The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-12-27
COL. WILLIcH,S OFFICIAL RE
PRRT

col. WILLICH,S OFFICIAL RE
PORT
Ny Regiment had, as usual, two eompa-
MES on the south Of Green River, for the
protection Of she repairing ofsthe railroad
bridge across Green River
The bridge built by our pontoniers being
foi bed on the evening of the 18th inst,
the former order to defend our work, in
case of an attack, principally from the north I
side Of the river, was changed in such
manner that four companies deployed as
skirmishers, should form on the north side 4
of Green river while the remaining four
should advance over the bridge 10 the south +
side IS support of our pickets. At twelve /
o'clock on the 18th of December the right /
wing Of our picket chain, company B, Capt. !
Glass, was annoyed by skirmishers Of the (
enemy. Capt. Glass sent out patrol that |
drove them back and followed them up with I
the balance of his company. About q mile /
from the picket chain he met company of
the enemy infantry, whom he saluted with I
a volley, upon which they retreated in haste. /
Owing to the arrival of large forces of in |
fantry who had by this time made their APP
pearance, he was obliged to retreat, execut-
ing the same in good order, until re-enforce- /
ments arrived. During this maneuvre
company @ advanced on the left of the pike
nun " DOueOGhllits III q sCUtAH aAA AAAOO-
ton. There they we're attacked by COM
pany Of Texas Rangers, whom they drove
back. At the same time the signal of alarm
was given to the remainder of the regiment
and was answered with astonishing alacrity.
In their anxiety to hasten to the relief OF
the companies that we're in danger, the
company commanders failed to obey the
Instructors given by me, and all Of them
rushed over he bridge and up the Lill,
there forming IN our usual position at alarm
in close column. The undersigned being at
the time Of .he general alarm at the head
quarters Of the Division, Lieut. Col. Won
Trebra ordered companies K, O and to
the support of company B on the right wing
I and companies A and J to the support Of
/ company on the left wing, and companies
/ E aud Il and few men of company D as
i reserve TO follow aloDg the pike under COM
mand Of Major Sehnakenburg, ia the usaal
distance. The infantry of the enemy on
both wings were thrown by the mere Rd~
vance of our lines ofskirmishers. But now
4 ensued the most earnest and bloody part of
the struggle With lightning speed, under
infernaI yelling, great numbers of Texas
Rangers rushed upon our whole force
They advanced as near as Fifteen or twenty
yards to our DKes, some of them even be-
tween them and then opened their fire with
rifles and reyolvers Our skirmishers took
the thing very coolly and permitted them to
approach very close, " hen they opened a
destructive fire on them. They were re-
pulsed under severe loss, but only after
Lieut. Sachs, who left his covered position
with one platoon was surrounded By about
City Rangers, several Of them demanding OF
him three times to give up his sword and let
his men lay down their arms. He firmly refus
\ a. ~ F,lf ,,
, of his men before the attack was repulsed
Lieut. Col Won Trebra now led on another
udvauee Of tie centre aud left flank, when
he drew down on his forces a second charge
Of the Rangers, in large understanding
into the very rauks; some dashing through
TO tue rear, which might have proved disas-
lrous 10 companies 9. and J., hal not com
pslny H., COMMANDED by Lieuts. Cappell auo
Levy, aad ordered forward by AGjatau
;, se1mitl fr8D The reserve, 90 the pike-ad:
fisS''yi " srl 20 s1ns, = ~
raenczd 49, Da1Is and schrapnells were
tIrown with great precision towards the re.
serve companies aud skirmishers near the
pixies but only few men were hurt and
these by splinters from trees and fences
Among Others our undaunted and ever at
teniise Assistant Surgeon, Jancon. was
struck b6 the branch Of tree, and stupified
Tor q short time.
While this happened the struggle on the
right flank was not less severe. Compan-
les f. Il. and 3. were thrown out as skir-
mishegs; company G. in column as support
The Rangers advanced within fifteen wards.
and item Fred with shot guns and revolyers
Our skiEmishers made great havoc among
them, cut finally retreated behind the square
formed by 90 G., Capt WelschbiIlig. Now
ann ensueu, snch as seldom occurs The
xxi go fFertrse a.
bundled thinking they could ride over that
smali squad OF fifty men, attacked them ia
4 front aud left flank. Capt Welschbillip
suffered them to approach within twenty
yards and then 6red a deadly volley al
shem They retreeted, but Only after hav-
4 ING discharged their guns and rifles at our
/ men. They charged a second time, and en-
4 gagged in front and beth TANKS. Several Of
them came close TO our bayonets A well
aimed volley sent them back again. They
made thifd-but weak-charge. which
resulted more disastrous to them than the
former. They now disappeared in wild dis
order, from the battle ground
In their place a regiment of IL faHtEy,--tRIs I
band -plsyircy7 ADVANCED against the small |
squad. Capt. WelschbilIig fell back before
them, with his men ia good order, to form
with companies and B.-Co. K. holding
the rear. AT this moment the undersigned
arrived, and took command of the right
wing. Seeing the danger that threatened
the regiment in case the enemys Infantry
two fegiments) could throw our right
wing, and advance on the line of retreat on
the left wing, I ordered the signal fail
back slowly to-5e given, and formed the
companies. Companies B. and G. fell in
quickest Co. K. guarded the rear. The
forming Of companies B. and G. very likely
gave rise TO the enemy's belief of a reen-
forcement on our right at the same time
Co. A, till then delayed by their fanking
move, appeared on the euemy's right wing, !
on our left, " hen the enemys artillery re- :
treated il haste the cavalry had disap- {
peared from the battle ground, and the in ]
fantry followed in donble-quick time. Co
took an advanced position, holding it IN
til the undersigned, Lieut. COL Won Trebra.
q company B.-of the 49th Ohio, and Ad-
Tutant Schmitt, with q squad of men from