The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-11-08
COURT OF INQUIRY,


Ordered for the invesagation of the alleged alb
sence of Capt J. B. WRIGHT, of Go. c, SD
Regt Of Ill FOL, from Ais company at and
during The battle of the Hatchie on the 18th of
Oct, 1862, assembled at o'clock H. ~ Mis
3OM day of Oct, 1852, at Headquarters Of
The SD Regiment of ILL., Vol, near Bolivar,
Tenn. Present-Major s c. EARL, COM
handing reyt, Capt j. E. HuDsos, Co D.
HUsroN, Co. F., and Lieut.. AW. BULL,
commanding Co. l.
Capt. Huston-Saw Capt. Wright with
his company on the march from our camp
on the morning of the 5th, to the battle
ground saw him cross the bridge with
his company, and saw him with it on the
battle-ground after the fight commenced
Capt. Leahy-Remarked to Captain
Wright, when we started from camp on
the morning OF the 9Th, that he looked
sick. He replied that he had been sick
all night Saw him cross the bridge with
his company, and saw him Immediately
after the order was given to cease firing
was given, ON the ground. Congratulated
him on his escape He replied that he
had been struck with something on the
shoulder, out was not seriously hurt Saw
HIM at the right Of his company as the
regiment moved up on the hill and after
We took our position there.
Capt. Hudsen-Saw Capt. Wright with
his company Immediately after our reg-
ment crossed the bridge, and ia his posi-.
ton with his company but short time
before the order to cease firing was given
Do not remember Of noticing him at any
other time
Corporal Hamilton, Co A, called in
Saw Capt. Wright at the battle of the
Hatchie. He led our company across the
bridge. When the Indiana Regis. broke
through our ranks, | was to the rear of
the company. Came up as the companv
was forming in line, and saw Capt. Wright
behind tree some twenty feet in rear of
the company. He ordered me TO assist
him In getting the company into line
Did not see him after we were formed ia
line and commenced firing until after the
firing had ceased, when he came up to the
company and said that he had been hurt
Do not know whore he was during the
fight. He might be with the company
and / not see him.
Private Samuel Galloway, Co. aid
not take notice who led the company into
the fight; but when the trina commenced
saw Capt. wright between Corpl Eolnes
and myself.
Private 7. I. Courtney, Co A-Saw Capt
Wright at the head of his company when
We crossed the bridge he was by my
side at time; saw him when the regt fell
IN TO move upon the hill, after the firing
had ceased IN the bottom did not take
notice whether he was with the company
during the fighting at the creek.
Private W. u. Smith, Co A-Captain
= n I'M to g.. I
was filling my canteen, some ten or fifteen
minutes before the firing ceased lie said
that he had been hurt, and | offered him
my assistance, which ! understood him to
accept; but he immediately after ordered
me back 10 my company which was jus.
then lallln: IN to move upon the hill !
left him and went 10 the company; he
followed on after nae, do not remember
OF seeing hiEi after we took our position
OH the hill
Private Daniel Court, Co A-Saw Capt.
Wright at the head OF his company in
crossing the bridge; saw aim lead them
into the fight, and saw him with his men
after we mad fred several rounds After
this, did not look for him, ard did not see
him again until the order to cease firing
was given, when | SAW him talking with
some one IL. the rear Of his company
III. Eiitor-W'e feel confident that the
above testimony OF officers and men of the
bod, who participated in the short, deci-
sIve, but desperate and bloody engagement
Of Oct. 5ih, on the Ha,chie, and who saw
Capt. Wright with his company on the
battle field during the action, cannot fail
to satisfy the public, as il has ourselves,
that Capt. Wright did lead Ibis company
into the engagement and also, to restore
in the nind of the public that confidence
IN his courage and ability as an officer,
which We, as his companions in arms, are
not willing TO relisquish, and 10 remove
the obloquy already cast upon him, from
reports circulated in your community. bv
men who must have been grossly misin-
formed. And in simple justice to Captain
Wright who, it will be seen. has been
greatly wronged, we submit the minutes
OF the testimony, taken down st the time
as gwen, without further action on our
part, and respectfully reques, you to pub
fish the same
SETH c. EARL, Major Comd 2 Regt
JAMES E. HUDsoS, Capt Co D.
MicHAL LEAHx, Capt. Co. K
DANIEI. Z HUsToy, Capt Co. F.
\. NJ. BULL, l.t Lieut. Co |.
We desire further to state, that. hay,ny
seen Cant. Wright under severe fire on a