forrest, a daring and determined ofiicer, at the head of an efficient regiment of cavalry, to be present for the pur^DOse of accompanying me in what I supposed would be an eflbrt to pass through the enemy's lines, I announced the fact, upon turning the command over to Brig.-gen. Buckner, that I would bring away with me, by any means I could command, my own particular brigade, the pro- priety of which was acquiesced in on all hailds. This, by various modes I succeeded in accomplishing to a great extent, and Avould have brought ofif my whole command, in one way or another, if I had had the assistance of the field officers, who were absent from several of the regiments. The command was turned over to Brig.- gen. Buckner, who at once opened negotiations with the enemy, whic'h resulted in the surrender of the place. Thus ended the con- flict, running through four days and four nights^ a large portion of which time it was maintained with the greatest fierceness and ob- stinacy; in which we, with a force not exceeding 13,000, a large portion of whom were iUy armed, succeeded in resisting and driving back with discomfiture, an army consisting of more than 50,000 men. I have no means of accurately estimating the loss of the enemy. From what I saw upon the battlefield, from what I wit- nessed throughout the whole period of the conflict, from what I was able to learn from sources of information, deemed by me worthy of credit, I have no doubt that the enemy's loss in killed and wounded, reached a number beyond 5000 (five thousand). Our own losses were extremely heavy, but for want of exact returns, I am unable to state precise numbers. I think they will not be fir from fifteen hundred, killed and wounded. Nothing could exceed the coolness and determined spirit of resistance which animated the men in this long and perilous conflict ; nothing could exceed the determined courage which characterized them throughout this struggle, and nothing could be more admirable than the steadiness OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 65 which they exhibited until nature itself was exhausted, in what they knew to -he a desperate fight against a foe very many times their superior in numbers. I cannot particularize in this report to you, the numberless instances of heroic daring, performed by both officers and men, but must content myself for the present, by saying, in my judgment, they all deserve well of the country. I have the honor to be. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, JOHN B. FLOYD, Brig.-gen. commanding. Supplemental Report of Brigadier-general Floyd. Knoxville, Tennessee, March 20, 1862. H. P. Brewster, A. A, General : Sir: Your communication of the 16th instant, from Decatur, reached me here to-day, where I came in compliance with an order from Major-gen. Smith, who felt his position endangered from the advance of the enemy. In that communication you say: "Under date of March the 11th, the Secretary of War says : 'The reports of Gens. Floyd and Pil- low are unsatisfactory, and the President directs that both these generals be relieved from command till further orders.' He further directs Gen. Johnston ' in the mean time to request them to add to their reports such statements as they may deem proper on the fol- lowing points : ' 1st. The failure to give timely notice of the insufficiency of the garrison of Fort Donelson to repel attack. ' 2d. The feilure of any attempt to save the army by evacuating the post when found to be untenable. ' 3d. Why they abandoned the command to their inferior officer, instead of executing themselves whatever measure was deemed proper for the entire army. ' 4th. What was the precise mode by which each effected his es- cape from the post, and what dangers were encountered in the re- treat. 66 OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. ' 5th. Upon what principle a selection was made of particular troops, being certain regiments of the senior general's brigade, to whose use all the transportation on hand was appropriated. ' 6th. A particular designation of the regiments saved and the regiments abandoned, which formed part of the senior general's brigade.' " In obedience to this order, I am directed by Gen. Johnston to request your compliance with the wishes of the President in these particulars, with as little delay as possible, and forward the report to these head-quarters. " Under the same direction Gen. Johnston has required a report from Col. Forrest, detailing particularly the time and manner of his escape from Fort Donelson, the road he took, the number of enemies he met or saw in making his escape, and the difficulties which existed to prevent the remainder of the army from following the route taken by him in his escape with his command." I give at once the additional information which seems to be asked for in the communication of the Secretary of War to which you refer. The first charge is as follows : " The failure to give timely notice of the insufficiency of the gar- rison of Fort Donelson to repel attacks." I presume the general knew, before I was ordered to Fort Don- elson, that neither the Avorks nor the troops sent there could with- stand the force which he knew the enemy had in hand, and which could be brought speedily to that point. I knew perfectly well that if the M'hole force under Gen, Johnston's command at Bowling Green had been sent to Fort Donelson, it would prove utterly insuf- ficient to repel the advance of the enemy up the Cumberland river. Gen. Johnston's entire force, including the troops at Donelson, as I understood it, did not exceed thirty thousand (30,000) men. I knew, what I believed everybody else did, for it was made public through the newspapers, that the enemy had in Kentucky alone one hundred and nineteen (119) regiments, and that he had nearly, it not quite, as many at Cairo, St. Louis, and the towns near the mouth of the Cumberland. It was also known that the enemy had imlimited means of transportation for concentrating troops. Plow then was it possible for Gen. Johnston's whole army to meet that force, which was known to be moving towards the mouths of the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers ? The sequel proved that this information was correct, for not only were the troops occupying Kentucky sent up the Cumberland, but large additions were made to them from Missouri and Illinois, as stated by prisoners and by OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 57 the official reports of their own commanders. I could not, under a sense of duty, call for reinforcements, because the force under Gen. Johnston was not strong enough to afford a sufficient number to hold the place. I considered the place illy chosen, out of position, and entirely indefensible by any reinforcements which could be brought there to its support. It had but thirteen guns, and it turned out that but three of these were effective against iron-clad steamers. I thought the force already there sufficient for sacrifice, as well as enough to hold the place until Bowling Green could be evacuated with its supplies and munitions of war. This I supposed to be the main object of the movement to Donelson, and the only good that could be effected by desperately holding that post with the entirely inadequate means in hand for defence of the Cumber- land and Tennessee rivers. With a less force than fifty thousand (50,000) men, the position at Fort Donelson was, in my judgment, quite untenable, and even with that force it could have been held for only a short time, unless a force of twenty thousand (20,000) men was supporting it at Clarksville, and twenty-five thousand (25,000) more at least had been stationed at Nashville. While these were my own views and opinions, I nevertheless transmitted to Gen. Johnston the exact state of affiiirs at the fort at every stage of the conflict. My views and opinions upon the defence of Fort Donelson, and the means of extricating the army from the trap in which necessity had thrown them there, had been set forth in a letter addressed to the general from Clarksville before I received orders to go to Fort Donelson, bearing date 12th of February. I annex a copy of that letter. Clarksville, Tenn., Feb. 12, 18G2. General Johnston : Sir : — There is but little known satisfactorily of the enemy or their movements ; up to 10 o'clock last night all was quiet as usual at the fort. General Buckner is now there. I have thought the best disposition to make of the troops on this line was to concen- trate the main force at Cumberland City — leaving at Fort Donelson enough to make all possible resistance to any attack which may be made upon the for% but no more. The character of the country in the rear and to the left of the fort is such as to make it danger- ous to concentrate our whole force there ; for, if their gunboats should pass the fort and command the river, our troops would be in danger of being cut off by a force from the Tennessee. In this 68 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. event, their road would be open to Nashville, without any obstruc- tion Avhatever. The position at Cumberland City is better ; for there the railroad diverges from the river, which would afford some little facility for transportation in case of necessity ; and from thence the open country southward towards Nashville is easily reached. Besides, from that point we threaten the flank of any force sent from the Tennessee against the fort. I am making every possible effort to concentrate the forces here at Cumber- land City. I have been in the greatest dread ever since I reached this place at their scattered condition. The force is inade- quate to defend a line of forty miles in length, which can be attacked from three different directions. We can only be formidable by con- centration. A strong guard is all that can be left here, and this no longer than your movement can be made. I shall begin to-day, if the engineers report favorably, to blockade the river at the piers of the railroad bridge. I have taken up an idea that a " raft," secured against this bridge, can render the river impassable for the gun- boats. If this is possible, it will be an immense relief to the move- ments above. I am quite sure this blockade can be made at a lower stage of water ; but the present stage of water renders this experi- ment somewhat doubtful, still I will make every exertion to effect the blockade, if possible. I received by telegraph your authority to make any disposition of the troops which in my judgment was best, and acknowledged it by a dispatch immediately. I am acting accordingly. I am, General, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, JOHN B. FLOYD, Brig-gen. C. S. A. Charge 2d. — " The failure of any attempt to save the army by evacuating the post when foiind untenable?'' I have been unfortunate if I have foiled to show in my report of the battle at Fort Donelson that the fight on the 15th of February, outside of our intrenchments, was nothing but an " attempt to save the army by evacuating the fort," which the position and numbei's of the enemy had already rendered untenable. In my report of the 2Vth of February I attempted to explain why we left our intrench- ments on the 15th to give battle, and the object I had in view in doing so. I said " I had already seen the impossibility of holding out for any length of time with our inadequate numbers and inde- fensible jDosition. There was no place in our intrenchments but could OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 59 be reached by the enemy's artillery from tlieir boats or their bat- teries. It was but fair to infer that whilst they kept up a sufficient fire upon our intrenchments, to keep our men from sleep and pre- vent repose, their object was merely to give time to pass a column above us on the river, both on the right and the left banks, and thus to cut off all our communications and to prevent the possi- bility of egress. I then saw clearly that but one course was left by which a rational hope could be entertained of saving the garrison or a part of it. That was to dislodge the enemy from his position on our left and thus to pass our people into the open country lying southward towards Nashville." Upon the failure of this enterprise, the causes of which are fully set forth in my report, it obviously became impossible to " save the army by evacuating the post." The " attempt " to save the army had been made. I thought then, and still think, that a more earn- est " attempt " could not be made by an equal number of men to accomplish any enterprise by force of arms. To extricate the army, then, involved the necessity of another battle that night, more des- perate than that of the morning, because the enemy had been greatly reinforced, and- held their former position with fresh troops. There is such a thing as human exhaustion, an end of physical ability in man to march and fight — however little such a contingency may seem possible to those who sleep quietly upon soft beds, who fare sumptuously every day, and have never tried the exposure of pro- tracted battles and hard campaigns. This point had been reached by our men ; the conflict, toil, and excitement of unsuspended bat- tle, running through eighty-four hours, was enough to wear out the physical strength of any men ; especially so, when the greater part of the time they were exposed to a storm of sleet, snow, and con- tinued frost, and opposed to a force five or six times greater than their own, without shelter or fire. Many of the men had been frost- bitten ; and a great many were so overcome by fatigue and want of sleep as to be unable to keep open their eyes, standing on their feet, in the face and under the fire of the enemy. In fact, the men were totally out of condition to fight. There were but two roads by which it was possible to retire. If they went by the upper road they would certainly have a strong position of the enemy to cut thi'ough, besides having to march over the bat- tle-field strewn with corpses ; and if they retired by the lower road, they would have to wade through water three feet deep, which lat- ter ordeal the medical director stated would be death to more than half of the command, on account of the severity of the weather 60 OFFICIAL EFFORTS OF BATTLES. and their physical prostration. It was believed in council that the army could not retire without sacrificing three-fourths of it. The consultation which took place among the officers on the night of the 15th was to ascertain whether a further struggle could be main- tained, and it was resolved in the negative unconditionally and em- phatically. Gen. Buckner, whose immediate command was the largest in the fort, was positive and unequivocal in his opinion that the fight could not be renewed. I confess that I was myself strongly influenced by this opinion of Gen. Buckner ; for I have not yet seen an ofiicer in whose superior military ability, clear discriminating judgment, in whose calm unflinching courage and unselfish patriot- ism! more fully confide than in his. The loss to the Confederacy of so able, brave, and accomplished a soldier is irreparable. From my own knowledge of the condition of the men, I thought that but few of them were in condition to encounter a night conflict. So the plan of renewing the battle was abandoned ; and thus the necessity of sun-ender was presented. All agreed that the necessity existed. That conclusion having been reached, nothing remained but to consider the manner of it ; and that is fully set forth in my former report. The third charge is, " why they abandoned the command to their inferior officer, instead of executing themselves whatever measure was deemed proper for the entire army." The " abandonment of command " here imputed, I suppose to mean the act of transferring to Gen. Buckner, who was willing to execute it, the performance of the formalities of surrender. The surrender was a painful and inexorable necessity, which could not be avoided, and not a " measure deemed proper for the entire army." On the contrary, my proposition to take away as large a portion of the forces as possible met, I am sure, with the approbation of the whole council. One of the reasons which induced me to make this transfer to Gen. Buckner was in order that I might be untrammelled in the effort I was determined to make to extricate as many of the command as possible from the fort, to which object I devoted my- self during the night of the 15th. So that I accomplished the fact of bringing off troops from the position, I thought little of the man- ner of doing so. All possibility of further fighting was over. Not another gun was to be fired ; no j^ersonal risk was to be incurred ; certain and absolute freedom from all personal danger was secured to those who surrendered. Further danger, conflict, and toil could befall those only who should attempt to escape and those I chose to lead. OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 61 Nothing was to be done by those who remained but to hoist the white flag and surrender. This I would not do, for the " measure " of surrender had not been thought of by myself or any officer present in the council as one proper for the " entire army." I sup- posed it to be an unquestionable principle of military action, that in case of disaster it is better to save a part of a command than to lose the whole. The alternative proposition which I adopted in prefer- ence to surrendering the " entire army," was to make my way out of the beleaguei-ed camp with such men as were still able to make another struggle, if it could be accomplished ; and if it could not be, then to take any consequences that did not involve a surrender. The fifth charge is, " upon what principle a selection was made of particular troops, being certain regiments of the senior general's brigade, to whose use all the transportation on hand was ai^pro- priated." The answer to this charge leads directly to that of the fourth, and I therefore respond first to this. I presume it is well establish- ed that a senior general can select any troops under command for any service or purpose or plan he may choose to execute ; and if the means were ofiered of extricating only a portion of men from a general surrender, I presume the selection of this portion would rest with him rather than with any other person or persons. This would be a sufiicient answer to the charge in question, if I chose to rely upon it, which I do not. My real answer I will give fully. It is untrue that " all the transportation on hand was appropriated to certain regiments of the senior general's brigade." It is untrue that a selection was made of " particular troops." I am sure that quite as many men belonging to other brigades were provided with " means of escape," " by the transportation on hand," as were of the senior general's brigade. Late at night it was ascertained that two steamboats would prob- ably reach the landing before daylight. Then I determined to let Col. Forrest's cavalry proceed on their march by the river road, which was impassable for any thing but cavalry, on account of the backwater and overflow, whilst I would remain behind and en- deavor to get away as many men as possible by the boats. The boats came a short time before daylight, when I hastened to the river and began to ferry the men over to the opposite shore as rapidly as possible. The men were taken on indiscriminately as they came to the boats ; but in the first instance more of the " senior general's brigade" were present than of other troops, from this circum- 62 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. Stance, namely : Tbat when I determined not to surrender, I caused my brigade to be drawn up in line and to await my final prepara- tion for a forward movement. This was promptly done, and as they were nearest the left flank, where the fight would first begin, so likewise were they nearest to the river landing. From this cir- cumstance, it happened that the troops from ray immediate com- mand were among the first to enter the boats ; but all the men from all jjortions of the army, who were present and could be gotten on board, were taken indiscriminately as far as I had any knowledge. No man of the army was excluded to make room for my brigade. On the contrary, all who came were taken on board, until some time after daylight, when I received a message from Gen. Buckner that any further delay at the wharf would certainly cause the loss of the boat with all on board. Such was the want of all order and discipline by this time on shore, that a wild rush was made at the boat, which the captain said would swamp her unless he pushed off immediately.* This was done, and about sun- rise the boat on which I was (the other having gone) left the shore and steered up the river. By this " precise mode " I effected my " escape," and after leaving the wharf, the Department will be pleased to hear, that I encountered no dangers whatever from the enemy. I had announced in council my determination to take my own brigade and attempt a retreat ; and this, I presume, is what is re- ferred to in the charge of " selecting certain regiments of the senior general's brigade." I " selected " this command, because they had been with me in the most trying service for seven months, had been repeatedly under fire, had been exposed to every hardship incident to a campaign, had never on any occasion flinched or faltered, had never uttered a complaint ; and I knew were to be re- lied on for any enterprise that could be accomplished. In announ- cing this intention, it was far from my purpose to exclude any trbops who might think proper, or might be physically able, to join me in making the movement. The sixth charge is, " a particular designation of the regiments saved, and the regiments abandoned, M'hich formed part of the senior general's brigade." My brigade consisted of the 36th regiment Virginia Volunteers, the 50th regiment Virginia Volunteers, the 51st regiment Virginia Volunteers, the 56th i-egiment Virginia Volunteers, and the 20th regiment Mississippi Volunteers. No one of these regiments was either wholly saved or wholly left.. I could obtain no reports from OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 63 regiments until I arrived at Murfreesboro'. There our morning reports show tlie aggregate of each regiment present, respectively, to have been of the 36th regiment Virginia Volunteers, 243 ; 50ih regiment Virginia Volunteers, 285 ; 51st regiment Virginia Volun- teers, 274; 56th regiment Virginia Volunteers, 184: the 20th regi- ment Mississippi Volunteers handed in no report at Murfreesboro', and what there was of it was ordered away by Gen. Jolinston ; but I am informed that their morning report will show over three hun- dred (300) as present. These reports were made before those who had been ferried over the river at Donelson had come up. A considerable number of men from each of these regiments were " saved," and many of each were left behind. Of my own brigade, a great many who were left effected their escape by every means they could command, and joined their regiments and companies, except the 20th regiment Mississippi Volunteers, which, by Gen. Johnston's order, were detached and sent home to recruit. This regiment, at the last accounts I bad of it, immediately after the fight of Fort Donelson, numbered, as already stated, about three hundi-ed (300) men ; but I have no accurate information on the subject. The loss I felt most seriously, was that of my three artillery companies of Virginia troops, so remarkable for their efficiency and real gallantry, who had followed me so faithfully throughout my service in Virginia, and who fought so bravely during the whole of the trying conflict at Donelson. I am, very respectfully. Your obedient seiwant, [Copy.] JOHN B. FLOYD, Brig.-gen. C. S. A, Peter Otet, A. A. General. Report of Brig.-gen. Pillow. Columbia, Teistnessbe, February 18, 1862 Capt. Claeen^ce Derrick, Assistant Adjutant-general. On the 9th instant, Gen. A. S. Johnston ordered me to proceed to Fort Donelson and take command of that post. On the 10th instant I arrived at that place. In detailing the operations of the forces under my command at Fort Donelson, it is proper to state the condition of that work, and of the forces constituting the garrison. 64 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. When I arrived, I found the work on the river battery unfinished, and wholly too weak to resist the force of heavy artillery. I found a 10-inch columbiad, and a 32-230und rifled gun, which had not been mounted. Deep gloom was hanging over the command, and the troops were greatly depressed and demoralized by the circum- stances attending the surrender of Fort Henry, and the manner of retiring from that place. My first attention was given to the ne- cessity of strengthening this work, and mounting the two heavy guns, and the construction of defensive works to protect the rear of the river battery. I imparted to the work all the energy which it was possible to do, working day and night with the whole command. The battery was without a competent number of artillerists, and those who were there were not well instructed in the use of their guns. To provide for this want, I placed the artillery companies under active course of instruction in the use of their guns. I detailed Capt. Ross, with his company of light artillery, to the command of one of the river batteries. These heavy guns being mounted and provision made for working them, and a proper supply of ammunition having been procured by my orders from Nashville, I felt myself prepared to test the effect of the fire of heavy metal against the enemy's gun- boats, though the work stood much in need of more heavy pieces. The armament of the batteries consisted of eight 32-pounders, three 32-pound carronades, one 8-inch columbiad, and one rifle gun of 32 pounds calibre. The selection for the site for the work was an unfortunate one. While its command of the river was favorable, the site was com- manded by the heights above and below the river, and by a con- tinued range of hills all around the works in its rear. A field work of very contracted dimensions had been constructed for the garri- son to protect the battery, but the field works were commanded by the hills already referred to, and lay open to a fire of artillery from every direction except from the hills below. To guard against the eflfect of fire of artillery from these heights, a line of defensive works, consisting of rifle-pits, and abatis for infantry, detached on our right but continuous on our left, with defences for light artil- lery, were laid ofi"by Col. Gilmer, engineer of Gen. A. S. Johnston's staff, but on duty with me at the post, around the rear of the bat- tery, and on the heights from which artillery could reach our battery and inner field work, enveloping the inner field work and the town of Dover, where our supplies of commissary and quarter master stores were in depot. OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 65 These works, pushed with the ixtmost possible energy, were not quite complete, nor were my troops all in position, though nearly so, when Brig.-gen. Floyd, my senior officer, reached that station. The works were laid off with great judgment and skill by Major Gilmer, wei"e well executed, and designed for the defence of the rear work — the only objection being to the length of the line, which, however, was unavoidable from the surroundings. The length of the line and the inadequacy of the force for its defence, was a source of embarrassment throughcg.it the struggle which sub- sequently ensued in defence of the position. I had placed Brig.-gen. Buckner in command of the right wing, and Gen. B. R. Johnson on the left. By extraordinary efforts we had barely got these works in defensible condition, when the enemy made an advance in force around and against the entire line of outer works. THE BATTLE OF THE TRENCHES. The assault was commenced by the enemy's artilleiy against the centre of our left wing, which was promptly responded to by Capt. Green's battery of field artillery. After several hours of firing be- tween the artillery of the two armies, the enemy's infantry ad- vanced to the conflict, all along the line, which was kept up and increased in violence from one end of the line to the other, for several hours, when, at last, the enemy made a vigorous assault against the right of our left wing — the position assaulted being de- fended by Col. Heiman's (being a height) brigade, consisted of the 10th Tennessee, under command of Lieut.-col. McGavock, Col. Voorhies', Col. Hughes', and Col. Head's regiments Tennessee Vol- unteers, and defended by Capt. Maney's field battery. The assault was vigorously made, and the position vigorously de- fended, and resulted in the repulse of the enemy here and every- where around the line. The result of the day's work pretty well tested the strength of our defensive line, and established, beyond question, the gallantry of the entire cgmmaud, all of which fought gallantly their poilion of the line. The loss sustained by our forces in this engagement was not large, our men being mostly under shelter in the rifle-pits, but we, nevertheless, had quite a number of killed and wounded, but owing to the continued fighting that followed, it was impossible to get any official account of the casualties of the day. On the same day our battery on the river was engaged with one of the enemy's gunboats, which occasioned quite a lively cannon- 5 66 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF EATTLES. ading for more than an hour, in which the gallant Capt. Dixon, of the engineer corps, was killed instantly at the battery. This officer had been on duty for some time (mojit/is) at the post, and had shown great energy and professional skill, and, by his gallant bear- ing on that day, while directing the operations of the day under my orders, had justly earned for himself high distinction. His death was a serious loss to the service, and was a source of no little em- barrassment to our operations. On the 12th we had quiet, but we saw the smoke of a large num- ber of gunboats and steamboats a short distance below ; we also received reliable information of the arrival of a large number of new troops, greatly increasing the strength of the enemy's forces, already said to be from 20,000 to 30,000 strong. BATTLE wrrn the gunboats. On the 13th, these reinforcements were seen advancing in their position, in the line of investment, and while this was being done, six of the enemy's iron-cased gunboats were seen advancing up the river, five of which were abreast in line of battle, the sixth some distance in the rear. When these gunboats arrived within a mile and a half of our battery, they opened fire on the battery. My orders to the officers, Capt. Shuster and Capt. Standevvitz, who commanded the lower battery of light guns, and Capt. Ross, who commanded the lower battery of four guns, were to hold their fire until the enemy's gunboats came within point-blank range of their guns. This they did, though the ordeal of holding their fire, while the enemy's shot and shell fell thick around their position, was a severe restraint to their patriotic impulses ; but, nevertheless, our batteries made no response until the enemy's gunboats got within range of their guns. Our entire line of batteries then opened fire. The guns of both were well served. The enemy constantly advan- cing, delivering direct fire against our batteries from his line of five gunboats, while the sixth boat, moving up in rear of the line, kept the air filled with shells, which fell thick and close around the posi- tion of our batteries. The fight continued, the enemy steadily advancing slowly up the river, the shot and shell from 15 heavy rifled ■guns tearing our parapets and plunging deep in the earth around and over our batteries for nearly two hours, and until his boats had reached within the distance of 150 yards of our batteries. Having come in such close conflict, I could see distinctly the eflect of our shot upon his iron-cased boats. We had given one or two well-directed shots from the heavy guns to one of his boats, OFFICIAL EFFORTS OF BATTLFS. 67 vnxen he instantly shrunk back, and drifted helpless below the line. Several shots struck another boat, tearing her iron case, splintering her timbers, and making them crack as if by a stroke of lightning, when she, too, fell back. Then a third received several severe shocks, making her metal ring and her timbers crack, when the whole line gave way, ;iad fell rapidly back from our fire until they passed out of range. Thus ended the first severe and close conflict of our guns — our heavy guns — with the enemy's gunboats, testing their strength, and the power of our heavy guns to resist them. The shot from our 32-pounder guns produced but little effect ; they struck and rebounded, apparently doing little damage. But I am satisfied, by close observation, that the timbers of the frame- work did not and could not withstand the shock of the 10-inch colurabiad or 32-pounder rifled guns. These gunboats never re- newed the attack. I learned from citizens living on the river below, that one of the injured gunboats sunk, and that others had to be towed to Cairo. This information may, or may not, be true, but it is certain that all of the boats were repulsed and driven back, after a most vigorous and determined attack, and that two of the boats were badly dam- aged, and a third more or less injured. It is difficult.to over-estimate the gallant bearing and heroic con- duct of the oflicers and men of our batteries, who so well and so persistently fought the guns, until the enemy's determined advance brought gunboats and guns into such close and desperate conflict. Where all did their duty so well, it is impossible to discriminate. The captains already named, and their lieutenants (whose names, for want of official reports, I cannot give), all deserve the highest commendation. Lieut. George S. Martin, whose company is at Columbus, Ky., but who was ordered to that post by Majoi'-gen. Polk, commanded one of the guns, and particularly attracted my attention by his energy, and the judgment with which he fought his gun. The wadding of his gun having given out, he pulled ofi" his coat and rammed it down his gun as wadding, and thus kept up the fire until the enemy were finally repulsed. On the evening of this day, we received information of thean-ival of additional reinforcements of infantry, <;avalry, and light artil- lery, by steamboat, all of which were disembarked a short distance below our position. 68 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. BATTLE OF DOVER. On the 14th instant, the enemy were busy throwing his forces of every arm around us, extending his line of investment entirely around our position, and completely enveloping us. On the even- in ments in front of the extreme left of our position, commanding the two roads leading to the interior, one of which we must take in retiring from our position. We knew he had massed in encamp- ment another large force on the Wynn's feriy road, opposite the centre of onr left wing, while still another was massed nearly in front of the right of our left wing. His fresh arrivals of troops being encamped on the banks of the river two and a half miles below us, from which latter encampment a stream of fresh troops were con- stantly pouring around us, on his line of investment, and strengthen- ing his several encampments on the extreme right. In each of his encampments, and in each road, he had in position a battery of field artillery and 24-pounder iron guns on siege can-iages. Between these encampments on the road was a thick undergrowth of bush and black jack, making it impossible to advance or manoeuvre any considerable Ibody of troops. The plan of attack agreed upon, and directed by Gen. Floyd to be executed, was, that with the main body of the forces defending our left wing I should attack the right wing of the enemy, occupying and resting on the heights reaching to the banks of the river, accompanied by Col. Forrest's brigade of cavalry. That Gen. Buckner, with the forces vmder his command, and de- fending the right of our line, should strike the enemy's encampments and forces on the Wynn's ferry road. That the forces under Col. Heiman should hold his position, and that each command should leave in the trenches troops to hold the trenches. By this order of battle, it was easy to be seen, that if my attack was successful, and the enemy was routed, his retreat would be along his line of OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 69 investments, towards the Wynn's ferry encampment, and thence towards liis reserve at the gunboats below. In other words, my success w^oukl roll the enemy's force in full retreat over upon Gen. Buckner, when, by his attack in flank and rear, we could cut lip the enemy and put him completely to rout. Accordingly, dispositions were made to attack the enemy. At 5 o'clock on the morning of the loth, I moved out of my position, to engage the enemy. In less than half an hour, our forces were engaged. The enemy was prepared to receive me in advance of his encampment, and he did receive me before I had assumed a line of battle, and while I was moving against them, without any formation for the engagement. For the first half hour of the en- gagement, I was much embarrassed in getting the command in a position properly to engage the enemy. Having extricated myself from the position and fairly engaged the enemy, we fought him for nearly two hours before I made any decided advance upon him. The loss of both armies on this portion of the field was heavy. The enemy's particularly so, as far as I discovered by riding over the field after the battle. The enemy having been forced to yield this portion of the field, retired to the Wynn's fei'ry road, Bnckner's point of attack. He did not retreat, but fell back, fighting us and contesting every inch of ground. The fight was hotly contested, and stubborn on both sides, and consumed the day till 12 o'clock, to drive the enemy as far back as the centre, where Gen. Bnckner's command was to flank him. While ray command was slowly advancing and driving back the enemy, I was expecting to hear Gen. Bnckner's command ojDen fire in his rear. I was apprehensive of some misapprehension of orders, and came from the field of battle within the work to ascertain what was the matter. I there found the command of Gen. Buckner massed behind the ridge within the work, taking shelter from the enemy's artillery on the Wynn's ferry road, it having been forced to retire before the battery, as I learned from him. My force was still slowly advancing, driving the enemy forward towards the battery. I di- rected Gen. Buckner immediately to move his command round the rear of the battery, turning its left, keeping in the hollow, and attack and carry it. Before the movement was executed, my forces forming the attacking party on the right, with Col. Forrest's regi- ment of cavalry, gallantly charged a large body of infantry, sup- porting the battery, driving it, and forcing the battery to retire, taking six jjieces of artillery, four brass pieces, and two 24-pounder iron pieces. To OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. Ill pursuing the euemy, falling back from this position, Gen, Buckner's forces became united with mine, and engaged the enemy in a hot contest of nearly an hour, with fresh troops that had now met us. This position of the enemy being carried by our forces, I called off the further pursuit, after seven and a half hours of con- tinuous and bloody conflict. After the troops were called off fvoin the pursuit, orders were immediately given to the different com- mands to form and retire to the original position in the intrench- ments. The operations of the day had forced the enemy around to our right and in front of Gen. Buckner's position in the intrench- ments, and when he reached his position, he found the enemy ^•apidly advancing to take possession of his portion of our works. He had a stubborn conflict, lasting one hour and a half, to regain his position, and the enemy actually got possession of the extreme right of his works, and held them so firmly, that he could not dis- lodge them. The position thus gained by the enemy was a most important and commanding one, being immediately in front of our river batteries and our field work for its protection. From it, he could readily turn the intrenched Avork occupied by Gen. Buckner, and attack in reverse, or he could advance under cover of an intervening ridge directly upon oui* battery and field work. While the enemy held this position, it was manifest we could not hold the main work or battery. Such was the condition of the two armies at nightfall, after nine hours of conflict on the 15th inst., in which our loss was severe^ leaving not less than 1000 of the enemy dead on the field. We left upon the field all his wounded, because we could not remove them. Such carnage and conflict never perhaps has before occurred on this continent. We took about 300 prisoners, and a large quan- tity of arms. We had fought the battle to open our way for our army and ta relieve us from an investment which would necessarily reduce us and the position we occupied by famine. We had accomplished our object, but it occupied the whole day, and before we could prepare to leave, after taking in the wounded and the dead, the enemy had thrown around us again, in the night, an immense force of fresh troops, and reoccupied his original position in the line of investment,, thus again cutting off our retreat. We had only about 13,000 troops, all told. Of these we had lost a large proportion in the three battles. The command had been in tlie trenches night and day for five days, exposed to snow, sleet, mud, and ice and water, witbouti shelter, without adequate covering, and without sleep. OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 71 In this condition the general officers held a consultation to deter- mine what we should do. Gen. Buckner gave it as his decided opinion, that he could not hold his position half an hour against an assault of the enemy, and said he was satisfied the enemy would attack him at daylight the next morning. The proposition was then made by the undersigned again to fight our way through the ene- my's line, and cut our way out. Gen. Buckner said his command was so worn out, and cut to pieces, and so demoralized, that he could not make another fight ; that it would cost three-fourths its present numbers to cut its way out ; that it was wrong to sacrifice three- fourths to save one-fourth ; that no officer had a right to cause such a sacrifice. Gen. Floyd and Major Gilmer I understood to concur in this opinion. I then expressed the opinion that we could hold out another day, and in that time we could get steamboats, and set the command over the river, and probably save a portion of it. To this Gen, Buckner rei^lied that the enemy would certainly attack him in the morning, and that he could not hold his position half an hour. The alternative of these propositions was surrender of the position and command. Gen. Floyd said he would not surrender the command, nor would he surrender himself prisoner. I had taken the same position. Gen. Buckner said he was satisfied nothing else could be done, and that, therefore, he would surrender the com- mand if placed in command. Gen. Floyd said he would turn over the command to me, I passing it to Gen. Buckner, if Gen. Floyd would be permitted to withdraw his command. To this Gen. Buck- ner conseftted. Therefore the command was turned over to me, I passing it instantly to Gen. Buckner, saying I would neither surren- der the command or myself I directed Col, Forrest to cut his way out. Under these circumstances Gen. Buckner accepted the com- mand, and sent a flag of truce to the enemy for an armistice of six hours, to negotiate for terms of capitulation. Before this flag and communication was delivered, I retired from the garrison. Before closing my report of the operations of the army at Donelson, I must, in justice to the officers and commands under my immediate command say, that harder fighting or more gallant bearing in officers and men I have never witnessed. In the absence of official reports of brigade and regimental commanders, of which I am deprived by the circumstances detailed in this report, I may not be able to do justice to the difierent corps. I will say, however, that the forces under my immediate command, during this action, bore themselves with gallantry throughout the long and bloody conflict. I speak with especial commendation of the brigades commanded by Cols. 72 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. Baldwin and Wharton, McCausland, Simouton, and Drake, and of Capts. Maney and Green, who fought their guns under the constant and annoying fire of the enemy's sharpshooters, and of the con- centrated fire of his field batteries, from which both commands suf- fered severely. Capt. Maney was himself wounded, so were Capts. Porter and Graves. If I should hereafter receive the reports of regimental and brigade commanders, giving me detailed information of the conduct and bearing of ofiicers and men, I will make a sup- plemental report. The absence of official reports deprives me of the means of giving lists of the killed and wounded of the different commands. I an4 satisfied that in such a series of conflicts our loss Avas heavy. I know the enemy's was, from passing over the field of battle, in the morning immediately after the battle, in company with Gen. Floyd. His loss in killed was terrible, exceeding any thing I had ever seen on a battle-field. Our total force in the field did not exceed 10,000 men, while from what I saw of the enemy's, and from information derived from prisoners of theirs, we are sure he had be- tween thirty and forty thousand men in the field. I must acknowledge many obligations to Major Gilmer, engineer, for especial and valuable services rendered me in the laying off the works, and the energy displayed by him in directing their construc- tion, and for his counsel and advice. I likewise acknowledge my obligations to Capt. Gus. A. Henry, Jr., my A. A. general, and Col. John C. Burch, my aid-de-camp ; to Major Field, to Lieut. Nichol- son, to Lieut. Charles F. Masten, and Col. Brandon, my volunteer aid-de-camp ; to Major Hays, my assistant commissaiy, Hud Major Jones, my assistant quarter-master, for the prompt manner in which they executed my orders under trying circumstances, throughout the long and continued conflicts, and to Major Gilmer, who accom- panied me to the field, and was on duty with me during the entire day. Also, to Capt. Parker, of my staff, whom I assigned to the command of Capt. Ross's field battery, with new recruits as gunners; and he fought and served them well. The conduct of these ofiicers, coming under my immediate observation, met my hearty apj^roval and commendation. Col. Brandon was severely wounded early in the action. Col. Baldwin's brigade constituted the front of the at- tacking force, sustained immediately by Col, Wharton's brigade. These two brigades deserve esjiecial commendation for the man- ner in which they sustained the first sliock of the battle. I must also acknowledge my obligations to Brig.-gen. B. R. Johnson, who assisted me in the command of the forces with which I attacked the enemy, and wiio.bore himself gaUautly throughout the conflict ; but OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 73 having received no official reports from him, I cannot give the de- tailed operations of his command. I have pleasure in being able to say that Col. Forrest, whose command greatly distinguished its commander, as a bold and judicious officer, and reflected distin- guished honor upon itself, passed safely through the enemy's line of investments, and trust it will yet win other honors in the defence of our rights and just cause of our country. (Official,) GIDEON J. PILLOW, Bng.-cjen. G. S. A. John "Withers, A. A. General. A. & L G. O., Sept. 17, 1862. This report was handed to me at Bristol, East Tennessee, by Col. Dobbins, of Mississippi, who was on his way to Richmond, but was detained. I promised Col. Dobbins to deliver it to the adjutant- general at Richmond, but when the matter was mentioned to Hon. J. P. Benjamin, he told me to leave it in the War Office, and to make the above statement. Col. Dobbins handed me the paper on the 28th of February, 1862, and said it had been given to him by Gen. Pillow. E. W. MUNFORD. Supplemental Report of General Pillow. Head-quarters, Third Division", Decatur, Ala,, March 14, 1862. CoL. W. W. Mackall, a. a. General. The position we occupied was invested, on the 11th of February, by a force which we estimated at about 20,000 strong. This force had approached us partly by water, but mainly by land from Fort Henry. I considered the force we had sufficient to repulse the as- sault of this force. We repulsed everywhere a vigorous assault made by our enemies against our position. Fresh troops continued to come every day by water until the 14th. We are satisfied the enemy's forces are not short of 30,000 men. Our impressions of his strength were confirmed by prisoners we had taken on that day. This evening the enemy landed 13 steamboat loads of fresh troops. It was now manifest that we could not long maintain our position against such overwhelming numbers. I Avas satisfied the last troops were of Gen, Buell's command. We felt the want of reinforce- ments, but Ave did not ask for them, because we knew they were 74r OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES not to be had. I had just come from Bowling Green, and heard . that Gen. Johnston could not spare a man from his position. He had, in fact, already so weakened himself, that he could not main- tain his position against a vigorous assault. Under these circum- stances, deeming it utterly useless to apply for reinforcements, we determined to make the best possible defence Ave could with the force in hand. Our investment by a force of 30,000 men on the 14th being completed, and the enemy on that evening having re- ceived 13 boat-loads of fresh troops, a council of general officers ■was convened by Gen. Floyd, at which it was determined to give battle at daylight the next day, so as to cut off the investing force, if possible, before the fresh troops were in position. In that council I proposed as a plan of attack, that with the force in the intrench- ments of our left wing, and Col. Hanson's regiment, of Gen. Buck- ner's division, I should attack the enemy's main force, on his right, and, if successful, that would roll the enemy on his line of invest- ments to a point opposite Gen. Buckner's position, where he would attack him in flank and rear, and drive him, with our united com- mands, back upon his encampments at the river. To this proposi- tion, so far from allowing me to leave Col. Hanson's regiment. Gen. Buckner objected. I waived the point, saying I only asked the as- sistance of that regjment, because my portion of the labor was, by far, the greatest to be performed, and that upon my success de- pended the fortunes of the day, and that a very large portion of the troops I had to fight were fresh troops and badly armed. Gen. Buckner then proposed as a modification of my plan of battle, that he should attack the enemy simultaneously with me, that his attack should be against the position of the Wynn's ferry road, where he had a battery nearly opposite the middle of the left wing, and that he would thus lessen the labors of my command, and strike the enemy in a material point. To this modification I agreed, as an improvement upon my proposed plan. In carrying out this plan, thus agreed upon, it became proper for Col. Heiman's brigade to maintain its position in the line, otherwise the enemy might turn the right of Gen. Buckner's position, take his forces on the right flank, and thus defeat our success. It was arranged accordingly. Gen. Floyd approved this plan of battle, and ordered that it should be carried out next morning by daylight. I then sent for all the commanders of brigades, to explain to them our situation (being invested), our purpose, our plan of battle, and to assign to each brigade its position in my column, all of which was done, and I gave orders to have my whole force under arms, at four and a half OFFICIAL EFFORTS OF BATTLES. f5 ©'clock, and to be ready to march out of our works precisely at five o'clock. At four o'clock I was with my command, all of which were in position, except Col. Davison's brigade, none of which were present. I immediately directed Gen. B. K. Johnson, who was present, and to whose immediate command Col. Davison's brigade belonged, to dispatch officers for that brigade, and to- ascertain the causes of de- lay. He did so. I likewise sent several officers of my staff on the same duty. Both sets of officers made the same report, viz : Col. Davison had failed to give any orders to the colonels of his com- mand, and that Col. D. was sick. It is proper to state he was com- plaining of being sick when the orders were received. The in- structions to the brigade commanders were given about two o'clock that morning. My command was delayed in its advance about half an hour by the necessity of bringing up the brigade. My column was finally ready and put in motion about 15 minutes after 5 o'clock. I moved with the advance, and directed Gen. B. R, Johnson to bring up the rear. The command of Col. Davison's brigade devolved upon Col. Simonton, which, owing to the reasons already stated, was brought into column in the rear, and into action last, under Gen. Johnson, to whose report, for its good behaviour on the field, I particularly refer, having, in .my original report, omitted to state its position on the field. Many of these incidents, not deemed essential to the proper understanding of the main fea- tures of the battle of the 12th of February, were omitted in my original report, but are now given as parts of its history. In my oiiginal report, I gave the after operations in the battle of the loth February, and shall now pass over all the events occurring until the council of general officers, held on^he night of the loth. The lodgment of the enemy's force, in the rifle-pits of Gen. Buckner's extreme right, late on the evening of the loth February, induced Gen. Floyd to call a meeting of general officers at head-quarters ' that night. We had fought the battle of the loth to open the way through the enemy's line of investments, to retire to the interior. The battle had occupied the day. We were until 12 o'clock that night burying the dead. At about 1 o'clock, Ave had all the commanders of regiments and brigades assembled and given orders to the entire command, to be imder arms at 4 o'clock to march out on the road leading towards ChaHotte. I had given instruction to Major Hays, my commissary, and Major Jones, my quarter-master, immediately after our evacuation of the place, to burn all the stores. About 3 76 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. O'clock (perhaps a little earlier) we received intelligence from the troops in the trenches, that they heard dogs barking around on the outside of our lines, and the enemy, they thought, were rein- vesting our position. General Floyd immediately directed me to send out scouts to ascertain the fact. This duty was performed. When the scouts returned, they reported the enemy in large force occupying his original position, and closing up the routes to the interior. Not being satisfied with the truth of the report, I di- rected Col. Forrest to send out a second set of seouts, and at the same time directed him to send two inteUigent men up the bank of the river, to examine a valley of overflown ground, lying to the rear and right of the enemy's position, and if the valley of overflown ground could be crossed by infantry and cavalry, and to ascertain if the enemy's forces reached the river bank. The one set of scouts returned and confirmed the previous reports, viz. : That the woods were full of the enemy, occupying his former position in great num- bers. The scouts sent up the river to examine the overflow, re- ported that the overflown valley was not practicable for infantry, that the soft mud was about half leg deep, that the water was about saddle skirts deep to the horses, and that there was a good deal of drift in the way. We then sent for a citizen, whose name is not remembered, said to know that part of the country well, and asked his opinion. He confirmed the reports of the river scouts. In addition to the depth of the water, the weather was intensely cold, many of the troops were frost-bitten, and they could not stand a passage through a sheet of water. With these facts before us, Generals Floyd, Buckner, and myself, the two former having re- mained at my quarters all the intervening time, held a consultation, when Gen. Floyd said : " W^ll, gentlemen, what is now best to be done?" Neither Gen. Buckner nor myself having answered promptly, Gen. Floyd repeated his inquiry, addressing himself to me by name. My reply was, it was difficult to determine what was best to be done, but that I was in favor of cutting our way out. He then asked Gen. Buckner what he thought we ought to do. Gen. Buckner said his command was so broken down, so cut up, and so demoralized, he could not make another fight, that he thought we would lose three-fourths of the command we had al- ready left if we attempted to cut our way out, and that it was wrono;. No officer had a right to sacrifice three-fourths of a com- mand to save the other fourth. That we had fouglit the enemy from the trenches, we had fought him from his gunboats, and fought our way through his line of investments, that we were again OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 77 invested with a force of fresh troops, that the army had done all duty and honor required it to do, and more was not possible. Gen. Floyd then remarked that his opinions coincided with Gen. Buckner, Brig.