Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-09
Battle of Shiioh--Report of Colonel
Hovey. Of the 9th Indiana.

BATTLE FIELD NEAR PITTsBURG LANDING, }
Camp LIST brigade, Sd div, Dept Mississippi
April 9Th, 1862 \
SR-On Sunday the 9th inst, my regiment in
connection with the LIST brigade of the Sd divis-
ion, ordered To march from Crump's Landing
Tennessee, to the field Of action this place
He arrived little after shutdown, while the mus
kerry was still ringing and cannon roaring; with
my regiment on the extreme right and in front.
Before arriving We had been informed that the
enemy occupied the right of the road in force
Under direction of Colonel Smith, commanding
the brigade, skrmishers were thrown out and my
regiment rapidly marched forward and formed in
line OF battle before some tents, supposed to be
occupied by the enemy: On being challenged,
however. they proved to be "Birges Sharp shoot
ers," and were received by cheers instead Of
bullets. Here the whole brigade bivouacked for
the night, sleeping their arms, under one of
the most severe rains of the season.
About half past five o'clock on Monday morn
ing, the 9TH inst, the battle opened left
by forces supposed to be under General buell..
Our brigade was Immediately formed in line of
battle, my regiment upon tie extreme left in an
open field, and marched rapidly on what sup
posed to be the center of the enemy. About
half past six o'clock A. NJ. threw out skirm-
ishers in advance and received the first fire of the
enemy.
Irm this point we passed through a small
woodland ravine into an open field, and at double
quick rushed rapidly forward TO a slight depress-
ion, where our men were halted to support one OF
our batteries which PLAYING with deadly
effect upon one of the rebel batteries.
AT this point we again threw out skirmishers,
who fired with terrible effect upon the officers
ana men who were manning the rebel batteries
The enemy being again driven back our
brigade was thrown in advance of our artillery
into narrow skirt OF woods betw cen two fields.
Here we were halted for a short time, and the
shot and shell of our battery and the battery OF
the enemy rained thick and fast about and around
us Again the enemy SLOWLY retired in order
and we were pressed rapidly through another
held, halted, threw out skiTmshers and stub
born conflict ensued. About III o'clock A. NJ
three gallant officers of my regiment, Lieut. Col.
Gerber, Capt McGuffin and Lieut.. Southwick fell
Capt Spicely, Capt. Bolton, Lieut.. Smith, Lieut.
Butler, and several non commissioned officers and
prlvates, were wounded. Our skrmiShers and
battery again forced the rebel forces back and
our brigade followed rapidly into the woods and
terrible conflict of musketry ensued which con
tinued for several hours. the enemy contesting
every inch but retiring before
During the day every company in my regiment
was deployed as skirmishers and did good service
They were generally under the superintendent OF
Capt Spicely, who acted as NJ jor until the fall
of Lieut. Col. Gerber. From that time Capt
Spicely acted Lieut. Colonel and Adiutant
Barter as Major of the regiment. cannot speak
too highly OF their effective services on that oc-
casion; they cool and determined and had
the full confidence of their men
Captain Spicely, though wounded and stunned
bya ball on the temple. continued on the field the
whole day and performed the full duties of a true
soldier. | saw, with pride | can not conceal
that the "24th" never faltered nor gave back an
inch from the first charge in the morning until
the euemy gave way in the evening. In an ex-
posed condition on the open field, over hill, val
lev and woodland, for more than three miles as
sailed by every missile known to modern war
fare. their march onward, with loud cheers
and full confidence in victory.
The conduct of my officers and men meet with
my unqualified appreciation.
L herewith transmit list of the killed and
wounded of my regiment.
Permit me, through you. to tender to Colonel
Morgan L. Smith my thanks for the cool. brave,
determined and effective manner in which he
managed our brigade during that glorious and
trying day.
am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient ser
want, ALVIN T. HovEy,
Colonel commanding Oath Indiana
Lieut.. d. G.. Coleman, A. \. Adjt Gen., LIST
brigade, Sd Division.