Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-21

ry asked for renforcements. | ordered General
Wood to advance the head Of his column eau
tously on the left hand road, while conducted
the head of the third brigade of the fifth division
up the right hand road. About half mile from
the forks was clear field through which he
road passed, and Immediately beyond space of
some two hundred yards of fallen timber, and
beyond an extensive camp. The enemy's caval-
~ could be seen in this camp, and after a recon
noissance. / ordered the two advance companies
Of the Ohio 18th, Colonel Hlldebrand. to deploy
as skirmishers, and the regiment itself forward
into line, with an interval of one hundred yards.
In this order | advanced cautiously, until the
skirmishers were engaged.
Taking it for granted this disposition would
clear the camp, held Col. Dickey's 4th Illinois
cavalfy ready for the charge. The enemy's cav
airy came down boldly to the charge, breaking
through the line of skirmishers, when the regi-
ment of infantry, without cause, broke. threw
away their muskets, and fled. The ground was
admirably adapted to defense of infantry against
cavalry, the ground being miry, and covered with
fallen timber.
As the regiment of infantry broke, Dickey's
cavalry began to discharge their carbnes and fell
into disorder. 1 instantly sent orders to the rear
of the brigade to form in line of battle, which
was promptly executed The broken infantry
and cavalry rallied on this line, and as the enc
my's cavalry came to it, our cavalry in turn
charged and drove them from the field. / adj
vaneed the center brigade upon the same ground,
and sent Col. Dickey's cavalry mile further up
the road
On examining the ground which had been oc-
cupied by the 77th Ohio, found fifteen dead
and about twenty-five wounded. | sent for wag
ons, and had all the wounded carried back to
camp, and the dead buried; also, the whole camp
to be destroyed. Here we found much ammuni-
ton for field pieces, which was destroyed; also,
two caissons and general hospital; with about
$50 Confederate wounded and about fifty of our
own.
Not having the means of bringing these off,
Col. Dickey, by my orders, took surrender,
signed by Medical Director Lyle and all the at
tending surgeons, and pledge to report them
selves to you as prisoners of war; also pledge
that wounded would be carefully attended and
surrended to us tomorrow as soon as ambulances
could be sent out | enclose the within docu-
ment and request that you cause to be sent out
wagons or ambulances for the wounded of ours
tomorrow also that wagons be sent out to bring
in the many tents belonging to us which are
pitched all along the road for four miles. did
rot destroy them. However | know the enemy
can not move them. The roads are very bad and
the road is strewn with abandoned wagons, am
balances and lumber boxes. The enemy has
succeeded in carrying off the guns. but has Grip
pied his batteries by abandoning the hind Timber
boxes of at least twenty guns i am satisfied the
enemy's infantry and cavalry passed Lick creek
this morning. travelling all last night and that he
left behind all his cavalry which has protected his
retreat that the signs of confusion and disorder
mark the whole road. The check sustained by
us at the fallen timbers delayed our advance, so
that night came upon us before the wounded were
provided for and the dead buried, and our troops
being tagged out by two days hard fighting, ex-
posure and privation, | ordered them back to
camp, where all now are.
have the honor to be your obedient servent,
Brigadier General W. 7. SHERMAN,
Commanding Division