-gen. B. R. Johnson had previously retired from the council to his quarters in the field, and was not present. In my original report, I stated it was my impression Major Gilmer was consulted, and concurred in the opinions of Gens. Buckner and Floyd ; but from subsequent conversations with Major Gilmer, I learn from him he had retired to another room and lain down, and was not present at this part of the conference, and I am therefore satisfied that I was mistaken in the statements in regard to him. The proposition to cut our way out being thus disposed of, I re- marked that we could hold our position another day, and fight the enemy from our trenches ; that by night our steamboats that had taken off the prisoners and our own wounded men would return, and that during the night we could set our troops on the right bank of the river, and that we could make our escape by Clarks- ville, and thus save the army. To this proposition Gen. Buckner said, " Gentlemen, you know the enemy occupy the rifle-pits on my right, and can easily turn my position and attack me in the rear, or move down on the river battery. I am satisfied he will attack me at daylight, and I cannot hold my position half an hour." Regard- ing Gen. Buckner's reply as settling this proposition in the negative (for I had quite enough to do wdth my heavy losses of the previous day to defend my own jjortion of the lines, and I could give him no reinforcements), I then said, " Gentlemen, if we cannot cut out, nor fight on, there is no alternative left us but capitulation, and I am determined that I will never surrender the conmiand, nor sur- render myself prisoner ; I will die first." Gen. Floyd remarked that such was his determination, and that he would die before he would do either. Thereupon Gen. Buckner remarked that such determi- nations were personal, and that personal considerations should never influence official action. Gen. Floyd said he acknowledged it was personal with him, but nevertheless it was his determination. Whereupon Gen, Buckner said, that being satisfied nothing else could be done, if he was placed in command, he would surrender the command, and share the fate of the command. Gen. Floyd immediately said, " Gen. Buckner, if I place you in command, will you allow me to draw out ray brigade ?" Gen. Buckner promptly replied, " Yes, provided you do so before the enemy act upon my communication." Gen. Floyd remarked, " Gen. Pillow, I turn over the command." I replied instantly, " I pass it." Gen. Buckner said. 78 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. " I assume it ; bring me a bugler, pen, ink, and paper." Gen. Buckner had received pen, ink, and paper, and sat down to the table and commenced writing, when I left and crossed the river, passing out- side the garrison before Gen. Buckner proposed his communication to the enemy, and went to Clarksville by land on horseback. I did not know what he had written until I saw the published corre- spondence with Gen. Grant. I may be asked if I was in favor of cutting my way out, why, when the command was turned over to me, I did not take it ? My reply is, that, though technically speaking, the command devolved on me when turned over by Gen. Floyd, it was turned over to Gen. Buckner in point of fact. All parties so understood it. In proof of this. Gen. Floyd, under his agreement with Gen. Buckner, ac- tually withdrew a large portion of his brigade, by setting them across the river in the steamer Gen. Anderson, that arrived just before daylight. In further proof of this, I embody in this report an order of Gen. Buckner to Gen. B. R. Johnson, after he had as- sumed command. A copy of order : Head-quaetees, Dovee, February 16, 1862. SiE : The command of the forces in this vicinity has devolved upon me by order of Gen. Floyd. I have sent a flag to Gen. Grant, and durinof the correspondence, and until further orders, refrain from hostile demonstrations, with a view to prevent a like move- ment on the enemy's part. You will endeavor to send a flag to the posts in front of your position, notifying them of the fact that I have sent a communication to Gen. Grant from the right of our position, and desire to know his present head-quarters. Respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) S. B. BUCKNER, £rig,-gen. C. S. A. In addition to this. Gen. Floyd was my senior, and of high char- acter and acknowledged ability. Gen. Buckner, though my junior in rank, possesses high reputation as an ofiicer of talents and expe- rience. With the judgment of both against me, if I had acted upon my own conviction, and had failed or involved the command in heavy loss, I was apprehensive it would be regarded as an act of rashness, and bring upon me the censure of the Government, and the condemnation of the country. Besides, without their assistance in command, and with the moral weight of their opinions Avith the troops against the step, I did not regard it practicable to make a OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 79 snccessfnl effort to cut out. I declined to assume the command when turned over by Gen. Floyd, because it was against my con- victions of duty to surrender the command, and under the decision of Gens. Floyd and Buckner (a majority of the council), I could do nothing but surrender it. It is proper to say that the difference of opinion between Gen. Floyd, Gen. Buckner, and myself, upon this branch of the subject, consisted in this, viz. : They thouo-ht it would cost three-fourths of the command to cut out. I did not think the loss would be so great. If it had been settled that the sacrifice would be as much as three-fourths, I should have aoreed with them that it was wrong to make the attempt. Ao-ain : I be- lieve we could have maintained our position another day, and have saved the army by getting back our boats and setting our command across tfie river ; but inasmuch as Gen. Buckner was of opinion that he could not hold his command more than half an hour, and I could not possibly hold my own position of the line, I had no alter- native but to submit to the decision of the majority of my brother general officers. While I thus differed with them in opinion, I still think I did right in acquiescing in opinion with them. "We all agreed in opinion we could not long maintain the position against such overwhelming numbers of fresh troops. We all aoreed the army had performed prodigies of valor, and that, if possible, further sacrifices should be avoided. Men will differ and agree according to their mental organization. I censure not their opinions, nor do I claim merit for my own. The whole matter is submitted to the judgment of the Government. Since my original report was prepared, I have seen and read the official accounts of Gen. Grant and Com. Foote. From these I learn that the damage done the enemy's gunboats on the 1.3th, was greater by far than was represented by me in my original report. Four of the enemy's gunboats were badly disabled, receiving over 100 shells from our battery, many of which went entirely through from stem to stern, tearing the frame of the boats and machinery to pieces, and killing and wounding 55 of their crews. Amono- them was the commander himself There can, therefore, be no lono-er any doubt of the vulnerability of these heavy shots ; but it required a desperate fight to settle the question, and there is danger that the public mind will run from one extreme to the other, and arrive at a conclusion undervaluing the power of the enemy's gunboats. In estimating the loss inflicted upon the enemy on the 15th February, I saw that the whole field of battle for a mile and a half was cover- 80 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLER. ed with his dead and wounded, and believe his loss could not fail sliort of 5000 men. I am satisfied from published letters from officers and men of the enemy, and from the acknowledgments of the Northern press, that his loss was much greater than originally estimated in my report. I stated in ray original report, that after we had driven the enemy from, and captured his battery on the Wynn's ferry road, and were pursuing him around to our right, and after we had met and over- come a fresh force of the enemy, on the route towards his gunboats, I called off the pursuit, but in the hurry with which that report was prej^ared, I omitted to state my reasons for so doing. I knew that the enemy had twenty gunboats of fresh troops at his landing, then only about three miles distant ; I knew from the great loss my com- mand had sustained during the protracted fight of over sev8n hours, my command was in no condition to meet a large body of fresh troops, who I had every reason to believe were then rapidly ap- proaching the field. Gen. Buckner's command, so far as labor was concerned, was comparatively fresh, but its disorganization, from being repulsed by the battery, had unfitted it to meet and fight a large body of fresh troops. I therefore called off the pursuit, explaining my reasons to Gen. Floyd, who aj^proved the order. This explanation is now given, as necessary to a proper under- standing of the order. It is further proper to say, that from the moment of my arrival at Donelson, I had the whole force engaged night and day in strengthening my position", until the fight com- menced, and when the fighting ceased at night it was again at work. I did not, therefore, and could not, get a single morning report of the strength of my command. The four Virginia regiments did not, I am confident, exceed 350 each for duty. The Texas regiment did not number 300 men. Several Mississippi regiments were equally reduced, while those of Cols. Voorhies, Abernethy, and Hughes (new regiments), were al- most disbanded by measles, and did not exceed 200 each for duty. Col. Browden's regiment had but 60 men, and it was by my order placed under Capt. Parker to work artiUerj^ All others were greatly reduced by wastage. The whole force, therefore, was greatly less than could be supposed from the number of nominal regiments. Of this force, Gen. Floyd , under his agreement with Gen. Buckner, before he turned over the command, drew out a large portion of his brigade (how many I do not know) by taking pos- session of the steamer Anderson, which arrived at Dover just before day, and setting them across the river. A large portion of the OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 81 cavalry under orders passed out. All of the cavalry was ordered to cut out, and could have gone out but for the timidity of its offi- cers. Several thousand infantry escaped one way or another, many of whom are now at this place, and all others are ordered here as a rendezvous for reorganization. From the list of prisoners publish- ed in Northern papers, which I have seen, it required the pi'isoners of six regiments to make nine hundred men. I do not believe the number of prisoners exceeded that stated by the Northern papers, which is put at 5170 privates. During the afternoon of the loth, I had caused the arras lost by the enemy to be gathered up from about half the field of battle, and had hauled and stacked up over 5000 stand of arms, and six pieces of artillery, all of which were lost in the surrender of the place for want of transportation to bring them away. In regard to the enemy's force with which we were engaged in the battle of Dover, Gen. Grant, in his official report, says that he had taken about fifteen thousand prisoners, that Gens. Floyd and Pillow had escaped with 15,000 men, and that the forces engaged were about equal. While the estimate of prisoners taken, and the number with which Gen. Floyd escaped, is wide of the mark, yet the aggregate of the numbers as given by himself, is 30,000, and his acknowledgments that the forces were about equal, furnishes conclusive evidence that we fought 30,000 men ; the same number given by prisoners taken. And agreeing with my original estimate of his strength, Gen. Halleck, in a telegrajjhic dispatch of 10th February from St. -Louis to Gen, McClellan, said "he had invested Fort Donelson with a force of 50,000 men, and he had no doubt all communication and supplies were cut ofif." Tiiis corroborates Grant's statements, for the troops which arrived on the 14th and 15th of February, being 20 steamboat loads, had not reached the battle-field on the morning of the 15th, and it is probable that parts of those that arrived on the evening of the 13th had not reached it. These sources make it clear, we fought 30,000 of the enemy on the 15th; and that we were reinvested that night with all the enemy's disposable force, including his fresh troops, cannot be doubted. Nothing has occurred to change ray original estimate ot our loss in the several conflicts with the enemy, at the trenches, with the gunboats, and in the battle of Dover. As to the absence still of regiment and brigade commanders, it is possible that I have not done justice to the officers in my commands. To Brig,-gen. John- son's report, which is herewith forwarded, I particularly refer for 6 83 OFFICIAL EFFORTS OF EATTI.ES. the conduct of officers and commands under his immediate ohserva- tion during the battle. The forces under ray immediate command, in the conflict with the enemy's right, did not exceed 7000, though they never faltered, and drove the enemy from his position, slowly and steadily advancing over one and a half miles, carrying the posi- tions of his first battery, and two of his guns, and of a battery on the Wynn's ferry road, taking four more guns, and afterwards uniting with Gen. Buckner's command, drove the enemy back, sustained by a number of fresh troops'. Yet it is manifest that the fruits of our victory would have been far greater, had Gen. Buckner's column been successful in its assault upon the Wynn's ferry road battery. Equally clear is it, that the enemy, eiFecting a lodgment in Gen. Buckner's rifle-pits, on his right, brought the command into extreme peril, making it absolutely necessary to take immediate action, in which we were imder the necessity of cutting our way out, or holding out another day and throwing the command across the river, or of capitula- tion. My own position upon these several propositions having been explained more fully and in detail in this, my supplementary report, nothing more remains in the performance of my duty to the Government, but to subscribe myself. Very respectfully. Your obedient servant, (Signed) GID. J. PILLOW, Brig.-gen. G S. A. Note. — That there may be no doubt of the facts stated in this report, I append the sworn testimony of Col. Burch, Col. Forrest, Majors Henry and Haynes and Nicholson, to which I ask the atten- tion of the Government. (Signed) GID. J. PILLOW, JBrig.-gen. G. S. A. Note. — My original estimate was, that our loss in killed and wounded was from fifteen hundred to two thousand. We sent up from Dover, 1134 wounded. A Federal surgeon's certificate, which I have seen, says that there were about 400 Confederate prisoners wounded in hospital at Paducah, making 1534 wounded. I was satistit'd the killed would increase the number to 2000 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 83 Colonel Burch's Statement. {Referred to in the foregoing^ Decatuk, Ala., March 15th, 1862. On Saturday evening, February 15th, all of the boats which we had at Donelson were sent up the river with our sick, wounded, and prisoners. After supper, a council of oflScers was held at Brig.-gen. Pillow's head-quarters. I was not present at this council, but during its session, being in an adjoining room, I learned from some officer that intelligence had been received from scouts on the east side of the river, that fourteen of the enemy's transports were landing reinforcements one and a half or two miles below us, at their usual place of landing. After I had learned this, and during the session of the same council, two couriers came to Brig.-gen. Buckner — one, and perhaps both, sent by Capt. Graves, of tlie artillery ; one stating that a large force was forming in front of our right (Gen. Buckner's) wing ; the second stating that large bodies of the enemy were seen moving in front of our riglit, around towards our left. After the adjournment of this council, about 11 or 12 o'clock, I learned that it had been determined to evacuate the post, cut our way through the right wing of the enemy's investing force, and make our way towards Charlotte, in Dixon county. Orders were given for the command to be in readiness to march at 4 o'clock, A. M. After this, being in Gen. Pillow's private room, where Gens. Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner all were, two scouts came in, stating that the enemy's camp-fires could be seen at the same places in front of our left that they had occupied Friday. From the remarks of the generals, this information seemed to be con- firmatory of information which they had previously received. Major Rice, an intelligent citizen of Dover, was called in and interrogated as to the character of the road to Charlotte. His ac- count of it was decidedly unfavorable. In the course of the conver- sation which then followed among the generals — Gen. Pillow insisting upon carrying out the previous determination of the council to cut our way out — Brig.-gen. Buckner said that such was the exhausted condition of the men, that, if they should succeed in cutting their way out, it would be at a heavy sacrifice, and, if pursued by the large cavalry force of the enemy, they would be almost entirely cut to 81 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. pieces. Gen. Floyd concurred with Gen. Buctner. Gen. Pillow said, " Then we can fight them another day in our trenches, and by to-morrow we can have boats enough here to transport our troops across the river, and let them make their escape to Clarksville." Gen. Buckner said — That such was the position of the enemy on his right, and the demoralization of his forces, from exposure and exhaustion, that he could not hold his trenches a half an hour. As an illustration of the correctness of his remark, he said — " You, gentlemen, know that yesterday morning I considered the 2d Ken- tucky (Hanson's regiment) as good a regiment as there was in the service, yet such was their condition yesterday afternoon that, when I learned the enemy was in their trenches (which were to our ex- treme right, and detached from the others), before I could rally and form them, I had to take at least twenty men by the shoulders, and put them into line as a nucleus for formation." Gen. Floyd con- curred with Gen. Buckner in his opinion as to the impossibility of holding the trenches longer, and asked — " What shall we do ? " Gen. Buckner stated that no ofiicer had a right to sacrifice his men, re- ferred to our various successes since Wednesday, at Donelson, and concluded by saying that an ofiicer who had successfully resisted an assault of a much larger force, and was still surrounded by an increased force, could surrender with honor ; and that we had accom- plished much more than was required by this rule. Gen. Pillow said that he never would surrender. Gen. Floyd said that he would sufier any fate before he would surrender, or fall into the hands of the enemy alive. At the suggestion of some one present, he said that personal considerations influenced him in coming to this determination, and further stated that such considerations should never govern a general officer. Col. Forrest, of the cavalry, who was present, said he would die before he would surrender ; that such of his men as would follow him, he would take out. Gen. Floyd said be would take his chances with Forrest, and asked Gen. Buckner if he would make the surren- der ? Gen. Buckner asked him if he (Gen. Floyd) would pass the command to him ? Gen. Floyd replied in the affirmative. I un- derstood Gen. Pillow as doing the same. "Then," said Gen. Buck- ner, " I shall propose terms of capitulation," and asked for ink and paper, and directed one of his stafi" to send for a bugler, and prepare white flags to plant at various points on our works. Preparations were immediately begun to be made by Gen. Floyd and stafi". Gen. Pillow and staff", and Col. Forrest, to leave. This was about 3 o'clock, a. m. It was suggested by some one that two boats that were known to OFFICIAL REPOETS OF BATTLES. 85 be coming down the river might arrive before day, and Gen. Floyd asked, if they came, that he might be permitted to take off on them his troops. Gen. Buckner replied that all might leave who could before his note was sent to Gen. Grant, the Federal commander. Thus ended the conference. After this I met or called on Gen. Pillow in the passage, and asked him if there was any possibility of a misunderstanding as to his position ? He thought not ; but I suggested to him the pro- priety of again seeing Gens. Floyd and Buckner, and see that there wa^ no possibility of his position being misunderstood by them. He said he would, and returned to the room in which the conference was held. In my statement of what transpired, and of the conversations that were had, I do not pretend to have given the exact language used, and I may be mistaken as to the order of the remarks that I have endeavored to narrate. (Signed) JOHN C. BTJRCH, Aid to Gen. Pilloto. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 15th day of March, 1862. Levi Sugans, Intendant of the town of Decatur, Ala., and ex officio J. P, Colonel Forrest's Statement. {^Referred to in Gen. Pilloio's Supplemental Meport.) March 15, 1862. Between 1 and 2 o'clock on Sunday morning, February 16th, being sent for, I arrived at Gen. Pillow's head-quarters, and found him, Gen. Floyd, and Gen. Buckner in conversation. Gen. Pillow told me that they had received information that the enemy were again occupying the same ground they had occupied the morning before. I told him I did not believe it, as I had left that part of the field, on our left, late the evening before. He told me he had sent out scouts, who reported large forces of the enemy moving around to our left. He instructed me to go immediately, and send two reliable men to ascertain the condition of a road running near the river bank, and between the enemy's right and the river, and 86 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. also to ascertain the position of the enemy. I obeyed his instruc- tions, and awaited the return of the scouts. They stated that they saw no enemy, but could see their fires in the same place where they were Friday night ; that from their examination, and from informa- tion obtained from a citizen living on the road, the water was about to the saddle skirts, and the mud about half leg deep in the bottom where it had been overflowed. The bottom was about a quarter of a mile wide, and the water then about one hundred yards wide. During the conversation that then ensued among the general offi- cers, Gen. Pillow was in favor of trying to cut our way out. Gen. Buckner said that he could not hold his position over half an hour in the morning, and that if he attempted to take his force out, it would be seen by the enemy, who held part of his intrenchments, and be followed and cut to j)ieces. I told him that I would take my cavalry around them, and he could draw out under cover of them. He said that an attempt to cut our way out would involve a loss of three-fourths of the men. Gen. Floyd said our force was so demoralized as to cause him to agree with Gen. Buckner, as to our probable loss in attempting to cut our way out. I said that I would agree to cut my way through the enemy's lines at any point the general might designate, and stated I could keep back their cavalry, which Gen. Buckner thought would greatly harass our infantry in retreat. Gen. Buckner or Gen. Floyd said that they (the enemy) would bring their artillery to bear on us. I went out of the room, and when I returned Gen. Floyd said he could not and would not sui-render himself I then asked if they were going to surrender the command ? Gen. Buckner remarked that they were. I then stated that I had not come out for the purpose of surrender- ing my command, and would not do it if they would follow me out ; that I intended to go out if I saved but one man, and then turning to Gen. Pillow,! asked him what I should do ? He replied, " Cut your way out." I immediately left the house and sent for all the officers under my command, and stated to them the facts that had occurred, and stated my determination to leave, and remarked that all who wanted to go could follow me, and those who wished to stay and take the consequences might remain in camp. All of my own regi- ment, and Capt. Williams, of Helm's Kentucky regiment, said they would go with me if the last man fell. Col. Gaute was sent for and urged to get out his battalion as often as three times, but he and two Kentucky companies (Capt. Wilcox and Capt. Henry) refused to come. I marched out the remainder of my command, with Capt. Porter's artillery horses, and about two hundred men, of different OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 87 commands, up the river road and across the overflow, which I found to be about saddle-skirt deep. The weather was intensely cold, a great many of the men were already frost-bitten, and it was the opinion of the generals that the infantry could not have passed through the water and have survived it. (Signed) A. B. FORREST, Forrest's Regiment Cavalry. Sworn to and subscribed before me on the 15th day of March, 1862 Levi Sugans, Intendant of town of Decatur^ Ala., and ex offi. J. P. Major Henry's Statement. {Hef erred to in Gen. Pillow's Supplemental Report) Decatur, Ala., March 13, 1862. On the morning of the 16th February, 1862, 1 was present during the council of war held in Brig.-gen. Pillow's head-quarters at Do- ver, Tennessee, Gens. Floyd, Pillow, Buckner, and Gen, Pillow's staff being present. On account of being very much exhausted from the fight of the 15th inst., I slept the forepart of the- night, and came down stairs from my room into Gen. Pillow's about one or two o'clock. At the time I entered Gen, Pillow's room, it had been de- cided that we should fight our way out, and Gen, Pillow gave me orders to gather up all the papers and books belonging to my de- partment. Whereupon I immediately executed the orders given to me, and then returned to Gen. Pillow's room, when a change of operations had been decided upon, on account of information re- ceived from scouts ordered out by Gen. Pillow to ascertain whether the enemy reoccupied the ground they were driven from the day jDrevious, The scouts returned and reported that the enemy had swung entirely around and were in possession of the very same ground. Gen, Pillow being still in doubt, sent a second party of scouts who made a thorough reconnoissance, and reported that the woods were perfectly alive with troops, and that their camp fires were burning in every direction. Gen. Pillow then sent a party of cavalry to inspect a slough that was filled with backwater from the river, to see if infontry could pass. They returned after having made a thorough examination on horseback and on foot, and re- 88 OFFICIAL KEP0RT8 OF BATTLES. ported that infantry could not pass, but they thought cavahy could. Conimunication being thus out off, Gen. Pillow urged the propriety of making a desperate attempt to cut our way out, whatever might be the consequences, or make a fight in the work and hold our position one more day, by which time we could get steamboats sufficient to put the whole command over the river, and make our escape by the way of Clarksville. Gen. Buckner then said : that in consequence of the worn-out condition and demoralization of the troops under his command, and the occupation of his rifle-pits on the extreme right by the enemy, that he could not hold his position a half hour after being attacked, which he thought would begin about daylight. Gen. Pillow then said : that by the enemy's oc- cupation of the rifle-pits on Gen. Buckner's right, that it was an' open gateway to our river battery, and that he thought we ought to cut our way through, carrying with us as many as possible, leav- ing the killed and wounded on the field. Gen. Buckner then said : that it would cost three-fourths of the command to get the other fourth out, and that he did not think any general had the right to make such a sacrifice of human life. Gen. Floyd agreed with Gen. Buckner on this point. Gen. Pillow then rose up and said : " Gen- tlemen, as you refuse to make an attempt to cut our way out, and Gen. Buckner says he will not be able to hold his position a half hour after being attacked, there is only one alternative left ; that is, capitulation," and then and there remarked that he would not sur- render the command or himself, that he would die first. Gen. Floyd • then spoke out and said, that he would not surrender the command or himself Gen. Buckner remarked that, if placed in command, he would surrender the command and share its fate. Gen. Floyd then said : " General Buckner, if I place you in command, will you allow me to get out as much of my brigade as I can ?" Gen. Buckner replied, "I will, provided you do so before the enemy receives my j^roposition for capitulation." Gen. Floyd then turned to Gen. Pil- low and said : " I turn the command over, sir." Gen. Pillow re- plied promptly, " I pass it." Gen. Buckner said : " I assume it ; give me pen, ink, and paper, and send for a bugler." Gen. Pillow then started out of the room to make arrangements for his escape, when Col. Forrest said to him : " Gen. Pillow, what shall I do ?" Gen. Pillow replied, " Cut yom- way out, sir ;" Forrest said, " I will do it," and left the room. (Signed) GUS. A. HENRY, Jr., Assistant Adj-gen. To Brig-gen. Pillow. official reports of battles. 89 The State of Alabama, Morgan County. This day personally came before me, Levi Sugans, Intendant of the town of Decatur, County and State aforesaid, Major Gus. A. Henry, Jr., who makes oath in due form of law, that the above statements are true. Sworn to and subscribed before me. on the 14th day of March, 1862. (Signed) GUS. A. HENRY, Jr., Assistant Adj-gen. (Signed) LEVI SUGANS, Intendant. Major Haynes' Statement. {Referred to in Gen. Pillow^ s Supplemental Meport.) Office DrvisiON Commissary, Decatur, Ala., March 13, 1862. I was present at the council of officers, held at Brig.-gen. Gideon J. Pillow's head-quarters, in the town of Dover, Tenn., on the morn- ing of the 16th February, 1862. Was awoke in my quarters at one o'clock, a. m., by Col. John C. Burch, aid-de-carap, and ordered to report to Gen. Pillow forthwith. I instantly proceeded to head- quarters, where I saw Brig.-gens. Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner, Col. Forrest, Major Henry, Assistant Adj.-generals Gilmer and Jones, and Lieuts. Nicholson and Martin, the two latter volunteer aids to Gen. Pillow, On my entrance in the room, was accosted by Gen. Pillow, and being taken to one side, was informed by him that they had determined to cut their way through the enemy's lines, and retreat from Dover to Nashville, and he desired me to destroy all the commissary stores, and then make my escape across the river. I desired to know at what hour Gen. Pillow wished his order to be executed, when, looking at his watch, he replied at half-past five o'clock. I then retired from the room to inform my assistants ol the order, but in one hour, returned to head-quarters. On re-entering the room, heard Gen. Buckner say, "I cannot hold my position half an hour after the attack," and Gen. Pillow, who was sitting next to Gen. Buckner, and immediately fronting the fireplace, promptly asked, " Why can't you ?" at the same time adding, " I think you can hold your position ; I think you can, sir." Gen. Buckner retorted, " I know my position ; I can only bring to bear against the enemy about four thousand men, while he can 90 OFFIClAi. EEP0ET8 OF BATTLES. oppose me with any given number." Gen. Pillow then said : " Well, gentlemen, what do you intend to do ? I am in favor of fighting out." Gen. Floyd then spoke, and asked Gen. Buckner what he had to say, and Gen, Buckner answered quickly, that the attempt to cut a way through the enemy's lines and retreat would cost a sacrifice of three-fourths of the command, and no commander had a right to make such a sacrifice. Gen. Floyd concurring, remarked, " We will have to capitulate ; but, gentlemen, I cannot surrender ; you know my position with the Federals ; it wouldn't do, it wouldn't do;" whereupon Gen. Pillow, addressing Gen. Floyd, said : " I will not surrender myself nor the command ; will die Jirst.''^ "Then, I suppose, gentlemen," said Gen. Buckner, "the surrender will devolve u^jon me ?" Gen. Floyd replied, speaking to Gen. Buckner, " General, if you are put in command, will you allow me to take out by the river my brigade?" "Yes, sir," responded Gen. Buckner, " if you move your command before the enemy act upon my communication oflfering to capitulate." "Then, sir," said Gen. Floyd, "I surrender the command;" and Gen. Pillow, who was next in command, very quickly exclaimed, " I will not accept it ; I will never surrender," and while speaking, turned to Gen. Buckner, who remarked, " I will accept and share the fate of my command," and called for pen, ink, paper, and bugler. After the capitulation was determined upon, Gen. Pillow wished to know if it would be proper for him to make his escape, when Gen. Floyd replied that the question was one for every man to decide for himself, but he would be glad for every one to escape that could. " Then, sir, I shall leave here," replied Gen. Pillow. Col. Forrest, who was in the room, and heard what passed, then spoke : " I think there is more fight in these men than you all suppose, and if you will let me, I will take my command ;" Gen. Pillow responding to him, " Yes, sir, take out your command ; cut your way out." Gens. Floyd and Buckner assented ; Gen. Floyd, by saying, " Yes, take out your command," and Gen. Buckner, by expressing, " I have no objection." The means of getting away was then discussed, and soon thereafter we began to disperse. While the gentlemen were leaving the room, I approached Gen. Buckner, and wished to know if Gen. Pillow's order, to destroy the commissary stores, should be carried out, and he answered, " Major Haynes, I countermand the order." It may be proper for me to say that I never met Gen, Pillow before the morning of the 9th February, 1862, having been upon Brig.-gen. Charles Clark's OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 91 staff since my entrance into the service, and only went to Donelson with Gen, Pillow to take temporary charge of the commissariat. Gen. Pillow assigned me to duty on his staif after arriving at Don- elson, on the 10th February, 1862. (Signed) W. H. HAYNES, Major and Brigade Commissary. State of Alabama, Morgan County, ss. Personally appeared before me, Levi Sugans, Intendant of the town of Decatur, and ex officio Justice of the Peace, Major W. H. Haynes, who makes oath that the statements herein made, relating to what was said in the council of officers, on the morning of the 16th February, 1862, are true. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 14th March, 1862. (Signed) W. H. HAYNES, Major and Brigade Commissary. (Signed) LEVI SUGANS, Intendant, Hunter Nicholson's Statement. {Referred to in Gen. Pillovi's Supplemental Heport.) I was present at the council of war, held at Brig.-gen. Pillow's head-quarters in Dover, on Saturday night, February 15th, 1862. I came into the room about two o'clock. There were present, Gens. Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner, Major Gilmer, Col. Forrest, and several staff officers, among whom I distinctly remember Major Henry and Col. Burch, of Gen. Pillow's staff. The generals were discussing the necessity and practicability of marching the forces T)ut of the intrenchments and evacuating the place. Major Rice, a resident of Dover, and an aid-de-camp of Gen. Pillow, was describing the nature of the country and character of the roads over which the army would have to .pass. He referred to some citizen, I think a doctor, but do not remember his name, whom he repi-esented as more familiar with the roads. In a little while, or perhaps during the conversation of Major Rice, the gen- tleman referred to was announced. He gave a description of the roads, which, from my ignorance of the locality, I am unable to repeat. The substance was, however, that though exceedingly difficult, it was possible to pass the road with light baggage trains. 92 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. Gen. Pillow asked most of the questions propounded to this gentle- man, as also of those to Major Rice. At this point I was called into an adjoining* room, where I remained but a few minutes. When I returned, Major Jones, brigade quarter-master, was just entering the room. Gen. Pillow at once approached him, and taking him a little one side, explained to him that it had been de- termined to evacuate the place, and that he must prepare to burn the quarter-master's stores in his hands. Major Jones inquired at what time. Gen. Pillow replied about daybreak, about half-past five o'clock. Major Jones left very soon, and I did not see him in the room afterwards, that I recollect. In a few minutes Major Haynes, brigade commissary, entered the room, and received similar instructions as to the commissary stores under his charge. About this time a scout was ushered in, who announced that the enemy had reoccupied the lines from which they had been driven during the fight on Saturday. Gen. Pillow doubted if the scout was not mistaken ; so another was sent out. About half an hour had elapsed when Major Haynes returned and remained near me in the room during the remainder of the discussion. Just as he en- tered. Gen. Buckner remarked : " I am confident that the enemy will attack my lines by daylight, and I cannot hold them for half an hour." Gen. Pillow replied quickly : " Why so, why so, general ? " Gen. Buckner replied: "Because I can bring into action not over four thousand men, and they demox'alized by long and uninterrupted exposure and fighting, while he can bring any number of fresh troops to the attack." Gen. Pillow replied : " I differ with you ; I think you can hold your lines ; I think you can, sir." Gen. Buckner replied : " I know my position, and I know that the lines cannot be held with my troops in their present condition." Gen. Floyd it was, I think, who then remarked : " Then, gentlemen, a capitulation is all that is left us." To which Gen. Pillow replied : " I do not think so ; at any rate we can cut our way out." Gen, Buckner re- plied : " To cut our way out would cost three-fourths of our men, and I do not think any commander has a right to sacrifice three- fourths of his command to save one-fourth." To which Gen. Floyd replied : " Certainly not." About this time the second scout sent out returned, and reported the enemy in force occupying the position from which they had been driven. Thereupon two of Col. Forrest's cavalry were sent to examine the backwater, and report if it could be crossed by the army. These scouts returned in a short time, and reported that cavalry could pass, but infantry could not. OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 93 Gen. Buckner then asked : " Well, gentlemen, what are we to do ?" Gen. Pillow replied : " You understand fne, gentlemen, I am for holding out, at least to-day, getting boats, and crossing the command over. As for myself, I will never surrender ; I will die first." Gen. Floyd replied : " Nor will I. I cannot and will not surrender ; but I must confess personal reasons control me." Gen. Buckner rejjlied: "But such considerations should not control a general's actions." Gen, Floyd replied : " Certainly not ; nor would I permit it to cause me to sacrifice the command," Gen. Buckner replied : " Then, I suppose the duty of surrendering the command will devolve on me." Gen. Floyd asked : " How will you proceed ?" Gen. Buckner replied : " I will send a flag asking for Gen. Grant's quarters, that I may send a message to him. I will propose an armistice of six hours to arrange terms." A pause here ensued. Then Gen. Buckner asked : " Am I to consider the command as turned over to me?" Gen. Floyd replied: "Cer- tainly ; I turn over the command." Gen. Pillow replied, quickly : " I pass it ; I will not surrender." Gen. Buckner then called for pen, ink, paper, and a bugler. Gen. Floyd then said : " Well, gen- eral, will I be permitted to take my little brigade out if I can ?" Gen. Buckner replied: "Certainly, if you can get them out before the terras of capitulation are agreed on." Col. Forrest then asked : " Gentlemen, have I leave to cut my way out with my command ?" Gen. Pillow rephed: "Yes, sir; cut your way out;" and con- tinuing, " gentlemen, is there any thing wrong in my leaving ?" Gen. Floyd replied : " Eveiy man must judge for himself of that." Gen. Pillow replied : " Then I shall leave this place." Here Gen. Pillow left the room ; but returning in a short time and taking a seat between Gens. Floyd and Buckner, said : " Gentlemen, in order that we may understand each other, let me state what is ray posi- tion. I difier with you as to the cost of cutting our way out ; but if it was ascertained that it would cost three-fourths of the com- mand, I agree that it would be wrong to sacrifice them for the re- maining fourth." Gens. Floyd and Buckner replied : " We under- stand you, general, and you understand us." After this I left the room, and soon after, the place. (Signed,) HUNTER NICHOLSON". Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 18th day of March, 1862. (Signed) Levi Sugans, Intendant of the town of Decatur^ Ala., and ex-qfficio J. P. 94 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. Response of Brig.-gen. Gid. J. Pillow to the Order of the Secretary of War of March 11, 1862. To Capt. H. P. Brewstee, A. A. G. : Sir : In my supplemental report, which was forwarded through Gen. A. S. Johnston, I have, as I conceived, substantially answered the points as indicated in the order of the Secretary of War as un- satisfactory to the President. But to be more specific, and to reply directly to these points, I beg to say, that : 1. Gen. Floyd reached Fort Donelson early in the morning on the 13th of February, and being my senior officer, assumed the command. Up to that time we had no need of additional forces, for at that time the enemy had only about 20,000 troops, and we had a force fully sufficient to defend the place against that force, and I did not, nor could not, know with what force they meant to invest us. We were attacked by that force, on the 13th, around our whole line, and after three or four hours of vigorous assault, we repulsed his forces everywhere. After Gen. Floyd's arrival, being second in command, I could not, without a violation of military duty, apply for reinforcements. But I do not seek to shelter myself from responsibility by this con- sitleration. Though the enemy's force greatly exceeded ours, we felt we could hold our position against him, until his large force of fresh troops arrived on the evenings of the 13th, 14th, and 15th. These arrivals, of about 30,000 troops, made it manifest that we could not hold the position long against such overwhelming num- bers, particularly as they were then enabled to completely invest us and cut off our communication with the river. It was then impossible to get reinforcements from Bowling Green or elsewhere in time to relieve us. It required three days, by rail- road and river, for the forces which did come to us to get there, owing to the shortness of transportation. I ajjprised Gen. Johnston of the arrival of the enemy's large re- iiitbrcenients, giving him every arrival. But I had just come from l>o\vliug Green, and was of opinion that the force reserved for that position was inadequate for its defence against a large assaulting force, and I knew Gen. Johnston could not give me any reinforce- ments unless he abandoned the place, a measure which I did not consider it my province to suggest. Knowing this, I felt it my duty to make the best possible defence with the forces we had. We had OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 95 one additional regiment or battalion there, whicli Gen. Floyd sent to Cumberland City to protect public stores that had been for- warded to that city. These are the reasons why no application was made for reinforcements. 2. In response to the second point made by the Secretary's order, I have to say that arrangements were all made, orders given the whole command to evacuate the work, and troops were under arms to march out, when information was received that we were reinvested. Up to this time the general officers were all agreed upon the line of action necessary and proper under the circumstances. (See sup- plemental report.) It was as to the necessity of a change of policy in the new state of the case that the difference of opinion arose among the general officers. I was for cutting our way out. Gens. Floyd and Buckner thought that surrender was a necessity of the l^osition of the army. In response to the point made by the Secretary's order that it was not satisfactorily explained how a part of the command was withdrawn and the balance surrendered, I have to say : On the night and evening of the 15th of February, after the battle, in expectation of evacuating the place that night. Gen. Floyd had sent off every steamboat that we had with the prisoners, our sick, and wounded. As matters turned out it was most unfor- tunate, but I do not perceive how the act could be censured, for it was a measure preparatory to evacuation, and no one could have foreseen the course of events which late that night defeated that measure. The act, however, was that of my senior officer, and I was not even consulted about its propi'iety. When we ascertained, between three and four o'clock that night, that we were reinvested, and the question of our position became one of vital interest to the commanding officers, we had not a single boat, neither skiff, yawl, nor even float, or other ferry boats. There was no means of" crossing the river. The river was full, and the weather intensely cold. About daybreak the steamer General An- derson, and one other little boat, came down ; one of the boats had on board about 400 raw troops. I had then crossed the river in a small hand flat, about four feet wide by twelve long, which Mr. Rice, a citizen of Dover (acting as my volunteer aid-de-carap), had by some means brought over from the opposite side of the river. Upon the arrival of these steamers, Gen. Floyd, acting, I presume, under agreement between him and Gen. Buckner, before the com- mand was turned over, crossed over to the opposite shore as many 96 OFFICIAL KEP0RT8 OF BATTLES. of his troops as he could, until he was directed by Gen. Buckner's staff officer to leave, as the gunboats of the enemy were approach- ing. This information was given me by Gen. Floyd at Clarksville. My horses were brought across the river on one of the boats that brought over the ti'oops. Myself and staff then made our way to Clarksville by land. These facts explain how a portion of the com- mand were withdrawn when the balance could not be. I, however, had no kind of agency in it. 3. In response to the third point upon which information is called for by the Secretary's order, viz. : Upon what principle the senior offi- cers avoided responsibility by transferring the command, I have only to say that I urged from first to last the duty of cutting through the enemy's lines with the entire command ; I was not sus- tained, but was alone in my position; and with Gen. Buckner's avowal that his troops could not make another fight, and without the assistance of either general in command, and in an enterprise of great difficulty and peril, I could scarcely hope to cut through the enemy's lines unaided. Yet it was against my conviction of duty to surrender. Under the circumstances in which I was placed, I saw no means of defeating the surrender, and therefore considering myself only technically the recipient of the command ; when turned over by Gen. Floyd, I promptly passed, and declined to accept it. It was in this sense that I said in my original rej^ort that when the com- mand was turned over to me I passed it. In point of fact, how- ever, the command was turned over by Gen. Floyd to Gen. Buckner. In proof of which I embody in this report a dispatch from Gen. Floyd, to Gen. A. S. Johnston, on the morning of the 16th Feb- ruary ; I also embody an order of Gen. Buckner's, after he had as- sumed command, to Brig.-gen. B. R. Johnson. Cumberland City, Feb. 16, 1862. To Gen. Johnston: This morning at 2 o'clock, not feeling willing myself to surrender, I turned over the command to Gen. Buckner, who determined to surrender the fort and the army, as any further resistance would only result in the unavailing spilling of blood. I succeeded in saving half of my command by availing myself of two little boats at the wharf — all that could be commanded. The balance of the entire reserve of the army fell into the hands of the enemy. The OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLKS. 97 enemy's force was largely augmented yesterday by the arrival ot thirteen transports, and his force could not have been less than fifty thousand. I have attempted to do my duty in this trying and difficult position, and only regret that my exertions have not been more successful, (Signed) J. B. FLOYD. Order of Brig-gen. Buckner to Brig-gen. B. R. Johnson. Head-quarters, Dover, Feb. 16, 1862. Sir : — The command of the forces in this vicinity has devolved upon me by order of Gen. Floyd. I have sent a flag to Gen. Grant, and during the correspondence, and until further orders, shall re- frain from any hostile demonstrations, with a view of preventing a like movement on the enemy's j^art. You will endeavor to send a flag to the enemy's posts in front of your position, notifying them of the fact that I have sent a communication to Gen. Grant from the right of our position, and desire to know his head-quarters. Respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) S. B. BUCKNER, Brig-gen. O. S. A. ' These orders show that all parties knew the command was turned over, not to myself, but to Gen. Buckner. The reason for this was obvious ; both Gens. Buckner and Floyd were of opinion that a surrender of the command was a necessity of its position. They had both heard me say that I would die before I would surrender the command. Gen. Buckner had said, if placed in command, he would make the surrender, and he had agreed with Gen. Floyd, that he might withdraw his brigade. This understanding and agreement, and my position, excluded me from actual command. Having gone into the council of general officers, and taken part in its deliberations, I felt bound by its decision, although against my conviction of duty. I, therefore, determined not to assume nor accept the command. I still think that in acquiescing in this de- cision, as a necessity of my position, I acted correctly, although my judgment was wholly against the measure to surrender. I had no agency whatever in withdrawing any portion of the command, except to direct Col. Forrest to cut his way out with his cavalry, all of which I organized into a brigade under him. 7 98 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 5. In response to the 5th and 6th inquiries of the Secretary's orders, I reply, I do not know what regiments of Gen. Floyd's brigade were surrendered, nor which were withdrawn, nor do I know upon what principle the selection was made. For further information, reference is made to my original and supplemental reports. Before closing the response to the Hon. Secretary's order, I deem it not improper to say, that the only doubt I felt, in my opinion, I expressed, position assumed, or act I did, was, as to the pi-opriety of retiring from the garrison, when I could not control the fate of the command, whose surrender was not my act, or with my ap- proval. Upon this point, I consulted Gens. Floyd and Buckner. For these reasons, and knowing that the general officers would not be permitted to accompany the men into captivity, I finally de- termined to retire, hoping I might be able to render some service to the country. Very respectfully, GID. J. PILLOW, Brig. -Gen. C. S. A Original Report of Gen. S. B. Buckner, addressed to CoL W. W. Mackall, A. A. G. Head-quarters Cumberland Army. Dover, Tenn., Feb. 18, 1862. Sir :t— It becomes ray duty to report that the remains of this army, after winning some brilliant successes, both in repulsing the assaults of the enemy, and in sallying successfully through their lines, has been reduced to the necessity of a surrender. At the earliest j^racticable day, I will send a detailed report of its operations. I can only say now, that after the battle of the 15th inst. had been won, and my division of the army was being estab- lished in position to cover the retreat of the army, the plan of battle seemed to have been changed, and the troops were ordered back to the trenches. Before my own division returned to their works on the extreme right, the lines were assailed at that point, and my extreme right was occupied by a large force of the enemy. But I successfully repelled their further assaults. It was the purpose of Gen. Floyd to effect the retreat of the army over the ground which had been won in the morning, and the troops moved from their works with that view ; but before any OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 99 movement for that purpose was organized, a reconnoissance showed that the ground was occupied by the enemy in great strength. Gen. Floyd then determined to retreat across the river, with such force as could escape ; but as there were no boats until nearly daylight on the 16th, he left with some regiments of Virginia troops about daylight, and was accompanied by Brig.-gen Pillow. I was thus left in command of the remnant of the army, which had been placed in movement for a retreat, which was discovered to be impracticable. My men were in a state of complete exhaus- tion, from extreme siiffering, from cold, and fatigue ; the supply of ammunition, especially for the artillery, was being rapidly exhausted, the army was to a great extent demoralized by the retrograde movement. On being placed in command, I ordered such troops as could not cross the river to return to their intrenchments, to make at the last moment such resistance as was possible to the over- whelming force of the enemy. But a small portion of the forces had returned to the lines, when I received from Gen. Grant a reply to my proposal to negotiate for terms of surrender. To have re- fused his terms would, in the condition of the army at that time, have led to the massacre of my troops without any advantage re- sulting from the saciifice. I therefore felt it my highest duty to these brave men, whose conduct- had been so brilliant, and whose sufferings had been so intense, to accept the ungenerous terms pro- loosed by the Federal commander, who overcame us solely by over- whelming superiority of numbers. This army is, accordingly, prison- ers of war ; the officers retaining their side-arms and private pro- perty, and the soldiers their clothing and blankets. I regret to state, however, that, notwithstanding the earnest efforts of Gen. Grant and many of his officers to prevent it, our camps have been a scene of almost indiscriminate pillage by the Federal troops. In conclusion, I request, at the earliest time practicable, a Court of inquiry, to examine into the causes of the surrender of this army. I am, sir, very respectfully. Your obedient servant, (Signed) S. B. BUCKNER, Brig^-gen. C. S. A. To Col. W. W. Mackall, A, A. General, Nashville, Tenn. 100 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. Official Report of Operations of Gen. S. B. Buckner's Division in the defence of Fort Donelson, and of the surrender of that post. Richmond, Ya., August 11, 1862. Sir : — I have the honor to make the following report of the op- erations of that portion of the 2d division of the Central Army of Kentucky, which was detached from Bowling Green and Russell- ville, Ky., to aid in the defence of Fort Donelson and the village of Dover, on the Cumberland river, Tennessee. By the courtesy of Brig.