Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-10-30
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Col. Dan. MeCook's Report.

Capt LIEF, .Actia1 4. 4. G.. lIM Dirisjoa:
SIR: In Obedience to the orders OF Gen.
Buell., conveyed through YOU, at 3 A. NJ; of
the Sth inst, | moved three Regiments of
my brigade, (viz. the S5th Ill.,, and l25th
ILL.,, upon the right Of the Perryvlle road
and the 52nd Ohio Re liment upon the
left, throwing skirnishnrs to the front en-
velopDg my flanks. The skirmishers had
scarcely taken intervals when severe aud
Calling lire was oponel on them. As soon
as sufficient ground was gained to the front,
deployed the. l25 h ILL., upon both sides of
the road AS a reserve, Although all NV
regiments were fresh from their homes,
. they moved eadily up the hill, driving the
enemy who contested warmly every step.
and occupied the crest of the Heights,
winch gave us connanling position over
he surrounding country, aud one of vast
Importance at subsequent part of the day.
! Here | halted my Dattlions in favorable
position, keeping the l25th Regiment well
In reserve under the crest of the hill and
throwing skirDishers at such a distance
from my line as to keep the enemy's sharp
shovters who still occupied skirt of woods
on dhe slope Of the bill to the front from
annoying myregilnents lying in position. :
About this time Capt. Barnett's Battery
arrived and was put in position upon the
lett OF the road. Two of his pieces he could
not use on account of the inexperience OF
the men detailed to man them. With the
remaining four he did good service during
the day: The enemy knowing the impor.
tance of the situation he had lost, being re.
enforced, advanced to retake it. He opened
Battery upon the S5th H., and began
using spherical ordered section OF
Capt. Barnett's Battery on the extreme
right OF the position to reply to this, and
ordered the right wing Of the I25th III. to
take position to the right of the Battery to
support it. The enemies fire for about &c
minutes was very severe, but Capt. Bar
nett, after compelling him to change posi-.
ton three times, 6nally drove him off The
steadlness with which the S5th and l25th
Illinois withstood this fire was admirable. a;
they were unable to reply and had during il
a considerable number woun,led. After
this the firing almost ceased, with here and
there struggling shot aimed at mounted
men. AT this juno ure, Gen. Sheridan ar.
rived upon the field. The enemy unde,
Buckner soon began massing troops in the
skirt Of woods, into the edge of which | had
thrown my skirmishers. Cen Gay, com
manding cavalry, came up and attempted tc
go toward Perryville when his further ad
vance was checked by the enemy in the
woods. lie dismounted portion of hi,
cavalry and supported by the skirlnishers o
the 52nd Regiment o. ", advanced intc
the woodI,' where we afterwards learned
there were two Rebel Brigades. The actor
quickly became sharp, when the 2nd Mis-
souri, Infantry and soon the 44th Illinois tc
support it, were ordered into the woods. -
4 They drove the enemy from them across the
open fields in front, and took possession o
wooded hill beyond the bottom house
upon which the rebels afterward planted
their bait, es most destructive to the righ
of Cen McCook' Corps. In the meantime
we had observed the head of Gen. Rous
seau's Division debouching into the field.
to our left from the Maxvlle road. A
about the same time the 2nd Missouri at
tackled the woods. The seth Regiment (Ill.
belonging to my Bridgade, but being upor
picket, was ordered to advance over tn,
open fields to the left, aud seize the extreme
left of the woods. This they did in gallan
style at the double quick, driving the enc
my before them, and in doing which one
private Was killed and II wounded. Gen
Sheridan then ordered the 52nd Ohio to &C
forward to relieve the 2nd Missouri 1t met
this regiment coming back, having been or
dered to leave the advance position it oc
cupied. The 52nd Ohio was halted in the
| woods so hotly corte ted. You soon ordere
my Brigade forward to form line of battle
on the further edge of the woods so otter
mentioned. Capt Hcscock's : Battery sup.
ported by the Seth Illinois, have been here
doing good service for some time by eniilad
ing Battery painted upon the hill aban
donGd by the 2nd Missouri, and playing up
on Gen. Ronsseaus diviIi Just getting
into position The line Gen. Sheridan select
ed was an admirable one, and Gen Rous
sean formed his division upon a continuation
OF it, his right being separated from Gen.
Sheridan 5 left by the dry rocky bed of a
stream which wound off towards PerryviIIe.
The last regiment of my brigade was get
ting into position, and the enemies batteries
had began to play upon Gen Rousseau &
Division upon our left, when we were order.
ed to fall back at least y mile .and assume
the position carried in the morning, leaving
Gen. Rousseau without support on his right,
exposing his flank. The enemy, undisturb-
ed any longer by the batteries of our dyi-
sion, began to tell with effect upon Gen,
housseau. The enemy assured, by our re
trograde movements, began to show them.
selves upon our right. A portion of Col.
|
the line as formed with respect to my Bri.
gade was rs follows:
The Both Illinois on my left, the 52nd
Ohio immediately on its right, supporting
a part of Capt Barnett's and Hescock Bat
teries, the S5th regiment was upon the
right Of these Batteries, the l25th acted
under your orders in the last action. am
happy To learn it behaved finely, and
must trust to your report to do it full justice.
The Seth regiment was held in reserve upon
the pike, with orders to watch the woods to
our left and resist any attempt to turn our
TANKS The enemy made two determined
attempts to carry the position, and at one
time was repealed by the bayonet, in which
! charge the S5th and l25th Illinois regiments
gallantly took part, The enemy reformed
and advanced again. The 36th Illinois be
ing out of ammunition, ordered the SD
regiment into line, and after an engagement
OF 30 minutes the enemy was driven from
the field. Too much praise cannot be given
70 the GOODNESS, and bravery and steadiness
Of the troops of the Brigade. Lit. Col. r..
l.. Moore Of the s5th Regiment CRY
call your special attention for his coolncss,
experience and bravery on the field. Coils.
Irons, Harmon, and 1t. Col. Cowen all de-
serve honorable mention for conspicuous
bravery and Judgment in action. LII. Coils.