, 1862-03-24
positions Of the forces:
4 L AAAt Rebels.
. II, Hospital.
q. leeabuEX- +:
I'LL, Federals. J
g. DaYidspn1e Battery.

Gen. White ordered the "a brigade down
the road, and fled right INTO the brush di-
rect1y in front Of the enemy, and about 159
yards from them. There were no skirmishers
on either side, and The first opening
of the battle was a vo1ley fired almost
simultaneously On each side. Capt. Dayidsons
Peoria Battery had in the meantime taken po-
eihon in the corner Of the field to our left
and rear, where be poured shot and shell into
the left wing Of the enemy, which Of course,
however necessary, did not relieve or1r brig
ade. The fire upon us was fearfuI-a perfect
hail-storm Of lead; yet our boys didnot finch.
At every new movement, every new volley,
all we're calm, determined, unfalter1ng. Gen.
White was always at the head of his men
where the fight was thickest. Lieut.. Col.
Barnes dismounted, his horse being restiye,
and led the 97th On foot. Maj. Black, after
having his horse shot from under him, was
wounded in the arm. but would not leave the
field until twice: ordered to do so by Gen.
White, and then only because compelled to
retire frcm loss Of blood. Mai. Post Of the
5Sth Illinois WAS wounded in the shoulder and
obliged to leave the field. He fairly wept
with yeEtion that he could not remain. The
entire command Of the 37th ROW devolycd
on Lieut. Col Barnes, and OF the 59th on
Lieut. Col. Fredcricks. Gen. White adopted
them both, and pushed his fire wherever &C.
cession heads or bodies came in sight
Overwhelming numbers obliged us to fall
back on our second position, while the enemy
Capt Davidaon's guns, as he poured grape
into them. Here our boys rallied, and poured
their murderous fire into the rebel ranks, as
they formed in their second position As the
eecesh began to wayer, the LIST brigade came
up, and total rout Of the enemy epsued :;
onr forces driving them across the open field,
rctakfng our battery, and finally biVoaacking
on The ground they had occupied when first
firing on us.
This has been . fearfully contested battle,
the main force on our side engaged, having
been the 37th and seth III. vols, and David
sons Peoria battery, composing tie I'd brig.
ade, Sd division, under command Of acting
Brigadier General Julius White, while the en-.
envy had opposed to us the Sd Louisiana regi-
| ment under Col Hebert, Brig. Gen Mcfn-
tosh's regiment, commanded By Lient~ Col.
Embury, Col MitchelIs 9th Arkansas zeei-
| nent, 7th Arkansas under Col. McRae, and
two regiments Of Indians under Stanwcighty
and Drew, both Cherokces. Gems. McCulloch
and Mcintosh we're in command of these
| forces. Gen. McCulloch is certainly killed,
thIs time, and Cen Mcintosh is reported
killed. Gels. Hebert, pronounced Ebaru)
and Mitchell! are both prisoners.
| On our. side no officer was dangerously
| has since died.
Iwould love to specify acts Of bravery thai
ne were all witnesses OF, but that would In,
Volve the name Of every officer In our brigade
! land would make my letter almost interniu
| able IN LENGTH Every officer has distinguish
ed himself, not more if wounded than If I'M
hurt. The bravery Of an officer is not to bt
measured only by the holes in his body, fol
deeds Of the greatest gallantry were performed
by men Who escaped without wounds. The
t wounds Of those less fortunate speak fol
themselves Of great deeds done.
u Is but Justice to Gen. White to state tina
during the fight he Was almost entirely alone
displaying the wisdom and intrepidfty tha
have since won him the high compliments Q
officers above and below him. We, as brig
ade, have noW perfect confidence in him afeld
and feel sure Of Victory as We see the blael
horse, presented at Camp Webb, and Wounde,
to-day in the jaw, with its rider eaIIopiu,
along the 1ines. I do not speak Of this al Al
because he is our Colonel, but as fact that !
! patent to us all.
Lieut.. Col Barnes Was calm and constan
throughout the fight, OF Major Black hay
spoken. Lieut. Col FredeEicks ia spoken {
in very high terms for his gallantry, and ce,
throughout the day. Color Sergeant Ben
Manning stood throughout the firing, In ad
vance, holding aloft our flag, till he va
wounded. But why endea1or to particu1arize
The List Of killed and wounded in our BRIG
ade cannot be obtained till tomorrow or til
next day. Our flag had shot through it, an
one Of Its tassels shot Of. E. 4.