-gen. Grant, United States Army, I was permitted to transmit to Clarksville, Tennessee, a brief report of the surrender of Fort Donelson, but, as I now learn, it never reached the head-quarters of Gen. A. S. Johnston, I transmit here- with a copy. I have been prevented from making an earlier report by the refusal of the Federal authorities, during my imprisonment, either to permit me to make a rejx)rt or to receive the report of subordi- nate commanders. Such, indeed, was the discourtesy of the Fed- eral War Department, that, though kept in solitary confinement during my impi'isonment, and prevented from holding communica- tions with any of my fellow-prisoners, a request on my part to be informed of the cause of a pi-oceeding so unusual amongst nations l)retending to follow the rules of civilized warfare, failed to elicit a response. On the 11th February, ultimo, Brig.-gen. Floyd had resolved to concentrate his division and my own at Cumberland city, with a view of operating from some point of the railway west of that position, in the direction of Fort Donelson or Fort Henry, thus maintaining his communications with Nashville, by the way of Charlotte. I reached Fort Donelson on the night of February 11 th, with orders from Gen. Floyd to direct Gen. Pillow to send back at once to Cumberland City the troops which had been designated. Before leaving Clarksville I had, by authority of Gen. Floyd, ordered Scott's regiment of Louisiana cavahy to operate on the north side of the Cumberland river, in the direction of Fort Donel- son, with a view to prevent the establishment of any of the enemy's field batteries which might interfere with our transports. Gen. Pillow declined to execute the order of which I was the bearer, until he should have a personal interview with Gen. Floyd. Ac- OFFICIAL REPOETS OF BATTLES. 101 cordingly, on the morning of the 1 2th, he left me terapornrily in command, and proceeded himself in a steamer to Cumberland city. Before leaving, he informed me that he had directed a reconnois- ^nce to be made by Col. Forrest's cavalry, with instructions in no event to bring on an engagement, should the enemy approach in force. Gen. Pillow left me under the impression that he did not expect an immediate advance of the enemy, and regarded their approach from the direction of Fort Henry as impracticable. During the morning, Forrest reported the enemy advancing in force with the view of enveloping our line of defence ; and for a time he was en- gaged with his usual gallantry in heavy skirmishing with them, at one time driving one of their battalions back upon their artillery. About noon Gen. Pillow returned and resumed command ; it having been determined to reinforce the garrison Avith the remain- ing troops from Cumberland City and Clarksville. The defences were in a very imperfect condition. The space to be defended by the army was quadrangular in shape, being limited on the north by the Cumberland river, on the east and west by small streams, now converted into deep sloughs by the high water, and on the south by our line of defence. The river Une exceeded a mile in length ; the line of defence was about two miles and a half long, and its distance from the river vai'ied from one-fourth to three- fourths of a mile. The line of entrenchments consisted of a few logs rolled together and but slightly covered with earth, forming an insufficient protection even against field artillery. No more than one-third of the Une was completed on the morning of the 12th. It had been located under the direction of that able engineer offi- cer. Major Gilmer, near the crests of a series of ridges which sloped backwards to the river, and were again commanded in several places by other ridges at a still greater distance from the river. This chain of heights was intersected by deep valleys and ravines, which materially interfered with communications between diffi?rent parts of the line. Between the village of Dover and the water batteries, a broad and deep valley extending directly back from the river, and flooded by the high water, intersected the quadrangular area occupied by the army, and almost completely isolated the right wing. That part of the line which covered the land-approach to the water batteries, and constituted our right wing, was assigned to me with a portion of my division, consisting of the third or Col. John C. Brown's brigade, which Avas composed of the 3d Tennessee Volunteers, which was CoL Brown's regiment, 18th Tennessee regi- 102 OFFICIAL EEPOBTS OF BATTLES. ment, Col, Palmer, 32d Tennessee regiment, Col. Cook ; half of Col. Baldwin's 2d brigade, temporarily attached to Col. Brown's 2d regiment Kentucky Volmiteers, Col. R. W.Hanson; 14th Missis- sippi Volunteers, Major Doss; 41st Tennessee Volunteers, Col. Farquharson ; Porter's battery of six field-pieces ; Graves' battery of six field-pieces. The remaining regiments of Baldwin's brigade, the 26th Tennes- see Volunteers, Col. Lillard, and the 26th Mississippi Volunteers, Col. Reynolds, together with the brigade commander, were de- tached from my command by Brig. -gen. Pillow and assigned a posi- tion on the left of the line of entrenchments. The work on my lines was prosecuted with energy, and was urged forward as rapidly as the limited number of tools would permit ; so that by the morning of the 13th my position was in a respectable state of defence. My disposition of the troops was as follows : Hanson's regiment on the extreme right; Palmer's regiment, with its reserve, in position to reinforce Hanson ; Porter's battery occupying the reserve, in position or reinforce Hanson ; Porter's battery occupying the advanced salient, sweeping the road which led to the front, and flanking the intrenchments both to the right and to the left. The reserve of the 14th Mississippi was held as its support. Brown's, Cooks', and Farquharson's regiments were on the left. Graves' battery occupied a position near the extreme left of the intrenchments on the declivity of the hill, whence it swept the valley with its fire and flanked the position of Col. Heiman to the east of the valley. Fi'om three to five companies of each regiment were deployed as skirmishers in the rifle-pits. The other companies of each regiment were massed in columns, sheltered from the enemy's fire behind the irregularities of the ground, and held in convenient positions to reinforce any portion of the line that might be seriously threatened. No serious demonstration was made on our lines on the 12th. Early on the morning of the 13th, a column of the enemy's in- fantry, which was apparently forming to move down the valley be- tween my left and Heiman's right, was driven back by a few well- directed shots fi'om Graves' battery. About 10 o'clock in the morning the enemy made a vigorous at- tack upon Hanson's position, but was repulsed with heavy loss. The attack was subsequently renewed by three heavy regiments, but was again repulsed by the 2d Kentucky regiment, aided by a part of the 18th Tennessee. In both these afiairs, and also in a third repulse of the OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 103 enemy from the same position, Porter's battery played a conspicnoas part. About 11 o'clock a strong attack was made on Col. Heiman's position beyond my left. A well-directed fire from Graves' battery upon the flank of the assaulting column materially contributed to repulse the enemy with heavy loss. The fire of the enemy's artillery and riflemen was incessant throughout the day ; but was responded to by a well-directed fire from the intrenchments, which inflicted upon the assailant consider- able loss, and almost silenced his fire late in the afternoon. On the preceding night Gen. Floyd had arrived and assumed command of all the troops, and during the morning visited and inspected my lines. My loss during the day was thirty-nine (39) in killed and wounded. The enemy were comparatively quiet in front of my position dar- ing the 14th. On the morning of that day I was summoned to a council of general officers, in which it was decided unanimously, in view of the arrival of heavy reinforcements of the enemy below, to make an immediate attack upon their right, in order to open our communications with Charlotte, in the direction of Nashville. It was urged that this attack should be made at once, before the dis- embarkation of enemy's reinforcements — supposed to be about fifteen thousand men. I proposed with my division to cover the retreat of the army, should the sortie prove successful. I made the necessary dispositions preparatory to executing the movement, but early in the afternoon the order was countermanded by Gen. Floyd, at the instance, as I afterwards learned of Gen. Pillow, who, after drawing out his troops for the attack, thought it too late for the at- tempt. On the night of the 14th it was unanimously decided, in a council of general officers and regimental commanders, to attack the enemy's right at daylight. The object of the attack was to force our way through his lines, recover our communications, and effect our retreat upon Nashville by way of Charlotte, Tenn. This move- ment had become imperatively necessary in consequence of the vastly superior and constantly increasing force of the enemy, who had already completely enveloped our position. The general plan was for Gen. Pillow to attack his extreme right, and for that por- tion of my division remaining under my command after beino- relieved in the rifle-pits by Col. Head's regiment, to make an attack upon the right of the enemy's centre, and, if successful, to take up a position in advance of our works on the Wynn's ferry road, to 104: OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. cover the retreat of the whole army ; after which my division was to act as the rear guard. On Saturday morning, the 15th, a considerable portion of my division was delayed by the non-arrival of Head's regiment at the appointed time, and by the slippery condition of the icy road which forbade a rapid march. My advance regiment, however, the 3d Tennessee, reached a position by daylight in rear of a portion of the intrenchments which had been occupied by Gen. Pillow's troops. As no guards had been left in this portion of the line, and even a battery was left in position without a cannoneer, I deployed the 3d Tennessee in the rifle-pits to cover the formation of my division as it arrived. The regiments were formed, partly in line and partly in column, and covered from the enemy's artillery fire by a slight acclivity in front. In the mean time the attack on the enemy's right was made in the most gallant and determi^ned manner by the divi- sion of Gen. Pillow. For the progress of that action, I refer to the reports of Col. Baldwin, Col. Gregg, and their subordinate com- manders, which have been transmitted to me, as the senior officer left with the army. In front of my position the enemy had a heavy battery posted on the Wynn's ferry road, with another battery opposite my left — both sustained by a heavy infantry force. Major Davidson, acting chief of my artillery, established Graves' battery to the left of the Wynns' ferry road and opened upon the enemy's batteries a destructive fire. I also directed a portion of the artillery to open upon the flank and left rear of the enemy's infan- try, who were contesting the advance of Gen, Pillow's division. In view of the heavy duty which I expected my division to undergo in covering the retreat of the army, I thought it unadvisable to attempt an assault at this time in my front until the enemy's batter- ies were, to some extent, crippled, and their supports shaken by the fire of my artillery. About 9 o'clock. Gen. Pillow urged an advance to relieve his forces. I accordingly sent forward the 14th Mississippi, Major Doss, deployed as skirmishers. At the request of its comniander, I assigned the direction of its movements to Major Alexander Cassidy, of my staff. The line of skirmishers M'as sustained by the 3d and 18th Tennessee. Their line of march unfor- tunately masked the fire of my artillery upon the Wynn's ferry road, but it continued to play with efiect upon the force whicli was opposing Gen. Pillow's advance. The combined attack compelled the enemy to retire, not, howevei*, without inflicting upon my troops considerable loss. Under a misapprehension of instructions, at a OFFICIAL KEP0KT8 OF BATTLES. 105 time Avhen my artillery was directed over the heads of the advanced troops upon the enemy's battery, these regiments withdrew without panic, but in some confusion, to the trenches, after the enemy's infantry had been driven a considerable distance from their position. As the enemy's line of retreat was along the Wynn's ferry road, I now organized an attack further to my right, up a deep valley which led from Heiman's left, in rear of the position occupied by the enemy's batteries. In order to cover the advance of the infantry column, I directed Capt. Porter, with his artillerists, to serve Green's battery, which was already in position, and, at the same time, sent a request to Col. Heiman to direct Maney's battery to open its fire, while he should deploy a line of skirmishers in advance of his position to cover the right of the valley. Gen, Pillow was at this time, as I afterwards learned, on the heights to my right, occupied by Heiman. Maney's, Porter's, and Graves' batteries now opened a cross fire upon the enemy's battery and position, soon cripphng some of his guns and driving their supports, while the 3d, 18th, and 32d Ten- nessee regiments, i;nder their brigade commander. Col. John C. Brown, moved steadily up the valley, preceded by their skirmishers, who soon became engaged with those of the enemy. This move- ment, combined with the brisk fire of three batteries, induced a rapid retreaC of the enemy, who abandoned a section of his artil- lery. At the same time my infantry were thus penetrating the enemy's line of retreat, Forrest, with a portion of his cavalry, charged upon their right, while Gen, Pillow's division, under the orders of Gen. B. R. Johnson and Col. Baldwin were pressing their extreme right about half a mile to the left of this position. In this latter movement, a section of Graves' battery participated, playing with destructive effect upon the enemy's left, while, about the same time, the 2d Kentucky, under Col, Hanson, charged in quick time, as if upon parade, through an open field and under a destructive fire, without firing a gun, upon a superior force of the enemy, who broke and fled in all directions. A large portion of the enemy's right dispersed through the woods and made their way, as was afterwards learned, to Fort Henry, While this movement was going on, I conducted one piece of artillery, under Capt. Graves, along the Wynn's ferry road, sup- ported by the 14th Mississippi, and sent orders to the residue of Graves' battery and Porter's and Jackson's batteries, and Farquhar- sou's Tennessee regiment to follow the movement with rapidity, I also sent to direct Hanson's regiment to rejoin me. The enemy, in 106 OFFICIAL EEP0ET8 OF BATTLES. his retreat, had now taken wp a strong position on the road beyond the point where it crosses the valley. I directed the position to be attacked by the 3d, 18th, and 32d Tennessee regiments, the first on the left, the others on the right of the road, while Graves' piece took position in the road within two hundred and fifty or three hundred yards of the enemy's guns. These regiments, under the immediate command of Col. Brown, advanced gallantly to the attack, while Graves' piece responded with efi^ect to the enemy's artillery. Notwithstanding their vast superiority in numbers, the enemy were driven, with very heavy loss, from their position, and retreated to the right of the Wynn's ferry road, leaving it entirely open. In this position I awaited the arrival of my artillery and reserves, either to continue the pursuit of the enemy, or to defend the position I now held, in order that the army might pass out on the forge road, which was now completely covered by the position occupied by my division. But Gen. Pillow had prevented my artil- lery from leaving the intrenchments, and had ordered Farquharson not to join me, and also sent me reiterated orders to return to my intrenchments on the extreme right. I was in the act of returning to the lines when I met Gen. Floyd, who seemed surprised at the order. At his request to know my opinion of the movement, I rejjlied that nothing had occurred to change my views of the neces- sity of the evacuation of the post, that the road was open, that the first part of our purpose was fully accomplished, and I thought we should at once avail ourselves of the existing opportunity to regain our communications. These seemed to be his own views ; for he directed me to halt my troops and remain in position until he should have conversed with Gen. Pillow, who was now within the in- trenchments. After that consultation, he sent me an order to retire within the lines, and to repair as rapidly as possible to my former position on the extreme right, which was in danger of attack. The enemy made no attempt at pursuit. I secured the section of artillery which had been captured, and covered my retrogade movement by Hanson's and Farquharson's regiments. My troops were already much exhausted, but returned as rapidly as possible, a distance of two miles, to their positions. But a small portion of my division had reached their positions, when a division of the enemy, under command of Gen. C. F. Smith, assaulted the extreme right of my position, falling upon Hanson's regiment before it had reached its rifle-pits. This gallant regiment was necessarily thrown back in confusion upon the position of the 18th Tennessee. At this period OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 107 I reached that position, and, aided by a number of officers, I suc- ceeded in hastily forming a line behind the crest of a hill which overlooked the detached works which had been seized by the enemy before Hanson had been able to throw his regiment into them. The enemy advanced gallantly upon this new position, but was repulsed with heavy loss. I reinforced this position by other regiments as they successively arrived, and by a section of Graves' battery, while a section of Porter's battery was placed in its former position. During a contest of more than two hours, the enemy threatened my left with a heavy column, and made repeated attempts to storm ray line on the right, but the well-directed fire of Porter's and Graves' artillery, and the musketry fireof the infantry, repelled the attempts, and finally drove him to seek shelter behind the works he had taken, and amid the irregularities of the ground. There was probably Yio period of the action when his force was not from three to five times the strength of mine. Towards the close of the action I was reinforced by the regiments of Cols. Quarles and Sugg and Bailey. Gens. Floyd and Pillow also visited the position about the close of the action. In a council of general and field ofiicers, held after night, it was unanimously resolved, that if the enemy had not reoccupied, in strength, the position in front of Gen, Pillow, the army should eifect its retreat ; and orders to assemble the regiments for that purpose were given by Gen, Floyd. But as the enemy had, late in the after- noon, appeared in considerable force on the battle-field of the morn- ing, a reconnoissance was ordered, I think by Gen. Pillow, under the instructions of Gen. Floyd. The report of this reconnoissance, made by Col, Forrest, has been fully stated by Gens, Floyd and Pillow ; and from what I have been able to learn since, I am satisfied the information reported was correct. Among other incidents, showing that the enemy had not only reoccupied their former ground, but extended their lines still farther to our left, is the fact that Over- ton's cavalry, following after Forrest's, was cut off from retreat by an infantry force of the enemy at the point where Forrest had crossed the stream on the river road. When the information of our reinvestment was reported. Gen, Floyd, Gen, Pillow, and my- self, were the only members of the council present. Both of these officers have stated the views of the council, but my recollection of some of the incidents narrated differs so materially from that of Gen. Pillow, that, without intending any reflection upon either of those officers, I feel called upon to notice some of the dififerences of opinion between us. Both officers have correctly stated that I re- 108 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. garded the position of the army as desperate, and that an attempt to extricate it by another battle, in the suffering and exhausted condition of the troops, was almost hopeless. The troops had been worn down with watching, with labor, with fighting. Many of them were frosted by the intensity of the cold ; all of them were suffering and exhausted by their incessant labors. There had been no regular issue of rations for a number of days, and scarcely any means of cooking. Their ammunition was nearly expended. We were completely invested by a force fully four times the strength of our own. In their exhausted condition, they could not have made a march. An attempt to make a sortie would have been resisted by a superior force of fresh troops ; and that attempt Avould have been the signal for the fall of the water batteries, and the presence of the enemy's gunboats sweeping with their fire, at close range, the positions of our troops ; who would have been thus assailed on their front, rear, and right flank, at the same instant. The result would have been a virtual massacre of the troops, more disheartening in its efiects than a surrender. In this opinion Gen. Floyd coincided ; and I am certain that both he and I were convinced that Gen. Pillow agreed with us in opinion. General Pillow then asked our opinion as to the practicability of holding our position another day. I replied that my right was already turned, a portion of my intrenchments in the enemy's j^os- session ; they were in position successfully to assail my position and the water batteries; and that, with my weakened and exhausted force, I could not successfully resist the assault which would be made at daylight by a vastly superior force. I further remarked, that I understood the principal object of the defence of Donelson to be to cover the movement of Gen. A. S. Johnston's army from Bowling Green to Nashville, and that if that movement was not completed, it was my opinion that we should attempt a further de- fence, even at the risk of the destruction of our entire force, as the delay even of a few hours might gain the safety of Gen. Johnston's force. Gen. Floyd remarked that Gen. Johnston's army had already reached Nashville. I then expressed the opinion that it would be wrong to subject the army to a virtual massacre when no good could result from the sacrifice ; and that the general ofiicers owed it to their men, when fiirther resistance was unavailing, to obtain the best terms of capitu- lation possible for them. Gen. Floyd expressed himself in similar terms, and in his opinion I understood Gen. Pillow to acquiesce. OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLFS. 109 For reasons which he has stated, Gen. Floyd then announced his purpose to leave, with such portion of his division as could be transported, in two small steamers, which were expected about day- light. Gen. Pillow, addressing Gen. Floyd, then remarked that he thought there were no two persons in the Confederacy whom the " Yankees " would prefer to capture than himself and Gen Floyd, and asked the latter's opinion as to the propriety of his accompany- ing Gen. Floyd. To this inquiry the latter replied that it was a question for every man to decide for himself. Gen. Pillow then addressed the inquiry to me, to which I remarked that I could only reply as Gen. Floyd had done ; that it was a question for every officer to decide for himself, and that in my own case I regarded it as my duty to remain with my men and share their fate, whatever it might be. Gen. Pillow, however, announced his purpose to leave, when Gen. Floyd directed me to consider myself in command. I remarked that a capitulation would be as bitter to me as it could be to any one, but I regarded it as a necessity of our position, and I could not reconcile it with my sense of duty to separate my fortunes from those of my command. It is due to Gen, Pillow to state, that some time after the com- mand had been transferred to me, and while preparations were making for his departure, he returned to the room and said to Gen. Floyd and myself, that he wished it understood that he had thought it would have been better to have held the fort another day in order to await the arrival of steamers to transport the troops across the river. I again recapitulated my reasons for thinking it impos- sible to hold our position ; and whatever may have been Gen. Pillow's opinion, he certainly impressed me with the belief that he again acquiesced in the necessity of a surrender. It was now near daylight of Sunday morning, the 16th. I or- dered the troops back to their positions in the intrenchments, and addressed a note, a copy of which is inclosed, to the Federal com- mander, Brig.-gen. U. S. Grant. His reply is also transmitted. When it was received, but a small portion of the troops had re- turned to their lines. A portion of my field guns had been spiked when the troops had been withdrawn under Gen. Floyd's order. The gunners had not yet returned to the water batteries. A degree of confusion, amounting almost to a state of disorganization, result- ing from the knowledge of our position, pervaded a considerable portion of the troops. A corps of not less than fifteen thousand of the enemy, with fifteen pieces of artillery, were in position to assault 110 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. the extreme right of the hne, which was efFectnally turned, and the water batteries exposed to assault, without the power of resisting the attack. At the point most strongly threatened I could not have opposed at the time a thousand men. Every road leading from the lines was effectually closed. Even the river road, by which the cavalry had left, and which was impassable by infantry, was closed by a force of the enemy within fifteen minutes after Forrest had passed, and Overton's cavalry was forced to return to the lines. The troops were broken down by unusual privations. Most of them had labored or fought almost incessantly for a week. From Thursday morning until Saturday night they had been almost constantly under fire. From Thursday evening until Sunday morning they had suffered intensely in a heavy snow-storm, and from intense cold, almost without shelter, with insufticient food, and almost without sleep. They had behaved with a gallantry unsur- passed, until the power of further endurance was exhausted. The supply of ammunition was very small. The aggregate of the army, never greater than twelve thousand, was reduced to less than nine thousand men after the departure of Gen. Floyd's brigade. The investing force of the enemy was about fifty thousand strong, and considerably exceeded that force by the following morning. Under these circumstances, no alternative was left me but to accept the terms offered by our ungenerous enemy. A copy of the order of Gen. Grant, fixing the terms of the surrender, is herewith inclosed. I do not seek to avoid any responsibility which, in the judgment of the President, may attach to my action, which was guided in every instance by a feeling of duty. My chief wish is, that he will find it consistent with the public interest to permit me still to unite my foi'tunes in the contest for independence with those of the bi-ave men whose gallantry I have witnessed, whose dangers and hardships I have shared, and in common with whom I have endured the privations of imprisonment amongst a vindictive and tyrannical foe. I cannot close this report without calling special attention to the gallant and able conduct of my brigade commanders. Col. John C. Brown, of the 3d Tennessee, and Col. William E. Baldwin, of the 14th Mississippi, and of Col. R. W. Hanson, commanding the 2d Kentucky, detached from Breckinridge's Kentucky brigade. For the operations of Col. Baldwin's troops, I refer to his report, as he was detached from my command during the siege. But he, as well as the other two ofiicers, were conspicuous on every occasion for their gallantry and military judgment, and merit the special appro- bation of the Government. OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. Ill Amongst the regimental commanders, Col. J, M. Lillard, and Col. E. C. Cook, merit the highest commendation for their gallant bearing, and the excellent manner in which they handled their regi- ments; and Major W. L. Doss behaved with marked gallantry. Major George B. Cosby, my chief of staff, deserves the highest commendation for the gallant and intelhgent discharge of his duties; and the other members of my staff are entitled to my thanks for their gallantry, and for the efficient discharge of their appropriate duties : Lieut. Charles F. Johnson, aid-de-camp ; Lieut. T. J, Clay, acting aid ; Major Alexander Cassiday, acting inspector general ; Major S. K. Hays, quarter-master ; Capt. R. C. Wintersmith, com- missary of subsistence ; Major Davidson, chief of artillery ; Mr. J. N. Gallaher, acting aid; Mr. Moore, acting topographical officer; Mr. J. Walker Taylor, commanding a detachment of guides, and Mr. D. P. Buckner, volunteer aid. Major Barbour, A. D. C. to Brig.-gen. Tilghman, though wounded, remained with me on the 13th. I cannot bestow sufficient praise upon Capt. Porter, and Capt. Rice E. Graves, and their officers and men, for the gallant and efficient handling of their batteries. Artillery was never better served, and artillerists never behaved, under trying circumstances, with greater coolness. Porter's battery, from its more exposed position, lost more than half its gunners ; and its intrepid com- mander was severely wounded late in the afternoon of Saturday, being succeeded in command by the gallant Lieut. Morton. Capt. Jackson's Virginia battery, though not so frequently en- gaged, is entitled to notice. For an understanding of the particular operations of Gen. Pillow's division, I refer you to the reports of his brigade commanders, Col. William E. Baldwin, Col. A. Heiman, Col. John Gregg, and to the reports of their subordinate commanders. Accompanying this report is a list of the strength of my division, and of its killed and wounded. My aggregate force at the begin- ning of the contests, which was constantly diminishing, did not exceed 3025 infantry, and two batteries artillery. Two of my regi- ments, in addition, 844 men, were constantly under the command of Gen. Pillow. The length of my lines exceeded three- fourths of a mile. I am, sir, very respectfully, vour obedient servant, S. B. BUCKNER, Brig-gen. C. S. A., Lately commanding 2d Division Central Army of Kentucky. T' General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General., C S. A., Richmond^ Va, 112 OFFICIAL REPOETS OF BATTLES. Correspondence referred to in Gen, Buckner's Report. Head-quartees, Fort Donelson, February 16th, 1862, Sir : — In consideration of all the circumstances governing the present situation of affairs at this station, I propose to the com- manding officer of the Federal forces the appointment of commis- sioners to agree upon terms of capitulation of the forces and post under my command, and in that view suggest an armistice until 12 o'clock to-day. I am, sir, very respectfully. Your obedient servant, (Signed,) S. B. BUCKNER, Brig.-gen. C. S. A. To Brig.-gen. U. S. Grant, Commanding U. S. Forces near Fort DoneUon. Reply of Gen. Ch'ant to a proposal for an Armistice. Head-quarters Army in the Field, Camp near Donelson, February 16, 1862. Gen. S. B. Buckner, Confederate Army : Sir : — Yours of this date, proposing armistice and appointment of commissioners to settle terms of cajDitulation, is just received." No terms, except unconditional and immediate surrender, can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works. I am, sir, very respectfully. Your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, Brig.-gen. OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 113 [Copy.] Reply of Gen. Buckner to Gen. U. S. Grant. Head-quarters Dover, Tenn., Feb. 16, 1862. To Bi-ig-gen. U. S. Grant, U. S. A.: Sir : — The distribution of the forces under my command, inci- dent to an unexpected change of commanders, and the overwhehn- ing force under your command, compel me, notwithstanding the brilliant success of the Confederate arms yesterday, to accept the ungenerous and unchivalrous terms which you propose. I am, sir, your obedient servant, (Signed) S. B. BUCKNER, Brig-gen. C. S. A. Agreement of Geyi. Grant to alloio officers taken at Bonelson to re- tain their side-arms^ cdc, c&c. Head-quarters Army in the Field, Fort Donelson, Feb. 16, 1862. Special Order. All prisoners taken at the surrender of Fort Donelson will be collected as rapidly as practicable near the village of Dover, under their respective company and regimental commanders, or in such manner as may be deemed best by Brig-gen, S. B. Buckner, and will receive two days' rations, preparatory to embarking for Cairo. Prisoners are to be allowed their clothing, blankets, and such private property as may be carried about the person, and commis- sioned officers will be allowed their .side-arms. By order U. S. GRANT, Brig-gen. Report of Lieut.-col. J. P. Gilmer, Chief Engineer, upon the defence .of Forts Henry and Donelson. Engineer's Office, Decatur, Ala., March 17, 1862. Col. W. W. Mackall, a. a. General, Western Department, Decatur, Ala. : CoL. : — In obedience to Gen. Johnston's orders of January 29th, received at Nashville, I j^roceeded the next day to Fort Donelson and thence to Fort Henry, to inspect the works and direct what was necessary to be done at both. 8 Hi . . OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. I arrived at Fort Henry the afternoon of the 31st, when I met Briir-gen, Tilfirhman, commandincc the defences on the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. By the exertions of the commanding general, aided by Lieut. Jos. Dixon, his engineer officer, the main fort (a strong field-work of fine bastion front) had been put in a good condition for defence, and seventeen guns mounted on substantial platforms ; twelve of which were so placed as to bear well on the river. These twelve guns were of the following description : One ten-inch columbiad, one rifled gun of 24-pounder calibre (weight of ball 62 lbs.), two 42-pounders, and eight 32-pounders, all ar- ranged to fire through embrasures formed by raising the parapet between the guns with sand-bags, carefully laid. In addition to placing the main work in good defensive order, I found that extensive lines of infantry cover had been thrown up by the troops forming the garrison, with a view to hold commanding ground that would be dangerous to the fort if possessed by the enemy. These lines and the main work were on the right hand of the river, and arranged with good defensive relations, making the j^lace capable of ofiering a strong resistance against a land attack coming from the eastward. On the left bank of the river there was a number of hills within cannon range, that commanded the river batteries on the right bank. The necessity of occupying these hills was a^Dparent to me at the time I inspected Fort Heni-y, early in November last, and on the 21st of that month, Lieut. Dixon, the local engineer, was ordered from Fort Donelson to Fort Henry, to make the necessary surveys, and construct the additional works. He was at the same time in- formed that a large force of slaves, with troops to protect them, from Alabama, would report to him for the work, which was to be pushed to completion as early as possible. The surveys were made by the engineer, ^nd plans decided upon without delay, but by some unforeseen cause the negroes were not sent until after the 1st of January last. Much valuable time was thus lost, but under your urgent ordei's, when informed of the delay, Geu. Tilghman and his engineers pressed these defences forward so rapidly, night and day, that when I reached the fort (31st January last), they were far advanced, requiring only a few days' additional labor to put them in a state of defence. But no guns had been re- ceived that could be put in these works, except a few field-pieces ; and, notwithstanding every efibrt had been made to procure them OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 115 from Richmond, Memphis, and other points, it was apprehended they would not arrive in time to anticipate the attack of the enemy, which, from the full information obtained by Gen. Tilghman, was threatened at an early day either at Fort Henry or Fort Douelson, or possibly on both at the same time. The Unes of infantry cover, however, which had been thrown \ip were capable of making a strong resistance, even without the desired artillery, should the attack be made on that (the left) bank of the river. Experimental firing with the 10-inch columbiad, mounted in main work, showed a defect in the cast-iron carriage and chapis, which threatened to impair the usefulness of this most important gun. With the ordinary charge of sixteen pounds of powder, the recoil was so great as to cause most violent shocks against the rear heuster, threatening each time to dismount the piece. With the aid of an ingenious mechanic, clamjjs were finally made which served to resist, in some degree, the violence of the recoil. With this exception, the guns bearing on the river were in fair working order. After the batteries of the main work were mounted, Gen. Tilgh- man found much difficulty in getting competent artillerists to man them, and he was not supplied with a sufficient number of artillery officers. Impressed with the great deficiency in the preparations for de- fending the passage of the river at Fort Henry, the commanding officer exjjressed to me his fears that it might cause disaster if the place were vigorously attacked by the enemy's gunboats. This he thought his greatest danger. In conjunction with Gen. Tilghman, I made every effort during the three days I remained at Fort Henry to get all the works and batteries in as good condition for defence as the means at hand would permit. The 3d of February we went over to Fort Donelson to do the same. The works there required additions to prevent the enemy from occupying grounds dangerous to the river batteries and the field-work, which had been constructed for the immdiate defence landward. It was also important that better protection should be made for the heavy guns (mounted for the defence of the river) by raising the parapet with sand-bags between the guns to give greater pro- tection to the gunners. The 3d and 4th days of February were devoted to making pre- parations for this work, and locating lines of infantry cover on the commanding ground around the fort. In the midst of these labors on the 4th, heavy firing was heard in 116 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. the direction of Fort Henry, which warned Gen, Tilghman that the enemy had made his attack upon that work. This was soon con- firmed by a report from Col. Heiman to the effect that the gunboats had opened fire, and that troops were being landed on the right bank of the river, three and a half to four miles below the fort. The general decided to return to the Tennessee river at once, and ex- pressed, with some anxiety, a wish that I would accompany him. I finally took the responsibility of doing so, with the hope that my professional services might possibly prove useful during the defence. On arriving at Fort Henry, we found the enemy had landed addi- tional troops below, and that every preparation was being made to attack by land and water. The necessary dispositions for defence were at once entered upon, by making a special organization of the troops, and assigning com- mands to the officers. Early the next morning, 5th February, the troops were drawn out under arms, and marched to the respective points each body was to defend — this, with a view to insure order in case it became necessary to form promptly in face of the enemy. The main body of the forces was assigned to the defence of the advanced lines of infantry cover, where they were in a measure beyond the range of shot and shell from the gunboats, and the troops inside of the main fort were to be limited to the men who had received some instruc- tions in the use of heavy guns, and such additional force as could be useful in bringing uj) full supplies of ammunition. Those assigned to the fort were practised at the battery, under the immediate supervision of the commanding officer, and each one taught, with as much care as possible, his duty in anticipation of the threatened attack. In such preparations the day was consumed, and it was only at niglitfall that the trooj^s were relieved, to seek food and rest ; it being quite apparent that the enemy would not attack until next day. ATTACK ON FOKT HENRY, GXH FEBKUARY, 1862. During the early part of the day, preparations of the enemy, for an advance with his gunboats, could be observed from the fort — also, the movements of troops at their encampments along the bank of the river below — making it evident that we were to be attacked by land as well as by water. About half-past 11 o'clock, one of the gunboats had reached the head of the island, about one and a third miles below our batteries, OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 117 f.notlier soon followed, then a third, and a fourth — all coming as nearly abreast as the width of the river would permit. As soon as this line was formed, a rapid fire was opened upon our works (about half-past 12 o'clock), which was returned with spirit by our gunners, who were all at their places, eager for the contest. In a short time after, the rifled cannon burst, killing three of the men at the piece, and disabling a number of others. The eifect of this explosion was very serious upon our artillerists — first, because it made them doubt the strength of these large guns to resist the shock of full charges — and secondly, because much was expected from the long range of rifled cannon against the gunboats. Still, all stood firmly to their work, under a most ter- rific fire from the advancing foe, whose approach was steady and constant. From the rear of their lines a fifth gunboat was observed to be firing curvated shot, many of which fell within the work, but to the rear of our guns ; many shot and shell were lodged in the parapet, making deep penetrations, but in no case passing through, unless they struck the cheek of an embrasure. One of the 32-pounder guns was struck by a heavy shell passing through the embrasure. All the gunners at this piece were disabled, and the gun rendered unfit for service. About the same moment, a premature discharge occurred at one of the 42-pounder guns, causing the death of three men, and seri- ously injuring the chief of the piece and others. Not many moments later, it was observed that the 10-inch colum- biad was silent ; the cause of which was at once examined into by Gen, Tilghman, and it was found that the priming wire had been jammed and broken in the vent. A blacksmith (I regret I cannot recall the name of the gallant soldier) was sent for, and he labored with great coolness for a long time, exposed to the warmest fire oi the enemy, but in spite of his faithful and earnest eflforts, the broken wire remained in the vent, making this important gun unservice- able for the continued contest. By this time the gunboats, by a steady advance, had reached positions not over six or seven hun- dred yards from the foi't. Our artillerists became very much dis- couraged when they saw the two heavy guns disabled, the enemy's boats apparently uninjured, and still drawing nearer and nearer. Some of them even ceased to work the 32-pounder guns, under the belief that such shot were too liglit to produce any effect upon the iron-clad sides of the enemy's boats. Seeing this, Gen. Tilghman did every thing that it was possible 118 OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. to do to encourage and urge his men to further efforts. He assisted to serve one of the pieces himself for at least fifteen minutes ; but his men were exhausted, had lost all hope, and there were none others to replace them at the guns. Finally, after the firing had continued about an hour and five minutes, but two guns from our batteries responded to the rapid firing of the enemy, whose shots were telling with effect upon our parapets. It was then suggested to the general that all was lost, unless he could replace the men at the guns by others who were not exhausted. He replied — " I shall not give uj) the work," and then made an effort to get men from the outer lines to continue the struggle. Failing in this, he sent instructions to the commanders of the troops in the exterior lines to withdraw their forces. As soon as this movement was com- menced, confusion among the retiring troops followed — many think- ing it intended for a rapid retreat to escape from the enemy's forces, expected to approach from the point of landing below. A few moments later the flag was lowered. From information received, the strength of the enemy was esti- mated at nine thousand men. These forces were advancing to cut off the communications with Fort Donelson. Probably the move- ment would have proved a success, had the garrison remained a few hours longer. Our force at Fort Henry was about 3200, of -which less than 100 ■were surrendered with the fort. The fall of Fort Henry, and the power of the enemy to strike at once, with an immense force, at Fort Donelson, made it necessary that the army at Bowling Green should be withdrawn to a point which would secure a prompt passage to the Cumberland river. The vicinity of Nashville seemed the proper position. If the enemy were defeated at Donelson, with prompt reinforcements, there was still a hope that your army might resist the invader, and defend that city ; if Donelson fell, it could be promptly passed to the south bank of the river. • DEFENCE OF FORT DONELSON. The capture of Fort Henry was, for the enemy, a great success, which, it was felt, would embolden him to make an early attack upon Fort Donelson. To meet this, every effort was made to strengthen the defences. Lines of infantry cover were laid out on commanding grounds around the place, and fatigue parties were daily employed in their construction. To aid the local engineer in the work of defence, I OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 119 remained at the fort the 7th, 8th, and 9th of February, when Gen. Pillow took command of the whole. At his request, I asked and received authority to remain and aid in the defence. Immediately on his arrival, the general took active measures to inform himself as to the character of the defences, and had the ad- ditional works pressed forward with the greatest activity. Having received reinforcements, and others being expected daily, the lines of infantry cover were extended so as to embrace the town of Dover, where many of our munitions were stored. The time for these works being decided upon, they were at once pressed to completion, and the batteries for the defence of the river strength- ened. By the night of the 12th these were in readiness, and the heavy guns recently received at the fort were mounted. To provide an ample force of artillerists to work the heavy guns, through a long- continued attack, Gen. Pillow detailed Capt. R. R. Ross, and his company of well-drilled men from his battery, to aid in the river defence. The selection of this officer and his command proved most fortunate, as in the obstinate attack that was made by the gunboats they- performed noble and effective service. Brig.-gen Buckner arrived at Fort Donelson on the afternoon of the 12th. In the mean time, the enemy had landed in large force on the bank of the river below, and other troops were brought over from Fort Henry. The smoke of his gunboats was seen in the distance, warning us that a combined attack was to be expected. Skirmishes were frequent between our pickets and the enemy's forces advancing to meet us. On the 13th the besiegers opened, with artillery, upon our land defences; and their sharpshooters annoyed our men constantly whenever exposed above the infantry covers, as at the field bat- teries. One of the gunboats commenced firing upon the river bat- teries early in the day, throwing shot and shell at long range. The sanie morning Gen. Floyd arrived with reinforcements, in- cluding three batteries of field-artillery, which were placed in posi- tion as promptly as possible. The enemy's fires were kept up throughout the day, and responded to with spirit by our aitillery and infantry. In the afternoon an attempt was made to storm the intrenchments on the heights near our centre, but failed — the as- sailants being handsomely repulsed. One of Ae guns in the river batteries was struck by a heavy shot from the gunboat, disabling the carriage and killing Lieut. Joseph Dixon, the local engineer 120 OFFICIAL REPOKTS OF BATTLES. officer. Our total loss during the day was considerable, but I am unable to report numbers. The contest of the day closed. The enemy had gained no foot- ing on our works, or produced any important impression upon them. But our forces were much fatigued, having been under arms all day, and this after three or four days' hard labor upon the intrench raents. To add to their sufferings it turned suddenly cold in the afternoon, and, at dark, commenced snowing and continued the greater part of the night. Inclement as was the weather, it was necessary (to guard against surprise) that the troops should be all night in position along the lines of infantry cover. The next day, the 14th, the besiegers brought up large reinforcements, just landed from numerous transports, and extended their lines, in great strength, towards their right, enveloping our extreme left. They took positions that placed it in their power to plant batteries on the river bank above, and cut off our communications. Such appeared to be their design. In consequence of these movements the firing of the enemy was less frequent than on the previous day. Early on this afternoon the gunboats were observed to be ad- vancing to attack the river batteries, and at 3 o'clock a vigorous fii'e was opened from five boats approaching enchelon. Our gunners reserved their fire until the gunboats had come within effective range, and then at a signal, every gun was fired — twelve in number. This fire told with great effect, penetrating the iron sides of the boats. The firing now became terrific — the enemy still advancing. In rear of the five boats first engaged, a sixth was reported throw- ing curvated shot, which passed over our works, exploding in the air just above. After some time, one of the boats was seen to pull back, probably disabled by our shot. The others continued to ad- vance, keeping up a rapid fire. Our batteries were well served and responded with great effect, disabling, as it was believed, two more of the gunboats. The en- gagement lasted until ten minutes after 4 o'clock, the gunboats having approached to within three hundred or four hundred yards of our guns, when they withdrew from the contest. Our batteries were uninjured, and not a man in them killed. The repulse of the gunboats closed the operations of the day, ex- cept a few scattering shot along the land defences. It was evident, howevei-, from the movements of numerous bodies of troops around our lines, that the enemy had resolved to invest us, and, when pre- pared, to attack us in overwhelming numbers, or press us to a capit- ulation by cutting off supplies and reinforcements. Gens. Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner, met in council soon after OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 121 dark ; I was present. After an interchange of views, it was decided to attack the enemy on his extreme right and riglit-centre, at 5 o'clock in the morning. It was beheved that the enemy might be driven back and an opportunity secured to withdraw in safety our forces; that possibly greater advantages might be gained by the at- tack, which, if well followed up on our part, would result in disaster to the invaders. This being decided upon, the brigade commanders were at once sent for, and the positions for their respective commands in the order of attack assigned. Brig.-gen. Pillow was to direct the movement against the right of the enemy, Brig.-gen. Buckner, that against his right-centre, advancing along the Wynn's ferry road. A few regiments were to remain to guard the lines. About 5 o'clock next morning (the 15th) the left wing, under Gen. Pillow, moved to the attack. Brisk fires were opened and kept up by the enemy, and responded to with spirit from our lines, his men generally overshooting, while ours were constantly warned to aim low. The enemy's fire, after some time, extended towards their extreme right, indicating a design to turn our left. To meet this, a body of troops, under Brig.-gen. B. S. Johnson, made a flank movement and met the foe. After a long struggle, the enemy finally gave way, at first falling back slowly. Our troops pressed forwai'd, and about half-past 9 o'clock, his right wing was in full retreat. Now, the cavalry on our extreme left was brought up and charged with eftect on the retreating enemy. Six field-pieces were captured at diiferent points, and, at a later hour of the day, brought within the line of intrenchments. Our success against the right wing was complete. I now accompanied Gen. Pillow across the field to the point of attack assigned to Gen. Buckner's division. On our arrival there, his division was in rear of the lines of infantry covers, the general and his ofiicers encouraging the troops to renew the attack on the enemy, who still held position in their front. Gen. Buckner stated, that he had, soon after the firing of Gen. Pillow's forces was heard, opened on the enemy with artillery, and followed it up by sending forward two of his best regiments to the assault, that they moved forward over the infantry covers with spirit, and advanced steadily and in order against the enemy. They were soon exposed to heavy fires of small-arms, and of a field-battery planted in their front ; and they responded well for some time to the volleys of the besiegers, but finally their ranks were thrown into confusion, and they fell back rapidly in rear of our intrenchments. Gen. Buckner continued 122 OFFICIAL KEP0BT8 OF BATTLES. to encourage his men, feeling that a little time was necessary to overcome the dispiriting effects of the repulse earlier in the day. In the mean time, the fires of our left wing were heard steadily ad- vancing, driving the enemy back upon his right-centre. This was referred to with encouraging effect upon Gen. Buckner's division. Artillery fires were kept up against the enemy in his front, and soon afterwards he moved forward with his division to renew the attack. The enemy being now pressed in front of his centre by this ad- vance, and on his right flank by the pursuing forces of Gen. Pillow's division, retreated rapidly for some distance towards his left wing ; but, receiving heavy reinforcements, the pursuit was checked, and finally the retreating foe made a firm stand, opening from a field- battery, strongly supported by masses of infantry. About one o'clock an order was given by Gen, Pillow, recalling our forces to the defensive lines. Our forces having returned, they were ordered to the positions they occupied the day previous, involving a march of over a mile for the troops on the extreme rifht. The enemy at the same time advanced with his reinforce- ments to attack that flank, and by a prompt movement succeeded in effecting a lodgment within the lines just as our exhausted forces arrived. A vigorous attempt to dislodge him failed, and at length our men, having suffered much, fell back, leaving him in possession of that portion of our defences. The advantage gained by the enemy placed him in position to assault our right in full force with his fresh troops next morning. Such was the condition of affairs when the darkness of night closed the bloody struggle of the day. In course of the night Gens. Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner met in coun- cil. I was not present. The following morning about 3 o'clock I was told by Gen. Pil- low that a surrender had been decided on. He invited me to join himself and staff, as they were not included in the proposed surren- der. This I accepted and accompanied him to Clarksville and Nashville, where I had the honor to report to you in person. From information received, the strength of the enemy at Donel- son was estimated to be about fifty thousand. Our effective force was about fifteen thousand. The surrender at Fort Donelson made Nashville untenable by the forces under your command. Situated in a wide basin, inter- sected by a navigable river in possession of the invader — approached from all directions by good turnpike-roads, and surrounded by commanding hills, involving works of not less than twenty miles in OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 123 extent, the city could not be held by a force less than fifty thous- and. With all the reinforcements to be hoped for, your army could not be raised to that number before the place would have been attacked by heavy forces of the enemy, both by land and water. The alternative was to withdraw to the interior of the State of Tennessee. (Signed) J. F. GILMER, Xieut.-col. and Chief Engineer^ Western Department. Report of G. C Wharton, commanding First Brigade. Head-quarters 1st Brigade, Floyd's Division, Camp near Murfreesboro', Tenn., Feb. 22, 1862. Brig.-gen, JoiA" B. Floyd: Sir : — I have the honor to submit the following report of the participation of this brigade in the engagement at Fort Donelson : The advance of the brigade, the 51st regiment Virginia Volun- teers, reached Dover, one mile from the fort, about lip. m., on Friday, the Vth, and immediately reported to Brig.-gen. B. R. Johnson, who was then in command, and was ordered to encamp near the wharf. About 4 p. m., on the 8th, the 56th regiment Vir- ginia Volunteers arrived, and was ordered to encamp near the 51st. From Saturday to "Wednesday following there was skirmishing between our cavalry pickets and the enemy. On Wednesday our pickets were driven in, and the enemy reported advancing in force ; the brigade was then ordered to take position on the left of Brig.- gen. Buckner's division, and near the centre of our line of defence. Soon after taking position the enemy commenced to throw shot and shell, which did no execution ; Capt. Porter's battery was then or- dered to take the position which had been assigned to this brigade, and we were ordered to the support of the left wing, commanded by Brig.-gen. Johnson. We were engaged during the evening and night in constructing breastworks and rifle-j^its ; during Thursday we wejre under a heavy fire from the enemy's batteries. There were also frequent engagements with the infantry, in all of which the enemy were repelled. Thursday night we remained again in the ditches ; on I< riday there was skirmishing with the infantry and sharpshooters, and oc- casionally sharp firing from the batteries. On Friday evening oc 124 OFFICIAL REPOKTS OF BATTLES. curred the terrific cannonading between tlie gunboats and the fort, some of the shells from the boats exploding in and near om- lines, but doing no injury. On Saturday morning, at 4 a. m., the brigade was withdrawn from the ditches and placed in line by order of Brig.-gen. Pillow, to make an attack on the enemy's extreme right flank. Col. Baldwin's brigade was placed in advance ; this brigade followed next ; about 6 o'clock the column was put in motion. We had scarcely passed beyond the line of our defence when the skir- mishers of Col. Baldwin's brigade engaged the enemy's pickets. In a few minutes the engagement became general ; we were then ordered to deploy and advance, which was done with spirit and promptness. The enemy, after a very obstinate resistance, was forced to retire, but were either rallied or reinforced on the several ridges from which they were again and again driven. Our men, cheering as they charged, pursued them nearly two miles, when orders were received that we should retire to our intrenchments. The brigade was very much exhausted, having bee# under fire or in the ditches for more than four days. The loss of the 51st was 9 killed, 43 wounded, and 5 missing ; of the 56th, 3 men were killed, 37 wounded, and 115 missing. Lieut.-col. J. W. Massie commanded the 51st regiment. His bearing was most chivalric and gallant. Capt. G. W. Davis gallantly led the 56th regiment. Lieut, August Vosberg, attached to the brigade as engineer ofiicer, rendered very efiicient service in rallying and leading the men, and throughout the day distinguished himself for gallantry and acts of daring. To mention the many individual instances of heroism and darino- would too much lengthen this report ; therefore, suffice it to say, that all the officers and men of both regiments behaved with commendable coolness and bravery. Capt. S. H, Newberry, Lieuts. Henderson and Painter, of the 51st, were wounded ; Capt. D, C. Harrison was mortally wounded whilst leading his men to a charge. Lieuts, Ferguson and Haskins were also wounded. A number of improved arms were captured and brought to camp. On Sunday morning, the 16th, the brigade was ordered from Fort Donelson to Nashville, where valuable service was rendered in guarding and shipping government stores. Thursday, the 20th, the brigade was ordered to this place, where we are now in camp. Respectfully submitted, G. C. WHARTON, Colond commanding Brigade. OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 125 Report of Colonel John McCausland, commanding Second Brigade. Head-quarters Second Brigade, Floyd's Division, MuRPREESBORO', TENNESSEE, February 23. Brigadier-general John B. Floyd : Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the action of this brigade, on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of February, 1862, in the engagement near Fort Donelson, between the Con- federate States forces and United States forces under Gen. Grant. On the morning of the 13th I received your orders to proceed at once from Cumberland City to Fort Donelson, where we arrived at daylight, and were at once ordered to the trenches. This brigade was posted as a support to Green's battery on the left wing. During the entire day the enemy kept up an incessant fire of shot and shell upon the battery and its support ; the men and oiEcers behaved well under the circumstances, and §oon became accustomed to the firing. There were five men wounded during the day. On the 14th there was continued skirmishing with artillery and musketry. About 2 o'clock, p. m., the gunboats commenced a heavy bombard- ment of the fort, the shells passing over and taking the line of works in reverse, and many passing over and through this brigade ; however, we suifered no loss, and gathered several large shells (64's, I think). About dark, another battery was posted in front of our position, and during the night it was placed behind a good earth- work, thrown up by the men. About midnight, I received orders to concentrate my brigade near the left wing, which was done promptly, and at daylight of the morning of the 15th, the column under Gen. Pillow sallied from the left and engaged the enemy in a short space of time. This brigade was a reserve for Col. Baldwin's brigade, but the enemy pressing his right, I at once moved up to his support and engaged the enemy posted in thick undergrowth and a rough and rolling country. I ordered the firing to commence as soon as the enemy was in sight. They were advancing just in front of the 36th Virginia regiment. They, in a short time were checked, and then I ordered a charge upon them ; the men came up with a shout and charged the enemy, routed him, and pursued him for two miles, when we were called back by order of Gen. Pillow. The 36th Vii-- 12 G OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. ginia regiment had 14 killed and 46 wounded. On Sunday morning this brigade was ferried across the river, and are now arriving at this camp. Lieut.-col. Ried was wounded about the 'close of the action. He and Major Smith behaved gallantly during the day ; in fact, men and officers all behaved well. We captured one field-gun and 200 Enfield muskets. I am, sir, very respectfully. Your obedient servant, JOHN McCAUSLAND, commanding Second Brigade. Report of Col. W. E, Baldwin, commanding Second Brigade. FoKT Wareen, Boston Harbor, March 12th, 1862. Major George B. Crosby, A. A. General: Sir : — Left by Gen. Buckner at Cumberland City, on the 11th ot February. On the night of the 12th instant, I received orders by telegraph from Brig.-gen. Pillow, commanding at Fort Donelson, to hasten to that place with two regiments of my command. The 26th Tennessee, Col. Lillard, and the 26th Mississippi, Col. Reynolds, were immediately embarked and arrived at Dover about 1 o'clock in the morning of Thursday, the 13th. These regiments were at first posted immediately on the left of the centre of our lines of rifle trenches, as a support to one of our batteries. This disposition was changed after daylight the same morning ; the 26th Mississippi being placed in the trenches on the extreme left, and the 26th Ten- nessee placed in reserve as a support to the former. About 9 o'clock, a, m., the enemy commenced a brisk artillery fire, apparently on our whole line. This fire, kept up with but little intermission throughout the entire day, produced but little efiect upon the left until late in the evening, when, the enemy having re- duced his charges, several of the shells, which had previously passed too high, fell in our midst, mortally wounding one man and slightly wounding two others in Col. Lillard's regiment. On the 4th the fire was not renewed. About noon, Gen. Pillow OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 127 directed the left Aving to be formed in the open ground to the left and rear of our position in the lines, for the purpose, apparently, of attacking the enemy's right. My command, to which the 20th Mississippi, Major Brown, was temporarily attached, constituted the advance, in the following order: 1st, the 26th MississijJiji ; 2d, the 26th Tennessee ; 3d, the 20th Mississippi. Formed in column by platoon, we- advanced in a road leading from a point about two hundred yards from the left of our trenches, and approaching, nearly perpendicularly, the enemy's right. We had proceeded not more than one-fourth of a mile, when Gen. Pillow ordered a countermarch, saying that it was too late in the day to accomplish any thing ; and we returned to our former position in the lines. Late that night commanders of brigades were summoned to a council at Gen. Pillow's head-quarters, where, after being duly ad- vised of our perilous situation, enveloped by a largely superior force, which was being constantly increased, and our communications already at the mercy of the enemy, it was unanimously detei'mined to endeavor to extricate the army by a bold and vigorous attack on the right of the Federal lines early on the morrow. The regiments composing our left wing were to form at 4 o'clock, A. M., on the same ground and in the same order as on the previous evening, and to advance, under command of Gen. Pillow, to attack the extreme right of the enemy, supposed to be posted in force at a distance of one and a half or two miles. This movement was to be supported by our right wing under Gen. Buckner, who was to move from the lines at a later period, fol- low up the first blow, and, should the combined movement not prove successful in creating a panic in the enemy's ranks, a way might at least be opened by turning his I'ight for the egress of our whole foi'ce. In anticipation of thus attempting our escape, the men were directed to take knapsacks, blankets, and all the rations that could be immediately provided. Precisely at 1 minutes past 4 o'clock on the morning of Satur- day, the 15th, Gen. Pillow arrived on the ground, and found my three regiments, which were to constitute the advance, formed and ready to march. Some delay was caused by regiments not ai'riving promptly, and it was 6 o'clock before the column was put in motion. Marching by the right flank in a narrow and obstructed by-road, the head of the column had advanced not more than one-third of a mile, when, ascending a slight elevation, the advanced guard, composed of a company of the 26 th Mississippi deployed, was fired upon by what 128 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. was supposed at first to be only the enemy's pickets. A second com- pany of the same regiment was immediately thrown forward to sup- port the first ; but both were soon driven back by a brisk and weU- sustained fire, which indicated the presence of considerable force. Meanwhile the column was formed by company, and the leading regiment deployed into line to the right. This method of forming line of battle was rendered advisable by the peculiar features of the ground, which sloped gently to the right, thickly covered with tim- ber. About ten yards to the left of the road, and running nearly parallel, was a fence, which bounded on that side an open field of some 400 or 500 acres extent. This field afibrded no protection to our troops if brought " forward into line," but would expose them, in executing the movement, to a destructive fire, should the enemy have taken advantage of the position. In executing the deployment, the 26th Mississippi was three times thrown into confusion by the close and rapid fire of the enemy taking the men in flank, and three times were they rallied, finish- ing the movement some fifty yards to the rear, and a little to the right of the exact point where their line should have been placed. The subsequent conduct of this regiment fully demonstrates the fact that any other than forward movements are extremely danger- ous with volunteers, for during the remainder of the day both offi- cers and men behaved with great coolness and gallantry. The 26th Tennessee was then- brought forward, and five com- panies deployed so as to occupy the space between the fence on the left, and the 26th Mississippi on the right, leaving the remaining five companies in column in the road to strengthen that point, which would evidently become the centre and pivot of operations. Soon after this disposition was completed, a staff officer having been sent to advise Gen. Pillow that the enemy was before us in force, other regiments were sent forward from the rear of the column to right and left. Col, McCausland, of Virginia, with his command, formed on the right of the 26th Mississippi; the 1st Mis- sissippi, Col. Gregg's Texas, and Lieut.-col. Lyon's 8th Kentucky regiments were formed still farther to our right, the latter regiment thrown back perpendicularly to our line, to prevent the enemy taking advantage of the cover affiarded by the slope of the ground to turn our right. The 20th Mississippi was sent into action, as I have since leam'^d, by direct order of Gen. Pillow, and caused to take i:)osition in the field on the left, where they were openly exposed to a destructive fire, which they were not able to return with etifect. The regiment OFFICIAL KErORTS OF BATTLES. Iij9 was soon recalled, but not before its left wing had suffered heavy loss. Our line advanced some 50 or 100 yards up the slope, and remained stationary for more than an hour, the position of the enemy being so well chosen and covered, that it seemed impossible to gain an inch of ground. A small detachment of Virginia troops on the left of the 26th Tennessee, and in the open field, twice en- deavored to gain ground forward to a point wliere their fire could be effective, but were unable to stand the destructive effect of the minie-balls. At this juncture the 20th Mississippi again came up across the field, and took possession, slightly covered by an irregularity of the ground. Observing a regiment or more of our troops posted inactive some 300 or 400 yards still more to our left, where the shallow ravine (which covered our front) spread out and was lost in the plain, I requested the commanding officer to throw forward his left, and advance up the hollow in a direction nearly parallel to our line of battle, and attacking the enemy's right flank. This movement being supported by the whole line — all the regiments on the left throwing forward their left wings — we succeeded in executino- a change of fVont to the right, turning the right of the enemy, and driving him at once from his position. Up to this time our condition was one of extreme peril, and noth- ing but the native gallantry of troops, brought forth the first time under heavy fire, and the extraordinary exertions of many of the field and company officers, saved -us from being thrown back in con- fusion into our trenches, ' From this time, the enemy were slowly driven from each posi- tion, which the ground, favorable for defence, enabled them to take. Two sections of artillery were taken. These, placed to bear on our lines of rifle trenches, were rushed upon in flanks and seized before they could be turned upon us, or be taken from the field. The first section was taken by the 26th Tennessee, the second by the 26th Mississippi. Advancing in a direction nearly parallel to our line of defence, when nearly oj^posite the centre, our course was for some time impeded by the desperate stand made by the enemy, who was probably reinforced, and occupying ground most favorable for shel- tering his troops. Our ammunition had been so rapidly expended as to entirely exhaust the supply of some regiments. Numbers had provided themselves from the cartridge-boxes of the dead and wounded enemy. Our force had been considerably reduced by casualties, and the 130 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. numerous attendants who conveyed the wounded fi'om the field. Having no mounted officer to send, I rode up to where Capt- Graves' battery was posted in the trenches, and requested supplies of ammunition and reinforcements, if any could be spared, giving Capt. Graves an intimation as to the relative positions of the forces engaged. Immediately on my return he opened a fire of grape, which so disordered the enemy that we were again enabled to advance, driving him from his camp of the night before. He took a new position, still further retired, holding it for some time, until Col. Hanson, with the 2d Kentucky regiment, coming to our assistance, poured a fire into the enemy's flank, who imme- diately fled in confusion. This completed the rout of the extreme right of the Federal forces. Uncertain as to the movements of our right wing, I paused, to obtain the information necessary to render our future movements efi"ective, and to restore order from the confusion incident to a con- tinuous combat of nearly six hours in the woods. Here, Gen. B. R. Johnson came up to me for the first time, although I learn that he had, at difierent times during the morning, directed other portions of the line. He could give no information, but soon after, whilst my attention was directed to the 2Gth Missis- sippi and 26th Tennessee, moved off" all the other i-egiments, includ- ing the 20th Mississippi. I saw no more of these during the re- mainder of the day. After the lapse of an hour, i)bserving troops from the right, returning to their original positions in the lines, I directed the two regiments left with me also to return to the trenches. Three times during the day I had sent a stafi* officer to Gen. Pil- low, for instructions, advising him of our situation. But no orders or directions were received from him, except to do "the best I could." Being totally unacquainted with the topographical features of the ground, unadvised as to the movements of the general command, it was impossible for me to do more than simply dislodge the enemy, as from time to time he made a stand before us. I would beg leave to remark here that the efficiency of the smooth- boi'e musket, and ball and buck-shot cai'tridges, was fully demon- strated on this occasion, and to recommend that our troops be irtqyressed with the advantage of closing rapidly upon the enemy, wlien our rapid loading and firing proves immensely destructive, »ud the long-range arms of the enemy lose their superiority. OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 131 For lists of killed and wounded, and minor details, recounting the conduct of subaltern officers and men, I beg leave respectfully to refer to reports of regimental commanders, which accompany this report. Justice requires that I should refer to the coolness and gallantry of Col. Jno. M. Lillai-d, who, wounded in the early part of the engagement, remained at the head of his command during the whole day. It is difficult to determine which deserves most commenda- tion, this regiment or its commander. Lieut.-col. Boone and Major Parker, 26th Mississippi, both con ducted themsebjes as officers and brave men, and this reigiment bore its part well in the conflict. Major Brown, commanding the 20th Mississippi, is entitled to honorable mention ; his left wing thrown, in the early part of the day into an exposed position, by an ill-advised order, held its ground tintil recalled, and afterwards the whole regiment was among the foremost in every advance. I cannot forbear to mention that Col. McCausland's ( — ) Virginia, not assigned to my command, volun- tarily tendered his co-operation, and was conspicuous for his daring intrepidity. The members of my personal staflF deserve especial notice. Lieut. S. D. Harris, 14th Mississippi, Acting Assistant Adj.-geu., was of great assistance. He merited, and has received my thanks. So, likewise, did Thomas A. Burke, a private in company I, 14th Mississippi, appointed an acting aid-de-camp. T. F.* Carrington, a private in company K, 14th Mississippi, also an acting aid-de-camp, was severely, I fear mortally, wounded, in the early part of the action, an accident which deprived me of the services of a valuable aid, Capt. D, II. Spence, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., volunteer aid, was severely wounded in the head whilst gallantly exposing himself on the top of a fence, and urging " Tennesseans, onward!" My own regiment, the 14th Mississippi, Major Doss, was sent to Fort Donelson some days in advance of my arrival. The 41st Tennessee, Col. Farquharson, was brought down on the 13th. Both Vegiraents were posted on the right, and thus temporarily separated from my command. l!>J"either representations nor solicitations on my jjart could avail in inducing such change as would reunite these regiments, or place me where I desired to be, under the immediate direction of my proper commander. The reports of these latter regiments have been made to Col. 132 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. John C Brown, commanding 3d brigade, under whose orders tbey were temporarily placed. A condensed statement of killed and womided is annexed. Respectfully, your ob't serv't W. E. BALDWIN, Col. comifg. 2d brigade, Gen. Such\er''s Division. 9 Summary of Killed and Wounded — Saturday^ February 15, 1862. OFFICEES. ^ 26th Tennessee — In action, 33 ; wounded, 7. * 26th Mississippi — In action, 39; killed, 1; wounded, 1. 20th Mississippi — In action, 31 ; killed, 1 ; wounded, 5. Staff, 5 ; wounded, 2. Total — In action, 108; killed, 2; wounded, 15. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND PEIVATES. 26th Tennessee — In action, 377; killed, 11 ; wounded, 78. 26th Mississippi — In action, 404; killed, 11 ; wounded, 68. 20th Mississippi — In action, 469; killed, 18; Avounded, 55. Total in action, 1250 ; killed, 40; wounded, 201. Aggregate — In action, 1358; killed, 42; wounded, 216. Report of Colonel John M. Lillard, of Tw^enty-sixth Tennessee Regiment in action at Fort Donelson, February, 1862. To Col. W. E. Baldwin, Fourteenth 3fississi2)2yi, commanding Brigade. The regiment went into action on Saturday, February 15, 1862, with four hundred, including field and staff, &c. There were eleven killed and eighty-five wounded, many mortall}', who have since died. Total killed and wounded, (96) ninety-six. The enemy were driven back by us, their right wnng being driven on their centre and left, making repeated stands, and being repeat- edly routed, in which this regiment captured two brass cannon, two flags, the instruments of a band, and several prisoners. Of the conduct of the regiment in action, it is left for the brigade com- mander to speak. The killed and wounded are aa follows, to wit : OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 133 Field and Staif. — Jolin M. Lillavd, colonel, wounded slightly iu elioulder ; Lieut.-col, J. J. O'Dell, wounded slightly in arm ; Lieut. J. A. Howell, adjutant, slightly in thigh. Company A. — Haymond Stephen, wounded in shoulder ; H. Sails, in bowels ; Newton Deathridge, in side ; S. Duckworth, in hip ; L, H. Horner, in shoulder; P. J. Cade, in arm; Wash. Deathridge, in arm ; W. Rhodes, in side : Ed. Hutson, in side ; James Johnson, in hand — Total, 10. Company B. — Killed, Joshua Collins. Wounded, D. Justice, in thigh ; J. Justice, in arm ; Sergeant W. M. Bayless, in arm. Company C. — Killed, John Kenserly. Wounded, Lieut. A. Swag- gerly, mortally ; Lieut. McNabb, slightly ; F. M. Griffin, slightly ; George Brotherton, severely ; T. T. Bauldwin, severely ; A. Gray, in shoulder; J. A. Hicks, in thigh; Glorge McMahan, in shqulder; J. A. Sample, in shoulder ; F. M. Jenkin, in hand. Company D. — Killed, T. D. Nash. Woiraded, S. Hamack, R. Stratton, J. Williams, R. Brooks, J. F. Saterfield, J. P. Godwin, H. D. Godwin, A. Hepsher. Company E. — Killed, Sergeant James Fleming and Joseph Chil- dress. Wounded, F. M. Johns, A. T. Mundy, J, P. Godsey, A. S. Bacon, Corporal Cunningham, D. Moore, and John Mundy. Company F, — Killed, Private C, Graham. Wounded, Captain H. L. McClinig, mortally; Lieut. Butler, slightly; Sergeant Bruce, slightly ; Sergeant McCalluma, slightly ; F. Cloud, J. Starke, W. M. Evans, mortally ; H. L. Evans, slightly ; J. McDade, J. Rothchild, W. Harley, W. Porter, L. La. J. Wright, J. L. Hout. Company G. — Killed, Corporal Hancock. Wounded, piivate G. W. Guire, in arm. Company H. — Killed, George Gross, J. R. Young, and W- Phil- ips. Wounded, B. A. J. Jones, J. Carter, J. W. Kelly, J. M. Myers, S. Brock, and J. ^Y. Davis. Company I. — Killed, private F. M. Moss. Wounded, Sergeant H. L. White, F. M. Gilleland, H. H. Goin, J. D. Hembree, A. J. Kincade, J. W. Kinkrix, J. R. Kincade, J. R. Kennedy, G, W. Morrison, W. Netherly, J. H. O. Dome, Wm. Woriek, A. J. Death- ridge, Roland Hatson, John Cutis, A. East. Company K, — Wounded, L. D. S. Richards, W. Alford, J. Green, Walker McCrony, Ben. Emmet, John George ; Richards and Al- ford, thought mortally. Respectfully submitted, JOHN M. LILLARD, Vol 2Qth Iie{/ime?it Tennessee Vohmteers, 134 OFFICIAL REPOKTS OF BATTLES, Report from Major W. M. Brown, Twentieth Missis- sippi Volunteers, of the part taken by' it in the Battle of Fort Donelson, and all othej: facts con- nected w^ith the Investment of the Fort and its Surrender, Richmond^ Va., April 12, 1862. To Gen. G. W. Randolph, Secretary of War^ G. S. A. : I am directed by his Excellency, President Davis, to make your department a report of the part taken by the 20th Mississippi regi- ment ^n the engagement wiWi the enemy at Fort Donelson, Feb- ruary loth, 14th, and 15th, 1862; also, all the other facts concern- ing tlie investment and subsequent surrender of that post. The regiment was assigned to the command of Brig.-gen. John B. Floyd, in Western Virginia, duiing the past summer, and went to Kentucky, and from thence to Fort Donelson, as part of his im- mediate command, arriving at that place at daylight on the 13th of February. By sunrise, we were ordered into position as a reserve, imme- diately in rear of a point which was said to be our centre. During the day, heavy cannonading was kept up on botli sides, mostly of shells and shrapnel, which resulted in killing one man and wound- ing three or four slightly. At night, we bivouacked in position until 12 o'clock, when an order came from Gen. Pillow to relieve the 7th Texas regiment, commanded by Gen, Geoi-ge John Gregg, then in the trenches. At that time, brisk firing was going on, sup- posed to be induced by the enemy's scouts and sharpshooters. The breastworks were thought insufficient from the test of the preceding days^ so the remainder of the night was occupied in strengtliening them, and cleaning out the trenches, now partially filled with water and snow. The next day (Friday) was spent in occasional engagements with the enemy's sharpshooters. Tlie fort was actively engaged in repel- ling an attack of the gunboats of the enemy. My position did not afford me a view of the proceedings, which have been fully reported by others. About 10 o'clock, I received an order to form our regiment on the extreme left in an open field, for the purpose of making a sortie on the enemy, which formation was executed in a very short tiiae. By order of Gen. Pillow, the 20th Mississippi OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 160 was attached to the brigade of Col. W. C. Baldwin, 14th Missis- sippi regiment, for this occasion. Before the order to advance had been given, a few guns of the enemy were heard, and by the time we had advanced one hundred yards, a private of company D was shot down, showing that the enemy was close at hand. We con- tinued the march for tw^o hundred yards more, when the order to halt was given, said to come from Gen. Floyd, with the explanation that we did not have time to accomplish what he wanted, and the order to countermarch being given, we did so in proper ordei', and we took our position in the trenches. About 10 o'clock on that night (Friday) I received an order to form again as on the preceding evening, which Avas executed promptly, and by direction of Gen. Pillow, was again under the command of Col. W. E. Baldwin, 14th Mississippi regiment, acting brigadier. I made a report to him of the casualties of that day, while in captivity, but as he has been prohibited from making a statement to the War Department of this government, as likewise Gen. Buckner, I hereby substantially append the same of that day's proceedings, which was confined particularly to the 20th Mississippi regiment. Being the only field-officer in command, who was present, I was greatly assisted by Capt. H. Coutey, and Capt. C. K. Massey, company D, who were selected voluntarily by the officers of the regiment to assist in field duty, there being some difficulty as to seniority of captains. Adj. J. M. Cooper was also very efficient, and tendered valuable assistance. Assistant-surgeon T. B. Elken was present, and rendered every assistance in his ]Dower to the Avounded. CASUALTIES OF THE SEVEKAX COMPANIES. Company A, Capt. H. Coutey, Lieut. R. M. Wilson. Killed, private H. N". Vowel— 1. Wounded, Lieut. R. M. Wilson, privates J. Jamaison, Davy Mor- gan, J. R. Gumm, W. M. Brown — 5. Surrendered — 5 1 . Company B, Capt. W. A. Rover, Lieuts. T. B. Sykes, Murf, and Robert. Killed, Sergeant Dan. Howard, privates Dick Cooper, Tom Car- roll, Rufus Gore, John Dabbs, James Whalen, John C. Pollack, D. A. Kyle, W. M. Langston — 9. Wounded, mortally, J. McEwen (since dead) ; mortally, J. K Famier (dead). 136 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. Seriously and slight, H. Y. Bresly, L. C. Steward, Henry Catley, S. F. Williams, J. R. Seely, J. P. Willis, W. T. Porter, Sara. M. Johnson, B. W. McCnllen, J. A. Wamble, J. H. Wore ; missing, Edward Brown, John Lynch, G. C. Robinson — 11. Company B, surrendered— 34 aggregate. Company C, Capt. J. Z. George, Lieuts. J. M. Liddle, T. W. Keyes, and Stoddard, 69 privates — 73 aggregate. Wounded, D. L. Jackson — 1. Surrendered — 66. Company D, Capt. C. K. Massey, Lieuts. J. C. Williams, Datson, and McClelland, 54 privates — 58 aggregate. Killed, Sergeant W. H. Horden — 1. Surrendered — 54. Company E, Lieut. W. S. Champlin, commanding, 1 commis- sioned oiScer, 41 privates — 42 aggregate. Killed, private J. P. Wattlebaum — 1. Wounded, Lieut. J. S. Champlin, Sergeant W. K. Washington, Corporal J. P. Yates, privates Y. J. Bell, W. T. Bandy, H. Frederick, W. O. Fink, J. Germain, R. McCarty, W. M. Redman, F. C. Seely, H. F. Zenan— 12. Surrendered — 35. Company F, Capt. H. B. Graham, Lieuts. O. R. Eastland and L. E. R. Sterling. Wounded, Lieut. O. R. Eastland, badly, Lieut. E. R. Sterling, Sergeant Odom, Corporal Fleming, private Welch — 5. Surrendered — 54. Company G, Lieut. W. R. Nelson commanding, 34 privates — 35 aggregate. Killed, privates G. White, C. Nabers, E. Wallace— 3. Wounded, Sergeant M. Maken, privates J. Starke, Early J. Fin- der, W. Wingo, J. M. Cully, J. Bevel— 7. Surrendered — 3 1 . Company H, 1st Lieut. R. W. Paine commanding, Lieuts. J. S. Barbee and Harrison. Killed, Lieut. R. W. Paine, private Dan. A. Davis — 2. Wounded, Lieut. J. H. Barbee, privates M. Davis, James M. Wilson, John H. Faulkner, James M. Finny — 5. Surrendered — 43. Company I, Capt. W. M. Chatfield, Lieut. Williams, 34 privates — 36 aggregate. Wounded, D. W. Thompson— 1. Surrendered — 52. OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BA'ITLES. 137 Company K, D. T. Patterson, Lieuts. Oldham and Conway. Killed, private T. H. Perry— 1. Wounded, W. Dioyne, badly ; T. Rooke, badly ; slightly, D. C Patterson, Sergeant J. Dodd, privates R. H. Fox, TV. C. Copshow, L. O. Young, James Gensel, W. S. Sandrod, Pat. Horn, Pyshus Stephens. Surrendered — 5 9. RECAPITULATION : Aggregate engaged — 500. Killed— 20. Wounded— 58. Surrendered — 454. That being the number returned by the com- manding officer of companies on Sunday, February 16, 1862, the day we were surrendered ; afterwards many of them reported that they had known several to escape. On the morning of Saturday, the 15th February, when marched out to attack the enemy, we were third in the order of advance. The enemy's pickets and sharpshooters commenced firing upon us soon after the order to advance, and by the time we had gained three hundred yards we were under a brisk fire, which came from a hill in front, covered with timber. By order from Gen. Pillow, the regiment was formed on the left of the road perpendicular to the road in the woods, immediately behind a fence, with an open field in front. Subsequently I received an order from the same source to wheel the regiment to the right, through the field behind the line offence, parallel to the road. Tins movement subjected us to a cross fire, and very much exposed us to the enemy on both sides under cover of the woods. I had this fact represented to Gen. Pillowy who ordered me back to my first position. At this time the five left companies were actually engaged on the hill, and not hearing the command, did not obey with promptness. The destruction at this time in their ranks demonstrated the fiei'ce- ness of the conflict, and their unflinching bravery. I would mention especially Lieut. R. W. Paine, of company " H," who fell at this time, a martyr to his country's cause. There also was wounded, Capt. D. F. Patterson, company " K," Lieut. J. R. Eastland, company 138 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. "F," was badly, perhaps mortally wouiicled. He refused to be carried from the field, and exclaimed, " Never mind me, boys; fight on, fight on:'' Lieut. J. W. Barbee, company " H," was wounded, and forced to retire. Capt. W. A. Rover, commanding company " B," Lieut. W. R. Nelson, commanding company " G," Lieuts. S. B. Sykes, Conway, Murf, Roberts, W. S. Chaplin, commanding company " E," and Lieut. Harrison, are all deserving of honorable mention, for their conduct at this place. To enumerate all the officers and privates who Avere deserving of notice for their gallantry throughout the day would to return a list of all who were on the field, and I would refer you to the foregoing list • but as fortune had thrown the left of the regiment in a more fiercely contested place, of which the suffering truly indicated, it is but justice to give these companies some especial notice. On several other occasions during the day we were ordered to advance, and charge through the woods, part of the time under the eye and immediate direction of Gen. B, R. Johnson, on the extreme left, until the enemy were instantly driven off. Our movements under that officer seemed to take the enemy by their flank and rear. "We opposed several of their luies of reserve, which retired with but little resistance, at 12 o'clock. I was instructed by Gen. Johnson to remain with the brigade of Col. Joseph Drake, of 4th Mississippi, then on my left. The regiment on my right very soon commenced retiring to the intrenchments ; I did not learn by whose order, or for what purpose. In two or three hours a heavy column of the enemy attacked us in front, which was repulsed with little or no loss to us. They then endeavored to flank our right, and thereby cut us off from the breastwork, now about three-fourths of a mile dis- tant. Col. Drake being so informed, gave the order to move, by the rioht flank, and continue the firing, wliich was executed. By this time many companies were without ammunition ; such was the case of many of Col. Drake's command. On this account, we retired to the trenches in proper order. When called upon the field, this regiment had been without sleep for four nights, during which time they were marching, working, and watching in tlie trenches, encountering a severe snow-storm, without tents or cook- in o- utensils. Notwithstanding all these privations and suflferings, every order was obeyed with the greatest alacrity. Every man seemed to feel that much depended upon himself At 1 o'clock on Saturday night I was sent for to report to Gen. J. B. Floyd, which I did promptly, and received notice from him OFFICIAL RKPOKTS OF BATTLES. 139 that the place was to be surrendered, but that he would not surren- der himself, and would cut his way out with his immediate com- mand. To carry out this determination, he ordered me to form my regiment on the left of our line, as on the previous morning, with the Virginia regiment. While executing this order, anaid-de-camp of Gen. Buckner brought an order countermanding this arrange- ment, and directing me to the steamboat landing to embark on one or two boats then moilientarily expected. I went immediately to Gen. Floyd so as better to understand the movement, and from him learned the authenticity of the instruc- tions, and also that we would embark ; according to the rank of commanding officers. Col. Wharton's brigade and McCausland's brigade would j^recede mine in order. I was further directed to place a strong guard around the steamboat landing to prevent strag- glers from going aboard. The boats being detained until nearly daylight, and the news of a surrender sj^reading through the camp, caused many to flock to the river, almost panic-stricken and frantic, to make good their escape by getting on board. In all this confu- sion I am proud to say, the 20th Mlssissi2)pi regiment stood like a stonewall, which, as the necessity had required it, I had thrown in a semi-circle around the landing, to protect Gen. Floyd, and his Virginia regiments while embarking, and when the last hope had vanished of getting on board, according to the orders and i^romises of Gen. Floyd, and we realized the sad fate that we had been sur- rendered, the regiment stacked arms in good order, without the least intimidation, but full of regret. I am not able to state why Ave were not taken aboard the boat. There was about two hundred men and officers between my regiment and the boat. When Gen. Floyd was on board, I sent ray adjutant to say we were ready to go aboard. I did not get a satisfactory answer, but learned that the general was figliting off the men in my front, who I thought be- longed to one of the Virginia regiments, commanded by Major Thomas Smith, who has since informed me that some did not go. There seemed to be room enough for us all, and if he wanted them out of tlie way, I could have cleared the banks in a moment's time. When the boat left there did not seem to be fifty men on board (seen on deck). It is, perhaps, unbecoming in me to say whose fault it was that my regiment was not embarked, but I certainly owe it to myself to show that it was not mine. While this excitement was going on, Gen. Buckner sent for me, and informed me that unless the steamboat left the landing imme- 140 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. diately, he would throw a bomb-shell into it ; that he had sent word to the boat to that effect. He made some further remarks of an explanatory character, among others that we were in danger of being shelled by the gun- boats of the enemy, as he had surrendered the place, and the gun- boats were, or might be, at the fort. That his honor as an officer, and the honor and good faith of the Confederacy, required that at daylight he should turn over every thing under his command, agreeable to the terms of capitulation with Gen. Grant, of the Federal army. I returned to the boat to make every eiFort to get aboard, but it had shoved off, and was making up the river, with very few persons aboard. If I have been at fault, and caused the unnecessary imprisonment of my regiment, I am deserving the eternal infamy of my fellow-soldiers ; but on the contrary, there is not an officer or private of the regiment, who witnessed the pro- ceedings, who does not freely and cheerfully exonerate me from any blame whatsoever. During the summer and fall campaign in "Western Virginia, Ken- tucky, and Tennessee, this regiment has done credit to themselves and their State, for the arduous service they performed at Sewall's Mountain, Cotton Hill, and Fort Donelson. Their manly endur- ance of privations, prompt obedience to orders, and their eagerness for the fray, was 7}ever excelled by veteran soldiers of any army, and has entitled the 20th Mississippi to a pi'ominent place in the history of this revolution. In obedience to my instructions to furnish the department what- ever information I may have of the battle of Donelson, I hereby append an unofficial statement which I have in my possession, made by " W. E. Baldwin, captain infantry, C, S. A., colonel 14th Missis- sippi Volunteers, commanding 2d brigade, 2d division (Gen. Buck- ner), Central Army, Ky.," from October 30, 1860. To supply an anticipated omission in the future history of our coimtry, it may not be improper here to state, that this brigade Avas composed of the following regiments : 14th Mississippi, commanded by Major W. T. Doss ; 26th Tennes- see, commanded by Col. J. M. Lillard ; 26th Mississippi, com- manded by Col. A. E. Reynolds; and 41st Tennessee, commanded by Col. R. Farquharson, was temporarily divided in the line around Fort Donelson; the 14th Mississippi and the 41st Tennessee being posted in the right wing, under Gen. Buckner's immediate super- vision. The 26th Tennessee and the 26th Mississippi were posted under OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 141 my own command on the extreme left. These regiments, with the 20th Mississippi, under Major W. N. Brown, which was added to the command, constituted the advance in our attack on the enemy's right at 6 o'clock on the morning of February 15th, 1862. They all behaved with great gallantry in a six hours' combat, which resulted in the total defeat of the enemy's right ; whereby a way was opened for a retreat of the array. The opportunity not having been seized, and the enemy, 60,000 strong, having com- pletely enveloped our little force, numbering, before the losses oc- casioned by four days' constant engagements, about 12,000 officers and men. The senior generals, Floyd and Pillow, relinquished the command to Gen. Buckner, and made their escape ; the former taking with him about 1500 troops of his immediate command, only leaving Major Brown, with the 20th Mississippi, who, like vet- erans, were silently and steadily, though sullenly, guarding the em- barkation of troops, while their chief was seeking safety. The command was immediately surrendered on the morning of the 16th February, by Gen. Buckner, who shared the fate of his command. It is unbecoming in soldiers to criticise the conduct of superiors, but when, after rejecting the councils of jimiors, the condition of affairs is placed beyond the power of human means to retrieve, the senior endeavors to escape responsibility by throwing the same upon the fo7V7ier, commetit is tmnecessary. After surrendering, the force was taken on transports, the rank and file separated from the officers. Most of the officers were con- fined in Camp Chase, near Columbus, Ohio. On the 4th of March, the field officers, fifty in number, were brought from that place to this (Fort Warren), where we have since been waiting with pa- tience for the time to come when we can again strike for our homes and our country's independence. FoKT Warren, March 19th, 1862. It may not be improper here for me to state, that should any ar- rangement be established with the Fedei-al government for the ex- chano-e of prisoners of war, that in consideration of services ren- dered by this regiment, and the further fact, it is mustered for the war^ I should request it be placed first on the list to be exchanged. Respectfully submitted, W. M. BROWN, Major 20th Mississippi regiment 142 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. Report of the Third Brigade— Colonel John 0. Brown. To Major G. B. Cosby, A. A. General^ Second Division, Central Army, Kentucky. Sir: I have the honor to report that the 3d, 18th, and 32d Ten- nessee regiments, composing the 3d brigade of your division, arrived at Fort Donelson on the 9th and 10th days of February, and were assigned position by Brig. -gen. Pillow, then in command on the right of the line of defences — the extreme right being occupied by the 2d Kentucky regiment. I commenced at once the construction of rifle-pits and forming abatis by felling timber, but the supply of tools was wholly inadequate, and before the works were scarcely half completed, the enemy appeared in our front on Wednesday, the 12th, about noon. After this, the incessant fire from the enemy's sharpshooters rendered labor on our works almost impos- sible during the day, and large fatigue parties were necessary during the entire nights of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, although the weather was intensely cold. On Thursday, the 13th, the 14th Mississippi, commanded by Major W. L. Doss, and the 41st Ten- nessee, commanded by Col. R. Farquharson, were temporarily at- tached to my brigade. Tlie centre of my portion of the line, being the most elevated and commanding point, was defended by Capt. Porter's light battery of six guns, while Capt. Graves' battery was posted near the left, commanding a long wide valley, separating my left from Col. Ileiuian's right. The position was an admirable one to support ray left and Col. Ileiman's right, while it also commanded the hills immediately in front. About 11 o'clock on Thursday I discovered the enemy moving in considerable force upon Col. Hei- man's centre, and before the column came within range of Col. Hei- man, and indeed before it could be seen from Col. Heiman's position, I directed Capt. Graves to open fire from all his guns, which he did with such spirit and fatal precision, that in less than fifteen minutes the whole column staggered and took shelter, in confusion and dis- order, beyond the summit of the hill still further to our left, when Col. Ileiman opened fire upon it, and drove it beyond range of both his and my guns. Later in the day the enemy planted one section of a battery on a hill, almost in front of Capt. Graves, and opened an enfilading fire upon the left of my line, and at the same time a cross fire upon Col. Heiman. Capt. Graves, handling his lavorite OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 143 rifle piece with the same fearless coolness that characterized his conduct during the entire week, in less than ten minutes knocked one of the enemy's guns from its carriage, and almost at the same moment the gallant Porter disabled and silenced the other, while the supporting infantry z*etreated precipitately before the storm of grape and canister poured into their ranks from both batteries. Xearly one-half of my command was constantly deployed in the rifle-pits, while the residue was held under arms and in position as a reserve ; but on Thursday, Col. Hanson, on the extreme right, being attacked by a large force, I sent, by Gen. Buckner's orders, the 18th Tennessee to his support, which remained with him until Friday night. On Saturday morning I had orders to move my command towards the left, so soon as Col. Head should relieve my men in the rifle-pits. He was late in reporting, and without waiting longer I put the column in motion, directing the men in the rifle-pits to follow us, so soon as relieved, wMch they did very promptly, but in some disorder. My whole command was provided with three days' cooked rations, and marched with their knapsacks, the purpose being to turn the enemy's right wing, and march out on the Wynn's ferry road, to fall back upon Nashville. Arriving at the point where the Wynn's ferry road crosses the intrenchments, the 3d Tennessee was deployed in the rifle-pits, while the remaining regi- ments were held in reserve. The enemy had already been attacked on his right by our left wing, and we were awaiting the proper moment of co-operation, and by Gen. Buckner's directions I sent the 14th Mississippi to the front as skirmishers, the enemy occupy- ing a hill in considerable force not far distant. The 3d and 18th Tennessee regiments (the former commanded by Lieut.-col. Thomas M. Gordon, and the latter by Col, J. B. Palmer), were sent forward in quick succession to support the 1 -ith Mississippi. As they ad- vanced over the abatis and through comparatively open ground, and especially on reaching the summit of the hill, they were met by a murderous fire. Some confusion ensued, but they returned a steady fire until the enemy retired under cover of dense timber and under- growth, withdrawing his battery, which had been pouring a heavy fire into our reserves. Further pursuit being imi^racticable in that direction, and companies having become separated and somewhat intermixed, on account of the obstacles over which they had marched, the command retired within the intrenchments, and im- mediately re-formed to renew the attack still further to the right, whither the enemy were retiring. And about twelve o'clock, under the direction of Brig. -gen. Buckner, I led the 3d and 18th Tennes- 144 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. see, as well as the 32d Tennessee (Col. Ed. C. Cook), across an open field on the right of the "Wynn's ferry road, under the fire of a battery posted on that road. As we appeared upon the summit of the hill, the force supporting the battery retreated about 300 or 400 yards still further to our right and further from our lines, leaving one section of the battery, Avhich fell into our hands. The hill to which the enemy retreated was so densely covered with trees and undergrowth that our skirmishers could not ascertain his j^osition and numbers, but we were led to suppose that his battery at that point was supported by a force not exceeding one thousand men ; but it was afterwards ascertained that his strength was nearly seven thousand, -while there were five regiments within supporting distance. Acting upon the first and only information we could then obtain, a charge was ordered, and the whole command moved forward with spirit and animation, but when within about 100 yards of the enemy, who M-as upon higher git)und, we were met by a fire of grape and musketry that was terrific, but fortunately passing above our heads. We halted and opened a fire of musketry upon them, which, although continuing only a few minutes, killed and wounded not less than 800 of the enemy, Lieut.-col. Gordon of the 3d, having been wounded, ordered the regiment to fall back under cover of the hill. I rallied it at about 100 yards, and placed it in command of Col. Cheairs. The 18th and 32d fell back a short dis- tance, and just then being reinforced by the 14th Mississippi, we were renewing the attack, when the enemy left the field, leaving his dead and wounded. While we were engaged, the gallant Graves came in full speed to our assistance, with a part of his battery, and maintained his position until the enemy retired. Our loss in this engagement did not exceed fifty in killed and wounded. But the brave and accomplished Lieut.-col. Moore, of the 32d Tennessee regiment, fell mortally wounded, while aiding his no less worthy commander in cheering his men to the chai-ge. Just as the enemy left the field, entirely opening the Wynn's ferry road, my command was ordered by Brig.-gen. Pillow, repeated by Brig.-gen. Floyd, to return at once to its position on the right of our line of defences. My men had scarcely deployed in the rifle-pits, when I was ordered to reinforce Col. Hanson on the extreme right, whose works bad been stormed and taken by the enemy before he bad reoccupied them. An obstinate fire was maintained until dark, but we held the ground to which Col. Hanson had retired, although opposed by a superior force of fresh troops. Capts. Porter and Graves did effi- cient service in their engagement with their batteries — indeed, they OFFICIAL KKPORTS OF BATTLES. 145 excited the admiration of the whole command, by an exhibition ot coohiess and bravery, under a lieavy fire (from which they had no protection), which could not be excelled, Capt. Porter fell, dan- gerously Avounded by a niinie ball through his thigh, while work- ing one of his guns — his gunners being, nearly all of them, disabled or killed. The command then devolved upon Lieut. Morton, a beardless youth, who stepped forward like an old veteran, and nobly did he emulate the example of his brave captain. Fatigue parties were employed until 2 o'clock Sunday morning strengthening our position, when an order reached me, to spike the guns on my line and march my command towards the left as on Saturday morning. The order was instantly executed, but before the column had proceeded one mile I was directed to countermarch and reoccupy the works, and display flags of truce from the front of our works. At 9 o'clock the same morning the command was surrendered. My command was so much worn and exhausted from incessant labor and watching during the entire week — exposure to intense cold, as well as from the fatigues of the battle on the preceding day, as to be wholly unable to meet any spirited attack from the enemy o|i Sunday morning. Our ammunition, both for artillery and small- arms, was well-nigh exhausted. It might do injustice to others to particularize many instances of daring and bravery among officei's and men. With but few exce}> tions, they all deserve the highest praise for the determined and gallant spirit with which they bore themselves under their first ex- posui-e to fire — My killed amount to - - - - - 38 My wounded amount to . . - - 244 For details, reference is made to the report of regimental com- manders, marked respectively A. B. C. D. and E. I have the honor to be, sir, Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN C, BROWN, Col. dd Tennessee regiment, commanding 3d brigade. February 16, 1862. 10 146 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. Report of Major N. F. Cheairs, commanding Third Tennessee Regiment. Fort Warreis", Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, March 10, 1862. To Col. John C. Brown, commanding Tliird JBrigaxle^ Second Division Central Army of Kentucky^ C. S. A. The 3d Tennessee regiment of vohinteers arrived at Fort Donel- son on the night of the 8th of February, 1862, with an aggregate, reported for duty, of seven hundred and fifty men. On the day aftei- reaching Donelson the whole regiment was employed in the preparation of works of defence — rifle-pits, trenches, &c., at which both men and officers continued night and day, until the evening of the 12th, at which time a skirmish took place with the Federals about a mile or a mile and a half in advance of our trenches, by a company of the 18th Tennessee regiment, who had been sent out on picket duty. Immediately after the return ' of said company to the trenches. Gen. Buckner's division, which occupied the right of the whole line of our defence, was arranged in order of battle for the general engagement which ensued. The 3d Tennessee regi- ment occupied the fourth position from the right, and five compa- nies were deployed in the rifle-jiits, and five held in i-eserve, com- manded by myself, with orders to sustain the companies deployed in the pits, under the command of Lieut.