The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-23
THE BATTLE AT DAVIS CREEK.

OFFICIAL REPORT OF COLONEL MERRITT OF THE
FIRST IOWA REGIMENT,
j. NJ ScHoEELD Acting Adutant General
DEAR Sir have tho honor to submit the following
port Of the part taken by the Iowa troops in the late oty
contested battle of Wilson creek.
At six O'Clock NJ OF the 9th instant the First rcgi.
men Of Iowa Volunteers, under command of Lieutenant
Colonel VIM H. Merritt-C0lonel j. f. Bates being sick
united with the forces at Springfield under command Of
General Lyon, and commenced tho march to Wilson'S
creek twelve miles distant Arriving within three miles
OF tho enemy's camp, and In close proximity Of their
pckcts the order given halt The troops lay on
their arms until three o'clock A. NJ OF the 10Th instant
when they advanced on the enemy's lines About Ave
O'Clock A. NJ our advanced skirmshers engaged the enc
mys pickes and drove them in The First Missouri and
FIRST Kansas Volunteers, and battalion of regular in
fantry under command Of Captain Plumber, with Tottcns
battery very soon engaged considerable number Of tho
rebel forces.
Dubois battery took position short distance east Of
where the enemy were being engaged and the Iowa
troops were drawn up in line Of battle on its left brisk
fire was commenced and kept up for thirty minutes The
enemy responded promptly with battery in the ravne,
but their shot passed from ten hundred feet
our heads Detailed company d. First Lieutenant Keller
commanding, and company Z, First Licutenart Aber-
crombie commanding, TO act skrmishers in advance
Of my ne Ordered to advance the hill engage the
enemy and relieve the First regiment Of Kansas vol
teers In advancing to engage tho enemy tho First
Kansas retreatng in confusion They broke through
line on the right separating companies and from the
balance Of the command While in this confused state
received murdcreus fire from the encmys Infantry
Gave the command TO fall back and reform the limo The
din OF fire arms and the loud talking Of the troops
drowned my voice, SO that the command could not be
heard ON the loft Led the companies oyer
hill halted them and ordered them about face and fire
on squadron OF the enemy's cavalry advancing to
charge on section Of lotions battery. The fire
cntcd with pronptness and effect, and after receiving
the discharge from the battery the enemy retired in
double quick time, leaving number Of dead and wound
ed on the field. Ordered o,mpanies A and to hold
their position until further orders and then returned to
companies 9, II, X, and b, who had been left facing
tie eheinys iinei found our troops advancing under
Calling fire from the enemys infantry. After repusing
the enemy they fell back In good order Ordered Major
A. Porter proceed TO the rear and take command OF
the Tour cOEnpani g., A., II. ID r. stationed
Held our position In front for 1--WE hours alternately ad
vapcng and retiring as tho approach and rcpuse Of the
enemy made II necessary TO do In every charge tho
enemy made wo repnlsed them and drove them
into the rayine below. About twelve O'Clock d.
which was done in good order As we retired
over the hill passed a section Of T8ttens battery
occupyin2a commanding point to the right supported
on the right by companies A. +, d and Il OF the Iowa
troops, under command OF Major Porter, and the left
by Que company of regular infantry uuaer command of
Captain Lcthop This command sustained our retreat
with great coolress anddetermpation, under
rife discharge from the enemy's infantry After the
wounded were adhered up column formed In order
u march, and lie enemy repulscd the battery and
fantry retired in good order. Thus closed Of te
me hoty contested engagements known the country
commencing twenty minutes after five O'Clock A. NJ.
and concluding twenty minutes after twelve NJ in which
the enemy bro uyht 70 the fed fourteen thousand well
armed and well disciplined troops and ten thousand
guar troops and our own force amounted to about five
thousand troos in the early part Of the engagement
considerably less than -Four thousand troops for the
GLIDING Tour hours OF II.
1t is with great pleasure TINT acknowledge valuable
aid and assistance from Major A. B. Porter Aduant Geo
W. Waldron, who wounded in the leg aud Sergeant
Major Charles Compton, and to express my usSoUndod
admiration Of tho heroic conduct displayed by both OFF,
GERS aud No tfo0pe regular volunteer ever
tanned their country's Iag with determined vaor
and fortudc they have crowned themselves with i'm
perishsbc honor and must occupy nspicuous place
the history Of their country.
list Of the killed, missing and wounded will be found
attached 10 this report together with such notices of III
dividuQl prowess MS wore observed on the field.
Before concluding this report must boar testimony
the gallant and mprOroyS conduct (Aptain A L
sop, Of Company c. who fell in charge, at the head of
HIS company.
Very respectfully, your obedieat servant
WILLIAM II. MERRITT
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding.