The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-10-03
Tor the RAlladium
Tor the PallaAium.
GIBBONS BRIGADE, HEADQUARTERS,
CAMP HEAR SHARPsBUKo, MAINLAND,
September 90, 1861. J


GIBBONS BaIeADE, HEADQUARTERS,
CAMP xKAR SHARPsBURo, MAaYLAsD,
September go, 1862. J
Hon. o. p. Aosros. Governor Of Iaaisss:
DEAK SIR-I most respectfully submit q
you the following report Of the part taken
by the 10Th Indiana Volunteers. in the bat
tie of the 18th inst 1t South Mountain.
On the evening of the 18th. we encamPed
two miles south east from Frederick, Md.
We left camp soon after sun up. marched
through Frederick, took the road towards
HagerstowO. marched twelve miles. On
arriving near South Mountain it was ascer-
tanned that the enemy was in force on the
Mountain, and in the Pass. was ordered
to form a line of battle about three O'Clock
p. NJ, which was done on the bill facing
the Mountain, and remained there until five
o'clock, when we were ordered to 90 for
ward. We went forward in line of battle
on the left Of the Pike leading through the
Pass. supported by the I'd Wisconsin, two
companies Of which Commanded by Capt.
Caldwell) had been deployed As skirmishers.
also deployed company B, Capt. Dudley,
as fsnkers to protect our left flank. We
moved slowly and cautiously. but steadily
forward. The skirmishers were soon fired
on. but pressed steadily forward with eau
ton. On arriving near house on our ex-
treme left, surrounded on the south west
and north by timber, l discovered large
number Of the enemy in, and around the
house. They had bsen annoying us. as
we'll as the skirmishers. by firing from the
house and out-houses. also from the woods !
near the house. ordered Lieut.. Stewart
who commanded section Of Battery B, 4th |
Artillery to come forward and open fire up. |
on the house. He moved forward his sec
ton Of two pieces and threw several splen.
did shots. the first Of which took effect in |
the upper story. causing a general stam-
pede Of their forces from that point, en-.
abling us to go forward more rapidly. and
with less loss from their sharp shooters
Their skirmishers soon opened a sharp fire
opon ours which made il necessary for us to |
push forward. We then open, a fire on
the enemy at short range, who was con.
cealed 10 part under fence. The fire be.
came general on both sides. The 18Th gave
. shout and pressed forward, cheering all
the time. 1t was . most magnificent sight
to see the boys Of the 10Th going forward
crowdDg the enemy, and cheering as they
pressed on. After driving the enemy about
three quarters Of q mile, l discovered q
stone fence in front. which the enemy had
fallen back to. At that point they were
annoying US very much. / there ordered
Capt. CLARK company G to wheel his COM
pany to the left, and more by the right
flank, until he could command the line Of
battle lying directly behind the stone fence.
They then opened flank fire upon the
enemy causing them to retreat precipitately,
which gave us an opportunity Of pouring
upon them raking fire as they retrested.
Capt. Clark here took eleven prisoners,
one Major. one Captain and one Lieutenant /,
amongst them. The firing then ceased in
front Of us. The ed Wisconsin came to our 6
support promptly as soon as the firing be,
came general, and stood by the 10th until i
he enemy fed over the Mountain. Alter }
he firing ceased in front we discovered that :.
he enemy who was concealed behind a
tone fence on the right of the Pike in front
4 the 7th Wisconsin. annoying them by :.
leadly fire from behind their breast works. Q
Col. Fairchilds. commanding the ed Wis
,onsin, wheeled the lett wing Of his Regi.
nent and and opened an enfilading fire =
upon the enemy. After exhausting their I,
he Withdrew them, and ordered b
up his right wing to take their place. in
which position they remained until they ex-
hausted their ammunition when they were G
Withdrawn.
then took forward my Regiment and
the same position, continued an
fire upon the enemy, who soon
fell back from his strong position. The ,
Wisconsin and Indiana boys gave three '
hearty cheers as the fate of the day was
.hus decided. 1t was then after nine
o'clock in the night and pursuit being con
'idered dangerous we lay down on our
arms holding the battlefield. Small de-
'achments Of my command we're now en- ]
gagged in bringing in wounded prisoners. =
We held the field until about twelve
D clock, when we were relieved by the fresh a
troops. The loss in the 10Th was nine kill e
ed. thirty-seven wounded, and seven miss \
ng, making an aggregate of fity-thrce. 1t :
was . glorious victory on the part OF Gen.
Gibbons Brigade. in driving the enemy
rom his strong position in the Mountain 8
Gorge. {
The boys of the 10th behaved most .
zloriously. Too much praise cannot be
bestowed upon them for their courage and
,alautry.
The officers all were active in the dis. b
,hargc of their duties. Lieutenant Colonel :
Bacbmsn was very efficient on the occasion :
rendering me important service.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant, g
8. MEREDITH. b
y III T. Il.