-col. S. M. Gordon, and to support Porter's artillery on my right, as circumstances might re- quire. Such was the position held by the 3d Tennessee regiment until the morning of the 15th February. At about four o'clock of said morning, the 3d Tennessee regiment was ordered to be put in motion and march in the direction of our left wing, with knapsacks, haversacks, and three days' rations, with whatever else that could be conveniently carried. This order was immediately executed, and the regiment marched out beyond and to the right of Dover, where it was halted and ordered to deploy as skirmishers in the rifle-pits, and to the left of the 14th Mississippi and 18th Tennessee, at about half-past eight or nine o'clock in the morning. The 14th Mississippi and 3d Tennessee were ordered by Col. Brown (Gen, Buckner also being present) to attack one of the enemy's batteries, located some three or four hundred yards in front of our trenches, and, from their position, were firing heavily upon us. This bat- OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLKS. l-iT tery was supported by several regiments of infantry. We succeedetl (after a hot contest of about three-quarters of an hour) in driving the enemy back, and occupied their position until ordered back to the trenches by Major Cassaday, of Gen. Buckner's staff. The 3d, 18th, and 32d Tennessee regiments vrere ordered across the trenches to attack another one of the enemy's batteries, supported by a heavy column of infantry, located on or near the Wynn's ferry road, and much farther from our works. The 3d Tennessee was on the left, the 18th in the centre, and the 32d on the right, in the arrangement for the attack. The trenches were soon crossed, and the battalions formed in double column, and marched in the direc- tion of the battery. When within about one hundred and fifty yards of it, it opened upon us with grape and canister, and seconded by the infantry. Lieut.-col. Gordon being in command of the 3d regi- ment, ordered it to lay down. In a few seconds he was wounded, and by some unfortunate order being given just at that time, which the regiment took for retreat, and thereupon did retreat some hun- dred or hundred and fifty yards, -when they were rallied by Col. Brown, and reformed in line of battle. Gen. Buckner being present, and discovering the enemy had also fallen back, ordered me, as next in command to Lieut.-col. Gordon (he having retired from the field), to take the 3d Tennessee regiment back to the trenches, which order I obeyed. On arriving at the trenches, I met with Gen. Pillow, who ordered me (after ascertaining that I was in com- mand) to take the 3d Tennessee regiment back to the position we had occupied on the right wing, and the one we had left at about four o'clock in the morning. I immediately formed the regiment and executed the order. A few minutes after reaching our original position, an attack was made upon Col. Hanson, the 2d Kentucky regiment's trenches, by the enemy in strong force. Col. Hanson not having more than one or two companies in position, full back iipon the 18th Tennessee (Col. Palmer), and I was ordered to bring VTp the 3d Tennessee to support the 2d Kentucky and 18th Ten- nessee, which order was executed at the shortest possible notice, and, in justice to the officers and soldiers, must say that they bore themselves most gallantly, notwithstanding they were completely, or nearly so, worn down by incessant fighting and fatigue duty. For eight consecutive days we succeeded in driving back the enemy, although they had fresh and we had exhausted troops. Lieut.-col. Gordon was in command of the regiment from the time we arrived at Donelson, on the night of the 8th, until about one o'clock, p. m., on the 15th, when he was wounded and retired from the field. I 148 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. was then in command until the surrender, which was at six o'clock, Sunday morning, February 16th, 1862. For a detailed account of the killed and wounded of the 3d Ten- nessee regiment, during the entire tight at Donelson, I refer you to the subjoined paper, marked A. Killed, twelve ; wounded, seventy-six. The foregoing report of the conduct and actions of the 3d Ten- nessee regiment, and of its casualties at Fort Donelson, I have the honor to submit to you. Very respectfully, N. F. CHEAIRS, Major Commanding 3d Tennessee Hegiment. Report of Colonel Joseph B. Palmer, commanding 18th Tennessee regiment. FOKT WARRElSr, BoSTON HaRBOR, Massachusetts, March Tth, 1862. To Col. JoHisr C. Brown, commanding Tliird Brigade^ Second Divisio7i, Central army of Kentucky, C. S. A. The 18th regiment of Tennessee volunteers arrived at Fort Don- elson on the 8th of February, 1802, with an aggregate reported for duty of six hundred and eighty-five (685), and these encamped mainly without tents or other protection from the weather, and with scarcely any cookiilg utensils, until the surrender of the forces at that point on the 16th day of the same month. On the day after reaching Donelson, the whole regiment was em- ployed in the preparation of works of defence — rifle-pits, trenches, etc., at which both men and officers continued without relief or rest, night and day, until the 12th. Early in the forenoon of that day, pursuant to orders from brigade head-quarters, I ordered out com- pany C, commanded by Capt. W. R. Butler, on jDicket service, with the usual instructions. They went in the direction of the enemy's lines, about one and a half miles, and took position, when suddenly they discovered several thousand Federal troops advancing towards our encampment. Capt. Butler, thus finding his position greatly exposed, conducted a prudent and skilful retreat, gradually tailing back, so as to keep the enemy under constant observation — finally fired upon them and came within my encampment, submitting a OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 149 report of this intelligence, which I immediately communicated to you and Gen. Buckner in person. Gen. Buckner's division, which occupied the right of the whole line of our defence, was therefore arranged in order of battle for the general engagement which ensued. The 2d Kentucky (Col. Hanson's) was first, and my regi- ment second on the right. I deployed companies A, B, and G, (Capts. Rushing, Joyner, and McWhirter,) in the rifle-pits immedi- ately in my front, placing them in command of Major S. W. Davis. The other companies were formed in double column first in rear of the former, in charge of myself and Lieut.-col. A. G. Garden, with orders from Gen. Buckner to sustain the line covered by my deploy- ment — to support Porter's artillery on my left, or. reinforce Col. Hanson on my right, as circumstances might require. Such was the position held by me until the morning of the 15th February. I had occasion, however, on the 13th, to dispatch companies E and K (Caj^ts, Lorre and Bandy) to reinforce Col. Hanson, upon whom the enemy was opening a considerable fire, but, after a very spirited engagement, the attack was repulsed. I had occasion also on the 14th to send the balance of my reserve (Capts. Webb, Wood, Put- nam, Butler, and Lieut. John's companies) to reinforce the right, where it was expected the enemy would on that day make a des- perate attack, simultaneously with a fire on the fort from their gvin- boats. But owing probably to a failure of success in the latter, no further than the general fire was made upon us at that time. On Saturday morning, 15th February, at about two and a half or three o'clock, I received orders from brigade head-quarters to put my whole command in motion, and to march in the direction of our left wing, with knapsacks, haversacks provided with three days' rations, and whatever else men and officers could carry — sending all my wagons, except enough for the transportation of ordnance stores across Cumberland river. I proceeded immediately to exe- cute this order, and marched out beyond and to the right of Dover, where I was ordered to halt and take position in a general line of battle, on the right of the 3d Tennessee regiment. Very soon afterwards the 14th Mississippi and 3d Tennesse were ordered by Col. Brown (Gen. Buckner also being present) to attack one of the enemy's batteries, just in our front, and about three hundred yards beyond the trenches, which, from their position, were firing heavily upon us. This battery was supported by several regiments of infan- try, which, in connection with it, turned a terrible fire on the two regiments just named, against which they fought gallantly and bravely, thus making a severe engagement, which, having con- 150 OFFICIAL RKPOKTS OF BATTLES. tinned for somd considerable time, I was ordered across the trenches to their support, and reached there just about the time the enemy abandoned their position and yielded the ground. Under the order of Major Cassaday, I returned to my former position, in connection with the other two regiments, in the general line of battle. The 3d Tennessee, 32d and 18th Tennessee, were then ordered across the trenches to attack another one of the enemy's batteries, located on or near the "Wynn's ferry road, and much farther beyond our works. Col. Cook's regiment was on the right, my own in the centre, and Col. Brown's on the left, in the arrangement for this attack. The trenches were soon crossed, the battalions formed in double column, and we marched on to the supposed position of the battery. Col. Cook being in advance of my regiment, with skir- mishers in his front. "We found some, I may say much, embarrass- ment in having insufficient information in regard to the enemy's location, as we could only judge in reference to that by the smoke and reports of pieces lately heard and seen in that direction. "We found also very considerable difficulty in marching in the requisite order, owing to the timber and denscness of the undergrowth, on which the snow was thickly depositing and melting somewhat rajjidly. Y^e advanced forward, however, in quick time, until, nearing the enemy, Ave halted for the purpose of gaining, if possible, some more definite idea of his position, the skirmishers having rallied on their battalion without (as I learned from Col, Cook) being able to fur- nish very definite information. Col. Cook and myself advanced a few paces beyond our commands, for the purpose of taking such observations as would enable us to direct the movements of our regiments to the best possible advantage. "We discovered portions of the enemy's baggage at the distance of about one hundred yards, just over the point of a hill in our front. Being thus better satis- fied of their jjosition, and that an engagement must immediately occur, we accordingly deployed as rapidly as possible in line of bat- tle, my right resting on Col. Cook's left^ and the 3d Tennessee on my left. The enemy opened a terrific fire upon us about the time, or before we had fairly executed the deployment. The force here against us consisted of one battery, supported by six infantry regiments, all of which ultimately engaged in the fight. I ordered my entire command to fire and load kneeling, as in that position the main body of the enemy's fire would and did pass over us. The oflicers and men under ine, on this occasion, evinced great coolness, bravery, and determination for success in this most unequal OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 151 contest. They directed their fire with unusual accuracy, which told desperately and rapidly upon the enemy, who, under its terrible effect and force, gave ground, while we advanced upon them about twenty paces. A further advance would liave lost, on our part, an advantage in position, by whicli we had been very considerably benefited. And although the enemy continued their retreat until they had gone beyond the reach of our guns, it was not deemed consistent with the orders for the movements of our whole army on that day, as made known on the previous night from Gens. Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner to myself and other commanders of regi- ments, to pursue the several forces any farther in that direction. Besides this, many of my arms (flint-lock muskets), by coming in contact with the melting snow, had become too ineflicient for fiu'ther use until they could be dried and put in proper order. My ordnance- wagons were more than a half mile distant, and the men only had a few rounds of ammunition each remaining in their boxes. I marched my regiment, therefore, back to a better position, a distance of, say one hundred and fifty paces, oi'dered the men to put their pieces in order, by drying them as rapidly as possible, sent for an additional supply of ammunition, made details to have my wounded taken from the field and properly cared foi", and threw out a small number of skirmishers in connection with Col. Cook, to notice the movements and position of the enemy, who reported that he had gone back beyond the Wynn's ferry road, and could not be seen at all from the position of our late engagement. I was informed on the afternoon of the 14th of February, and again, at a late hour of that night, by Gen. Buckner and Col. Brown, that, for the reasons given at the time (not material here to recite), the generals in command had determined to evacuate Donelsou and move the whole of our troops to Nashville, or in that direction, and orders were given me, by Col. Brown, to pre- pare my command accordingly, with rations, &c., for the march. I was further informed that, to execute this purpose, our whole army would, at an early hour on the morning of the loth, rnove upon the right wing of the Federal lines, cut our way through, and march out in the direction stated. The whole of the enemy's right having been driven back, thus, I was intbrmed, removing all fmther diffi- culty in the way of executing our purpose. I was every moment expecting to receive orders to march my regiment, together with the balance of our troops, in the direction of Nashville. But, be- fore I could get all of my dead and wounded from the field, and have them pi'ovided for and disposed of, an order came to me, said 152 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. at the time to come from Gen. Pillow, to move my command im- mediately bade to the position from which I started on that morn- ing, and which I had been holding for several days. I accordingly relurned to my trenches. In a very few minutes after I reached my position, and before Col. Hanson (just to my right) had gained his trenches, several Federal reghnents, under command of Gen. C. F. Smith, commenced their attack, and took possession of a part of Col. Hanson's unoccupied works. Unable, under these circumstances and against such remarkable odds, to drive back the attacking regi- ments. Col. Hanson immediately fell back, with his command, on my hue, where, reinforced by the 14th Mississipi:)i, the 3d, 41st, 49th Tennessee, and parts of other commands, a long and desperate strug- gle ensued, closing at sunset with a decided and brilliant victory to our arms— the tight having lasted for at least two hours. The losses of the enemy, in all the engagements above referred to, as ascertained by subsequent visits to their grounds, were, indeed, very great, exceeding ours, both in killed and wounded, I must say, in any moderate estimate, at least seven to one. Besides the conflicts, already named in this report, the Federal forces made several attempts upon my works, but were in every in- stance gallantly met, and signally repulsed. On the night of the 15th, the whole of my command, except the detail made to continue the work of strengthening and extending our breast-works, stood to their arms, constantly expecting a re- newal of engagements, until about 2 o'clock of the following morn- ing. At this liour I received orders from brigade head-quarters to move my regiment as rapidly as possible to Dover, a distance of one and a half miles, where, I was informed, further orders would be given me. It was, however, well understood among all parties that the object of the march was to evacute our entire position. I reached Dover some time before daylight, and reported to Gens. Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner, all of whom were still there, and who ordered me to halt and await further directions. A messenger from Col. Brown's head-quarters soon came, ordering me back to my trenches, and, on returning to my quarters, ibund that Gen. Buck- uer's whole command had been surrendered. This was my first notice of that fact, and was thus received on Sunday morning at half-past 5 o'clock. Throughout the period covered by this report, the men and offi- cers of my command underwent an astonishing amount of hard labor and toil — suffering greatly from the want of rest, from terrible ex- posure and fatigue, and in the absence of nearly all the comforts OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 153 even of camp life. But every demand upon their strength and ener- gy was promptly met. Every order was unhesitatingly obeyed, and every hardship and suffering bravely and patiently endured, evincing a glorious spirit of self-sacrifice and determination, now mentioned alike in simple justice to them and with the utmost pride and satisfaction to myself. On the field my entire field and staff, company officers and men (with scarcely a noticeable exception), bore themselves nobly and gallantly, displaying, on every occasion, a dauntless courage and patriotism, alike deserving the praises of their chivalrous State, and the approval of a glorious country. Many officers and men of my command are justly entitled to the merit of personal honor and distinction. Lieut. W. W. Smith, of company C, shot, and killed instantly on the field, fell covered with glory in the gallant discharge of his duties, as did the other la- mented dead and wounded of my regiment. With a very grateful recollection of my whole command for their soldierly and manly demeanor throughout our whole campaign, I cannot close this re- port without submitting Avith it acknowledgements for valuable sei*- vices and kind offices done me by Lieuts. Nat. Gooch, of company C, and John M. Douglass, of company G, who are also very justly entitled to all I have heretofore stated on behalf of other officers. Owing to the sudden and unexpected separation from my com- pany officers, I am unable to submit, with this report, the names of the killed and wounded of my regiment, and can, therefore, only state them in the aggregate : There were killed on the field 4 Mortally wounded 6 (Supposed) not mortally 38 Missing - 4 . Total 52 The foregoing report of the conduct and action of my regiment, and of its casulties at Fort Donelson, I have on this day the honor to submit to you. Very respectfully, JOSEPH B. PALMER. Col. commanding \Sth Tennessee regiment. 154 OFFICIAL REPOKTS OF BATTLES. Report of Col. Edward C. Cook, commanding Thirty- Second Tennessee Regiment, FOKT DONELSON, StEWAKT Co., Te>"N., February 16th, 18G2. Col. John C. Brown, Col. commanding TJdrd JBrigade, Second Divisio7i, Central Army, Kentucky : The 32d Tennessee regiment reached Fort Douelson on the night of the 10th inst., with five hundred and fifty-five men, rank and file, many of the regiment having been left sick at Russellville, Ken- tucky, many at Bowling Green, Kentucky, and some on furlough sick at home. We were placed on the left of Gen. Buckner's divis- ion. The entire regiment was employed making intrenchments till the same were finished. The enemy began to fire upon us with ar- tillery and sharpshooters as early as Tuesday evening the 11th. The weather was extremely cold, and being kept continually at labor and on duty, we suifered much from exposui'e. The regi- ment, although held in readiness at every moment, was not engaged in actual fight until Saturday the 15th. On Friday night we were ordered to have cooked rations for three days, and with knapsacks packed, to be ready to march at 4 o'clock next morning. I then learned that it had been determined by the generals in council at that hour, to march to the extreme left of our intrenchments, attack the enemy's right wing and turn it, and if we succeeded, to march for Nashville. The next morning at 4 o'clock, our brigade marched to the left of our intrenchments. Just as we were appproaching the extreme left of our intrenchments. Gen. Buckner ordered me to place my regiment in column of division under cover of the hill in the rear of Green's battery, and to sustain it. We remained here until about 10 o'clock a. m., when Gen, Pillow ordered me to move my regiment to the right, and to cross the intrenchments and attack a battery of the enemy, which was then firing at us, and seemed to be situated some eight hundred yards from our intrenchments. Just as we were marching across the intrenchments, Gen. Buckner and Col. Brown came up, and upon learning the order Gen. Pillow had given. Gen. Buckner ordered me to proceed to attack the bat- tery, and ordered Col. Palmer, with his regiment, to sustain me. I forwarded the regiment, crossed the intrenchments, threw out two companies as skirmishers, and. moved forward the regiment in the direction of the enemy's battery. The skirmishers very soon eu- OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 155 gaged the enemy's skirmishers, drove them back, killing some, tak- ing five prisoners, and capturing some five minnie muskets. We moved forward through woods with thick undergrowth, the bushes were covered with snow which was melting slowly, and it was very difiiculf to move forward. We had advanced within seventy-five or a hundred yai>ds of the enemy, and he had opened fire upon us with his battery, when Col. Brown rode up and ordered ine to move my regiment to the right and attack the battery at this point. The bushes were very thick, and we could with great diffi- culty move forward. Our skirmishers fired upon the enemy, and rallied upon the battalion. I immediately ordered the regiment to kneel and fire, and to load and fire kneeling. The fire began. Col. Palmer, on my left immediately opened fire from his regiment. The filing was kept up rapidly. The regiment all the while slowly, but gradually, moved forward. We were protected by cover of the timber and hill from the enemy's shot. Lieut.-col. W. P. Moore fell very early in the action, wounded in the right knee, and was carried from the field to the hospital. This left me with no field officer to aid me, Major Browulow having been left sick at Russell ville — Ad- jutant Jones being on duty part of the day, but was not with the regiment in the engagement. I soon discovered many of the mus- kets failed to fire, the priming being wet (the most of the regiment being armed with inferior flint-lock muskets). After a while the left wing of the regiment began to fall back slowly, and then the right wing, in good order ; and being satisfied the condition of many of the guns, in order to do execution, must be wiped and dried, and knowing that the regiment, after falling back a short distance, would be entirely j)rotected from the enemy's shot, I determined to let them fall back. After they fell back about one hundred yards I halted the regiment, and ordered the men to wipe and dry their guns. Upon inquiry as to why they fell back, the officers informed me they heard an order " to fall back," and believed it came^ from proper authority. After the guns were cleaned, I threw out two companies of skirmishers, who proceeded as far as the " Wynn's ferry road," in which was placed the enemy's battery, when we attacked, and the skirmishers returned and reported that the enemy had retired beyond the road, and could not be seen. After waiting some time and receiving no orders. Col. Palmer and I, after con- sultation, determined to march our regiments back to the intrench- ments where we had crossed, and where my regiment had left their knapsacks. When we reached the intrenchments, Major Cosby gave me an order from Gen. Buckner to march my regiment imme- 156 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. diately back to the intrenchtnents we had left in the morning. At this moment we felt satisfied that the Wynn's ferry road was clear, and the way to Nashville open. "That fortune had smiled upon us, and that we ought to prove to her we were worthy of her favors." We marched rapidly back to our intrenchments and took position in them. In a few minutes the enemy appeared in large force in front of us, and threatened to attack us until night came on. Early at night I received orders to have three days' cooked rations prepared, and with knapsacks packed to be ready to march at four o'clock next morning. At the appointed hour we marched out for Dover, and before we reached Dover we were ordered to return to our intrench- ments, and learned that capitulation for a surrender was going on. It gives me pleasure to state that the officers and privates of the regiment, although jaded from labor and exposure, at all times ex- hibited great willingness to obey, and anxiety to promptly execute all orders. In battle they behaved coolly and courageously, and not one of the regiment ever left the line or his post of duty. The morale of the regiment was not corrupted or destroyed, and even after it was known we were surrendered, we had not a single strag- gler from the regiment. During the engagement on the 15th, we lost in killed and had wounded in company A, commanded by Capt. Willis Worley, one killed, three wounded, whose names I cannot give, as I have no report from company A. I hereto attach- a list of the other com- panies of the regiment, giving the names, number engaged, and the killed, wounded, and missing. At the earliest moment it can be obtained, I will forward a list of company A, to be made a part of the exhibit hereto. Our gallant Col. Moore died from the wound he received. The regiment, as well as aU who knew him, deeply mourn his death. The surgeon, James F. Grant, Quarter-master John T. Shephard, Commissary E. Shields Wilson, Quarter-master Sergeant James P. Campbell, were all at their post and did their full duty. Capt. John D. Clark, a drill master, was on duty during the entire week, and in the engagement of the 15th. Capt. D. C. Sims, a drill master, assigned to my regiment, was on duty a portion of the week, but not in the engagement of the 15th, being reported sick. EECAPITULATION. Number of regiment, rank and file, at Fort Donelson, - 555 " " at Donelson, not engaged on Saturday, 2 1 " " " engaged on Satm-day, - 53-4 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 157 Number of regiment. , killed, - 3 (( wounded and surrendered, - 15 (( " and not surrendered, - 21 (( missing, - - - 1 (( escaped, - - _ 1 (( wounded, . - - - 36 (( surrendered, - . - - 528 Respectfully, ED. C. COOK, Colonel 82d Tennessee Megiment. Fort Warrei^ July 30, 1862. Report of Major W. L. Doss, commanding 14th Mis- sissippi regiment. To Col. John C. BROAvk, commanding \st brigade^ Gen. Buckner's division : Sir : I have the honor to report the following operations of the 14th regiment Mississippi Volunteers, during the engagement at Fort Donelson, ending on the 15th February, 1862. On the morning of the 15th of February, at 3 o'clock, a. m,, I re- ceived orders to have my regiment in readiness to move in two hours. About daylight we took up line of march in the direction of our left wing. It was with great difficulty that we progressed, owing to the country, which was hilly or mountainous, and covered with snow and ice. During our march shells were constantly falling around us, with- out doing us any damage, until we halted in rear of the intrcnch- ments, where I formed the regiment in close column by company. We were protected to some extent from the shells of the enemy by forming on the hill-side, which was thickly set with undei'growth. At this place Capt. J. L. Crigler, of company " G," was severely wounded in the right arm, by the explosion of a shell, and was un- able to proceed farther with his company. I received orders to deploy two companies as skirmishers, and soon after the battalion was ordered to dislodge a battery in posi- tion, apparently about four hundred yards to our front. The regi- ment moved off by the right-flank, until it reached our intrench- 158 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. ments, when' it advanced in line of battle. We very soon came to a small field, containing about ten or fifteen acres, where our march was somewhat impeded by an abatis made by the enemy. At this point we were fired upon by their skirmishers. I ordered the bat- talion not to return the fire. The right wing of the battalion was faced to tlie right, and marched up the hill some distance under a heavy fire ; then faced to the front, and ordered to open fire upon the enemy. In the meantime the left wing had marched through a gap in the abatis, faced to the right and rejoined the four right com- panies, when a general engagement ensued. At this point Capt. F. M. Rogers, of Company " E." fell, gallantly cheering his men on. The engagement at this point continued for about an ho«ur or more ; the men displaying great coolness and bravery,* and the oflicers great gallantry. The regiment suffered severely at this point, and was ordered to retreat by Major Cassady, who had been appointed by Gen. Buckner to assist me (Col. Baldwin being in command of a brigade on the extreme left). After falling back some two hun- dred yards, I endeavored to rally the regiment on the 18th Tennes- see regiment, but Major Cassaday insisted and gave the order to the regiment to fall back to the intrenchments, which was done. After remaining there about one hour, we were again ordered out by Gen. Buckner to support a section of Capt. Graves' battery. We marched down the Wynn's ferry road about one mile, and halted on the top of a hill by Gen. Buckner, when the enemy's battery opened a galling fire of shot and shell upon us. It was soon ascei*- tained that Capt. Graves' battery could do but little good there, and was ordered back (I think by Gen. Pillow), whereupon my regiment was ordered to take its original position on the right. Upon our arrival there we found that the enemy were in possession of the intrenchments on the extreme right, which had been occupied by the 2d Kentucky regiment, and which was then engaged with the enemy to regain their original position. My regiment was immediately ordered to their support, and on arriving there we found the enemy advancing upon us in considerable numbers, when we were ordered to open fire upon them, which was kept up from about 3 o'clock until about dark, when the enemy re- tired. The men slept upon their arms during the night. About 1 o'clock I received your order to have my regiment ready to march in an houi-, which order was countermanded about daylight. Respectfully submitted, W. L. DOSS, Major commanding \Uh regiment 3Iississijp2^i Volicnteers. OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 159 LIST OF KILLED, WOUNDED, AND MISSING OF THE FOURTEENTH MISSISSIPPI REGIMENT. Co. A— Wo^mded.—T. A. Miller, G. J. Everett, J. P. Watts, G. M. Hill, Wm. Rogers. Co. B—Wowided.—K. S. Jack, C. C. McCracken. Co. G— grilled.— J.J. Clark, J. G. Watt, G. T. James, R. M. Bell. Wounded. — J. E, Davis, J. F. Merchant, J. H. Montgomery, W. H. Petty, Lieut. F. Duquercron, L. L. Cooper, W. H. Peebles, W. H. Hogan, Joe White, T. T. Wetherly, Willis Cooke, Wm. H. Pierce, Corporal McNatt, J. W. Hardy. Co. D — Killed. — Amos Carter. Wounded. — N". Harris, Lieut. Wm. M. McGowen, T. King, C. Hoclgers, J. Carter, C. D. Brashier, R. Herring. Co. E— ^iY^ec?.— Capt. F. M. Rogers, Private Elliott. Wounded. Sergeant J. G. Crump, Sergeant Nabers, Privates Clarke, Nash, Nash, Hamack, Bickerstaff, Simms, Green. 'Missing. — Carter, Allison. Co. F — Killed. — Dudley Truman, N. B. Holmes. Woimded. — Lieut. Stephens, Private S. Boggett, J. G. Moore, J. P. Webb, N. Moore, Tom Moore, Tom Crow, Joe Ingram, James La, John Woodall, John Kirpkatrick. Three missing, names not given. Co. G — Killed. — L. Murphy, Sergent J. L. Perkins. Womided. Capt. J. L. Craigler, J, S. Tucker, T. Donoho, J. T. Peters, J. E. Reeves, A. J. Rolling, J. M. Rollins, P. W. Selby, B. L. Smith, James Stallings, W. H. Ward. Co. H — Killed. — Sergeant B, F. Bearman, Private Mclnis. Wounded, — Washington Jones, J. N. Alexander, W. T. Fisher, R. L. Hill, James Horden, J. D. Addy, R. L. Mayes, Corporal Barnes, Jos. Fairchild, G. M. Marcy, Capt. S. J. Gohlson. Missing. — Robt. West, Wm. West, H. Coats, Wm. McDowell. Co. I — Killed. — J. J. Johnson, J. L. Sadler, Patrick Barrow. Wowided — James Brock, James West, W. L. Stewart, W. Kendal, W. Moss, J. T. Johnson, Joel Butler, William Beales, James Tyrone. Co. K— Killed.— J. F. Williams. Wounded— R. C. Howard, A. Kirk, — Sappington, — Witherspoon, — McCowan, R. Reagh, 3Iissing. — Buckingham. Total — killed, 17; wounded, 84; missing, 9. W. L. DOSS, Major cosnmanding \Uh regiment Mississippi Vols. 160 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. Report of Col. Robert Farquharson, commanding Forty- First regiment Tennessee Volunteers. In obedience to an order from Gen. Pillow, the regiment arrived at Fort Donelson about ten o'clock, a. m,, Thursday, February 13th, 1862. Field Officers, Commissioned and Non- Com/missioned, Staff Officers. — Robei't Farquhai'son, Col. ; Robt. G. McClure, Lieut.-col.; Thomas G. Millei-, Major; Jake Anthony, Lieut, and Adj.; Albert G. Clopton, Surgeon ; Wm. B. Smith, Assistant Surgeon ; Edward A. Norton, Acting Assistant Surgeon ; John K. Farris, Hospital Steward and Acting Assistant Surgeon ; Thomas B. McNaughton, Commissary of Subsistence ; John Gordon, Acting Commissary of Subsistence ; W. E. Barringer, 1st Lieut, and drill instructor; Wra. G. Reed, 1st Lieut, and drill instructor; John L. Dusenbury, Ser- geant Major ; Erwin P. Jett, Quarter-master Sergeant ; Albert Frierson, Ordnance Sergeant. Companies. — A. — W. W. James, Capt. 1 1st Lieut., 2 2d Lieuts., 3 sergeants, 4 corporals, 65 privates ; aggregate 76. B. — Wm. L. Brown, CajDt. 2 2d Lieuts., 4 sergeants, 3 corpo- rals, 48 privates ; aggregate 58. C — J. D. Scott, Capt. 1 1st Lieut., 1 2d Lieut., 4 sergeants, 2 corporals, 44 privates ; aggregate 53, D. — J. H. George, Capt. 1 2d Lieut., 4 sergeants, 1 corporal, 53 privates ; aggregate 60. E. — Lieut. Fondvill, commanding. 1 1st Leiut., 1 2d Lieut,, 2 sergeants, 4 corporals, 33 privates; aggregate 41. F. — A. S. Boone, Capt. 2 2d Lieuts., 4 sergeants, 1 corporal, 59 privates ; aggregate 67. G. — C. H. Bean, Capt. 1 1st Lieut., 2 2d Lieuts., 2 sergeants, 2 corporals, 41 privates; aggregate 49. H. — J. C. Osburn, Capt. 4 sergeants, 3 corporals, 46 privates ; aggregate 54. I. — A. M. Kieth, Capt. 1 1st Lieut., 2 2d Lieuts, 4 sergeants, 2 corporals, 44 privates ; aggregate 54. K. — J. A. Moore, Capt. 1 1st Lieut., 2 2d Lieuts., 3 sergeants, 4 corporals, 37 privates ; aggregate 48 — 560. Field officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, staff, &c., i&c, 15. Aggregate, 575. Remarks and Casualties. — Thomas B. McNaughton, Commis- OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 161 sary of Subsistence, killed February 13th, 1862. John K. Wiley, l^rivate, company C, killed February 15th, 18G2. Mark Collier, private, company A, slightly wounded February 13th, 1862. H. M. Carter, private, company A, wounded February 14th, 1862. George W. Alexander, private, company A, sick and missing ; A. P. Blackwell, private, company A, sick and missing ; L. M, Ruse, private, company A, sick and missing ; J. M. Johnson, private, company A, sick and missing; Young Taylor, private, company A, sick and missing ; N". B. Reese, private, company A, missing ; N. S. Ruse, private, company A, missing ; Mark Redd, private, com- pany A, missing ; H. D. Ploots, 1st sergeant, company A, missing; G. W. Lane, private, company A, missing ; Joseph Pamplin, pri- vate, company A, missing ; J. D. Cook, private, company A, miss- ing ; George Blackwell, private, company B, sick and missing ; Nicholas Burns, private, company B, missing ; John W. Formwalt, private, company C, missing ; Jessie C. Franklin, 1st sergeant, company D, missing ; James J. Alexander, private, company D, sick and missing ; John W. Wicks, private, company D, missing ; James Hill, private, company E, wounded ; George J. Hamby, pri- vate, company E, wounded; E. L. Brobston, private, company E, missing ; H. W. Smiley, private, company E, missing ; R. M. Drumgoole, private, company F, wounded ; George Gregory, private, company F, wounded ; H. A. Wilson, private, comj^any F, sick and missing ; Charles Driver, private, company I, missing ; William Driver, private, company I, missing ; Peter Williams, pri- vate, company I, missing ; E. M. Patterson, private, company K, missing ; W. W. Koonce, private, company K, sick and missing. EECAPIULATION. Went into the fight with 575 aggregate. Killed. — T. B. McNaughton, commissary, and J. K, Wiley, pri- vate, company C. Wounded, six. — Mark Collier, company A ; H. M. Carter, com- pany A ; James Hill, company E ; George B. Hamby, company E ; R. M. Drumgoole, company F ; George Gregory, company F. Missing, 26. — Non-commissioned officers and privates. The regiment executed all the orders given to it, and, as far as I know, each man did his duty. R. FARQUHARSON, Col. 41si regiinent Ten?iessee Volunteers. 11 162 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATILES. Report of Col. A. Heiman, commanding Brigade. • Richmond, August 9th, 1862. Major G. B. Cosby, A. A. General. gjjj. — My imprisonment since the surrender of the troops at Fort Donelson, prevented me from repoi'ting the operations of the Bi-ig- ade under my command during the action at Fort Donelson before now. In the absence of Gen. Pillow, who commanded the Division to which my Brigade was attached, it becomes my duty, and I have the honor to submit to you the following report : After the battle of Fort Henry, on the 6th of February last, I was directed by Gen. Tilghman, then in command of the defences of the Teimessee and Cumberland rivei's, to retreat with the garris- on of the Fort by the upper road to Fort Donelson. The garrison (Consisted, besides the company of artillery which was surrendered with the Fort, of two Brigades the first commanded by myself, and the second by Col. Drake, consisting of an aggregate of about 2,600 men. After a very tedious march, we reached Fort Donelson at 12 o'clock at night, where Col. Head, of the 30th Tennessee, was •in command during the absence of Gen. Tilghman. Expecting the arrival of Gen. B. R. Johnson and other general officers in a few days, I did not assume command, which would have been my duty, being next in command to Gen. Tilghman. Gen. Johnson arrived on the 8th, Gen. Pillow on the 9th, Gen. Buckner on the 12th, and Gen. Floyd on the 13th of February. The Brigade assigned to my command consisted of the 10th Ten- nessee, Lieut.-col. McGavock, 42d Tennessee, Col. Quarles, 48th Tennessee, Col. Voorhies, 53d Tennessee, Col. Abernathy, 2'7th Alabama, Col. Hughes, and Capt. Maney's Light Battery, amount- ing in all to an aggregate of about sixteen hundred (1600) men. This Brigade formed the right of Gen. Pillow's Division, and was in line on the left of the Division of Gen. Buckner, who commanded the right wing. The ground I occupied in line of defence was a hill somewhat in Ihe shape of a V, with the apex at the angle, which was the advance point as well as the centre of my command, and nearly the centre of the whole line of defence. From this point the ground descend- ed abruptly on each side to a valley. The valley on my right was about five hundred yards in width, and divided my command from Gen. Bucknei"s left wing. The one on my left was about half that width, and run between my left wing and the Brigade commanded OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 163 by Col. Drake. These two valleys united about a half a mile in the rear. The ground in front of my line (2600 feet in length) was floping down to a ravine, and was heavily timbered. We commenced to dig rifle pits and felling abatis on the 11th, and continued this work during the following night, under the di- rections of Major Gilmer and Lieut. Morris, Engineers, the latter belonging to Gen. Tilghman's stafl^. The pits were occupied by Lieut.- col. McGavock's Regiment on the right, Col. Voorhies' Regi- ment on the left. Cols. Abernathy's and Hughes' Regiments and Maney's Battery in the centre. Col. Quarles' Regiment I held in reserve, but several of his companies also had to occupy the pits, the other Regiments not being sufficient to cover the whole line. Col. Head, 30th Tennessee Regiment, occupied the valley between my command and Col. Drake's Brigade. I was afterwards informed that this Regiment also was placed under my command, but the Col. not having reported to me, I did not know it. In the meantime the enemy commenced forming his line of invest- ment, and his pickets were seen in every direction. Early on the morning of the 12th he had two batteries placed in range of my position, one on my left and front, and the other on the other side of the valley on my right. Both were in the edge of the woods and under cover, while Capt. Maney's Battery on the summit of the hill was entirely exposed, not only to the enemy's artillery, but also to their sharpshooters. No time could yet have been spared to protect his guns by a parapet, besides we were ill provided with tools for that purpose. However, our battery had some advantage over the battery on my left in altitude, and had also a full range of a large and nearly level field to the left, which the enemy had to cross to attack Col. Drake's position, or my own from that direction. In that respect and some other points the position of my battery was superb. The enemy's battery on my right had only range of part ■ of my right wing, but was in a better position to operate on Gen. Buckner's left wing. Both batteries opened fire at 7 o'clock in the morning, and kept it up until 5 o'clock in the evening, firing at any position on our line within their range. Their fire was returned by Maney's Battery, Graves' Battery of Col. Brown's com- mand, and a battery at Col. Drake's position. The enemy's guns were nearly all rifled, which gave them a great advantage in range and otherwise. However, with the exception of the loss of two artillery horses, my command met with no other serious casualties on that day. At night I strengthened my pickets and directed Lieut.-col. McGavock to throw a strong picket across the valley on 164 OFFICIAL REPuKTS OF BATTLES, my right. There were no rifle-pits or any other defences in that valley, although a road leading from Dover to Paris landing on the Tennessee river runs through it. Col. Cook, of Col. Brown's Brig- ade, co-operated with Lieut.-col. McGavock in guarding this point afterwards. Strong parties were kept at work during the whole night in improving the rifle-pits and felling abatis. Daylight next raoi'ning (13th) showed that the enemy was not idle either. During the night he placed another battery in position on my left, and the one on my right he had considerably advanced, to get a better range on my right and centre,.and on Capt. Graves' battery. He had also thrown across the main valley two lines of infantry (advance and rear), about three-quarters of a mile from our line, and the firing of all his batteries was resumed early in the morning, and was promptly answered by our batteries. One of our gunners had both his hands shot otf while in the act of inserting the friction primer. At about 11 o'clock my pickets came in, informing me of the advance of a large column of the enemy. Having myself been con- vinced of that fact, and finding that they were deploying their col- luuns in the woods in front of my right and centre, I directed Capt. Maney to shell the woods, and use grape and canister when they came within the proper range, which was promptly executed. Capt. Graves seeing the enemy advancing upon my line, with excel- lent judgment, opened bis battery upon them across the valley. In the meantime, their sharijshooters had approached my line through the -woods, fired their minie rifles from behind the trees, killing and Avounding Maney's gunners in quick succession. First Lieut. Burns was one of the first who fell. Second Lieut. Massey was also mor- tally wounded, but the gallant Maney, with the balance of his men, stood by their guns like true heroes, and kept firing into their lines, •which steadily advanced within forty yards of our rifle-pits, deter- mined to force my right wing and centre. Now the firing com- menced from the whole line of rifle-pits in quick succession. This constant roar of musketry, from both lines, was kept up for about fifteen minutes, when the enemy were repulsed, but they* were ral- lied, and vigorously attacked us the second and third times, but with the same result, and they finally retired. They could not stand our galling fire. The dry leaves on the ground were set on fire by our batteries, and I regret to state that several of their wounded peiished in the flames. The pickets I sent out after their retreat, brought in about sixty muskets and other equipments they had left behind. I learned from two prisoners who were brought in, that OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 165 the attack was made by the l7th, 48th, and 49th Illinois regiment*, and have since learned from their own report that tliey lost in that attack forty killed and two hundred wounded. Oui- loss I cannot accurately state, nor am I able to give the names of killed and wounded, as subsequent events prevented me from getting reports of the different commanders; but I am sure that my loss is not over ten killed and about thirty wounded, nearly all belonging to Gapt. Maney's artillery and CoL Abernathy's regiment, which was at that time under the command of Lieut--col. Winston. The firing from their batteries continued all day. Late in the evening. Gen. Pillow reinforced me with a section of a light battery under Capt. Parker. The night was unusually cold and disagreeable. Snow and sleet fell during the whole night ; nevertheless, we constructed a formidable parapet in front of the battery, in which I was actively assisted by Major Grace, of the 10th Tennessee. This hard and most unpleasant labor was chiefly performed by Col. Quarles' regi- ment. It Avas a horrible night, and the troops suffered dreadfully, being without blankets. Next day (14th), finding the enemy again in line across the valley, and believing that he would attempt to force my line on my right, I directed Capt. Maney to move a section of his battery down the hill in range of the valley. The advance of the enemy towards this direction would then have been checked by Graves' and Maney's batteries, and the fires of McGavock's and Cook's regiments, from the right and left; but no demonstration was made in that direc- tion, although I considered it the weakest point in our line. During the whole day my command was exposed to a cross fire of the enemy's batteries, and were much annoyed by their sharp- shooters. At II o'clock at night I was summoned to attend a con- sultation of general oflicers at Gen. Floyd's headquarters. The general opinion prevailed that the place could not be held against at least treble the number of our forces, besides their gun- boats, and that they could cut off our communication at any time and tbrce a surrender, therefore it was agreed to attack the enemy's right wing in force at 4 o'clock in the morning, and then to act according to circumstances, either to continue the fight or to cut through their lines and retreat towards Nashville. Gen. Buckner was to move a little later and attack the enemy's flank at the moment he was to give way to our forces in his front. I was directed to hold my position. Col, Bailey was to remain in the fort (near the river), and Head's regimetit was to occupy the vacated rifle-ijits of Gen. Buckner's command. I doubted very 1Q6 OFFICIAL KEPOEIS OF BATTLES. much that these i^ositions, isolated as they were from each other, could be held if attacked, and I stated my fears to Gen. Floyd, who replied, if pressed, to fall back on the fort, or act as circumstances would dictate. At the appointed hour on. the 15th, the different brigades moved to their assigned positions. Major Rice, aid-de-eamp to Gen. Pillow, brought an order to me from Gen. Buckner, to send a regiment forward, and hold the Wynn's ferry road until the arrival of Gen. Buckner's division. This duty I assigned to Col. Quarles' I'egiment, who returned after the fulfilment of this order. Major Cunningham, Chief of Artillery, directed by Gen. Floyd, reported to me that two light batteries were at my disposal. Having more guns than I could use to an advantage, and not a sufficient number of gunners to work them,'I- respectfiilly declined the offer, but requested him to send me effi- cient gunners for at least one battery. This was done. Major Cunningham came with them and remained with me for some time. During the day my guns were u&ed to the best advantage, and at one time with excellent effect against the enemy's cavalry, who im- mediately after were pursued by Forrest's cavalry. About noon I was directed by an aid-de-camp of Gen. Buckner to guard the fire of my battery, as he intended to send a column to charge one of the enemy's batteries. Seeing these regiments pnss my left in the open field, and being aware that my left wing could not be attacked at that time, I sent two regiments from my left (Col. Voorhies and Col. Hughes) to their support, but before they could reach the ground, the three attacking regiments were with- drawn. The battery was not taken, and my regiments returned. Early in the evening the different troops were ordered back to their respective rifle-pits, but the fighting continued at different points until night. At 2 o'clock in the morning of the 16th, Lieut. Mer- man, aid-de-eamp to Gen. Johnson, brought the order to vacate the rifle-pits without the least noise, and to follow the movement of the troops on my left, stating at the same time that it was the in- tention to fight through their lines before the break of day. All the forces were concentrated near Dover, under the command of Gen. Johnson. In the meantime white flags were placed on the works of our former lines, and by the time the sun rose above the horizon, our forces were surrendered. Much credit is due to Capts. Maney and Parker, of the artillery, for their gallant conduct during the action, as well as to many other officers and men, whom, in the absence of reports from their respec- tive coiam.anders, I am unable to pai-ticuloj'ize, but it gives me great OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 167 pleasure to state, that with very few exceptions, they all have clone their duty like brave and gallant soldiers. To Capt. Leslie Ellis, Acting Assistant-adjutant General, and my aid-de-camp, Capt. Bolen, I am particularly indebted for their un- tiring exertions in assisting me in the performance of my duties. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. HEIMAN, Colonel commanding brigade. Report of the 42d Tennessee regiment, at the Battle of Fort Donelson, ending February 16, 1862. Columbian Hotel, Richmond, Va., August 11, 1862. To Brig.-gen. Bucknek : Sir: The 42d Tennessee regiment, Col. Quarles, was quartered at Clarksville, Tenn., and on Wednesday, the 12th of February, re- ceived orders from Brig.-gen, Pillow to proceed to Fort Donelson, where we arrived next morning on a transport under a heavy fire. The comiDanies were formed on the boat and marched off in regular order, and in passing through the village of Dover, we had two or three men wounded, one mortally, by the enemy's shells. We were consigned to Col. Heiman's brigade, where a hot fire was then be- ing carried on. Three companies were thrown into the trenches on the flank of Col. Abernathy's regiment ; the balance were retained as a support. Soon after our arrival the fii'ing ceased, and the enemy withdrew. In the course of the evening the whole regiment was thrown into the trenches, where they remained until Saturday morning, with but little skirmishing, when the regiment was ordered about half a mile to the left and again placed in the trenches. Here it was not designated to what brigade the regiment belonged.. A heavy conflict was here being waged in our front about 1 o'clock, A. M. I believe it was your brigade engaged, and it was here the coolness and daring of Col. Quarles first became conspicuous. The regiment on his flank began to leave the trenches under a heavy fire from the enemy's batteries. Col. Quarles rallied the stragglers and returned them to the trenches. The regiment remained here until about 4 o'clock, p. m., when we were ordered to the extreme right, where the enemy Avere reported to have taken some of our trenches, 168 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. Cold and benumbed as were the troops, they double-quicked for ono and a half miles through the mud, slush, ice, and snow, formed in front of the enemy, and with a brisk fire of some twenty minutes caused the enemy to retire. I believe you were present, and know with what gallantry it was done. Before closing my report, I will call your attention to the cool, gallant conduct of Col. Quarles. He was always at the head of his regiment, and set a gallant example for his officers and men. The loss of the regiment was eleven wounded, four mortally. The number engaged, four hundred and ninety-eight, rank and file. The above report is respectfully submitted. T. McGINNIS, Acting Adj. 42<:? Te7in. regiment. Report of Colonel John W. Head. Chattanooga, Tennessee, August 23, 1862. To S. Cooper, Adj. -Gen. Confederate States: Sir : The surrender of Fort Donelsou having prevented me from making a regular report, by the advice of Gen. Buckner I respect- fully submit the following to you : In the organization of the troops at Fort Donelson by Gen. Pillow, after the fall of Fort Henry, the 49th regiment of Tennessee volun- teers, commanded by Col. Bailey, the 50th commanded by Col. Sugg, and the 30th commanded by myself, were placed under my command as a brigade, and- ordered to garrison the fort. On Wednesday, the 12th day of February, two of the enemy's gunboats ascended the river and opened a fire upon the river batteries and fort. This was continued but a short time, and resulted in no injury to us. On Wednesday evening the 30th regiment was ordered by Gen. Pillow to take position in the outer line of defence between the right of the brigade commanded by Col Drake and the left of the brigade commanded by Col. Heiman. The enemy were encamped, in foi-ce, in front of the position. I accompanied the regiment, leaving the fort garrisoned by the 49th and 50th, under the immediate command of Col. Bailey. The men were immediately put to work preparing rifle-pits for their protec- tion. The pits were completed by Thursday morning. OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 169 We were fired upon occasionally during the fight on Thursday, but the enemy not being in range of our guns, it was not returned by us. During the bombardment of the fort and river batteries on Friday by the enemy from their boats, our position Avas in range of their fire. The oflicers and men, however, behaved with coolness and gallantry. About two o'clock on Saturday morning, I received orders to report my regiment to Gen. Buckner on the right wing. This I did without delay. I was ordered by Gen. Buckner to occupy with my regiment the line of defence before held by his command, and it attacked and overpowed, to fall back into the fort. The trenches to be held covered a distance of about three-quarters of a mile. The regiment numbered about four hundred and fifty men fit for duty. The companies of Capts. Carson and Sample were placed in the pits on the extreme right, before held by the regiment of Col. Hanson ; the company of Capt. Martin was held as a reserve. The three companies were placed under Major Turner, with instruc- tion to report the first appearance of the enemy. The balance of the regiment was disposed of along the pits occupied by the remain- der of Gen. Buckner's forces. During the morning a brisk fire was kept up with the enemy's sharpshooters, resulting in a few casualties on both sides. About two o'clock, p. m., the forces of Gen. Buckner commenced arriving at their encampments from the conflict with the enemy on their right wing, my regiment still occupying the pits. About four o'clock, p. M., and before the regiment of Col. Hanson could be ar- ranged in the pits, the enemy in heavy force attacked the three companies under Major Turner on the extreme right. They held their position with great gallantry, pouring a destructive fire into the ranks of the enemy, until he passed between the pits and over- powered them. They then fell back across a raviae on the next hill, and in connection with other forces resumed the fight. I imme- diately reported the facts to Gen. Buckner, who ordered out a part of his command to sustain us. Seeing that the soldiers of Gen. Buckner's command were greatly exhausted from the severe conflict they had been engaged in with the enemy in the forenoon, and that a bold and desperate effort was being made t^ force us back, I ordered the 49th and the right wing of the 50th regiments from the fort to sustain us. This I was forced to do Avithout consultation with or orders from Gen. Buckner, in consequence of his position rallying and bringing his men into the engagement. The left wing 170 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. of the 50th was left in the fort, under Lieut.