The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1862-05-02
Colonel Gibson's Official Report
He D QUARTERS, 9th BR1eADE,(
FIELD OF SHILOH, April 10, 1862.

FIELD OF SHILOH, April ~, 1909. h
Captain D. McCooK, A. A. General
End Division /:
CApTA1N,-I have the honor to submit
the following report Of the participation
of this command in the memorable action
of the 7th, inst.
Reaching Savannah at 10 P. NJ, on
the 9th, and holding the rear of the End
Division, we were compelled to await
transportation until the next morning near
8 O'Clock. After great exertion the en-
tire Brigade, with wo.batteries of artille-
ry, were embarked on the steamer John
J. Roe. We reached Pittsburg Landing,
at near l o'clock, and at once hastened
forward to the scene of conflict, in the
centre where portion of our division
was engaged.
Colonel Which, with the 32nd Indiana
being the first to embark and reach the
field, was detached from the brigade, and
placed in position by General Nc Cook, in
person.
Nothing further was heard of him by
me during the day, but his list of casu-
alities shows that he hotly engaged, and
the testimony of distinguished officers
who witnessed the conduct of his COM
mand, justify me in saying that officers
and men gave proof of skill and courage
worthy of the heroes of sRowlett's Sta
ton" Herewith submit Colonel Will
lich's report for full particulars.
Obedient to orders, the balance of the
brigade was deployed in line of battle in
in the rear of the 1lth, under General
Rosseau, then closely engaged. His am
munition being exhausted, the 9th bri-
gade was ordered to advance, which com
mand was executed promptly and in per-
feet order.
The enemy's infantry, concealed in
tents, behind trees and in dense under
growth, opened terrific fire upon our
) lines. 81.
The fire of the enemy's infantry was
promptly responded to along the entire
line. Our volleys were delivered with
rapidity, regularity and effect. The enc
my's lines were shaken, and we pressed
steadily forward, driving the enemy be-
fore US eighty rods. 1 then discovered
that under cover of ravine, the enemy
was turning my left, and ordered the doth
Ohio to change line of battle to the rear,
on first company, which movement was
executed in perfect order, under heavy
!: fire. Lieut.. W. G. Turner, senior aid de
camp, of my staff, was dispatched to Gen
Nc Cook to inform him of the danger tc
the left, but the telling fire of the 49tf
from its new position soon drove back the
enemy, and the regiment promptly moved
forward into line. The enemy in increas
ed force made second demonstration or
my left, and the 49th Ohio changed line
of battle to the rear, and quickly averted
the enemy's advance Capt. A. Bouton
of Chicago, with two guns of his battery
reached the ground at this juncture, and
after silencing the enemy's battery thai
had annoyed my left, moved to the left O.
the 10Th Ohio, and opened his well di
I rected fire on the batteries which had
! up to that time, harassed the left of thai
regiment and the right of the 39th 1ndi
ana The enemy's guns were silenced
9 and Capt. Bouton has my cordial thanks
for aid so promptly and skillfully render
ed. The 4Dth having again moved for.
ward into line, and my left being sup
p ported by troops, ordered forward for tha
purpose by Gen. Nc Cook, 1 again ordered
an advance, and our entire line pressed
+ forward in gallant style, driving the enc
r my before US full half mile, taking pos
session of the camp from which portion
o of General Sherman's division had beer
+ driven the day previous, including th'
quarters of the General himself.
: Here he abandoned the contest and re
turned under protection of his cavalry
: leaving us in full possession of that par
of the field, with two of his hospitals
crowded with wounded. The 33th Indi
, ana captured fifteen, and the other regi
ments captured sixteen prisoners on TIN
field. As the conflict was waged unde
the immediate supervision of General Nc
Cook commanding the division, cheer
fully commit the conduct of the 9th Bri
gade to his judgment and criticism
f.. Every order was executed promptly, an'
, nothing could exceed the order and firm
ness, with which our entire line movet
le upon the enemy.
, Col. Dickey and 1t. Col. Wilson of th
I5th Ohio, being absent on account o
IF sickness, the command of the regimen
" devolved on Major VIM. Wallace, win
: managed his command with promptnes
and skill, exhibiting throughout tn
H.