New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-10-09

c.r,l HiEa9egsa!Esg ae, e PElleAS aa I'll EITrEs'
MAJOR W. F. TuNHARD-Dear Sir: To you, as
former Captain Of the brave company Inow have
the honor to command, deem it my dQty to ac-
quaint you OF the part taken by the Pelican Rifles
in the capture of Sieges Battery at the battle of
Oak Hills r-t IT,. 7.. r. .-
Gen. McCnlloch, finding that Col. Siegel had
placed his battery In o position where they were
doing terrible execution in the ranks of the Ar
kansas and Missouri troops, who were attacking
Lyons forces and Totten's battery, determined
that it must be taken. Accordingly he ordered
the Louisiana Regiment to do 50, he leading US in
person. We started with about 300 men, the regi-
ment having been much scattered in the first fight
in the woods, and two companies being with you
lighting the cavalry under Major Sturgis, on the
lett OF Totten. The Pelican Rifles and Iberyille
Greys, under my command were on the right, and
thus marched until we were within thirty or forty
yards OF the battery, which was on steep hill.
When within the above named distance man ap-
peared on the edge Of the hill the General then
ordered US to halt, and asked the man whose
forces those were. He replied ''Siegels Regi-
ment, at the same time raising his rifle to shoot,
but ere he had time to execute his design the sharp
crack of Mississippi rife carried messenger of
death to him, and thus to Corporal Henry Gentles,
OF my company, belongs the honor of having
saved the Generals life.
The General then turned to me and said, "Cap-
tam, take your company up and give them h--ll."
then ordered my company forward and was fol
lowed by the remainder OF the regiment. When
up to see the position of the enemy and was fol-
lowed by your son, Sergeant VIM. Fl. Tunnard. i
was much surprised to find myself in front of and
about fifteen feeteo the battery. l asked them
who they were, when your son answered and said
90 look at their Ddtch iaces.'' We Immediately fell
back and they fired two guns over US, the shottrom
one, as afterwards learned, struck your horse as
you were leading the left to our support then
ordered fire. when all fired and charged the bat
terry, the enemy falling back and retreating into
cornfeld, where they were followed by our men
and shot down as they attempted to escape We
then returned to the battery we had taken and
found the guns all in good order A fire from
Reeds Battery (Which was ours) made us give
way once and killed Capt. Hinson and his brother
in-aw, private MILESTONE, of the Morehouse
Guards. Each and every member behaved with
great GOODNESS and bravery, and when the word
was given to forward, they responded with a de-
termination that would do credit to old soldiers.
On the morning after the battle Gen. McCulloch
and Adj. Gen. Mcintosh congratulated me for the
manner in which my company led the charge, and
for the GOODNESS and bravery which they exhibited
upon that occasion.
In communicating this to you do 80 that you
may know that the Pelican Rifles are<worthy of all
honors bestowed upon them and that Baton Rouge
may well be proud of those who represent her in
the great struggle in the southwest Of Missouri.
l have the honor to BE-, Major, your obt sery'L
JOHN f. TIGLTHI,
in, pt,rI A-n1