-col, Lockhart, with orders to report i^romptly the first demonstration against the fort, I also ordered the companies of Capts. Jones and Lovell, of the 30th, from their position in the trenches, it being out of the range of the enemy to sustain their comrades on the right. The remainder of the 3 0th were in position and engaged in the fight. Lieut.-col. Robb, of the 49th, was mortally wounded while aiding in bringing the regiment into the fight. He was an officer of high moral worth, beloved by his command, and acted with commendable courage. His death was a serious loss to the service. Cols. Bailey and Sugg gallantly led their commands into the action. Their men fought with great coolness and courage, and contributed very mate- rially in repulsing the enemy. Indeed all the officers and men under my command, although imperfectly drilled, discharged their duty, and are entitled to the thanks of the country. They suffered much from exposure in the sleet and snow, for want of sleep and food, but they bore it without a murmur. Lieut.-col. Murphy, of the 30th, was confined during the greater part of the week to his bed from sickness, but, when able, was with the command and rendered effi- cient service. Company A, of the 30th, commanded by Capt. Bidwell, was in charge of one of the river batteries, and both officers and men won for themselves the praise of all who witnessed their heroic conduct. During the engagement I also ordered two of the heavy guns in the fort to open upon the enemy. About eleven o'clock Saturday night, I received orders to march my brigade into Dover immediately, to join the army in the evacuation of the j^lace. By two o'clock, a. m., I was in Dover with my command, but was then ordered back to camj^s, information having been received that the jDlace was sur- rounded. I was. also advised that a surrender was determined upon, and that the command had been transferred to Gen. Buckner. I was suffering from exposure, and threatened with pneumonia. When it was known that a surrender was determined upon, the surgeon of the 30th advised me that if I was taken prisoner in my condition it might cost me my life. I called upon Gen. Buckner, stated the facts to him, and asked his advice as to the propriety of my escaping. He replied that it was a matter that I must determine for myself; that he felt it his duty to remain and share the fate of his men. Feeling that I could be of no service to my command or to the country by a surrender, I left the encampment and made my escape up the river. On my return I reported myself to Gen, A. S. Johnston, at Murfreesboro', for duty. He assigned me none. I was OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 171 unwilling to retain my commission imder the circumstances, and tendered my resignation, the acceptance of which was, as I was advised, recommended by Gen. Johnston. JOHN W, HEAD, Colonel Commanding Brigade. Report of Col. Roger W. Hanson, commanding Second Kentucky regiment. Richmond, Va., Aug. 8th, 1862. To Major G. B. Cosby, A. A. General. On the day of February, in pursuance of orders, I proceeded ■with my regiment upon the cars from Russellville, Kentucky, to Clarksville, Tennessee. When I arrived there, I was ordered by Gen. Pillow to embark immediately for Fort Donelson, I arrived there that night. Gen. Bushrod Johnson accompanied us, and when we arrived, he took command. Gen. Pillow arrived on the , and soon after his arrival he placed the troops in the position after- wards held by them. I was assigned to the extreme right of the line, extending to the right of Col, Palmer's regiment, to a slough formed by the high state of water in the river. The position was about half a mile in length, and was a protection in front and to the right of the original line of defence marked out for the Fort. I was directed to construct rifle-pits, which I did, locating them more than a hundred yards apart, at jDoints best commanding the ap- proaches to the position. They were made in a day and a night, and were necessarily very imperfect. I was directed to give up my tools to be used upon other parts of the defences. On Wednesday the 12th February, the enemy made his appearance in large force, pressing around in our front, with the evident intention of investing our position. Nothing was done to oppose or prevent his progress, and the following morning found his lines extending from the point of their disembarking to a point on the river above our position. On Thursday morning, the enemy made three several attacks upon my position — in all of which they were repulsed with but slight loss upon our part and very heavy upon theirs. In resisting these attacks, I was greatly assisted by Porter's battery upon the left — it always fired at the right time and to the right place. On Thurs- day night I was reinforced by Capt. Jackson's Vii-ginia artillery — 172 OFFICIAL KKi'OKTS OF BATTLES. four pieces. Although tlie niglit was cold and iuclement, and the men much exhausted from tlie day's fighting and several days of hard work, we succeeded in getting these pieces in good position and well protected. On Friday I was reinforced also by Col. Palmer's regiment. We remained under arms and in ranks all day Friday, expecting the attack to be renewed. The firing of the sharpshooters was incessant from Thursday morning until the sur- render, disturbing and almost destroying the repose of my command. On Saturday morning I was conducted by yourself to the position assigned us, as a reserved regiment and a supporting force for Graves' artillery. I was directed not to leave my trendies until I was relieved by a Tennessee regiment from the Fort. The failure of this regiment to arrive as soon as contemplated, delayed me in reaching the point assigned me. A small detachment of Tennes- seeans arrived, and I placed them in the trenches, and immediately thereafter moved rapidly to the battle field. I remained in rear or near Graves' battery, under the immediate supervision of Gen. Buckner, until about noon, when Col. Baldwin, of Mississipj^i, announced to me that he was out of ammunition, and stated that unless he could get ammunition and reinforcements, there was great danger of losing the ground which had been won. I had near by a wagon of ammunition, and with the perseverance of Quarter-master Estep and Lieut, Semple, the ammunition was soon supplied. Previous to this period, some one, mounted, and purporting to be a staff officer, approached the regiment and or- dered off two of the left companies to reinforce Col. Baldwin's command. These two companies, supposing it to be the order of Gen. Pillow or Buckner, moved off at a double quick, and were soon engaged with the enemy, and against greatly superior num- bers. Col. McCausland, of Virginia, arrived, and said that unless they \^ere reinforced, the enemy would retake what they had gained ; that after four hours of hard fighting, the enemy were bringing forward new troops, and in overwhelming numbers. I examined the state of the contest. I saw Col. Forrest make two gallant but unsuccessful charges. I saw that the enemy were gradually diiving us back. My men were eager for the fight. I felt confident I could dislodge the enemy and drive them from their position. I sent for Gen, Buckner ; he had gone to the right, and was conduct- ing another movement. There was no time for delay. I concluded to take the responsibility and make the effort. I marched the regiment by the front across the abatis, a distance OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 173 of more than a quarter of a mile. "When I reached the little ra- vine where Forrest was with his cavalry, I halted the regiment, and was joined by the two detached companies. In front of us was an open space, which had formerly been occupied as a camp. This space was about two hundred yards in width. Beyond this space, in the timber and thick under-growth, the enemy were post- ed. I directed the regiment, when the command was given, to march at quick time across this space, and not to fire a gun \mtil they reached the woods in which the enemy were posted. The order was admirably executed, and although we lost fifty men in killed and wounded, in crossing this space, not a gun was fired until the woods were i*eached. The enemy stood their ground until we were within forty yards of them, when they fled in great confusion, under a most destructive fire. This was not, strictly speaking, a charge bayonets, but it would have been one if the enemy had not fled. Graves' battery was then moved up, and my regiment moved forward several hundred yards. While Graves was moving up his ammunition, and other preparations were being made to hold this position, the order came from Gen. Pillow to return to the trenches. Up to this period the success was complete. When I returned to my position, and before the companies had reached the trenches, the enemy attacked in large force and took them. I fell back to the original line of defence, and being rein- forced by several regiments, this position was retrieved ; Gen. Buckner, at this point, being present and in command. This posi- tion was a stronger one than the one lost, and every eflEbrt was made that night to construct defences, but the men were so exhausted, from labor and loss of sleep, that it was utterly impossible. I will take the liberty to add, that up to the time Avhen we were ordered back to the trenches, our success was complete and our escape secure. It is also my opinion that the exhaustion of the men from loss of sleep and labor, together with the demoralization caused by the loss of our trenches on the right, rendered the surrender unavoid- able. The officers and men of my regiment acted with great gallantry. The list of the killed and wounded I have heretofore furnished. ROGER W. HANSOX, Col. Second Kentucky Regiment. 174 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. Report of Colonel John Gregg, commanding 7th regi- ment Texas Volunteers. Richmond, Va,, August 8, 1862. Major George Cosby, A. A. General, Bichmond : Major : In the absence of any one who was in command of the brigade or division of which my regiment was a part at the time of the battle of Fort Donelson, I make ray report of the action of the regiment to Gen. S. B. Buckner. I hope this will be considered proper, as it is the only method by which I can give to the brave men under my command the tribute which I think due to their be- havior hi that battle. The regiment was assigned its place in the line designated as our line of defence. On Wednesday the 12th February, cleared away the timber in our front and completed the digging of our rifle-pits during the day and at night. The enemy began to cannonade our intrenchments at ■0 o'clock, a. m,, on Thursday, and kept it up until 4 o'clock, p. M., during a greater part of the time making an en- filading fire with shells, which was well direct tured in time to enable us to profit by the victory, and remove to the rear all the stores and munitions tliat would fall into our hands in such an event. It was never contemplated, however, to retain the position thus gained and abandon Corinth, the strategic point of the campaign. Want of general officers, needful for the proper organization of divisions and brigades of an army brought thus suddenly together, and other difficulties in the way of an eifective organization, delayed the movements until the night of the 2d instant, when it was heard from a reliable quarter that the junction of the enemy's armies was near at hand. It was then, at a very late hour, determined that •the attack should be attempted at once, incomplete and imperfect as were our preparations for such a grave and momentous adven- ture. Accordingly that niglit, at one o'clock a. m., the preliminary orders to the commanders of the corps were issued for the move- ment. On the following morning, the detailed orders of movement, a copy of which is herewith, marked "A," were issued, and the movement, after some delay, commenced, the troops being in ad- mirable spirits. It was expected we should be able to reach the enemy's lines in time to attack him on the 5th instant. The men, however, for the most part, were mmsed to marching, th€ roads narrow, and traversing a densely wooded country, became almost impassable after a severe rain stoi'm on the 4th, which drenched the troops in bivouac, hence our forces did not reach the intersection of .the road from Pittsburg and Hamburg, in the immediate vicinity of the enemy, until late Saturday afternoon. It was then decided that the attack should be made on the next morning at the earliest hour practicable, in accordance with the orders of the movement. That is, in three lines of battle, the first and second extending from Owl creek on the left to Lick creek on the right, a distance of about three miles, supported by the third and the reserve. The first line, under Major-gen. 'Hardee, was constituted of his corps, augmented on his right by Gladden's brigade, of Major-gen. Bragg's corps, deployed in line of battle, with tlieir respective artillery following immediately by the main road to Pittsburg, and OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 211 tlie cavalry in rear, on tlie wings. The second line, composed of the other troops of Bragg's corps, followed the first at the distance of five hundred yards, in the same order as the first. The army corps under Gen. Polk followed the second line at the distance ot about eight hundred yards, in lines of brigades, deployed with their batteries in rear of each brigade, moving by the Pittsburg road, the left wing suported by cavalry. The reserve, under Brig.- gen. Breckinridge, following closely on the third line, in the same order, its right wing supported by cavalry. These two corps constituted the reserve, and were to support the front lines of battle by being deployed, when required, on the right and left of the Pittsburgh road, or otherwise act according to the exigencies of the battle. At 5 A. M., on the 6th instant, a reconnoitering party of the enemy having become engaged with the advanced pickets, the commander of the forces gave orders to begin the movement and attack as determined upon, except that Fabric's brigade of Breckinridge's division, and detached to support the left of Bragg's corps and line of battle when menaced by the enemy, and the other two brigades were directed to advance by the road to Hamburgh to support Bragg's right, and at the same time Maney's regiment of Polk's corps was advanced by the same road to reinforce the regiment of cavalry and battery of four pieces, already thrown forward to watch and guard Greer's, Tanner's, and Borland's fords, on Lick creek. Thirty minutes after 5 o'clock, a. m., our lines and columns were in motion, all animated evidently by a promising spirit. The first line was engaged at once, but advanced steadily, following in due order, with equal resolution and steadiness, by the other lines, which were brought up successively into action," with rare skill, judgment, and gallantry, by the several commanders, as the enemy made a stand with his masses rallied for the struggle for his encamp- ment. Like an Alpine avalanche our ti"oops moved forward, despite the determined resistance of the enemy, until after 6 o'clock p. m., when we were in j^ossession of all his encampments between Owl and Lick creek but one, nearly all his field artillery, about thirty flags, colors, and standards, over three thousand prisoners, including a division commander (Gen. Prentiss), and several brigade com- manders, thousands of small arms, an immense supply of subsistence, forage, and munitions of Avar. All the substantial fruits of a complete victory. Such, indeed, as rarely have followed the most successful battles, for never was an army so well provided as that of the enemy. 212 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. The remnant of his army had been driven in vitter disorder to the immediate vicinity of Pittsburg, under the shelter of the heavy guns of his iron-clad gunboats, and we remained undisputed masters of his well-selected position and admirably provisioned cantonments, after over twelve hours of obstinate conflict with his foi'ces, who had been beaien from them and the contiguous covert, but only by a sustained onset of all the men we could bring together into action. Our loss was heavy, as will appear from the accompanying returns marked " B." Our commander-in-chief, General A. S, Johnston, fell mortally wounded, and died on the field at 2.30 p.m., after having shown the highest qualities of a commander, and a personal intrepidity that ins^jired all around him, and gave resistless impulses to his columns at critical moments. The chief command then devolved on me, though at the time I was greatly prostrated, and suffering from the prolonged sickness with which I had been afflicted since early in February. The responsibility was one which, in my physical condition, I would have gladly avoided, though cast upon me when our forces were successfully pushing the enemy back upon the Tennessee rivei', and, though supported on the immediate field by such corps com- manders as Major-gens. Polk, Bragg, and Hardee, and Brig.-gen. Breckinridge, commanding the reserve. It was after 6 o'clock p.m., as before said, when the enemy's last position was cai'ried, and his forces finally broke and sought refuge behind a commanding eminence, covering the Pittsburg landing, not more than half a mile distant, and under the guns of their gun- boats, which opened on our eager columns a fierce and annoying fire, with shot and shell of the heaviest description. Darkness was close at hand; ofiicers and men were exhausted by a combat of over twelve hours Avithout food, and jaded by the march of the preceding day through mud and water. It was, therefore, impossible to collect the rich and opportune stores of Avar, scattered broadcast in the field before us, left in our possession, and impracticable to make any effective dispositions for their removal to the rear., I accordingly established my head-quarters at the church of Shiloh, in the enemy's encampments, with Major-gen, Bragg, and directed our troops to sleep on their arms, in such positions in advance and rear as corps commanders should determine, hoping from news re- ceived by a special dispatch, that delays had been encountered by • Gen. Buell in his march from Columbia, and that bis main force, OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. -xO therefore, could not reach the field of" battle in time to save Gen. Grant's scattered fugitive forces from capture or destruction on the following day. During the night the rain fell in torrents, adding to the discom- forts and harrassing condition of our men; the enemy, moreover, had brokentheir rest by a discharge, at measured intervals, of heavy shells, thrown from the gunboats; therefore, on the following morn- ing, the troops under my command were not in condition to cope with an equal force of fresh troops, armed and equipped like our adversary, in the immediate possession of his depots, and sheltered by such an auxiliary as the enemy's gunboats. About 6 o'clock on the morning of the Vth of April, however, a hot fix'e of musketry and artillery opened from the enemy's quarter on our advanced line, assured us of the junction of his forces, and soon the battle raged wath a fury which satisfied me I was attacked by a largely superior force. But from the outset our troops, not- withstanding our fatigue and losses from the battle of the day before, exhibited the most cheering veteran-like steadiness. On the right and centre the enemy was repulsed in every attempt he made with his heavy columns in that quarter of the field. On the left; however, and nearest to the points of arrival of his reinforcements, he drove forward line after line of his fresh troops, which were met by a courage and resolution of which our country may be proudly hopeful. Again and aga'in our troops were brought to the charge, invariably to w'in the position already in issue ; invariably to drive back this foe. But hour by hour, thus opposed to an enemy con- stantly reinforced, our ranks were perceptibly thinned under the increasing withering fire of the enemy, and at 12 mendian, eighteen hours of hard fighting had sensibly exhausted a large number, my last reserves had necessarily been disposed of, and the enemy was evidently receiving fresh reinforcements after each repulse. Accord- ingly, after 1 p. m., I determined to withdraw from so unequal a con- flict, securing such of the results of the victory of the day before as was then practicable. Officers of my stafi" were immediately dispatched with the neces- sary orders to make the best disposition for a deliberate, orderly withdrawal from the field, and to collect and post a reserve to meet the enemy, should he attempt to push after us. In this connection I M'ill particularly mention my Adjutant-general, Col. Jordan, who was of much assistance to me on this occasion, as he had already been on the field of battle, on that and the preceding day. About 2 o'clock p. 3L, the lin>es in advanoe, which had repulsed 214 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. the enemy in their last fierce assault on our left and centre, re- ceived the orders to retire. This was done with uncommon steadi- ness, and the enemy made no attempt to follow. The lines of troops established to cover this movement had been disposed on a favorable ridge, commanding the ground of Shiloh church ; from this position our artillery played upon the woods be- yond for a while, but upon no visible enemy, and without a reply. Soon satisfied that no serious pursuit was or would be attempted, this last line was withdrawn, and never did troops leave battle-field in better order ; even the stragglers fell into the ranks and marched off with those who had stood more steadily to their colors. A second strong position was taken up about a mile in rear, where the approach of the enemy was waited for more than one hour, but no effort to follow was made, and only a small detachment of horse- men could be seen at a distance from this last position, merely ob- serving our movements. Arranging through my staff officers for the completion of the movements thus begun, Brig.-gen. Breckinridge was left with his command as a rear guard, to hold the ground we had occupied the niglit preceding the first battle, just in front of the intersection of the Pittsburg and Hamburg roads, about four miles from the former place, while the rest of the army passed iu the rear, in excellent order. On the following day, Gen. Breckinridge fell back about three miles to Meckey's, which position we continue to hold, with our cavalry thrown considerably forwai"d, in immediate proximity to the battle-field. Unfortunately, towards night on the 7th instant, it began to rain heavily; this continued throughout the night. The roads became almost impassable in many places, and much hardship and suftering here ensued, before all the regiments reached their encampments. But despite the heavy losses and casualties of the two eventful days of the 6th and lih of April, this army is more confident of ultimate success than before its encounter with the enemy. To Major-gens. Polk, Bragg, and Hardee, comuianding corps, and to Brig.-gen. Breckinridge, commanding the reserv>e, the country is greatly indebted for the zeal, intelligence, and energy with which all orders were executed ; for the foresight and military ability they displayed, in the absence of instruction in the many exigencies of the battle, on a field so densely wooded and broken, and for their fearless deportment .as they repeatedly led their com- mands- personally to the onset upon tlieii' powerful adversary. It OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 215 was under these circumstances that Gen. Bragg had two horses shot under hira, that Major-gen. Hardee was slightly wounded, his coat cut with balls, and his horse disabled, and that Major-gen. Breckin- ridge was twice struck with spent balls. For the services of their gallant subordinate commanders, and their officers under them, as well as for the details of the battle- field, I must refer to the reports of corps divisions, and brigade commanders, which shall be forwarded as soon as received. To give more in detail the operations of the two battles resulting fi'ora the movement on Pittsburg than now attempted, must have delayed this report for weeks, and interfered with the important duties of my position ; but I may be permitted to say, that, not only did the obstinate conflict of Sunday leave the Confederates masters of the battle-field and our adversaries beaten, but we left that field on the next day, only after eight hours' successive battle with a su- perior army of fresh troops, whom we had repulsed in every attack upon our lines, so repulsed and crippled, indeed, as to leave it un- able to take the field for the campaign for which it was collected and equipped at such enormous expense and with such profusion of all the appliances of war. These successful results were not achiev- ed, however, as before said, without severe loss ; a loss not to be measured by the number of the slain or wounded, but by the high social and personal position of so large a number of those who were killed or disabled, including the commander of the forces, whose high qualities will be greatly missed in the momentous campaign impending. I deeply regret to record, also, the death of the Hon. George John- son, Provisional Governor of Kentucky, who went into action with the Kentucky troops, and continually inspired them by his words and example. Having his horse shot under him Sunday, he entered the ranks of a Kentucky regiment on Monday, and fell mortally wounded towards the close of the day. Not his State alone, but the whole Confederacy, will mourn the death of this brave, upright, and noble man. Another gallant and able soldier and Captain was lost to the ser- vice of the country, when Brig.-gen. Gladding, commanding first brigade, Withers' division, second army corps, died from a severe wound, received on the 6th instant, after having been conspicuous to his whole command and army for courage and capacity. Major-gen. Cheatham, commanding first division first corps, was slightly wounded, and had three horses shot under him. Brig.-gen. Clark, commanding second division of the first coi'ps, 216 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. received a severe wound, also, on the first day, which will deprive the array of his valuable services for some time. Brig.-gen. Hindmau, engaged in the onset of the battle, was con- spicuous for a cool courage in finding his men, even in the thickest of the fray, until his horse was shot under him, and he was so severely injured by the fall, that the army was dej^rived the follow- ing day of his chivalric example. Brig.-gens. B. R. Johnson and Bowen, most meritorious officers, were also severely wounded in the first combat, but it is hoped will soon be able to return to duty with their brigades. To mention the many field-ofiicers who died or were .wounded, while gallantly leading their commands into action, and the many instances of brilliant individual courage displayed by officers and men in the twenty hours of battle, is impossible at this time ; but their names will be made known to their countrymen. The immediate stafiT of the lamented Commander-in-chief, who accompanied him to the field, rendered efficient service, and either by his side, or in carrying his orders, shai'ed his exposure to the casualties of a well contested battle-field. I beg to commend their names to the notice of the War Department, namely : of Capts. H. P. Brewster and A. Wicklifie, of the Adjutant and Inspector-gen- eral's Department ; Capt. Theo. O'Hara, Acting Inspector-general ; Lieut.-gen. Baylor, and Thomas M. Jack, aides-de-camp ; volunteer aides-de-camp, Col. Wm. Preston, Major D. M. Hayden, E. W. Munford, and Calhoun Benham; Major Albert J.Smith and Captain Quarter-master's Department. To these gentlemen was assigned the last sad duty of accompany- ing the remains of their lamented chief from the field, except Capts. Brewster and Wicklifie, who remained and rendered valuable services as stafi* officers on the 7th of April. Gen. Ishara G. Harris, of Tennessee, went into the field with Gen. Johnston ; was by his side when he was shot, aided him from his horse, and received him in his arms when he died. Subsequently the Governor joined my staff", and remained with me throughout the next day, except when carrying orders, or employed in encouraging the troops of his own State, to whom he gave a conspicuous exaui- •ple of coolness, zeal, and intrepidity. I am also under many obligations to my own general, personal, and volunteer staff", many of whom have been so long associated with me. I append, a list of those present on the field on botli days, and whose duties carried them constantly under fire, namely : Col. Tho. Jordon, Capt. Clifton H'. Smith, and Lieut. John M. Otey, OFFICIAL EFFORTS OF BATTLES. 217 Adjutant-general's Department ; Major George W. Brent, Acting luspector-a^eral ; Col. R. B. Lee, Chief of Subsistence, whose horse was wounaecl ; Lieut.-col. S. W. Ferguson, and Lieut. A. R. Chesolm, aides-de-camp; volunteer aides-de-camp; Col. Jacob Thompson, Major Numa Augustin, Major H. E. Peyton, Capt. Albert Ferry, B. B. Waddell. Capt. W. W. Porter, of Major-gen. Crittenden's staff, also reported for duty, and shared the duties of my volunteer staff on Monday. Brig.-gen. Frudeau, of Louisiana volunteers, also, for part of the fii'st conflict, was with me as volunteer aid. Capt. E. H. Cummins, signal officer, also was actively employed as a staff ofiicer both days. Nor must I fail to mention that private W. E. Goolsby, 11th regiment Virginia volunteers, orderly to my head-quarters since last June, repeatedly employed to carry my verbal orders to the field, discharged the duty with great zeal and intelligence. Other members of my staff were necessarily absent from the im- mediate field of battle, entrusted with respective duties at their head-quarters, viz : Major Eugene E, McLean, Chief Quarter-mas- ter ; Capt. E. Deslaude, Quartei'-master's Department. Lieut.-col. Furguson, A. D. C, early on Monday, was assigned to command and direct the movements of a brigade of the second corps, Lieut.-col. Gilmer, Chief Engineer, after having performed the important and varied duties of his place, with distinction to himself and material benefit to the country, was wounded late on Monday. I trust, however, I shall not long be deprived of his essential services. Capt. Lockett, Engineer Corps, Chief Assistant to Col. Gilmer, after having been employed in the duties of his corps on Sunday, was i^laced by me, on Monday, in command of a battalion without field officers. Capt. Fremeaux, Provisional Engineer, and Lieuts. Steel and Helm, also rendered material and even dangerous service in the line of their duty. Major-gen. (now general) Braxton Bragg, in addition to his duties as chief of staff, as has been before stated, commanded his corps, much the largest in the field, on both days, with signal capacity and soldiership. Surgeon Foard, Medical Director, Surgeon R. L. Burdle, and Surgeon D. W. Tandal, Medical Director of the Western Depart- ment, with Gen. Johnston, were present in the discharge of their arduous and high duties, which they performed with honor to their profession. Capt. Thomas Saunders, Messrs. Scales and Medcalf, and Mr. Tully of New Orleans, were of material aid on both days, 218 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. ready to give news of the enemy's positions and movements, re- gardless of exposure. ^ Wliile thus partially making mention of some of those who ren- dered brilliant, gallant, or meritorious service to the field, I have aimed merely to notice those whose jjosition would most probably exclude their services from the reports of corps, or subordinate com- manders. From this agreeable duty, I turn to one in the highest degree unpleasant ; one due, however, to the brave men under me. As a contrast, to the behavior of most of the army who fought so he- roically, I allude to the fact, that some officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, abandoned their colors on the first day, to pillage the captured encampments ; others retired shamefully from the field on both days, while the thunder of cannon and the roar and rattle of musketry told them that their brothers were being slaughtered by the fresh legions of the enemy. I- have ordered the names of the most conspicuous of these cowards and laggards to be published in orders. It remains to state that our loss in the two days in killed out- right, Avas 1,728, wounded, 8,012, missing, 957; making an aggre- gate of casualties 10,699. This sad list tells in simple language of the stout fight made by our countrymen, in front of the rude log chapel at Shiloh ; especially when it is known that on Monday, from exhaustion and other causes, not twenty thousand men on our side could be brought into action. Of the losses of the enemy I have no exact knowledge. Their newspaper report is very heavy. Unquestionably it was greater, even in proportion, than our own on both days, for it was apparent to all that their dead left on the field outnumbered ours two to one. Their casualties, therefore, cannot have fallen many short of 20,000 in killed, wounded, prisoners, and missing. Through information derived from many sources, including the newspapers of the enemy, we engaged on Sunday the divisions of Gen. Prentiss, Sherman, Hurlbert, McClernand and Smith, of 9,090 men each, or at least 45,000 men. This force was reinforced Sun- day night by the divisions of Gens. Nelson, McCook, Crittenden and Thomas, of Major-gen. Buell's army, some 25,000 strong, including all arms ; also Gen. L. Wallace's division of Gen. Grant's army, making at least 33,000 fresh troojis, which added to the remnant of Gen. Grant's forces on Monday morning, amounting to 20,000, made an aggregate force of at least 53,000 men arrayed against us on that day. OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 219 In connection with the results of the battle, I should state that most of our men who had inferior arms, exclianged them for the superior arms of the enemy ; also, that most of the property, pub- lic and personal, of the camps, from which the enemy were driven on Sunday, was rendered useless, or greatly damaged, except some of the tents. With this are transmitted certain papers, to wit : Order of movements, marked A. A list of the killed and wounded, marked B. A list of captured flags, marked C. A map of the field of battle, marked D. All of which is respectfully submitted through my volunteer aid- de-camp. Col. Jacob Thompson, of Mississippi, who has the flags in charge ; also the standards and colors captured from the enemy. I have the honor to be. General, Your obedient servant, G. T. BEAUREGARD, General Commanding. (A.) Special Orders as to Movement of Troops. Head-quarters Army of the Mississippi, Corinth, Miss., April 3d, 1862. To General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector-general^ Richmond: Special Orders, No. 8. I. In the impending movements, the corps of this army will march, assemble, and take order of battle in the following manner, it being presumed that the enemy is in position about a mile in advance of Shiloh Church, with the right resting on Owl creek and his left on Lick creek : 1. The third corps, tinder Major-gen. Hardee, will advance as soon as practicable on the Ridge road from Corinth to what is called the Bark road, passing about half a mile northwest of the workhouse. The head of the column will bivouac, if possible, at Meckey's house, at the intersection of the road from Monterey to Savannah. The cavalry, thrown well forward during the march, will recoa 220 OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. noitre and prevent surprise, will halt in front of the Meckey House on the Bark road. 2. Major Waddell^ A. D. C. to Gen. Beauregard, with two good guides, will report for service to Major-gen. Hardee. 3. At three o'clock, a. m., to-morrow, the third corps, with the left in front, will continue to advance by the Bark road until within sight of the enemy's out-posts, on advanced positions, when it will be dejiloyed in line of battle, according to the nature of the ground, its left resting on Owl creek, its right towards Lick creek, sup- ported on that flank by half of its cavalry. The left flank being supported by the other half. The interval between the extreme right of this corps and Lick creek, will be filled with a brigade or division, according to the extent of the ground, from the second corps. These troops, during the battle, will also be under the com- mand of Major-gen. Hardee. He will make the pi'oper disposition of the artillery along the line of battle, remembering that the rifle-guns are of long ranges, and should be placed in very commanding positions in rear of the infantry, to fire mainly on the reserves and second line of the enemy, but occasionally will be divided on his batteries and heads of columns. II. The second corps^ under Major-gen. Braxton Bragg, will as- semble at Monterey, and move thence as early as practicable ; the right wing with left in front, by the road from Monterey to Savan- nah ; the head of the column to reach the vicinity of Meckey's house, at the intersection of the Bark road, before sunset. The cavalry with this wing will take position on the road to Savannah, beyond Meckey's, as fir as Owl creek, having advanced guards and pickets with the front. The left wing of this corpse will advance at the same time, also left in front, by the road from Monterey to Purdy ; the head of the column to reach by night the intersection of that road Avith the Bark road. This wing will continue the movement in the morning as soon as the rear of the thii-d corpse shall have passed the Purdy road, which it will then follow. The second corps will form the second line of battle, about one thousand yards in rear of first line. It will be formed, if practicable, with regiments in double columns at half distance, disjjosed as ad- vantageously as the nature of the ground will admit, and with a view to facility of development. The artillery jjlaced as may seem best to Major-gen. Bragg. III. The first corjys, under ]\[ajor-gen. Polk, with the exception of the detached divisions at Bethel, will take up its line of march by Ridge road, hence to Pittsburg, half an hour after the rear of the OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 221 third-corpse shall have passed Corinth, and will bivouac to-night in the rear of that corps, and to-morrow will follow the movements of that corps, with the same interval of time as to-day. When the head of column shall have reached the vicinity of the Meckey House, it will be halted in column, or massed on the line of the Bark road, according to the nature of the ground, as a reserve. Meanwhile, one regiment of its cavalry will be placed in observation on the road from Johnston's House to Stantonville. Another regiment or battalion of cavalry will be posted in the same manner on the road from Monterey to Purdy, with the rear resting on or about the intersection of that road with the Bark road, having advanced guards and pickets in the direction of Purdy. The forces at Bethel and Purdy will defend their positions as al- ready instructed, if attacked, otherwise they will assemble on Purdy, and thence advance, with advanced guards, flankers, and all other prescribed military precautions, by the road thence to Monterey, forming a junction with the rest of the first corps at the intersection of that road with the Bark road leading to Corinth. IV. The reserve of the forces will be concentrated, by the shortest and best routes, at Monterey as soon as the rear of the second corps shall have moved out of that place. Its commander will take up the best position whence to advance as required, either in the direc- tion of Meckey's or of Pratt's House, on the direct road to Pitts- burg, if that road is found practicable, or in the direction of the Ridge road to Hamburg, throwing all its cavalry on the latter road, as far as its intersection with the one to Pittsburg passing thi'ough Grierford or Lick creek. This cavalry will throw well forward advanced guards and vi- dettes towards Grierfield, and in the direction of Hamburg, and during the impending battle, when called to the field of combat, will move by the Grierfield road. A regiment of the infantry reserve wnll be thrown forward to the intersection of the Grand Plill road to Hamburg, as a support to the cavalry. The reserve will be formed of Breckenridge's, Bowens, and Sal- hem's brigades, as now organized, the whole under Brig.-gen. Breckinridge. V. Gen. Bragg will detach the 51st and 5 2d regiments of Ten- nessee Volunteers, Blount's Alabama, and Desha's Arkansas battal- ions, and Bain's battery from his corps, which, with two of Carroll's vegimen.ts, now en route for the head-quarters, will form a garrison for the post and depot at Corinth. 222 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. VI. Strong guards will be left on the railroad bridges between luka and Corinth, to be furnished in due proportion from the com mands of luka, Burnsville, and Corinth. VII. Proper guards will be left at the camps of the several regi- ments of the forces on the field. Corps commanders will determine the force of the guards. VIII. Wharton's regiment of Texas cavalry will be ordered for- ward at once to scout on the road from Monterey to Savannah, between Meckey's and its intersection with the Pittsburg Purdy road. It will annoy and harass any force of the enemy coming that way to assail Cheatham's division at Purdy. IX. The chief engineer of the forces M'ill take all due measures and precautions, and give requisite orders for the repairs of all the bridges, causeways, and roads on which our army may move in the execution of their orders, X. The troops, individually so intelligent, and with such a grand interest involved in the issne, are urgently enjoined to be obedient and observant of the orders of their superiors in the hour of battle. Their officers must constantly keep them in hand, and prevent the waste of ammunition by heedless firing. The fire should be slow, always, at a distant mark. It is expected that much and efiective work will be done with the bayonet. By command of Gen, A, S, Johnston" : THOMAS JORDAN", A. A. General. (B.) Killed, "Wounded, and Missing in the Batti.e op Shiloh. General Beauregard commanding. \st Corps — Major-gen. Polk; 1st division, Brig,-gen. Clark ; 1st brigade, Col. R, M. Russell ; killed, 97 ; wounded, 512. 2d brigade, Brig.-gen, A, P, Stewart; killed, 93 ; wounded, 421 ; missing, 3, 2d division. Major-gen. Cheatham; 1st brigade, Brig.-gen. B. R. Johnson; killed, 120; wounded, 607; missing, 13. 2d brigade. Col, W. H, Stephens; killed, 75; wounded, 413; missing, 3. Total— Killed, 385 ; wounded, 1,953; missing, 19. 2d Corps — Gen. Bragg; 1st division, Brig.-gen. Ruggles; 1st brigade. Col. Gibson ; killed, 95 ; wounded, 488 ; missing, 90. OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 223 2d brigade, Brig.-gen. Anderson; killed, Ql ; wounded, 313 missing, 50. 3d brigade, Col. Pond ; killed, 89 ; wounded, 336 ; missing, 167 2d division, Brig.-gen. Withers ; 1st brigade, Brig.-gen. Glad den; killed, 129 ; wounded, 597 ; missing, 103. 2d brigade, Brig.-gen Chalmers ; killed, 82 ; wounded, 343 missing, 29. ' 3d brigade, Brig.-gen. Jackson ; killed, 91 ; wounded, 364 ; miss- ing, 194. Total— Killed, 553 ; wounded, 2,441 ; missing, 634. 3d Corps — M5j.-gen. Hardee, 1st brigade, Brig.-gen. Hindman ; killed, 109 ; wounded, 546 ; missing, 38. 2d brigade, Brig.-gen. Cleburn ; killed, 188 ; wounded, 790 ; miss- ing, 65. 3d brigade, Brig.-gen. Wood; killed, 107; wounded. 600; miss- ing, 38. Total — Killed, 404; wounded, 1,936; missing, 141. Reserve — Major-gen. Breckinridge, 1st Kentucky brigade; Col. Trabue; killed, 151; wounded, 557; missing, 92. 2d brigade, Brig.-gen. Bowen ; killed, 98 ; wounded, 498; miss- ing, 28. 3d brigade, Col. Statham; killed, 137; wounded, 627; miss- ing, 45. Total— Skilled, 386 ; wounded, 1,682 ; missing, 165. RECAPITULATION : Killed 1,728 Wounded 8,01 2 Missing 959 Total 10,699 (C.) List op Flags Captured at the Battle op Shiloh, near the Tennessee River, April 6, 1862. Head-quarters, Army of the Mississippi, Corinth, Miss. April 23, 1862. Five (5) blue silk Regimental Colors. Tw'enty (20) Federal Flags. One (1) Garrison Flag. Two (2) Guidons. THOMAS JORDAN", A. A. General. 224 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. (E.) Field Return of the Army of the Mississippi, before and AFTER THE BaTTLE OF ShILOH, FOUGHT ApRIL 6TH AND YtH. Head-quarters Army of the Mississippi, Corinth, Miss, April 21st, 1862. Effective total Effective total before battle, after battle. First Army Corps, Major-gen. L. Polk, 9,136 6,779 Second Army Corps, Gen. B. Bragg, 13,589 9,96i Third Army Corps, Major- gen. W. J. Hardee,. . • 6,789 4,609 Reserve, Brig.-gen. John C. Breckinridge, 6,439 4,206 Total infantry and artillery, 35,953 25,555 Cavalry, Brig.-gen. F. Gardner, 4,382 4,081 Grand total, 40,355 29,636 Difference 10,699, casualties in battle of Shiloh. The battle-field being so thickly wooded that the cavalry was useless and could not ojDerate at all. Respectfully submitted and forwarded, G. T. BEAUREGARD, General Commanding A. M. Letter of General Braxton Bragg. Head-quarters Department No. 2, Mobile, Ala., July 25, 1862. Gen. S. Cooper, AdjH and Insji'f'r-general, C. S. A., Itichmo7id. Sir : — Herewith I have the honor to forward my official report, as commander of the second corps Army Mississippi, of the battle of " Shiloh." The great delay, somewhat unusual with me in official matters, has resulted from a combination of unavoidable circumstances. Wishing to make it complete, the reports of all subordinates were desired ; but, at last, several are wanting. My own time has been so much occupied, too, that it is not rendered as soon, nor is it as complete, as I could have desired. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, BRAXTON BRAGG, General Commanding. OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 225 Report of General Braxton Bragg. Head-Quarters Second Corps, A, M., CoRmxH, Miss., April 30, 1862. Brig.-gen. Thomas Jordan, Chief of Staff. General : — In submitting a report of the operations of my com- mand, the second army corjis, in the action of Shiloh, on the 6th and 7th of April, it is proper that the narrative of events on the field be preceded by a sketch of the march from here. But few regiments of my command had ever made a day's march. A very large proportion of the rank and file had never performed a day's labor. Our organization had been most hasty, with great deficiency in commanders, and was, therefore, very imperfect. The equip- ment was lamentably defective for field service, and our transporta- tion, hastily impressed in the country, was deficient in quantity and very inferior in quality. With all these drawbacks, the troops marched, late on the afternoon of the 3d, a day later than intended, in high spirts, and eager for the contest. The road to Monterey, eleven miles, was found very bad, requir- ing us until eleven o'clock on the 4th, to concentrate at that place, where one of my brigades joined the column. Moving from there, the command bivouacked for the night near the Meckey House, im- mediately in rear of Major-gen. Hardee's corps, Major-gen. Polk's being just in our rear. Our advance cavalry had encountered the enemy during the day, and captured several prisoners, being compelled, however, to retire. A reconnoissance, in some force, from the enemy made its appear- ance during the evening in front of Gen. Hardee's corps, and was promptly driven back. The commanders of divisions and brigades were assembled at night, the order was read to them, and the topography of the ene- my's position was explained as far as understood by us. Orders were then given for the troops to march at three o'clock a. m., so as to attack the enemy early on the 5th. About two a. m. a drench- ing rain storm commenced, to which the troops were exposed with- out tents, and continued until daylight, rendering it so dark, and filling the creeks and ravines to such an extent as to make it im- practicable to move at night. Orders were immediately sent out to suspend the movement until the first dawn of day. Continued firing, by volleys and single shots, was kept up all night and until 15 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. t seven a. m. next morning, by the undisciplined troops of our front, in violation of positive orders. Under such circumstances, little or no rest could be obtained by our men, and it was seven o'clock in the morning before the road was clear, so as to put my command in motion, though it had been in ranks and ready from three a. m., in the wet and cold, and suffering from inaction. At this juncture the commanding general an-ived at our position. My column, at last fairly in motion, moved on without delay, until arriving near where the Pittsburg road leaves the Bark road, when a message from Major-gen. Hardee announced the enemy in his front, and that he had developed his line. As promptly as my troops could be brought up in a narrow road, much encumbered with artillery and baggage wagons, they were formed according to order of battle, about eight hundred yards in rear of Hardee's line, my centre rest- ing on the Pittsburg road, my right brigade, Gladden's, of Wither's division, thrown forward to the right of the first. Major-gen. Har- dee's force not being sufficient for the ground to be covered. In this position we remained aaxiously awaiting the approach of our reserve, to advance upon the enemy, now but a short distance in our front. The condition of the roads, and other untoward cir- cumstances, delayed them until late in the afternoon, rendering it necessary to defer the attack until next morning. The night was occupied by myself and a portion of my staff in efforts to bring forward provisions for a portion of the troops then suffering from their improvidence. Having been ordered to march with five days' rations, they were found hungry and destitute at the end of three days. This is one of the evils of raw troops, imperfectly organized, and badly commanded ; a tribute, it seems, we must continue to pay to universal suffrage, the bane of our military organization. In this condition we passed the night, and at dawn of day prepared to move. The enemy did not give us time to discuss the question of attack, for soon after dawn he commenced a rapid musketry fire on our pickets. The order was immediately given by the command- ing general, and our lines advanced. Such was the ardor of our troops that it was with great difficulty they could be restrained from closing up, and mingling with the first line. Within less than a mile, the enemy was encountered in force at the encampments ot his advanced positions, but our first line brushed him away, leaving the rear nothing to do but to press on in pursuit. In about one mile more, we encountered him in strong force along almost the entire line. His batteries were posted on eminences, with strong iuluutry supports. Finding the first line was now unequal to the OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 227 work before it, being weakened by extention, and necessarily bro- ken by the nature of the ground, I ordered my whole force to move up steadily and promptly to its support. . The order was hardly necessary, for subordinate commanders, far beyond the reach of my voice and eye in the broken country occu- pied by us, had promptly acted on the necessity as it arose, and by the time the order could be conveyed, the whole line was developed and actively engaged. From this time, about seven and a half o'clock, until night, the battle raged with little intermission. All parts of our line were not constantly engaged, but there was no time without heavy firing in some portion of it. My position for several hours was opposite my left-centre (Rug- gles' division), immediately in rear of Hindman's brigade, Hardee's corps. In moving ov^er the difficult and broken ground, the right brigade of Ruggles' division, Col. Gibson commanding, bearing to the right, became separated from the two left brigades, leaving a broad interval. Three regiments of Major-gen. Polk's command opportunely came up and filled this interval. Finding no superior officer with them, I took the liberty of directing their movements in support of Hindman, then as before, ai'dently pressing forward, and engaging the enemy at every point. On the ground which had come under my immediate observation, we had already captured three large encampments and three bat- teries of artillery. It was now about ten and a half o'clock. Our right flank, according to the order of battle, had pressed for- ward ai'dently, under the immediate direction of the commanding general, and swept all before it. Batteries, encampmants, store- houses, munitions in rich profusion, were ours : and the enemy fighting hard and causing us to pay dearly for our successes, was falling back rapidly at every point. His left, however, opposite our right, was his strongest ground and position, and was disputed with, obstinacy. It was during this severe struggle that my command suflfered an irreparable loss in the fall of Brig.-gen. Gladden, com- manding 1st brigade. Withers' division, mortally, and Col. D. W. Adams, Louisiana regular infantry (his successor), severely wounded. Nothing daunted, however, by these losses, this noble division, un- der its gallant leader, Withers, pressed on with the other troops in its vicinity, and carried all before them. Their progress, however, under the obstinate resistance made, was not so rapid as was desir- ed, in proportion to that of the left, where the enemy was less strong ; so that, instead of driving him, as we intended, down the 228 OFFICIAL EEP0ET8 OF BATTLES. river, leaving the left open for him to pass, we had really enveloped him on all sides, and were pressing him back upon the landing at Pittsburg. Meeting at about 10 and a half o'clock, upon the left-centre with , Major-gen. Polk, my senior, I promptly yielded to him the important command at that point, and moved towards the right, in the direc- tion in which Brig,-gen. Hindman, of Hardee's line, had just led his division. Here we met the most obstinate resistance of the day, the enemy being strongly posted with infantry and artillery on an eminence immediately behind a dense thicket. Hindman's command was gallantly led to the attack, but recoiled under a murderous fire. The noble and gallant leader fell severely wounded, and was borne from the field he had illustrated with a heroism rarely equalled. The command soon returned to its work, but was unequal to the heavy task. Leaving them to hold their position, I moved further to the right, and brought up the first brigade (Gibson of Ruggles' division), which was in rear of its true position, and threw them forward to attack this same point. A very heavy fire soon opened, and after a short conflict, this command fell back in considerable disorder. Rallying the different regiments by means of my staff officers and escort, they were twice more moved to the attack, only to be driven back by the enemy's sharpshooters occupying the thick cover. This result was due entirely to want of proper hand- ling. Finding that nothing could be done here, after hours of severe exertion and heavy losses, and learning the fall of our commander, who was leading in person on the extreme right, the troops were so posted as to hold this position, and leaving a competent staff officer to direct them in my name, I moved rapidly to the extreme right. Here I found a strong force, consisting of three parts, without a common head; Brig.-gen. Breckinridge with his reserve division pressing the enemy ; Brig.