The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-04-05
HEAD QUARTERS 11TH INFANTRY,

HEAD QUARTERS 11TH INFANTRY,
Fad Brigade LIST Division Ill. Vol, :
FORT DoNElsoS, Tenn, Feb is, 1862 J
SIR,-I have the honor to make the fol-
lowing report of the movements of my
command during the 18th, 18th and 18th
inst
On the morning of the 18th inst, my
command consisting of nine companies
numbering, officers and men, about five
hundred--Co D having been detached
with Taylors Battery having the right Of
the Brigade, took position behind the
GROW of hill fronting the left of the
enemy lines and within easy musket
range of the breast works, which position
l held during the day. Nothing Of in
terest occurred.
Towards evening, was ordered to move
to the right, taking position in an opening
Immediately in front Of recent camp Of
the enemy, situated in valley which
passes down through an angle of the
enemy's tield-works, my right resting
ABOUT one hundred yards in front of the
left OF the Sd Regiment III. Vol Infantry,
and my left on the right of the Goth Ill.
Early IN the evening strong pickets were
thrown out along my entire front, and on
my right flank skirmishes was kept up
al intervals during the night between my
piclets AID those of the enemy. Not
withs landing a severe storm Of rain and
snow, during the whole night my com
mand was under arms most of the time.
During the 18th inst nothing of espe-
cial interest occurred. We occupied the
same position of the day before Many
sharpshooters, some from my command
and some from the 4th Cavalry, did good
~, ial- an
they exposed themselves above the breast
works During the night my pickets
were fired upon by the enemy about mid
night, when the firing became heavy,
ordered my men into line, where they
remained for two hours. At daylight on
the morning of the 18th, the firing ca the
extreme right (Col Oglesby's Brisadc)
being very heavy, | again ordered my
men into line, where they remRIned. Ny
pickets were driven in very darby, and
was attacked in front by a heavy force Of
the enemy, and after short fight, lasting
three quarters of an hour, with a loss on
my part ofabout fifteen killed and twenty
wounded. lst Lieut.. Boyce, company O,
fell at his post early in This engagement
while urging his men forward, hnd scaling
with his blood the sacrcdn rs Of his
cause.
But a short time elapsed before we
We're again attacked by large force, rho
brought their colsrs up in front OF ours
and not over enc hundred yards distant,
when the fight again comm tnced with
renewed energy How long this conflict
lasted am not able 10 state, but it was
AN exceedingly fierce and bloody one, and
after great loss on my part the enemy
again fell back
In few moments | was aga In attacked
by heavier force this time n my right
flank. | Immediately movsd my com
manj, by the right flank to the rear, until
my right rested on the left of the 3lst
Ill, who had been severely engaged and
brarely maintained their position up 10
this time placed three companies on
my left to hold ms first position IN front
While the fight was raging Dol. Logan,
commanding the 3lst Ill, informed me
that he was out of ammunition and there
fore he would be obliged to fall back, and
IL was then understood between Us that
we should do so that ! should move my
command into his position, covering him,
and he would support me in my rear
until he could be supplied with ammuni-
ton. Just at this time, nv wound re
curing attention, | turned over my COM
mand TO Major Nevins, who promptly
assumed responsibility and bravely con
Quoted the fight. In a short time | as
su:ned command, moved my regiment, by
the right flank, under CALLING fire, 10 the
position lately occupied by the 3lst III
regiment, which position L held until
attacked by battalion of the enemys
cavalry on and IN rear of my left flank,
when Immediately ordered my regiment
to retire. The movement was executed,
but too late to prevent the cavalry from
getting in rear OF the regiment of my
command, who cut their way through
bravely with terrible loss | found what
was left of the Eleventh five hundred
yards in the rear of my first position
Finding myself without support and short
of ammunition, | marched my command
INTO the valley below, and joined the
Brigade, remaining with them through
the balance of the day appended a list
of the killed, wounded and missing of my
command
1t is entirely unnecessary for me TO
speak in this place OF the faithful and
gallant conduct of the officers and men
under my command during this fatal day,
for the record of the killed, wounded and
missing speaks in more emphatic language
and fitting terms than | can find words in
this brief report to express but can not
fail here to mention the invincibie cour-
aye, bravery and GOODNESS Of Major Nevins
and Adiutant Dicley, always at their
post, fearlessly executing orders and gal
lantly urging the men to stem the terrible
torrent both by word and action. The
gallant Shaw, Captain of company B. who
was twice wounded but kept his place,
urging his men and bravely doing his
duty until stricken down by a fatal shot.
The noble bearing and determined con-
duct of the Color Guard, all of whom were
either killed or wounded, and yet kept
their colors flying, till none were left but
Corporal Armstrong, Co. II, who, though
wounded and cut off by the cavalry,
brought the colors from the field, and the
faithful and diligent attention of Surgeons
Long and Hunt, assisted by the Chaplain,
B. II. Pearson, and the members of the
Band and the field music to the wounded,
in promptly carrying them from the field,
dressing their wounds, and using every
exertion TO make them comfortable
| desire here to express my grateful
appreciation of the valuable services of
Surgeons Dorr and Luce, of the 4th Cav
airy, ILL., Vol, and other Surgeons, whose
names | do not know, in adminis tering to
the wants and sutierings of the wounded
of my command on the tild after the battle |
Respectfully submitted
l have the honor to remain,
Your obedient servant,
T. E. G. RANSOM.
Lieut. Col. CO nmanding 18th Ill. Vol.
To Liant T p RuuSEY