Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-26

RTPoRT or col wASHBURN OF THE 18TH.
HEADQUARTERS, 18th Reg't Ind Volsl
March :.
Col Thomas Pdttison Commanding lst Brigade,
Sd DiUiSioH South Western Army:
In obedience TO Order No =, | have the honor
TO submit the following report of the part taken
oy the 18th Regiment Indiana Volunteers in the
recent engagement near Sugar Creek. Arkansas.
On the 9th inst. the regiment under my com
mand was ordered to take possession OF one of
the high points commanding the approach TO ou-
gar Creek 10y way OF the main Texts road lead
Ing through Cross HollOws, aud 10 prepare rifle
pits which We did. working ON the same until
about : O'Clock OF the TN, when the firing hav
ing opened some two miles in our rear. near the
village OF Leetown. were by your orders
transferred To the scene of action. On arriving
at the point, we were ordered to take position on
the lett but had hardly formed our line when
were ordered TO change our position to the ex-
IRENE right of our line, move down to the right
half a mile, and endeavOr TO get IN the rear of
the enemv's le {, who were engaged with the
second brigade OF division. On endeavoring
TO gain our position We met the FIFTY -ninth ILL
nois retre,ting, having been driven back by an
overwhelming force. We were DELAYED few
moments 10y their running through our lines. A
soon as they had passed Us We made a lett half
wheel and moved forward through dense growth
Ot timber and underbrush, ana soon found our
selves in the relh OF the enemy. who were pursu
Ing the 5sth Illinois. which falling back ia
good orier. The first notice they had of our ap-
proach was receiving our fire
The enemy force, consisting Of the 81 Lou
isiana. two regiments OF Arkansas troops. and a
re- ment OF Cherokee Indians Immediately turn
ell upon u. and made vigorous attack but
having ordered my men 10 lie down. we received
but little damage The 22d Indiana, which WIS
on my lett, gave way in confusion. aud the enc
my commenced passing around tie left TO my
rear. | Immediately faced nv regiment By the
rear rank. lying close TO the ground. and replied
u Their tire IN such manner a 10 soon throw
them into the utmost confusion. Finding my
rear clear. laced again oy the front rank, and
pressed on. driving the enemy back into the open
held INTO the tire VI the 37th Illinois. which raj
he'd in the woods 70 our leit. The enemy fled in
great disorder, leaving the guns OF the Peoria
Ligh. Artillery, which they had taken aud been
using upon u, throwing canister aud she'll the
effects OF which were only avoided by keeping
ms men close 10 the ground We we're then or
dered TO biVouac for the night
At II clock We were ordered 10 move in 81
ence from our station and take up position Oh the
ris ht OF the main road in the thick brush. border
ing on the low bottom field. On our right were
three pieces of artillery. the 22d Indiana and the
left wing ~ the eth Indiana. In this position We
Law until O'Clock in the morning. when our
battery opened upon the woods in front After a
couple OF shots from our battery were opened
upor by a masked battery not more than two
hundred wards Ia our front The tfe was 20 bet
u obli-e the battery and infantry on our right
10 retire in some confusion NV regiment, am
happy 10 say. remained ia their position until or
dered by you to fall back. while the enemy poured
in perfect stsrm OF shell and grape shot, and we
only avoided heavy loss by lying down. When
onierei 10 fall back we formed line ON the