-gen. Withers, with his splendid division, greatly exhausted, and taking a temporary rest, and Major-gen. Cheatham, with his division of Major-gen. Polk's command, to their left and rear. These troops were soon put in motion, responding with great alacrity to the command of " forward, let every order be forward." It was now probably past 4 o'clock, the descending sun warning us to press our advantage, and finish the work before night should compel us to desist. Fairly in motion, these commands again, with a common head and a common purpose, swept all before them. Neither battery, OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 229 nor battalion could withstand their onslaught. Passing through camp after camp, rich in military spoils of every kind, the enemy was driven headlong from every position, and thrown in confused masses upon the river bank, behind his heavy artillery, and under cover of his gunboats at the landing. He had left nearly the whole of his light artillery in our hands, and some three thousand or more prisoners, who were cut off from their retreat by the closing in of our troops on the left, under Major-gen. Polk, with a portion of his reserve corps, and Brig.-gen. Ruggles, with Anderson's and Pond's brigades of his division. * The prisoners were dispatched to the rear under a proper guard, all else being left on the field, that we might press our advantage. The enemy had fallen back in much confusion, and was crowded in unorganized masses on the river bank, vainly striving to cross. They were covered by a battery of heavy guns well served, and their two gunboats, which now poured a heavy fire upon our supposed positions, for we were entirely hid by the forest. Their fire, though terrific in sound, and producing some consternation at first, did us no dam- age, as the shells all jpassed over, and exploded far beyond our posi- tions. As soon as our troops could be again formed and put in motion, the order was given to move forward at all points, and sweep the enemy from the field. The sun was about disappearing, so that little time was left us to finish the glorious work of the day ; a day unsurpassed in the history of warfare for its daring deeds, biilliant achievements, and heavy sacrifices. Our troops, greatly exhausted by twelve hours' incessant fighting, without food, mostly responded to the order with alacrity, and the movement commenced with every prospect of success, though a heavy battery in our front, and the gunboats on our right, seemed determined to dispute every inch of ground. Just at this time, an order was received from the commanding general, to withdraw the forces beyond the enemy's fire. As this was communicated in many instances direct to brigade commanders, the troops were soon in motion, and the action ceased. The dif- ferent commands mixed and scattered, bivouacked at points most convenient to their positions, and beyond the range of the enemy's guns. All firing, except a half houi' shot from the gunboats, ceased and the whole night was passed by our exhausted men in quiet. Such as had not sought shelter in the camps of the enemy, were again drenched before morning by one of those heavy rain storms which seemed to be our portion for this expedition. 230 OFFICILL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. Such was the nature of the ground over which we had fought, and the heavy resistance we had met, that the commands of the whole army were very much shattered. In a dark or stormy night, commanders found it impossible to find and assemble their troops ; each body or fragment bivouacking when night overtook them. In this condition, morning found us confronting a large and fresh army, which had arrived during the night, and for the first time the enemy advanced to meet us. He was received by our whole line with a firm and bold front, and the battle again raged. From this hour until 2 p. m., the action continued with great ob- stinacy and varying success. Our troops exhausted by days of in- cessant fatigue, hunger, and want of rest, and ranks thinned by killed, wounded, and stragglers, amounting in the whole, to nearly half our force, fought bravely, but with the Avant of that animation and spirit which characterized them the preceding day. Many in- stances of daring and desperate valor, deserving of better success, failed for want of numbers. My personal services Avere confined during this day to the ex- treme left of our line, where my whole time was incessantly oc- cupied. The troops in my front consisted of Ruggles' division, Col. Wobue's brigade of Breckinridge's reserve, and other detachments of diiferent corps, all operating to the left of Shiloh church. This force advanced in the early morning, and pressed the enemy back for nearly a mile, securing for our left flank an eminence in an ojien field near Owl creek, which we held till near the close of the con- flict, against every eifort the enemy could make. For this gallant and obstinate defence of our left flank, which the enemy constantly endeavored to force, we were indebted to Col. Wobue's small brigade in support of Capt. Burn's battery. Against overwhelm- ing numbers, this gallant command maintained its position from the commencement of the action, until about twelve o'clock, when our forces on the left falling back, it Avas left entirely without support, far in front of our whole army. Safety required it to retire. Dur- ing this time, the right and centre were actively engaged. With- ers' division, in conjunction with portions of Hardee's and Breckin- ridge's commands, obstinately disputed every efibrt of the enemy. But his overwhelming numbers, a very large portion being perfectly fresh troops, the prostration of our men, and the exhaustion of our ammunition, — not a battalion being supplied, — rendered our po- sition most perilous, and the commanding general ordei'ed a retro- grade movement to commence on the right. This Avas gradually extended to the left, now held by Ketchum's battery. The troops OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 231 fell back generally in perfect order, and formed in line of battle on a ridge about half a mile in the rear. Ketchum retiring slowly as the rear guard of the whole army. The enemy evinced no disposition to pursue. After some half hour our troops were again put in motion and moved about a mile further, where line was formed, and final arrangements were made for the march of our camp to Corinth, the enemy making not the slightest demonstration upon us. This orderly movement, under the circumstances, was as credit- able to the troops as any part of the brilliant advances they had made. A " Field Return" of the force carried into action, marked " A," and a return of killed, wounded, and missing, marked " B," and the reports of division commanders, marked " C " and " D," ac- companied by those of subordinate commanders, are herewith for- warded. Of the missing, a few are ascertained to have fallen into the hands of the enemy, mostly wounded. The others were, no doubt, left dead on the field. The heavy loss sustained by the command will best indicate the obstinacy the resistance met, and the determination with which it was overcome. For the part performed by the difierent portions of the corps, re- ference is made to the reports of subordinate commanders. The division of Brig.-gen. J. M. Withers was gallantly led by that officer from the first gun to the close of the action, and performed sei'vice rarely suppassed by any troops on the field. Brig.-gen. A. H. Gladden, first brigade of this division, fell early in the action, mortally wounded, whilst gallantly leading his men in a successful charge. No better soldier lived — no truer man or nobler patriot ever shed his blood in a just cause. Later in the day. Col. D. W. Adams, Louisiana infantry, who had succeeded to this si^lendid brigade, was desperately wounded whilst gallantly leading it; and later still. Col. Z. C. Deas, 22d Ala- bama Volunteers, fell pierced by several balls. Brig.-gen. James R. Chalmers, at the head of his gallant Missis- sippians, filled, he could not have exceeded, the measure of my ex- pectations. Never were troops and commanders more worthy of each other and of their State. Brig.-gen. J. K. Jackson did good service with his Alabama brigade on the first day ; but becoming much broken, it was not unitedly in action thereafter. The excellent regiment of Col. Jos. Wheeler, however, joined, and did noble service with Gladden's brigade. 232 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. Brig.-gen, D, Ruggles, commanding second division, was con- spicuous throughout both days, for the gallantry with which he led his troojis. Brig.-gen. Patton Anderson, commanding a brigade of this division, was also among the foremost where the fighting was hardest, and never failed to overcome whatever resistance was op- posed to him. With a brigade composed almost entirely of raw troops, his personal gallantry and soldierly bearing supplied the jilace of instruction and discij^line. It would be a pleasing duty to record the deeds of many other noble soldiers of inferior grade, but as subordinate commanders have done so in their reports, a repetition is unnecessary, I shall be pardoned for making an exception in the case of Capt, R. W, Smith, commanding a company of Alabama cavalry, which served as my personal escort during the action. For personal gallantry and intelligent execution of orders, frequently under the heaviest fire, his example has rarely been equalled. To him, his oflicers, and his men, I feel a deep personal as well as olBcial obligation. By the ofiicers of my staff I was most faithfully, laboriously, and gallantly served throughout both days, as well as on the marches before and after the action. A record of their names is an ac- knowledgment but justly due. Major Geo. G. Garner, As't. Adj.-gen. (horse wounded on Sunday.) Capt. H, W. Walter, Assistant Adj.-gen. Capt. G, B, Cook, " « 1st Lieut. Tonson Ellis, Regular Aid. " F. S. Parker, " « Lieut.-col. F. Gardner, C. S. A. " W. K. Beard, Florida Volunteers (wounded on Mon- day), Acting Inspector gen. Major J. H. Hallenquist, P. A., Chief of Artillery. Capt. W. O. Williams, P. A., Assistant to Chief of Artillery. " S. H. Lockett, C. S. Engineers. " 11. Oladnoski, C. S. A., Chief of Ordnance. Major J. J. Walker, P. A., Chief of Subsistence, " L. F. Johnston, P. A., Chief Quarter-master, " O. P. Cliaffee, P, A,, Assistant Quarter-master. Surgeon A. I, Foard, C. S, A., Medical Director. " J. C, Nott, P, A., Medical Inspector. Doctor Robert O. Butler, of Louisiana Volunteers, for the occa- sion rendered excellent service in our field hospitals, Lieut.-col. David Urquhart, Aid to the Governor of Louisiana, served me with great intelligence and efficiency as Volunteer Aid. OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 233 Several other oiEcers, during the engagement, temporarily sepa- rated from their own commands, did me the favor to act on my staff, and served me efficiently. Privates H. Montague and M. Shehan, Louisiana infantry, and private John Williams, 10th Regi- ment Mississippi Volunteers, orderlies in attendance on myself and staff, though humble in position, rendered services so useful and gallant that their names are fully entitled to a mention in thia report. They encountered the same dangers, and, when necessary, performed nearly the same duties as officers of my staff, without the same incentives. In rallying troops, bringing up stragglers and enforcing orders against refugees, they were especially active, ener- getic, and efficient. It may not be amiss to refer briefly to the causes it is believed operated to prevent the complete overthrow of the enemy, which we were so near accomplishing, and which would have changed the entire complexion of the war. The want of proper organization and discipline, and the inferi- ority in many cases of our officers to the men they were expected to command, left as often without system or order, and the laro-e proportion of stragglers resulting, weakened our forces, and kept the superior and staff officers constantly engaged in the duties of file-closers. Especially was this the case after the occupation of the enemy's camps, the spoils of which served to delay, and greatly to demoralize our men. But no one cause, probably, contributed so greatly to our loss of time, which was the loss of success, as the fall of the commanding general. At the moment of this irreparable disaster, the plan of battle was being rapidly and successfully exe- cuted under his immediate eye and lead on the right. For want of a common superior to the different commands on that part of the field, greart delay occurred after this misfortune, and that delay prevented the consummation of the work so gallantly and success- fully begun and carried on, until the approach of night induced our new commander to recall the exhausted troops for rest and recu- peration, before a crowning effort on the next morning. The arrival during the night of a large and fresh army to reinforce the enemy, equal in nimibers at least to our own, frustrated all his well- grounded expectations, and after a long and bloody contest with superior forces, compelled us to retire from the field, leaving our killed, many of our wounded, and nearly all the trophies of the previous day's victories. In this result we have a valuable lesson, by which we should profit — never on a battle-field to lose a moment's time ; but, leaving 234 OiTICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. the killed, wounded and spoils to those whose sjiecial business it is to care for tlieni, to [)ress on with every available man, giving a panic-stricken and retreating foe no time to rally, and reaping all the benefits of a success never complete, until every enemy is killed, wounded, or captured. No course so certain as this to afford suc- cor to the wounded and security to the trophies. I am, sir, very respectfully. Your obedient servant, • BRAXTON BRAGG, General Commanding. P. S. The transmission of this report has been delayed from time to time, that those from subordinate commanders with a com- plete and perfect list of killed, wounded, and missing might accom- pany it. In this hope I am yet disappointed to a certain extent. (A.) Field Return, showing the Number of Killed, "Wounded, and Missing, and the Aggregate Strength of each Division, 2d Corps, Aristy of the Mississippi, April 6th, 1862. Withers' Division; killed, 293; wounded, 1334; missing, 253; total, 1880 ; aggregate strength, 6482. Ruggles' Division; killed, 240; wounded, 1103; missing, 269; total, 1612 ; aggregate strength, 6484. Grand total; killed, 533; wounded, 2437; missing, 522; total, 4492; aggregate strength, 12,966. Report of Brig.-gen. Withers. Head-quarters Withers' Division, Camp near Tupelo, June 20th, 1862. Major: — I have the honor to report that before daylight, on Saturday morning, the 5th of April, this division was reported ready to march, and that immediately after the rear of the advanced com- mand was in motion, it moved forward in the following order : 1st — Gladden's brigade. 2d — Chalmer's brigade. 3d — Jackson's brigade. OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 235 Arriving near the proposed line of battle, by order of Gen. Bragg, Gladden's brigade was thrown forward to the right of Gen. Hardee's advanced or attacking lines. Jackson's brigade was then positioned about 300 yards to the rear of Gladden's, its left resting on the Bark road. Chalmers' was formed on the right of Jackson's, its right resting on a creek, ti'ibutary to Lick creek, being in echelon to, and on, Gladden's right. Clanton's cavalry having reported for duty with the division, was placed in the rear of Chalmers, with a strong picket on the right and front. Thus, the division bivouacked for the night. The attacking line being put in motion early on the morning of the 6th, this command was ordered forward, retaining its relative position. With the advance it was soon perceptible that there was a gradual but steady inclination to the left, thus increasing the dis- tance to, and exposing our flank on. Lick creek. To remedy this, Col. Clanton was directed to sweep down Lick creek with his cavalry, and to protect our right fi"om surprise. By this time, our attacking line was warmly engaged with the enemy, and steadily driving them back. Learning that the enemy were in force in front of Gen. Chalmers, whose brigade extended to the right of our attacking line, he was ordered forward to attack them. This he did promptly, gallantly, and successfully. Moving forward, we passed the first camp, from which the enemy had been driven, and came up with Gladden's brigade, formed in square, and under command of Col. D. W. Adams, 1st Louisiana infantry. Gen. Gladden having been dangerously, and, as the result unfortunately proved, mortally wounded. In the meantime, Chalmers' brigade had moved steadily onward, and after a short but hot contest, drove the enemy from their second camp. Having thus become t6o much sepai-ated from the remainder of the command. Gen. Chal- mers was ordered to resume his position on Jackson's right. Here some delay occurred in moving forward, the movements of the enemy being concealed ; and a report being brought in that they were forming in line of battle some distance on our right. Gen. A. S. Johnston, who was present, immediately ordered the division to move to the right. This movemerit was promptly and rapidly per- formed, over ground that was rough, broken, and heavily timbered. Having led the command about one-half or three-fourths of a mile to the right, it was halted, until the cavalry should ascertain whether the enemy still outflanked us. Satisfied that there was no. enemy on our right, the order was given to advance. The nature of the ground, over which we had to pass, rendered it most difficult for the 236 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. artillery to keep up with the eager and rapid movements of the in- fantry. With such batteries, however, as Robertson's, Grady's, and Gage's, there could be no failure. Gen. Jackson, descending rapidly the hill on which his brigade had rested, found the enemy in strong force on the ojjposite slope. lie promptly engaged, and, after a sharp but warm contest, drove them from their position. Col. Moore, of the 2d Texas, here displayed great gallantry. In quick pursuit, we passed an extensive camp, beyond which, -and on the opposite side skirting the wood, the enemy, occupying some bouses, had formed a second line. From this position they were also quickly driven, but soon formed a third line, on a ridge running nearly parallel with the Hamburg and Pittsburg road. Gen. Jackson was ordered to move forward a short distance, and rest his command in a ravine, untU the artillery could be brought up. This was quickly done, and it opened immediately, with telling effect, on the enemy. Gen. Chalmers, in the meantime^ advanced rapidly upon the enemy, in strong force, beyond an old field, con- cealed and protected by a worm fence and thick undergrowth. After a short conflict, they were dislodged, and driven from their position, and Chalmers halted his command for a supply of am- munition. These movements caused the brigades to be too widely separated, being at right angles, Jackson's facing north, and Chalmers' east. Chalmers was, therefore, ordered to move his command to its jDOsi- tion on Jackson's right. Satisfied by the report of the energetic and indefatigable Clanton, that there was no enemy on our right, and being convinced, by the heavy and continuous firing, that they were in force on our left, the division was ordered to wheel on a movable pivot to the left. This movement, which was in accordance with the general plan of battle, as explained by the commanding general to the division and brigade commanders, soon developed the enemy in strong force, who stubbornly contested our advance, but were driven before the cool and steady Jackson, and the gal- lant and impetuous Chalmers. Reinforcements were now called for on our left, where heavy firing still continued ; but this division being hotly engaged throughout the lines. Col. Rich, of the 1st Mis- souri, whose regiment was in our rear, having become detached from Gen. Brown's brigade, was ordered to the support. He moved off immediately at double-quick, and dashed into the fight with good effect.. An order for reinforcements was now received from Gen. Bragg. As the entire line was now warmly engaged, with no sup- port, Gen. Breckenridge, who had just had a sharp conflict with, OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 237 and driven the enemy before liim, was called on to render the de- sired assistance. This was done without other delay than that necessary to furnish his troops with ammunition. This division still continued fiercely engaged, until Chalmers, having routed the forces before him, began to sweep down on the left flank of the heavy force in front of Jackson ; at the same time that Gladden's brigade, now under command of Col. Deas, of the 22d Alabama, the bold and impetuous Adams having been danger- ously wounded in the head, whilst gallantly leading his command, began to press him on his right. Thus positioned, the enemy sur- rendered, and were marched out on the Hamburg road, through Jackson's brigade, and placed by me in charge of Col. Shorter, with his regiment, the 18th Alabama, and marched to Corinth. The enemy captured proved to be the command of Gen. Prentiss. This division was then advanced to the Pittsburg edge of the field, in which the enemy had stacked their arms, and halted for a supply of ammunition. Most of the regiments were supplied from the camps of the enemy. The order was now given by Gen. Bragg, who was present on the right during the fierce fight, which ended in the capture of Prentiss, to " Sweep every thing forward." This division was moved promptly forward, although some regiments had not succeeded in getting a sujoply of ammunition, and had just entered a steep and precipitous ravine, when the enemy opened a terrific fire upon it. Staif officers were immediately dispatched, to bring up all the reinforcements to be found, and the order was given to brigade commanders to charge the batteries. These orders were being obeyed, when, to my astonishment, a large portion of the command was observed to move rapidly by the left flank, from under tlie fire of the enemy. Orders were immediately sent to ar- rest the commanding ofticers, and for the troops to be promptly placed in a position for charging the batteries. Information was soon brought, however, that it was by Gen. Beauregard's orders, delivered thus directly to brigade command- ers, that the troops w^ere being rapidly led from under the fire of the enemy's gunboats. Thus ended the fight on Sunday, and thus was this command disorganized, an evil sorely felt during the next day. Receiving at this time an order from Gen. Bragg, to take com- mand of all the troops on the right, and it being now near dark, the order was given to fall back about half a mile, and bivouack for the night. Chalmers' brigade resting in rear nearest the enemy, and the remainder of the troops at the second of the camps from the 238 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. one last captured, under command of Col. Wheeler, 19tli Alabama. Here we met Col. Hardee, with Col. Mai'tin's 1st Confederate regi- ment. At 4 o'clock, Monday riiorning, the troops were jJut in motion to form line of battle, on the road leading from this camp diagonally to the left and rear, to a road branching off to the right, from the Bark and Pittsburg roads, and nearly a mile distant from the camp. Chalmers' brigade was to form the rear guard until this otherwise fragmentary command could be worked into some shape, the order being given to force all stragglers into ranks. The head of this line had but just reached the point at which it was to halt, when an order was received from Gen. Bragg to move my command to the assist- ance of Gen. Anderson, who was hotly pressed by the enemy. With receipt of this order came a message from Gen. Chalmers, that he had already had one fierce engagement with the enemy, and was then in the second. Every available man was immediately marclied back, and line of battle formed near the position occupied by us through the night, Chalmer's brigade being on the right, the 19th and 21st Alabama, and the 2d Texas, on the left, Col. Moore, of the 2d Texas, being in command of the left. Robertson's battery was placed in position at the edge of an old field, with instructions to sweep the enemy from our front, and also to aid some command on the left (believed to be Anderson's) which seemed to be warmly engaged. The reserre consisted of the " Crescent La.," Col. Mar- tin's Confederate regiment, and Maney's 1st Tenn., with whatever other troops, from time to time, could be picked up. At this time an order was received from Gen. Beauregard to charge the enemy, in conjunction with Gen. Breckinridge. The charge was made by us, but Gen. Breckinridge was neither there nor subsequently in that portion of the field. The enemy proved to be in such numbers that it became necessary to bring our entire force into action, and the fight continued with sullen desperation for several hours, and with alternate success. Between half-past two and three o'clock, finding that the enemy were content to hold their position and not advance on us, our line of the morning was resumed, the left under the command of the gallant Col. Maney, of the 1st Tennessee regiment. Shortly after this an order was re- ceived from Gen. Bragg to withdraw the troops in good order, and form line of battle on the crest of the hill on the right branch of the Bark road. This was done, and the command slowly and in good order retired through two of the enemy's camjjs, not a gun being fired, and formed line of battle as ordered; the advanced line under OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 239 Col. Wheeler ; the reserve under Col. Martin, with Col. Moore, of th3 2d Texas, to support a battery, commanding a road running to our right and rear. The cavalry was thrown to our from. Thus we remained until dark, the entire army", with the exception of the cavalry, having retired from the field, when we received an order from Gen. Bragg, that, holding the command in readiness to form line of battle at any moment, we would fall back to Meckey's. This order was obeyed ; Chalmers' worn brigade and the Crescent regi- ment were permitted to pass on to the rear, and the remainder of the troops marched to within about a mile of Meckey's, where they were placed under the command of Col. Wheeler, who, throughout the fight, had proved himself worthy of all trust and confidence — a gallant commander and an accomplished soldier — and there bivou- acked for the night. After eleven o'clock at night we arrived at Meckey's, where we found that Gen. Breckinridge was in command of what has been called the rear guard. With him. Col. Wheeler, with his regiment, the 19th Alabama, was left on Tuesday morning, and the remainder of the command marched back to Corinth. Though temporarily detached, the reports from Gladden's brigade were forwarded to division head-quarters. From these and the proximity of the brigade during the fight, abundant evidences of the ability and gallantry of its commanders are furnished. The true and tried Gladden fell early on the morning of the 6th, the fearless Adams about half-past eleven o'clock. From that hour, during that and the next day, the brigade was ably commanded by Col. Deas, of the 22d Alabama, who, though without a staif oflicer to aid him, proved himself equal to the occasion, and worthy of the gallant command to which he had succeeded, and which, although severely wounded, he continued to hold through the fight. The division entered the fight sixty-four hundred and eighty-two strong, and came out with an aggregate loss of nineteen hundred, and eighteen, apportioned among the several brigades as follows : Gladden's — 129 killed; 597 wounded; 103 missing. Chalmer's— 82 " 343 " — " Jackson's— 86 " 365 " 213 " thus fui-nishing stern but sad evidence of the manner in which the command discharged its duty. In the fight on Sunday, Capt. D. E. Huger, Assistant-adj.-gen., Provisional Army ; Lieut. B. M. Thomas, C. S. A., Acting Inspector Gen. ; Lieut. D. F. Withers, A. D. C. ; and volunteer aids, R. W. Withers, S. B. Howe, William Williamson, and L. E. Smith, dis- 210 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. charged the duties of their respective positions with active z( al and gallantry. Through the fight on Monday, Capt. Huger, Lieut. Thomas, and Volunteer-aid R. W. Withers, were all the staff present on the right, the others having become separated Sunday evening, and each more than sustained the reputation gained the day before. Major Reynolds, of the 2d Texas, volunteered as a staff officer when the division commander was temporarily alone, and performed gallant and efficient service. To Mr. Lafayette Veal, a noble and patriotic citizen of Tennessee, this command and the country are indebted for laborious and indis- pensable services, in guiding our righls under constant fire down Lick creek and the Tennessee river to within half a mile of Pittsburg. Brigade and regimental reports were duly forwarded, and the causes which have delayed the handing in of this report are known to the commanding general. I am, major. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, J. M. WITHERS, brigadier General^ commanding Division. Major Geo. G. Garner, Assistant Adjutant General. Report of Col. J. Q. Loomis, commanding First Brigade. Camp near Corinth, Miss., April 13th, 1862, D. E. Huger, Captain and Assistant Adjutant General: Sir : — Herewith I have the honor to transmit such of the reports as I have been able to procure from the regimental commanders. To attempt a report of the brigade would be a difficult work upon my part. The officers who commanded during the engage- ment are either killed or wounded ; and those upon whom the labor should more properly devolve, and who could more properly speak ot the action of the brigade, are absent. We engaged the enemy at seven and a half o'clock a. m., on the 6th instant, under command of Gen. Gladden, and in a short time. OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 241 while leading a charge upon the enemy's lines and battery, that gallant officer received a wound, of which he has since died. In his death, our country has sustained a serious loss. He was one of nature's noblemen ; a good soldier, an accomplished gentleman, and a true patriot. Long will his name live in the memory of those whom he so gallantly led against our enemy's forces. About this time, too, Major Armstead, of the 22d Alabama regiment, fell, a true patriot and brave soldier, in the full discharge of the duties of his position. While we pause to drop a tear of sorrow upon his grave, let us be encouraged to emulate his brave deeds. After Gen. Gladden was wounded, the command devolved upon Col. Adams, of the 1st Louisiana infantry, who continued in charge, doing deeds of noble daring, until about 2 o'clock, p. jr., when he fell severely wounded. Colonel Deas, of the 22d Alabama, then took command for the rest of the day, receiving several wounds, but still remaining upon the field, deporting himself as a true sol- dier, exposing himself to the fire of the enemy, and winning the hearts of the whole brigade. On Monday, the brigade becoming disunited, attached themselves to different commands, but continued on the field until ordered to retire. So far as came under my observation, the officers deported them- selves as men^ fighting nobly for all that is most dear, " life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The undersigned hoj^es that in a short time, those who commanded the brigade may return to their wonted health, and be prepared to make a report that will do full and ample justice to a command that bore itself ^o gallantly on the field. Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, J. Q. LOOMIS, Colonel comtnanding 1st brigade, Withers^ Division. Report of Col, Daniel W. Adams. Corinth, Miss., May 20, 1862. D. E. HUGEK, A. A. G., General Withers'' Division : S^R : — As the Col. of the first regiment of Louisiana infantry in the early part of the day, in the battle of Shiloh, on the 6th of 16 242 OFFICIAL EEFOKTS OF BATTLES. Aj^ril, 1862, in command of my regiment, and subsequently in com- mand of the brigade to which it was attached, it was my duty to have reported to you before this, but I have been delayed, by the effects of the very severe wound I received, until the present moment. . As you are aware, Gen. Gladden's brigade, to which my regiment belonged and constituted the right, were attached, on the evening of the 5th April, to Gen. Hardee's division, and was placed on the riglit, and in that position went into the battle on the morning of the 6th. As we approached the enemy, we found immediately in front of us the encampments of several regiments and the head- quarters of Gen. Prentiss, who was in command of that division of their army. Their line of battle, composed of infantry, supported by artillery, was formed just outside of their encampments, with detachments of sharpshooters in the thick woods and bushes on our right. When we reached a position of about two hundred yards of the enemy's lines, near the hour of half-past eight o'clock a.m., they opened a very heavy fire upon us with the rifled muskets, followed very soon thereafter with the fire of their artillery. In a very short time after the engagement commenced. Gen. Glad- den, who was gallantly commanding in the advance of the brigade, received a very severe wound — wliich afterwards proved mortal — from a cannon shot, and having to be taken from the field, relin- quished the command of the brigade in my favor. Finding that the enemy were then pouring a most destructive fire upon us, I ordered a rapid advance of the brigade, to drive them from their cover ayd position ; but, as we advanced, the fire became so very severe, that I found the whole brigade began to falter, and finally to fall back. Fearing the worst consequences, I rode to the color- bearer of the first regiment, Louisiana infantry, the command of which I had turned over to Major Farrar, and seizing the battle- flag, placed myself in front of the brigade and called upon them to follow me, which they did with great alacrity ; and leading them close to the enemy's lines, I ordered a charge, which was promptly and eft'ectively execitted. The enemy was driven from their position and retreated very rapidly. Following them, we took possession of the encampment and of Gen. Prentiss' head-quarters, and some of the privates of the Louisiana regiment seized and secured seven stand of colors. During our advance and the charge, Captain Robertson's battery of artillery, attached to the brigade, opened on the enemy with great power and effect, and greatly aided in accom- plishing the enemy's defeat. Shortly after we had driven the OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES, 243 enemy from this encampment and taken possession, I formed the line of battle on the other side of it, for a further advance. The enemy reappeared at a distance of some three or four hundred yards, and apparently, as reported to me, largely reinforced, formed the line of battle, and commenced advancing on us, opening at the same time with their artillery. I immediately ordered Capt. Rob- ertson's battery up, which was rapidly placed in position and returned the enemy's fire with such promptness and great effect, that it drove them from their guns and caused them to abandon their battery, which we afterwards took possession of. About this time Gen. Hardee and staff passed, and the Gen. instructed me t© throw out some companies in advance as skirmishers, to see if the enemy were- really in front of us, in large force, and to avoid col- lision with our friends ; which I did, and found that the represent- ations were correct, and that the enemy was being reinforced and advancing on our positition. At this time, I received an order from Gen. Bragg to advance with the brigade, and would have done so immediately, but found that many of the men in the com- mand, had nearly exhausted their ammunition. As soon as this deficiency M^as supplied, I ordered an advance, when the divisions of Gens. Cheatham and Breckinridge coming up to my right and left, and advancing, a portion of their forces were so interposed be- tween my command and the enemy's, that when within range, I received a message so requesting me, and was constrained to halt and remain in that position for over an hour. During this time, the enemy opened upon us again with their artillery, Avhen I directed Capt. Robertson to return their fire, which he did with great effect. Capt. • battery of artillery, also came up and rendered valuable services and assistance. Await- ing a change of position that could allow me to advance, and riding down the line of the brigade, about the hour of half-past two o'clock, I received a very severe wound from a rifle ball in the head, which caused me to be taken form the field, and I had to relinquish the command to Col. Zack Deas, of the 22d Alabama regiment. During the time that I was in command of the first Louisiana regiment, and the brigade, the oflicers and men generally acted with great gallantry and courage, and the brigade is entitled tc credit for having carried one of the enemy's strongest positions. Very respectfully, (Signed) DANIEL W. ADAMS, Col. \st Regiment Loxdsiana Infantry. 244 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. Report of Col. Z. C. Deas. Mobile, April 25th, 1862 To D. E. HuGER, Captain and A. A. General^ Corinth, Ifiss. : Captain : — I have the honor to report that, on the morning of the 6th April, this brigade, composed of the 1st Louisiana infantry, Col. D. W. Adams, 21st Alabama, Lieut.-col. S. W. Cayce, 2 2d Alabama, Col. Z. C. Deas, 25th Alabama, Col. J. Q. Loomis, 26th Alabama, Col. Coltart, and Robertson's battery, Capt. Robertson, under command of Brig.-gen. Gladden, moved out of camp, marching in line of battle, and shortly after 7 o'clock, came i;pon the enemy, when the engagement commenced. One of their bat- teries was playing upon us with effect, but in a short time Robert- son's battery was brought on our side, which soon silenced theii's. We then charged, driving the enemy flying through their camp. In this charge sevei"al colors were captured. Just before this charge was made, Gen. Gladden, while gloriously sustaining tlie reputation won in Mexico, at the head of the immor- tal Palmetto regiment, received a wound from a cannon ball, which proved fatal. Beyond this camp, the brigade now under command of Col. Adams, was halted, and after a time, a battery stationed near their next camp opened upon us, Avhich was responded to by Robertson's, and after a sharp contest, silenced. Orders were now received to move forward in support of Gen. Chalmers, and while here, the gallant Adams, when encouraging his men by his reckless daring and ajsparent contempt of the mis- siles of death flying thick around him, received a severe wound in the head. The command of the brigade now devolved upon me, without in- structions, without a staff ofiicer, or even one of my own regiment mounted to assist me. I moved forward to aid where I could, and before proceeding far, came up with Gen. Breckinridge, who was warmly engaged on my right. I immediately advanced to his as- sistance. The fire here was very severe, and I sent back for the 26th Alabama to come up (which they failed to do), and also for a battery, which was brought up promptly, and with this assistance, after a hard and long continued struggle, we succeeded in driving the enemy back. At this point Geu. Bragg came up and ordered OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 245 me to change direction. Obliquing to the left, in a short time I came upon the enemy again drawn up some distance in front of another camp, and after a short but very sharp engagement, drove them before me, pursuing them to their camp, where I assisted in ca2:»turing a large number. Here, in the hot pursuit, the 21st and 25th Alabama became sep- arated from me in the woods, and before I had time to find them, I received an order from Gen. Withers to form on the extreme left, where I remained until night came on, and then attempted to get back to the camp I had left, but got into a diiFerent one. My men being now completely exhausted, and not having had anything to eat since morning, I encamped here for the night. On inspection I found I had under my command only the 1st Louisiana infantry and the 22d Alabama, numbering respectively 101 and 123 men, with about an average of fifteen rounds of ammu- nition, although both regiments had replenished during the day. At daylight on the morning of the 7th, I sent Capt. R. I. Hill to hunt for Gen. "Withers' division, and also to get information. He soon returned, and reported that the enemy were advancing. I immediately marched over and formed on the left of a division com- manded by Col. Russell. Under his orders we advanced, but per- ceiving the enemy's skirmishers on our left and reai', fell back to our first position. While here, the enemy opened upon us with artillery, when we moved beyond the crest of a hill, and I placed my command, in support of a battery, where I remained until I re- ceived orders from Gen. Bragg to attack a force on my left. While marching to this attack, I was joined by the 4th Kentucky, and with these fragments of regiments, numbering together less than five hundred, I attacked two brigades, but after continuing this unequal contest for nearly half an hour, and nearly one-half of my command had been killed or wounded, I gave the order to fiill back, which was done in good order. I now formed and moA^ed forward again, with the remnant of my brigade (now reduced to about sixty men), in the last attack under Gen. Beauregard. Here my second horse was killed, and I, having been wounded some time previously, was unable to march. The indomitable courage and pei'severance of the oflicers and men of this brigade, the willingness and gallantry with which they ad- vanced to the attack when called upon, after having endured almost superhuman fatigues in the desperate and long continued struggles of Sunday and Monday, are deserving of the highest encomiums. Where so many acted nobly it might appear invidious to particular- 24^ OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. ize ; but impartiality compels me to record as first in the figbt, the 1st Louisiana infantry and 22d Alabama. I wish here to call the attention of my superiors to such field ofli- cers as especially distinguished themselves, under niy immediate supervision, for their coolness and gallant bearing under the hottest fire: Lient.-col. F. C. Marrast, 22d Alabama, Major F. H. Farrar, 1st Louisiana infanti'y, and Major George D. Johnston, 25th Ala- bama, and also to Adjutants Kent, 1st Louisiana, Stout, 25th Ala- bama, Travis, 22d Alabama, and Sergeant-major Nott, 22d Alaba- ma, acting as aids, for their gallantry and bravery in extending my orders. This report is written without having received any of the regimental reports, and without being able to consult with any of the officers, which will account for my not mentioning all the offi- cers of this brigade who distinguished themselves on the field of Shiloh. For this information I beg respectfully to refer to the reg- imental reports, and also to refer to document A for the killed, wounded, and missing. I am, captain, very respectfully. Your obedient servant, Z. C. DEAS, Vol. eommatiding \st Brigade^ Withers^ Division. Report of Col. Deas, of the operations of the 22d Ala- bama regiment. Head-Quaetebs 22t) Alabama Regiment, P. A., CoKiNTH, Miss., April 11th, 1862. General : — I have the honor to report that on the morning of 6th instant, about 6 o'clock, under orders of Gen. Gladden, I moved my regiment out of camp, numbering 404 rifles and 31 officers, and forming a part of Gen. Gladden's brigade. Marching in line of battle, at about 7 o'clock we came upon the enemy, drawn up in fi-ont of their camp, where they opened fire upon us, with their infantry and a battery of artillery, to which we resix)nded. Robertson's battery was brought into action, which soon silenced theirs, and shortly afterwards the enemy wavered, and we charged over tlioir disman- tled guns, driving them through their camp, where we halted to re- form, and after a short time they again opened upon us with another OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 247 battery, which was silenced by oiu- batteries. We then moved for- ward a few hundred yards, and halted in support. Here Col. Adams, who was in command (Gen. Gladden having been very seriously wounded by a cannon ball in the first engagement), was seriously wounded, and the command of the brigade devolving up- on me, Lieut.-Col. Marrast took command of my regiment, and will finish this report. Major R. B. Armistead was mortally wounded in the first engagement, but he fell vehere every brave soldier should be found to fall — in the front rank, doing his whole duty, and urging his men on to victory. In him his country has lost a most intelligent and gallant oflScer. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Z. C. DEAS, Colonel Commanding. Report of Lieut. -col. S. W. Cayce. Head-quaetbrs 21st Regiment, Ala. Vol's., Corinth, Miss., April 13th, 1862. To Lieut. J. Stout, Acting Assistant Adjutant General : Sir : — I have the honor to submit annexed a tabular statement of the loss sustained by my command, (21st Alabama Volunteers,) in the late battle near Monterey, on the 6th and Vth inst., amount- ing in the aggregate to 198 killed, wounded, and missing. Called suddenly from the rank of lieutenant to the command of the regiment, having only been placed in charge by Gen. Gladden, on the 5th inst., I would especially express my sense of the great assistance rendered me by Major Stewart, and senior Capt, John F. Jenett, acting as field officers, who, throughout the whole fight, fully sustained themselves as brave and gallant officers. In point of fact, late Sunday evening (when I had the misfortune to have my horse shot, bruising my foot much, and causing me to fall into the hands of the enemy, from whom, however, I was fortunately soon rescued), and Monday morning, the regiment was under the Major's command. When all did so well, it would seem invidious to make any dis- tinctions; nevertheless, I would mention Lieut. Parker, acting Adjutant; Capts. Chamberlain and Stewart, Lieuts. Rogers, Wil- 248 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. liams, and Savage, as particularly active in the discharge of their several duties. The men, as a general thing, behaved with great steadiness, though exposed at times to a perfect hurricane of shot and shell. No less than five men having fallen as color bearers. The move- ments of the command having all been by brigade ; ordered by brigade commandants, and executed under their supervision, I do not deem it necessary to rehearse them. I am, sir, very respectfully. Your obedient servant, S. W. CAYCE. Lieut.-col. comm,andi7ig 2\st Alabama Volunteers. Col. LooMis, commanding 1st brigade : The undersigned having tendered his resignation, the acceptance of which, however, was not received until after the fight, and hav- ing been in command as stated in the report of Lieut.-col. Cayce, does hereby respectfully concur in said report, and endorses its re- commendations. F. STEWART, Xate Major 2lst Alabama Volunteers. Report of liieutenant-colonel J. C, Marrast. Head-quaktes 22d Alabama kegiment, P, A., Corinth, Miss,, April 12, 1862. General : I have the honor to report, that about 1 1 and a halt o'clock A. M., Sunday, April 6th, the command of this regiment de- volved upon me, in consequence of the Avoundingof the gallant Col. Adams, 1st Louisiana regiment, and the succession of Col. Deas to the command of the Gladden brigade. Col. Adams fell at half-past 11 o'clock, whilst the two regiments were under cover, the enemy* firing upon us with artillery and infantry. We advanced from that position through one of the enemy's camps into a hollow, from which point we discovered the enemy in houses on the hill beyond. Col. Deas ordered me to send two companies to dislodge them, whereupon, Capt. Weedon, in command of his company, A, and Capt. Nott, of company B, gallantly charged the enemy, and driv- ing him before them. The regiment then closed upon the houses, OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 249 and occupied them as a cover, for about one hour, and did the enemy much damage, who was throwing a heavy fire of artillery and infantry upon us. Our loss in this engagement was very severe. We then charged upon the enemy's position, driving him before us about four or five hundred yards, when he made another stand, pouring into us a heavy fire. We were then halted in support of our artillery, and kept as much as possible under cover, but our loss in this aifair also, was considerable. Capt. A. L. Gaines, of company C, was here killed, gallantly leading his company. From this posi- tion, the enemy were finally driven back, and retreated beyond their camps, when the regiment was halted and ordered into camp for the night. On the morning of the 7th April (Monday), at daylight, I formed my regiment, numbering 1 field and 18 company ofiicers, and 124 non-commissioned ofiicers and privates. This regiment, together with the 1st Louisiana, under command of Col. Deas, was ordered to march, and form on the extreme left of the line of battle, then being formed, in which position it remained one hour. Orders being received to advance, the regiment mored forward about three hundl-ed yards, in the direction of a point occupied by the enemy's batteries, then inlaying, without eflfect, upon us. We then halted in a hollow, under cover. From this position, I threw out a skirmish- ing party of twenty men, under command of Capt. Hart, of company K. A few minutes thereafter, we were ordered to fall back, the skirmishers not hearing the call to return, Lieut. Wood, of company I, with two men, Avere ordered up the slope of the hill to warn them, which party has not since been heard from, and are supposed to be prisoners. Capt. Hart's party returned to the command all safe, and reported not having seen them. The regiment was then, with the 1st Louisiana, placed under cover, in support of two of oui- batteries, where we lay for about two hours, when the whole fell back a dis- tance, perhaps half a mile ; when, the new line of battle being form- ed, my regiment again regained its position on the extreme left, and advanced towards the enemy's position, some three hundred yards, when, under cover of the timber, we engaged the enemy, for per- haps twenty-five minutes, having been left with the 1st Louisiana infantry, isolated and alone, the main line having fallen back to near the original place of formation. Li this affair, our loss being severe, we were ordered by Col. Deas to fall back to our position in the line, which was done in good order. Very soon thereafter, the second advance upon the enemy's position was attempted, and af- ter advancing about two hundred yards, were halted. Placing my men under cover of the timber, we opened fire upon the enemy, 250 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. which was sustained for only a few minutes. Meeting with a very- heavy fire from the enemy, our entire line at this time wavered and fell back again to the original position. Our lines being reformed, my regiment in its position on the left, we again advanced towards the enemy, some one to two hundred yards, and very soon fell back again under order. At this time Col. Deas was compelled, from loss of blood from wounds received hours before, to retire from the field, from which time my regiment was represented in every move- ment made towards the enemy, and never retired without an order, and did not leave the field until the horses and gunners were re- moved from the two pieces of Capt. Ketchum's battery, which had to be abandoned. Being informed by the ofiicer in command of the battery, that he had been deserted by the troops left for his support, I felt it my duty to volunteer the services of my regiment for his support. When my command left this position, not a man of our army was in front of us. I beg to mention the following officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, who were particularly consi^icuous for soldierly bear- ing and bravery, throughout the action of two days : Capt. John Weedon, of company A. Lieut. J. M. Whitney, of company A. Corporal Alexander Inman, of company A, killed. Corporal S. V. Cain, of company A, wounded. Corporal W. Sumner, of company A. Private J. L. Penesy, of company A. Private J. J. Faught, of company A. Capt. J. Deas iSTott, of company B. Private Bartlett Anderson, of company B, wounded. Private H. C. McMillan, of company B. Capt. A, L. Gaines, of company C, killed. Private Frank Allen, of company C. Private Wm. West, of company H. Capt. A. P. Love, of company I, wounded. First Sergeant S, J. Skinner, of company I. Capt. J. R. Northcutt, of company E, wounded. Sergeant R. J. Moore, of company E, wounded. Corporal James M. Tedder, of company E, wounded. Capt. B. R. Hart, of Company K. Second Lieutenant R. L. Marick, of company K, wounded. Private Aaron Coifey, of company K. Private Monroe Brown, of company K. Capt. E. H. Armistead, of company D. OFFTCTAL R?:PORTS OF BATTLES. 251 Capt. R. J. Hill, A. Q. M., wounded. Adjutant E. F. Travis, wounded. Sergt.-major H. J. Nott. Quaitermaster-sergt, C. J. MichailofFsky. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, J. C. MARRAST, Lieut-col. Commandmg, Report of Col. J. Q. Loomis, Corinth, Miss., 13th April, 1862. A. A. A. General : Sir : — I have the honor to submit the annexed report of the losses sustained by the 25th Alabama regiment, in the battle of the 6th and 7th instant. Owing to the prevalence of the measles and mumps, I was able to take but three hundred and five (305) men in the action ; of this number were lost in killed and wounded. This regiment formed a part of the 1st brigade of Wither's divi- sion, under command of Gen. Gladden. This report not being intended as an eulogy on the regiment, I will only say it did its duty, fighting side by side with the other regiments of the brigade, charging promptly when ordered, and in good order, and only fall- ing back when commanded. With the brigade, it was engaged in every charge and attack on the 6th, and on the 7th, the brigade being disorganized, the regiment fell in with a Missouri regiment, and fought until the conclusion of the engagement. I remained in command of the regiment until 4 o'clock on the 6th, assisted greatly by my major, Geo. D.- Johnston, and Adjutant Stout, whose coolness and intrepidity upon the field is worthy of all praise. About 4 o'clock, I received a wound upon the head from a musket ball, doing very slight external injury, but producing a con- cussion of the brain, and rendering me unfit for commanding during the rest of the engagement. Major Johnston then took command, and led the regiment gal- lantly through the fight. Three stands of colors were captured from tie enemy — one Avas l^resented by Major Johnston to Gen. Hardee, upon the field, the other two were thoughtlessly torn up by the men, and taken as me- mentoes of the battle. The ofiicers, most of them, bore themselves gallantly upon the field. 252 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. CajDt. ' Costello, Lieuts. Smith and Slaughter, deserve especial mention Sergeant Scofield captured two flags. Private Vauu was the first at a battery, and took the color-bearer's horse. Numbers of such instances might be mentioned, if necessary, but all did well — a noble rivalry existed of who should do the most, and the whole brigade acquitted themselves as men should who were fighting for their homes and firesides. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your ob't serv't, J. Q. LOOMIS, Colonel 2bth Megiment, Ala., I*. A. Report of Lieutenant-Colonel William D, Chad-wick. Head-quartees 26th Alabama RegimeiStt, April 12, 1SG2. To Major C. D. Anderson, A. A. Gen. \st Brigade^ Withefs Division, Army of the 3Iiss.: Sir : In the absence of the colonel commanding, it becomes my duty to report the action of this regiment in the battle .of the 6th and 7th instant. Our position was on the left of Gladden's bi'igade, joining the right of Gen. Hardee's command. The regiment entered the engagement exceedingly wearied and without breakfast. I was ordered, on leaving the city the 3d instant, to bring up the rear of the brigade and take charge of the baggage train. The miserable condition of the roads caused an almost incessant bogging of the overloaded wagons. It was, therefore, late at night when we reached Monterey, where we were joined by Col, Coltart, who for the first time took command. We were scarcely quiet in our bivouac when we were disturbed by a heavy shower. The following night was spent in the same manner, and with less rest. On the 5th we reached our line of battle, in front of the enemy's camp. After having rested in place a few hours, we Avere ordered on picket duty. The night was spent without sleej). Returning to the line of battle a little aft^r daylight, we were ordered forward without a moment's halt. On reaching the scene of action, the regiment was momentarily thrown in rear of our brigade by the troops on our left precipitately rushing in before us while we were crossing a marsh, A perplexing confusion ensued, which it was evident could OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 253 only be remedied by moving up on the right of our own brigade ; which was done, Avithout an order from Gen. Gladden, as we were unable to obtain one. We occupied the only available space in the line, and in a few moments were hotly engaged, contributing a full share to the driving back of the enemy. When the charge was made upon the line and into the camp of the enemy, the 26th was among the first to penetrate them. Passing through the camp, we were halted in rear of the tents, along a line of tents immediately beneath the path of a terrific cannonading between our own and the enemy's batteries. There Major Gwyne was wounded by an exploding shell. After remaining in this position for nearly an hour, and having regained our proper position in our own brigade, we were ordered forward and again engaged the enemy, about five hundred yards in advance of the position first mentioned. Thd conflict was severe for a short iime, when the enemy, falling back, moved to our left. The regiment made a corresponding movement to prevent his flanking us. Here Ave were exposed to a heavy fire « from the enemy's batteries and small arms without being able to return it, owing to the position of one of our own batteries, which had fallen back from the high ground in advance of us, and taken position immediately in our front. After remaining fifteen or twenty minutes in this position, we again moved to the right, and advancing to the margin of an open field, found ourselves again in the midst of a severe conflict. Here Col. Coltart was wounded and the regiment sufiered seriously. The colonel being compelled to retire, and Major Gwyne having been disabled, I was left Avithout the aid of any field officer. Our firing Avas continued briskly until the colonel returned, having had his wound dressed. He Avas able to remain but a few moments. Seeing the exhausted condition of the regiment, he ordered, or rather advised me, to withdraw it from the field. I resolved, however, to continue as long as the remainder of the command was able to contribute any thing to what I re- garded as an approaching triumph. The enemy's fire having ceased for a time, the regiment was ordered to rest in place for a few minutes, after which I determined to advance. Just at this time, however, I Avas oflacially informed that Gen, Shafier's brigade was to come by the road which lay beyond the open field, immediately in my front and parallel Avith its eastern margin. I at once deter- mined to report this to Col. Deas, then in command of our brigade, and Avith his concurrence to remain in the position until ShaflTer's brigade should approach, and tlien move in co-operation Avith it. I was ordered by Col. Deas to do so. Watching the road narrowly, 254 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. I discovered a column of at least two regiments approaching by the designated road. On viewing thera minutely, aided by Major Mumford, of Gen. Johnston's staff, I found them to be Federal troops. They halted immediately in my front, advanced to the fence and some houses, and opened a severe fire upon us. Feeling assured that the regiments of our brigade on our right had advanced, or would do so, I resolved to charge the enemy and drive them from the fence and houses just mentioned, provided I could get any sup- port on my left that would prevent their flanking me. The gallant Col. Forrest offered his support. The charge was made, and the enemy driven from the position. The position of the cavalry, how- ever, on my left in a tangled wood, prevented their rendering the assistance which they would otherwise have done. The regiment on my right did not fire a gun while I remained in the position. We, however, maintained it long enough to fire about ten rounds, suffering at the same time the most terrific fire from the enemy in our front and from both flanks of his column. He also turned his artillery upon the houses about which we were sheltered. Having only about two hundred men left, and seeing that they must all be sacrificed if I remained, without gaining any material advantage, I withdrew them to a road in rear of the field and awaited orders, the men being quite exhausted. Finding no one to whom I could report, I then moved back to the enemy's camp near where we had entered it in the forenoon. This was about 4 o'clock p. m. Col. Coltart was able to join us at that place, and ordered the regiment a few hundred yards further back, where we spent the night. Monday morning, April 7, Col. Coltart's condition compelled him to leave the regiment for Corinth, The regiments of our brigade having been scattered, I was ordered by Gen. Withers. to report to Brig.-gen. Chalmers. We went into battle in his brigade. Attacks of sickness, extreme exhaustion, and in some cases a want of moral courage, had reduced our number to less than one hundred and fifty men. With these we went into battle, but with veiy little efiiciency, owing to the physical exhaustion of the men and the condition of our arms. After retiring from the last engagement of the day previous, I had ordered the men to load their pieces which had been discharged, and the unexpected rain of the previous night had wet the loads, so that many of them could not be fired. I had not a ball screw in the regiment, and could not extract them. Owing to these circum- stances, my men were exceedingly dispirited, though they obeyed every order, and the most of them did the best they could. After OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 255 engaging the enemy twice, I reported the condition of ray men and arms to Gen. Withers, who ordered me to retire with them, and remove the impediments of the gmis as best I could. I ordered the guns unbreeched and cleaned, which was promptly done, and I reported for orders. By this time, however, the firing had ceased along the whole line, or nearly so, and our forces were being with- drawn. I was ordered into a line of battle fronting the enemy's camp, where I remained until the troops moved towards Corinth, and was among the regiments that brought up the rear of the column. The commissioned officers of my regiment, with two or three exceptions, behaved themselves in a manner worthy of themselves and the glorious cause which they defended. The non-commissioned officers and jjrivates of the regiment, with an exception of a number for whose whereabouts I am not able to account, fought bravely to the last. We went into the action of the 6th with 440 men. Enclosed document A reports the number of killed and wounded. Enclosed document B reports the number of guns lost and taken, "with the circumstances attending. WM. D. CHAD WICK, Lieut.- Col. commanding IQth Alaham,a regiment. Report of the Action of the Second Brigade, Brigadier- gen. James H. Chalmers, commanding. Head-quakters, Second Brigade, Second Corps, Army of the Mississippi, Corinth, Mississippi, April 12, 1862. Captain: — I respectfully submit the following report of the action of the troops under my command, in the late engagement with the enemy near Pittsburgh, on the Tennessee river : On the morning of the 4th instant, while in command of the advanced forces, at Monterey, Tennessee, I received orders to hold my command ready to march. at a moment's notice; and, on the morning of the 5th, we crossed Lick creek, and moved as far as Meckey's, on what is known as the Bark road, leading from the direction of Corinth to the Tennessee river. In obedience to orders, 256 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLEb. my brigade was under arms and ready to march at two o'clock or the following morning, and stood from that time until daylight, in a haid drenching rain, as the orders to march had been counter- manded, on account of the darkness and extreme bad weather. At dawn, the first brigade of this division, under the command of Brig.- gen. Gladden, filed past me, and we, falling into its rear,- moved forward until our march was arrested by the column of Major-gen. Hardee, the rear of Avhich had not got in motion when we reached its encampment. After some delay, we moved on to a position about two miles in front of the enemy's line. On reaching the ground, I found our line of battle deployed, and Gen. Glad- den's brigade, wiftch it was at first intended should be held in reserve in the second line on my right, was deployed into line of battle and thrown forward into the first line of battle, on the right of ^lajor-gen. Hardee's command, to fill the interval between his right and Lick creek ; and there being still another vacancy be- tween the right of Gen. Gladden's brigade and the creek, my brigade was extended in echelon in the rear of and to the I'ight of Gen. Gladden, and held in line by battalions at half distance doubled on the centre. Upon an examination of the country, it appeard to me that our progress would be much retarded if we attempted to move by battalion in double column on the centre, and ujion the suggestion being made to Brig.-gen. Withers and Major-gen. Bragg, it was ordered that the supporting line should move by the right of companies to the front. In this order we commenced the march early on the morning of the 6th. The space between Owl and Lick creeks was about a half mile narrower where we first deployed our line of battle than it was in front of the enemy's line, and as the space between Gen. Gladden's left and Lick creek increased as we advanced, it became necessary that my brigade should move up into the front line, on the right of Gen. Gladden, which was done, and being now in the front line, skirmishers from each regiment were at once thrown forward. In obedience to orders from Gen. Withers, the right of this brigade was advanced by a gradual left wheel, so that when we first encountered the enemy we were marching in a north-east direction, and met him in line of battle in front of his first encampment on our right. When we arrived in sight, our line of battle was formed, and the brigade moved steadily forward in the following order : The 10th Mississippi regiment, in command of Col. R. A. Smith on the right ; the 7th Mississippi regiment, Lieut.-col. H. Mayson, commanding, second ; the 9th Mississippi regiment, Lieut.-col. W. A. Rankin, third ; OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 257 the 5th Mississippi, Col. A. E. Fant, fourth ; 52d Tennessee, Col. B. J. Lea, on the left, and Gage's battery, light artillery, in the rear. When within about one hundred and fifty yards of the enemy, the line was halted, and a heavy firing ensued, in which a number of our men were killed and wounded, and Col. Lea and Major Randle, of the 5 2d Tennessee regiment, lost their horses. After several rounds were discharged, the order to charge bayonets was given, and the 10th Mississippi regiment, about three hundred and sixty strong, led by its gallant colonel, dashed up the hill, and put to flight the 18th Wisconsin regiment, numbering nearly a thousand men. The order to charge having been given from the right flank, where I was then stationed, was not heard down the line, and, con- sequently, the 10th Mississippi moved alone in the first charge, though it was quickly followed by the 9th and 7th Mississippi, when the whole line of the enemy broke and fled, pursued by these three regiments, through their camps and across a ravine, about a half a mile, to the opposite hill, where they were halted by com- mand of Gen. Johnson. The 5th Mississippi and 52d Tennessee, having been left behind in the charge, were moved up to their positions, and the 5th Mississippi was now placed next to the 10th Mississippi. The enemy was reinforced, and drew up in our front, supported by a battery of artillery and some cavalry. We were about to engage them again, when we were ordered by Gen. Johns- ton to fall back, which was done. The enemy supposing that we were in retreat, fired several volleys of musketry at us, whereupon, we faced about, returned their fire, and they ceased firing. Being commanded to remain here until we should receive further orders, we rested about half an hour, when a guide, Mr, Lafayette Veal, was sent to conduct us still further to the right, where we learned that the enemy were attempting to turn our flank. Moving by the right flank, we filed to the right, directly south, until we recrossed the ravine behind us, and when we reached the summit of the op- posite hill we moved in a south-east direction, until our right rested upon the edge of Lick creek bottom. Here, again, we were ordered to rest, which we did for some half hour. When we a'gain started forward, a few skirmishers of the enemy, having secretly advanced close to our left, fired upon the 52d Tennessee regiment, which broke and fled in most shameful confusion. After repeated efibrts to rally it, this regiment was ordered out of the lines, where it remained during the balance of the engagement, with the excep- tion of two companies, Capts. J. A. Russell and A. A. Wilson, who, with their commands, fought gallantly in the ranks of the 5th 17 258 OFFICIAL RKP0KT8 OF BATTLES. Mississi])pi regiment. When the orders were received from Gen. Withers to move on, skirmishers were thrown out in front of the whole hrie, and placed in command of Major F. E. Whitfield, of the 01 h IMissi.sHip})i ret^jiment, who led them with great coolness and with marked ability and skill. Our orders were to swing around, with our right resting on the creek bottom, and to drive the enemy before us towards Pittsburgh, and we accordingly moved forward, advancing most ra})idly on the right, and gradually wheeling the whole line. Ill this order we were marching, when our skirmishers developed the enemy concealed behind a fence, in thick undergrowth, with an open field or orchard in his front. The width of this orchard was about 350 or 400 yards, and behind it was a very steep and per- fectly abi'upt hill, at the foot of which ran a small branch. At the base of this hill ran the Hamburg and I'ittsburg road, skirting the orchard at its base, and then turning to the right, running along side of it, the orchard running to the right of the road. The giouiid iVoni the branch to the fence, where the enemy was con- cealed, was a gradual ascent, and our line was in full view of the enemy from the time it crossed the stream. The 9th Mississippi was now on the left, and there was a space of about thirty yards between its left and the Hamburg and Pitts- bvu'g road. As soon as I discovered the position of the enemy, I ordered up Gage's battery, which, until now, had not been engaged, and put it in jwsition on the hill above the branch. My line moved on across the oi'chai'd in most splendid style and perfect order, and, to my great surprise, not a shot was fired until we came within about Ibrty yards of the fence. Then a heavy fire was oi)ened on us in front, and at the same time a colunm was seen coming, at double-quick, down the Hamburg and Pittsbui-g road, with the evi- dent intention of getting in our rear and cutting otF the whole bri- gade. As soon as this colunm was fairly in sight, coming over the opposite hill. Gage's battery opened a well-directed fire on its head, and it was scattered in confusion, and at the same moment our infantry made a charge in front, and, after a hard fight, drove the enemy from his concealment, though we suftered heavily in killed and wounded. After this light, our ammunition was exhausted, and the wagons be- ing some distance behind, we lost some time before it was replenished. As soon, however, as the ammunition could be distributed, we moved on, with the right resting on the edge of the Tennessee river bottom, with the same orders as before. When we had gone about a quar- OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 250 ter of a mllo, wo ajj^uin ciicouriUn-od tlio crmrny, in a vory Htron^ position on a liill, with a (l('0|) ravirui in liis front,, and a very sliil)- })orn liglit ensued, in wliioh wo loHt many <^allant men, amon<^ llieiri the Rev. M. L. Woller, Chaplain of tho 9tl» MisHisHijjpi regiment — a pure man, an ard(!nt patriot, and a true; (MiriHliafi — and (-apts. K. J. ArmHtroiiL? and L. (J. K. IJoHtiek, oCtho r>(,li Mississippi regiment, who fell gallantly loading on their r(!Hi)(!etivo eotnitani(!.s. JToro again Gage's battery did good Horvice, though it was some tiino before it could bo brought into position, owing to the rough nature of tho ground, and the want of roads; and T hero take oc-ojision to say, that I camiot speak too highly of th(! eiu^rgy, skill, and labor dis|tlayed by the men of this battciry throughout the day, in cutting their way throiigli a thicikly wooded country, over ravines and hills almost impassable to ordinary wagons. After about an hour's hard fighting, th(! (!nemy again retreat(Ml, leaving many of his d(!ad on the field. About this time, the gimboats from tho river began to throw their shells amongst us, and wo pressed rapidly forward in line of ]>attlo towards the centre, where tho battle seemed to be raging fiorcely. We were soon mot by an ofTitusr, stating that ho br'h)nged to Gen. Crittenden's staff, and that he had been hotly eng:ig(Ml with tho enemy, and needed assistance. As near as I could jndge of tho posi- tion of affairs, our troops wore then in a line of battle running from south to north, and facing oast or a little north of east. My lino was running from east to west, and facing north. Moving at a double-quick over several ravines and hills, wo came upon tho enemy, and attacked him on his flank. This was the fourth fight in which my brigade had boon engaged during tho day, and after a severe firing of some din-ation, finding the enemy stubbornly resist- ing, I rode back for G(!n. .lackson's brigade, which was lying down for reserve in my rear and to my left. I did not see Gon... Jackson, but finding Col. Wheeler, called upon him to take up tho fight, which he did with promptness and vigor. I sent a staff officer to command my brigade to lie down and rest until they roceiv(!d fur- ther ord(TS, and tlujn followed up Gen. .fackson's brigade myself, until I came upon Major-gen. Jinigg, commanding in the thickest of the fight,'to whom I reported ray action. I had been there but a few moments, however, when some of our troops were driven back in confusion, and dan. Hragg called out to "bring up Chal- mer's briga<]e." I rode back immediately to where I had ordered my men to halt, and found that they had not understood the orders, and had 260 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. pressed on after the retreating foe. Riding rapidly after them, I reached them just after the enemy had raised the white flag, and a number of the enemy had surrendered to the 9th Mississippi, which was then some distance in advance of the other Confederate troops. Col. Shaw, of the 14th Iowa regiment, and a senior Captain, commanding some companies of the 28th Illinois regiment, surren- dered to Major F. E. Whitfield, and the Col. of the 18th Missouri, with a portion of his command, surrendered to Lieut. Donald Mc- Kenzie, company K, 9th Mississippi regiment. About a quarter of an hour after the surrender, some of our troops, supposed to be of Gen. Polk's division, made their appear- ance on the opposite side of the surrendered camps, and were with great difficulty prevented from firing upon the prisoners. The cavalry very soon arrived, and the prisoners were turned over to them, and were carried to the rear. It was then about four o'clock in the evening, and after distributing ammunition, we received orders from Gen. Bragg to drive the enemy into the river. My brigade, together with that of Brig.-gen. Jackson, filed to the right, and formed facing the river, and endeavored to press forward to the water's edge, but, in attempting to mount the last ridge, we were met by a fire from a whole line of batteries, protected by infantry, and assisted by shells from the gunboats. Our men strug- gled vainly to ascend the hjll, which was very steep, making charge after charge without success, but continued the fight until night closed the hostilities on both sides. During this engagement, Gage's battery was brought up to our assistance, but sufiered so severely that it was soon compelled to retire. This was the sixth fight in which we had been engaged during the day, and my men were too much exhausted to storm the batteries on the hill ; but they were brought off in good order, formed in line of battle, and slept on the battle-field, where I remained with them. Early on the following morning I received notice that the enemy was advancing, and was ordered by Gen. Withers to fall back about a half mile, and form on the right of Gen. Jackson's brigade, and follow him over to the left, where it was supposed the fight would be. We fell back and waited for Gen. Jackson to file past to the left, intending to follow him as directed, but before we could get away the enemy came charging rapidly upon us, and the fight of the second day commenced. We waited quietly until the enemy advanced within easy range, when we opened fire upon him and he OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 261 fled. We then attempted to move by the left flank, so as to follow Gen. Jackson, when we were again attacked, and a fight of about one hour and a half ensued, from which we retired, after having exhausted our ammunition. During this engagement Major F, E. Whitfield was severely wounded in the hip, and brought to the rear Our ammunition wagons not being at hand, we fell back to the first camp that we had taken from the enemy, where we found au abundant supply of the appropriate calibre. I sent a stafi-officer to Gen. Withers, about an hour before for assistance, and reinforce- ments now arrived, under my gallant commander (Brig.-gen. With- ers), who, it gives me pleasure to testify, was always found at the right place, at the right time, guiding and supporting whatever portion of his division needed assistance, I formed the reinforce- ments, consisting of the Crescent regiment, Louisiana volunteers, a Tennessee regiment, under Lieut.-col. Venable, and an Alabama regiment, Lieut.-col. Chadwick, into line, and moved them forward to meet the enemy, after having turned over the command of my own brigade to Col. R. A. Smith, of the 10th Mississippi regiment, ' with instructions to hold himself a thousand yards in the rear, in reserve. The reinforcements skirmished awhile with the enemy, but when the first serious charge was made upon them, they broke, and Col. Smith was compelled to bring my brigade again to the front. The fight raged fiercely for some time, and my men were compelled to retire in some confusion, being overwhelmed by the superior number of the enemy. After retreating about three hun- dred yards, they were rallied and drawn up in line at the foot of a hill. The enemy pursued slowly, until he came within range of our fire, when he was boldly met, and, in turn, driven back until we had again occupied the ground we had previously left. Here the enemy was reinforced and the fight renewed, and we were gradually being driven back down the hill again, when Col. Preston Smith arrived, with the 154th regiment Tennessee volunteers and Blythe's Mississippi volunteers, who came gallantly to our assistance and took position on our right. Believing that one bold charge might change the fortunes of the day, I called upon my brigade to make one more eflTort, but they seemed too much exhausted to make the attempt, and no appeal seemed to rouse them. As a last resort, I seized the battle flag from the color-bearer of the 9th Mississippi regiment, and called on them to follow. With a wild shout the whole brigade rallied to the charge, and we drove the enemy back and re-occupied our first position of the morning, which 262 OFFICIAL REPOETS OF BATTLES. we held until the ordei' to retreat was received, when we fell back in good order, the enemy not daring to pursue. Col. Wheeler, of the 19th Alabama regiment volunteers, was with a small remnant of his regiment at this time fighting with a small remnant of the Mississippians, on foot himself, and bearing the colors of his com- mand. In this last charge, so gallantly made, the 9th Mississippi sustained a heavy loss in the fall of her brave commander, Lieut.- col. Wm. A. Kankin, who fell mortally wounded, after having led his men fearlessly throughout the whole of the first and second day. Most of my command behaved well. Col. R, A. Smith, of the 10th Mississippi regiment, was particularly distinguished for his bold dar- ing, and his clarion voice could be heard above the din of battle, cheering on his men. Major F. E. Whitfield, of the 9th Mississippi regiment, led the skirmishers during Sunday, and deservesgreat credit for his courage and coolness. He was wounded in the hip early on Monday morning, and taken from the field. Col. Fant and Major Stennis, of the 5 th Mississippi regiment, and Lieut.-col. May son, commanding the Yth Mississippi, were all conspicuous in the thickest of the fight. All the Mississippians, both oflicers and men, with a few exceptions elsewhere reported, behaved well. The 52d Tennessee (except two companies, under Capts. J. A. Russell and A. IST. Wil- son, who fought with the 5th Mississippi,) behaved badly. Gage's battery did manful service on the 6th, but on the 7th was not in the fight. I cannot conclude without mentioning the signal service rendered me by the gentlemen of my stafi". To Capt. Henry Craft, Assistant Adj.-gen., I am greatly indebted for the order and system established in a new brigade, composed very largely of troops never before placed in brigade, and having but little knowledge of their respective duties. On the field he rendered all the service required of him, and had his horse slightly wounded when bearing an order. First Lieut. Geo. T. Banks, aid-de-carap, was always at his post, and in a most fearless manner discharged all the duties of his hazardous position. First Lieut. W. T. Stricklin, Adjutant of the 3d Mississippi regiment, who made his escape from Fort Donel- son after its surrender, being ordered to report to me for duty, was placed on my staff as Acting-Inspector-gen., and bore himself gal- lantly during the fight. Capt. B. S. Crump, A. C. S., Capt. Jas. Barr, and Lieut. M. M. Shelley, both of the late 10th Mississippi regiment, rendered me efiicient service as volunteer aids. Wm. A. Rains, Sergeant-major, and Fleming Thompson, private in company " K," both of the 9th Mississippi regiment, two brave Mississippi boys of but 17 years of age, accompanied me on horseback, and in OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 2^63 the absence of staff-officers bore orders under the heaviest of the fire. Sergeant-major Rains deserves especial notice for liaving car- ried an order with promptness and decision, on Sunday evening, when we were attacking the batteries, under the heaviest fire that occurred during the whole engagement. I must also acknowledge the valuable assistance rendered by our guide, Mr. Lafayette Veal, of McNairy county, Tenn., who remained with us closely, and was ever i-eady to give any information and aid in his power. Without him our movements would have been comparatively in the dark, and much retarded, whilst with his guidance we were enabled to move rapidly towards our desired end. Col. Clanton's 1st regiment of Alabama cavalry held themselves on our right, to support us, and though they rendered no especial service, their presence may have protected our flank from an attack, and I cannot conclude without mentioning Col. Clanton himself, who remained almost all the time with my brigade, and though constantly exposed to the most dangerous fire, exhibited the most fearless and exemplary courage, cheering on those who seemed inclined to falter or grow weary, and with a detachment of his cavalry suiDplying us with ammunition when our wagons could not reach us. It is impossible to say with accuracy how many prisoners we took, as they were turned over to the cavalry as fast as they surrendered, singly and in squads, and once in a large body, without being counted. The number cannot fall short of sixteen hundred. We went into the fight two thousand and thirty-nine (2,039) stj-ong; of these, about four hundred were of the 52d Tennessee regiment, three hundred of whom were not engaged in the fight, leaving us only seventeen hundred and thirty-nine (1Y39) men. Of these we had eighty-two (82) killed, and three hundred and forty-three (343) w^ounded, a return of which has been heretofore made, giving the names of the killed and wounded, and the character of the wounds. I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, captain, Your obedient servant, JAS. R. CHALMERS, brigadier General^ corn'g. 2d Brigade^ Withers' Division, 2d Corps^ Army of the Mississippi. 264 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. Report of Brig.-gen. John K. Jackson, commanding Third Brigade, Withers' Division. Head-quartbrs Third Brigade, Withers' Division, Second Army Corps, A. M., Corinth, Miss., April 26tb, 1862. Capt. D. E. IIuGER, A. A. General: Captain: — I have the honor to report, that after a fatiguing march, and great exposure to bad weather, the 3d brigade of With- ers' division, second army corps, army of Mississippi, arrived at the place of rendezvous near the battle field of Shiloh, at about 12 o'clock, on Saturday, 5th April, inst. The brigade was composed of the 2d Texas regiment of infantry, Col. J. C. Moore; the 19th Ala- bama regiment. Col. Joseph Wheeler; the 18th Alabama regiment, Col. 'Eli S. Shorter; the IVth Alabama regiment, Lieut.-col. K. C. Favis, and Capt. J. P. Girardey's battery of light artillery, in the aggregate, 2208. The brigade was ordered to take position in the second line on the left of Gen. Chalmers' brigade, whose right rested on Lick creek swamp. The regiments were first drawn up in line of battle, in the order to form right to left, in which they are above named, with the battery on the extreme left. The infantry were then broken by the right of companies to the front, and ordered to hold themselves in readi- ness to move at a moment's notice. My brigade remained in this position during the remainder of Saturday, and thus bivouacked on Saturday night. On Sunday morning, 6th, the order was given for an advance. The infontry and artillery commenced the movement about day- light, moving by right of companies to the front, through the forest, with a view to a rapid formation at any moment, by comj)any into line. The order received and extended was, that the second line should follow up the advance of the first line at the distance of about 1000 yards in its rear, and support it aS occa?;ion required; at the same time, bearing oft' well to the right, and resting upon the left of Gen. Chalmers' brigade, gradually swee[)ing round by a pro- tracted wheel of the whole line to the letl. The march being rapid, by the eagerness of the men to press upon the enemy, which they were urged to do fiercely and furiously. I found that the first line OFFICIAL EEP0ET3 OF BATTLES. 265 was soon warmly engaged ; that solid shot and shells from a battery of the enemy, passing over the first line, and occasionally wounding one of my men. Advancing rapidly, I found that the engagement was between Gen, Gladden's brigade and the enemy, and that the latter had been driven from their camps. Following on, I came up with Gen. Gladden's brigade, just beyond this camp, formed in squares. Just here, heavy firing was heard to the left, and, by order of Gen. Johnston, my brigade was moved in that direction, by the left flank, up a ravine. Before proceeding far, another order was received to change direction and move to the right, as the enemy were deployed there. During this time, Capt. Girardey used his battery, with effect, upon a battery of the enemy, which was play- ing on us from the brow of the hill opposite. Moving off, perhaps half a mile to the right, I took position again on the left of Gen. Chalmers'. A camp of the enemy being just op- posite to my centre, and separated from it by a deep and almost impassable ravine. The enemy was drawn up in line at the edge of the wood, which skirted his camp. Throwing forward two com- panies deployed as skirmishers, a sharp fire was provoked from the enemy, and returned with spirit. Girardey's battery was placed in position, on the edge of the hill overlooking the enemy and his camp. By a well-directed fire of shells and solid shot, he caused the enemy to waver, and the infantry who had advanced to the bottom of the ravine, were ordered to charge. They did this with a cheer ; the enemy fell back, and the camp was ours. The enemy formed again in the skirt of wood on the opposite side of their camp ground, and poured a hot fire into my line. Ordered to advance, they did so at a double-quick, charged through the camp, and again drove the enemy from his position, who rallied on the next ridge, prepared to meet us, as we ascended from an almost impassable ravine and morass, by wOiich we were separated from them. Plant- ing sections of Capt. Girardey's battery in favorable position, I di- rected him to open fire upon the enemy. This order was promptly executed, and, after a spirited cannonade, well responded to, the enemy began to waver, and the infantry again charged with a like Buccessful result. At this point, Gen. Breckinridge rode up, and requested me to come to his relief. Upon inquiring of him, I learned that the point at which he required relief was in the direction of my advance, ac- cording to Gen. Withers' orders. I assured Gen. Breckinridge that I would be there as soon as the enemy, who continued to oppose me with a stubborn resistance, could be driven before me. For a mile 266 OFFICIAIi REPORTS OF BATTLES. and a half or more, this fighting was uninterrupted, save when the enemy were retiring to reform. By this time, gradually swinging or wheeling round, my brigade was moving towards the front, oc- cupied at daylight in the moraing, having completely outflanked the enemy, and driving him back without pause. Drawn up now behind the rails of a worm fence on 'the opposite side of a field, he hoped to stay our progress by a murderous fire, as my men crossed the open space. But the effect was fruitless of the desired result, and our advance was unchecked. The engagement in the wood be- yond the field was the hottest of the day, and while progressing, Gen. Chalmers rode up to me, and informed me that he had turned over that fight to my brigade, and that his was resting. One of my regiments, returning for want of ammunition, M-as rallied, and sent back into the contest, with orders to use the bayonet. Im- mediately afterwards. Gen. Gladden's brigade was ordered to my support, but before becoming actively engaged, the enemy displayed a white flag. An ofiicer of the Texas regiment was sent to receive the surrender, which he did, along with several of the swords of the officers. Cavalry being sent around to our right, took charge of the prison- ers (about 1500 in number) and carried them to the rear. Col. Shorter, with his regiment, was ordered to carry these prisoners to Corinth, which was done. My brigade was ordered to change di- rectfon again, face towards Pittsburg, when the enemy appeared to have made his last stand, and to advance upon him. Gen. Chal- mers' brigade being again on my right and extending to the swamp of the Tennessee river. Without ammunition, and with only their bayonets to rely on, steadily my men advanced, under a heavy fire from light batteries, siege pieces, and gunboats. Passing through the ravine, they arrived near the crest of the opjjosite hill, upon Avhich the enemy's batteries were ; but could not be urged further without support. Sheltering themselves against the precipi- tous sides of the ravine, they remained under this fire for some time. Finding an advance, without support, impracticable, remain- ing there under fire useless, and believing that any further foi'ward movement should be made simultaneously along our whole line, I proceeded to obtain orders from Gen. Withers ; but before seeing him, was ordered by -a staff officer to retire. This order was an- nounced to me as coming from Gen. Beauregard, and was promptly communicated to my command. In the darkness of the night, which had then fallen upon us, my regiments became separated from each other. Col. Favis, with the OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. ' 267 17th Alabama, falling back to the line occupied by us in the morn- ing. Col. Moore, with the Texas, and Col. Wheeler, with the 19th Alabama, taking a different position, and the battery, with which I remained, falling back to Shiloh Church. Col. Shorter, with the 1 8th Alabama, had taken the prisoners to Corinth. Thus closed Sunday, 6th April, upon my brigade. On Monday morning, my battery was early sent into action, but as I saw no more of it until after the order to retire, I refer to the accompanying report of the Capt., Girardey. So, also as to the regiments, I refer to the reports of their respective commanders. Finding myself without a command, after diligent search for them, I was requested by some staff officer, not now recollected, to take command of three new regiments near the road below Shiloh Church, to rally all stragglers upon them, and be ready to move up at any moment. This was done as far as possible, it being very difficult to make men reform, after they have lost their pride suffi- ciently to obtain their consent to fly. Two lines, at different points, were thus formed, but never required for action, as the enemy did not pursue. Returning, I found Col. Favis' 17th Alabama, com- manded by Gen. Breckinridge, and used by him to stop stragglers, and form another line at the place of our halt on Saturday, Passing on to Monterey, where I consulted with Gen. Chalmers as to the disposition of some prisoners and as to his remaining there. I arrived at Corinth at 11 1-2 p. m., Monday night. * One stand of colors captured by Col. Wheeler's 19th Alabama, two by Lieut.-col. Favis, 1 7th Alabama, and three by Capt. Girar- dey's company, have been returned. Where all the officers of my command, with a few rare excep- tions, conducted themselves so well, I could not mention any par- ticularly without doing the injustice of silence to others. To the officers of my staff, I am indebted for their courage, accuracy, and activity. I am, captain, your obedient sei*vant, JOHN K. JACKSON, JBrig.-gen.^ convnxanding Sd JBrigade, Withers* Division, 2d Army Corps, A. M. 268 OFFICIAL KEP0ET8 OF BATTLES. Report of Col. John C. Moore, of the Second Regiment Texas infantry, in action of the 6th of April, Head-quarters 2d Regiment, Texas Infantry, Camp near Corinth, Miss., April 19th, 1862. Capt. J. B. CUMMINGS, A. A. General^ Zd Brigade^ Withers^ Division: Sir : — I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the 2d regiment Texas infantry, in the battle of Shiloh, on the 6 th instant. In justice to my regiment, permit me to say that no other regi- ment entered the fight on that day under more unfavorable circum- stances than the 2d Texas. Leaving Houston, Texas, on the 12th March, we arrived here on the 1st April, after a long and exhaust- ing march. Remaining in camp but one day, we left on the 3d for the field of Shiloh. Not having received the provisions ordered for the regiment, we left with a short two and a half days' rations. By Saturday morning our provisions were all exhausted, yet the men moved forward with light hearts and buoyant spirits without a mur- mur of complaint. By this time many who had left camp with worn out shoes became totally barefooted, and many of the men, as well as some of the officers, returned to camp, after the battle, in thfeir bare feet. Early on the morning of the 6th, while the regiment acted as a support to Gen. Hardee's division, we lost one man killed, and two or three wounded. At about half-past 8 o'clock we moved to the right, and took position in the front line of battle, on the left of Gen. Chalmers' brigade. This brought us near a small stream, which I was told was known as Lick creek. Soon after we took position, the enemy deployed as skirmishers, opened fire on our line, wounding two or three of our men, and also mortally wounding Capt. Brooks, who was carried to the rear, and died on the 8th. The enemy being concealed behind trees and logs, Capt. Smith was ordered to deploy his company as skirmishers, cover our front, and ascertain the exact position of the enemy ; at the same time Capt. Girardey's battery was thrown forward, and by firing into the woods, seemed to disperse the enemy's forces. Being now ordered to advance, we proceeded some two or three hundred yards to the brow of a hill, where the enemy appeared in considerable force, within range of our guns, but on the opposite side of a narrow bot- tom of low land. Opening fire, we advanced to the foot of the hill, OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 269 when we gave the command " double-quick," which being done, the right of the regiment passing through an open field under a fire, we reached the brow of the opposite hill and halted. We were now near the enemy's camp, and under the fire of a large force, at a short distance in front, sheltering themselves in houses, which were in front of their camp. Seeing the right of our regiment suf- fering severely, and the advantage of the enemy in their sheltered position, we again gave the order " charge," which was well done, driving the enemy before us from their camps, killing and wounding a considerable number, and taking six prisoners. On reaching the road, passing though the encampment, we were fired on by a large force to our right, from behind or through openings, from a collec- tion of farm houses. As the enemy seemed intending to turn our right flank, we fell back some fifty yards, protected from their fire by rising ground in front. Here we changed direction to the right, and again charged the enemy, driving them from the houses across a ravine and over the opposite hill. On reaching the ravine we halted ; Capt. Girardey's battery having opened a fire from the hill in our reai', the shots passing over our heads. While in this po- sition, Gen. Chalmers' forces were engaging the enemy on our right. They were exposed to a galling fire from a large force, and though fighting hke heroes, seemed at last to be giving back, and Cajjt. Girardey's battery sufiering severely at the same time, Adj. Man- gum (a brave and efiicient ofticer,) was ordered to request the bat- tery to cease firing, that we might advance to the assistance of the Mississippians, without being exposed to the fire of our own guns. The space between the right of Col. Wheeler's regiment and the left of Gen. Chalmers' brigade being suflicient for a line of only three companies, we ordered forward Capts. Smith, McGinnis, and Christian, with their companies. They advanced at a double-quick, and after a short but severe engagement routed the enemy, being supported by the other companies of the regiment close in the rear of the line. As we passed over the ground in fi-ont, the number of dead and wounded showed that our balls had done fearful execution in the ranks of the enemy. The line being now reformed, after crossing a deep ravine, we were ordered to sweep around by a slow wheel to the westward, and proceed to where we now heard a heavy fire of artillery and musketry. After proceeding in the direction for perhaps half a mile, we came ujd to a force covering our entire front, and to the right and left as far as we could see .through the woods. In this position, the right of our regiment rested in a deep ravine, the left 270 OFFICILL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. on a high hill, exposed to a very heavy fire, which passed over or throiigli the ranks of our friends in front. Here we halted and or- dered the men to lie down, but remained in this position but a few minutes, amidst a perfect shower of balls, wounding several of the men, though prostrate on the ground. The left wing being now thrown into some confusion under a fire which they could not re- turn, it fell back some fifty yai-ds and reformed. The command " forward," was given immediately, and on coming up again to the first position it was found that the right wing had advanced as the left fell back. Being but a short distance in the rear, the left ad- vanced at double-quick and soon joined the other, in certainly one of the most brilliant actions of the day. We think we may be per- mitted to say that the regiment had already done noble work, yet this last and closing action of the day may be remembered with pride by the officers and men of the 2d Texas infantiy. They charged the camp with a shout, in the face of the enemy's artillery and musketry, and though they met an obstinate resistance, they soon drove the enemy fi-om their encampment into the roads be- yond, taking some five or six prisoners on the ground. On reach- ing the north-western side of the encampment, where we were still engaging the enemy, a Federal officer (a Colonel) came dashing up near our lines, and cried out, " boys, for God's sake stop firing, you are killing your friendg !" The boys, not being deceived, ordered hira to halt as he dashed off; but, declining to accept the invitation, he soon fell dead with his horse. At this place our men also shot an officer who was driving off at a furious vate in a buggy. On being shot, he sprang to his feet, and fell backwards from his buggy. We now observed the enemy in full force, formed in line to the left and front of us, and suppposing from their position that it was their in- tention to try to turn our left flank and cut lis off from our forces on that side, the interval on the left being at that time very con- siderable, we fell back about one hundred yards to the left and rear, still keeping up a fire at long range. While the line was thus being formed, the cry " white flag" was raised, the command " cease firing" given, and in a few minutes an officer, unknown to us, rode up and said that a force of one thousand of the enemy wished to surrender to the Texas regiment. At this time a regiment of cav- alry passed between us and the prisoners, and before we could get further information on the subject, they were in the hands of other parties. This caused our men much regret, as they had just had an obstinate contest with these very men, and we feel certain it was their Colonel who was shot from his horse, as he rode directly from OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 271 their position in approaching ours, Capt. Ashbel Smith was wound- ed severely in the arm at this camp. He had borne himself with great gallantry during the day, and we thus lost for the present the services of a brave and excellent officer. From this point we marched to the eastward, towards the Tennessee river. As we were about marching, a shell from the enemy fell and exploded in our ranks, mortally wounding two men of Capt. Orien's comjjany. After advancing about half a mile we came to a deep ravine, and found ourselves in front of a heavy battery of the enemy, at the distance of four or five hundred yards to our front. They opened on us a fire of shot and shell, which did but little damage, as the balls generally passed over our heads and across the ravine. After having kept np this fire for a considerable time, they then changed the position of some of their guns, placing them so as to bring on us a raking fire up the ravine from our right. Seeing this state of things, we made a rapid retreat from our unpleasant posi- tion, and proceeded back to the camp last taken, having been told that we would here receive further orders. It was dark when we reached the camp, and after waiting an hour or so, we bivouacked near the encampment, in a drenching rain. First Lieut. Dan Gallaher was sent to look for ammunition soon after we took this camp. He did not return, and is supposed to have been taken prisoner. After having passed the night in the rain, and having had our sleep occasionally disturbed by the burst- ing of a shell in our vicinity, we proceeded early the next morning about half a mile and joined Col. Wheeler's regiment. Here we received orders from Gen. Withers to march again to meet the enemy. After marching some two miles we halted near the enemy's lines, and having been placed in command of a brigade, we turned over that of the regiment to Lieut.-col. W. P. Rogers. Lieut.-col. Rogers and Major Runnels, of this regiment, did their duty nobly on the 6th, and we doubt not their coolness and courage attracted the attention of the general commanding. The company officers, so far as we could observe, with one exception'^Lieut. Foster, now under arrest), pei-formed their resjjective parts bravely, so much so, indeed, that it seems to me, if I should mention favorably only a portion of them, I would be doing injustice to the others. Accompanying this report, I have the honor to submit a list of the killed, wounded, and missing, on the 6th. This report is much longer than I intended it to be when I commenced, but I trust you will at least excuse this, perhaps its least fault. I am, captain. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN C. MOORE, Col. 2d regiment Texas Infantry. 272 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. P. S. — I have omitted to state that at the last camp taken by our regiment, we captured two pieces of artillery, having shot the horses, and the cannoniers making their escape on foot. We were thus unable to bring them off the field. JOHN C. MOORE, Col. 2 c? regiment Texas Infantry, Report of Col. S. C. Moore, of the 2d regiment Texas Infantry, in the action of the 7th instant. Camp near Corinth, Miss., April 21, 1862. A. A. G.^ Withers^ Division : Sir : I have the honor to report that, on arriving near the enemy's lines on Monday, the 1th instant, I was placed, by Gen. Withers, in command of a brigade, composed of the 2d Texas, 19th and 21st Alabama. Up to this date I have received no reports from the commanders of regiments. Being only nominally in command of an irregular organization, reports of the action may have been made to other commanders. Before advancing, an officer and staff rocle up and inquired for Gen. Withers. The general not being present just then, the officer gave orders to throw forward two companies as skirmishers, cover our front, learn the position of the enemy, iand then fall back. On asking from whom I received this order, I was answered, " Gen. Hardee." The order was given, but before executed was counter- manded by the same authority. The brigade then moved forward under the personal direction of Gen. Hardee and staff, with a care- ful warning that Gen. Breckinridge was in our front engaging the enemy. After advancing some two hundred yards, a large force was seen in our fi-ont and to the right, but in a thick wood. This force was still believed to be our friends, and the caution again and again given not to fire, as they were Breckinridge's men. The left wing of the brigade passing through an open field was now considerably in advance of the right, which passed through a thicket of low small brushwood. We soon learned that a truly sad mistake had been OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 273 made respecting the force in front ; for, permitting ns to come np near their lines, where they h.ad a deadly cross-fire on our left wing, still in an open field, the enemy, from the' shelter in the Avoods, now poured into the whole line a most murderous fire. So sudden was the shock, and so unexpected was the character of our supposed friends, that the whole line soon gave way from* right to left in utter confusion. The regiments became so scattered and mixed, that all efibrts to reform them became fruitless. Many of the officers, how- ever, succeeded in gathering squads, and joined other commands during the battle. I have included in my report of the 6th the entire number of killed, wounded, and missing of the 2d regiment Texas infanty. I am, sir, very respectfully. Your obedient servant, JOHN C. MOORE, Col. 2d regiment Texas Volunteers. Special Report of Col. J: 0. Moore. Head-quarters Third Brigade, Withers' Division. Camp near Corinth, Miss., April 25, 1862. Capt. D. E. Huger, A. A. (x., Withers'* Division: Sir: — Having heard that the 2d regiment Texas infantry, of which I am proud to have the honor of being colonel, has been spoken of as having acted badly on the field of battle, on the morn- ing of the Vth inst., I feel it my duty, in justice to the regiment, to make the following " special report " for the information of the gen- eral commanding the 2d corps, army of the Mississippi. As stated in my former report, I was not in command of my reg- iment on that day ; having been placed by Gen. Withers in com- mand of a brigade, composed of the 19th and 21st Alabama, and. 2d Texas. Having formed the brigade in line of battle as ordered, the 21st Alabama on the right, the 2d Texas in the centre, and the 19th Alabama on the left, a general oflScer and staff rode up and inquired for Gen. Withers, who had just left our position. He or- dered me to throw forward skirmishers, cover our front, feel the position of the enemy, and then fall back. On asking from Avhom 18 274 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. I received the order, I was answered, " Gen. Hardee." The order was immediately given fgr deploying the skirmishers, but before it could be executed it was countermanded, and the brigade, except the 19tli Alabama, Avho acted as a support, advanced under the per- sonal direction of Gen. Hardee and staif, who generally gave orders directly, and not through myself as commander of the brigade, I beg permission to state here, that Gen. Bragg, who did me the honor to recommend me for promotion, perhaps feels (as I am told) some little doubt of the propriety of the recommendation, since hearing the remarks referred to at the beginning of this report. If, as commander of the brigade, I had taken upon myself the respon- sibility of advancing upon the enemy without first feeling his posi- tion with skirmishers, then I might justly be held responsible for the result. But such was not the case. Before the advance was ordered, we were told that the brigade was to act as a support to Gen. Breckinridge, who Avas engaging the enemy in front, and while advancing, we were warned again and again, by one or more staff ofiicei's, not to fire on our friends in front. The greater part of the 2d Texas passed over an open field, and the enemy allowed them to approach near their lines before firing. Even after the enemy opened fire, the ofiicers of the 2d Texas report the order was still given not to fire on our friends, and in one instance, after a private returned the fire of the enemy, a staff ofiicer rode up and drew his pistol, threatening to " blow off the man's head if he fired again." Major Runnels reports, that while the order not to fire was being repeated to the regiment, he saw that the force in front were not friends, and ordered the men to fire and charge them ; but just at that time a most galling fire was poured into the regiment, and the cry " fall back," being heard in a voice unfamiliar to him, he countermanded the order, but it was too late to be effective. The men fell back in great confusion, with the Tesult detailed in my former report. I doubt not that our foilure to drive back the enemy at this time and place, may be attributed Avholly to the mistake regarding the character of the force in front, the multiplicity of the commands, and the consequent confusion of the men, not knowing whom to obey. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, JOHN C. MOORE, Colonel 2d Texas, commanding Brigade. "OFFPCIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 275 Report of Col. Joseph Wheeler. Head-quarters 19th Regiment Alabama Volunteers, Camp three miles from the Field op Shiloh, April 12th, 1862, To Capt. Joseph B. Cumming, AssisUmt A