The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1862-04-21
OMoisl Report Of NasJoE Fostss.

Col James c. VeGtch, Commanding 2nd
Brigade, 4th Dipisson
SIR: Early on the morning of Sunday,
April 9Th, 1862, in conformity with your
orders, the 25th Regiment Indiana Volun-
teers was marched out of its quarters and
took its position in the brigade. 1t imme-
diAtely accompanied the brigade beyond
Brigadier General Hurlbuts quarters, and
took position on the edge of the field used as
the review ground, on the center of the line
of the army, the right of the 18th Indiana
joining the 14th Illinois, and the left sup
porting battery of artillery which was fr-
ing upon the enemy beyond the field. At
ter remaining in this position for nearly an
hour the force which were engaging the
enemy were driven back from our front,
and a large part of the retreating column
passed directly through our lines, but the
regiment continued unbroken and present
ed as steady a front as the receding forces
would allow. Just at this time, as we were
beginning to receive the heavy FIRE of the
enemy on our front and left, your order was
received to change our front to the rear on
the left company and one hundred yards
back from our first posit' :, in order to
meet large force of the enemy which was
moving rapidly forward in that direction,
with the intention of hanking your brig
Rde. The regiment executed this move
ment in good order and GOODNESS under q
very heavy fire of musketry and artillery
on our left Hardly had our regiment ia
ken its position when the immense double
columns of the enemy were fairly in view,
emerging from the timber and thick under
growth. The order was given Immediately
| to lie down. 1t had hardly been executed
when the enemy opened upon Us one con-
tinuous blaze of masketry along our whole
line, and on the right and left of it. The
deadly volley passed harmlessly over US.
With great alaerity and order the regiment
rose and poured in upon the enemy volley
after volley, which was most terrible upon
their close columns, staggering them in
their rapid and successful advance; but our
attempt to give permanent check to their
progress was unavsiling. The regiments on
our right were beginning to waver and fall
back, and the enemy had completely out
Aanked US on the left, and were pouring in
upon US a heavy cross fire. There was no
alternative except to back or be completely
surrounded by the overwhelming numbers
attacking u.s. Hardly had Lient. Col. VIM.
Fl. Morgan given the Order to fall back
when he received severe flesh wound in
the leg, which disabled him and he was re-
luctaEtly carried from the field. His alb
sence during the remainder of the engage
ment was a severe loss, as it threw the en-
tire responsibility of the command upon
me and deprived the regiment of his mill
tary skill and courage.
The regiment fell back in as good order
as the thick underground and deadly fire
of the enemy would permit, for about one
hundred yards; where, taking advantage Of
a slight d.yreseIon in the surface of the
ground, / planted the flag against fallen
: tree, and called upon the men to rally te
their colors, which they did with a readi.
ness and GOODNESS which saved the regi.
ment from entire ACKNOWLEDGMENT, and per.
haps annihilation. I was in my proper
position on the left wing, and did not ss'
Col. Morgan fall, who was on the right anC
q entirely concealed by the underground
! and therefore supposed he had drawn of
= the right companies but in his absence tn
Q several captains collected their men, and a
i soon as they could ascertain our position
: joined me with large portion of thei
, commands. In this engagement our los
was very heavy. Lieut.. Henry L. Brickett
:, commanding Co. @, was mortally wounde'
. and died in few minutes, refusing to b
q carried from the field. Lieut.. Jesse Pat
terson, of Co. G, was MORALLY wounded
and died in a few hours. Both of tines
= were noble men, faithful officers, and brav
a soldiers. Lieut.. Fellows of Co. h, and q
a Lieut.. Darling of Co. B, were severed.
wounded while bravely encouraging thei
men. Sixteen Of our dead were taken fror
9 this bloody field.
| D. I ha1 id hiatt II
= and placed it in order. Col. Hall, of tn
I4th Illinois, on our right, had succeede
In hating and collecting his regiment, an
upon consultation we thought it advisabl
to withdraw our men, and shelter ther
le from the heavy fire of the enemy until W
a could communicate with you for turtle
= orders. / notified your aid, 1t. Bruno
of our position, when we directly receive
your order to come to the assistance {
'e Gen. Netherlands Division on the right
By your order l took position on the broy
10 OF the hill on the right of the 14th Illinois
- and then ordered pickets on the side of th
sr opposite hill, to observe the movements {
" the enemy. Here we remained until "
re received your order to advance to the hi
e, on the left; but it became necessary {
u change our position, as directed by you, I
Is. the timber skirting the field occupied b
tuc ChfoAEy Caup, W pIOV0Cb onOtueE Adu
o, movement of the enemy in heavy fsrcI
(. both on the right and left, supported by
le large force Of cavalry on the right, attempt
l. ing to get int our rear. Here We too
n our position and threw out pickets i
70 front in charge of Capt. Rheinlander, {
draw the FIRE of the enemy and ascertai
le their advancing position. While the heav
Is firing was going on on the right, our reg
ot ment lay well concealed directly in fror
l. of the approaching column of the enemy
y while you sent the l4th Illinois aroun
70 to their flank, and just as our picket
I'd had well attracted their fire, we move
n around quietly from the enemy's fror
~ to support the 14th Illinois, while
ne was pouring its well directed volley
~ on their flank. We had just taken an e.
n cellent position, where we must certainl,
en- with the aid of the 18th Illinois, have dri'
ed en- them back or cut them off in this local
ty, when the tide of battle, which hf
n been raging for eight continuous hours G
he the left and center, gave way, and our +
| @aIiro fro0D1 Norno hoclx and naacad n