The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-08-05

ty PAGES of the front of the two companies thus thrown
back before gun fired. Our fire was then deliver
ed, and the enemys column Immediately broke and fled
in the utmost confusion and closely pursued by
whole force. The enemy's loss in men and horses in
tins charge very severe Their infantry had, IN the
mean time succeeded crossing the large ravine which
separated them from their main force, and thus secured
their safety Our orce-conssng, before stated, OF
the Mississippi I'd Indiana and my regiment form
ing the extreme left OF entire necontnued steadily
to advance from point to point upon the retiring right
wing OF the enemy, regalnlng the ground which mad
been lost during the early part of the day. and exposed TO
sustained and welldrccted fire from the enemys heavy
guns.
Between two and three O'Clock in the afternoon our
attention attracted by heavy muskctIy hre near the
centre OF our position; and few moments afterwards an
officer appeared in the distance, beckonng us 10 lha
part OF the field. Our force Immediately put IN mo-
ton at brisk run and, after moving near nan niue,
and crossing two deep and broad ravne we e,
ing three or four hundred OF our troops VINO Were re-
treating toward the rear of Washngtons battery IN the
flank; and, after brisk engagement, IN which we sur
fered considerably succeeded IN driving them back 10
the mountain. | have since learned that the troops
whom thus fortunately relieved were portion OF the
Illinois volunteers who had been engaged in the unoru-
nate charge in which Colonies Mckee and Hardin and
Lieutenant Colonel Clay fell that when the retreat COM
menced they became separated from the rest OF the troops
engaged in it, and while the I'd Kentucky regiment
treated down ravine in front OF Washingons battery
their line of retreat directed to IFS rear Had the
large force of the enemy which was pursuing them (
least twenty-five hundred srong) been permitted to fol
low its success and down upon the rear OF the bat
terry at the moment that 1t was holly engaged IN
driving back the of the enemy who were pnrsu-
ing the I'd Kentucky regiment in Its 'front.' IS dhcut
perceive how II could have escaped capture Shorty
after this engagement, my regiment was separated from
the other with whom had been acting IN the thTee
previous engagements and, moving to the right joined
portion of Col Hardn's regiment then lying IN Inc mead
OF ravne leading directly TO Washngtons battery The
enemy in force in front, and their movements
indicated that attempt would shortly be made to drive
us from position Their efforts were however, con-
fined to several attempts to carry of disabled easson
belonging artillery, which had been abandoned In
consequence of the loss of horses These attempts we
successfully repulsed with considerable loss to the enemy
Darkness found in thus position, and we there remain
ed during the night, with line OF sentnes within one
hundred and fifty yards of the enemys line, In the most
advanced position on the field;
detailed list of the killed and wounded having been
heretofore furnished unnecessary TO repeat here
1t may however be proper to say that considerable
number OF belonging to other corps were Killed and
wounded in the ranks OF my regiment during the day ;
and large number of and officers OF the regiment
were slightly wounded by spent and gancng balls whose
names were not reported the official list of killed and
wounded.
In conclusion, take pleasure in saying that through
out the day. the and officers under my command be-
haved with the most unfatering seadiness that their
ranks broken, under the most calling fire. and
patient and steady discipline and cool disregard OF DANGER
that has been thought to be characteristic OF veterans
only.
lcannot permit this opportunity to pass without testify
ing my warmest appreciation OF the manner in which the
surgical department of my regiment, under the control OF
Drs Arthur and Dunn, was conducted during the day.
The wounded who carried to the rear were prompt
ly and efficiently cared for and both surgeons were
prompt fly any part OF the field during the hottest OF
the fire, whenever their services were required
The rifle companies detached from my regiment on the
22d did again reon during the 22d and 23d and for
detail of their actions must refer you to the report OF
Mai German, under whose command they served.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
j. H. LANE,
Col Comdg Sd Indiana Regiment
r. Dc, +