, 1862-04-21
TEE PrTTsBURG BATTLE.


TIE PrTTSBURG BATTLE.
Official Report Of the 12th Regiment.
HEADQuARrERs 17TH REeaEHr,
Ll191os VOLUNTEERS, P1TrsBuRs,
Lieat. George L. Paddoe2,
L. I'd +; 4 6,sass essssa:; "a Dsrr.son,
District Fxst 7eaastsas
s1B: I beg leave to offer the following re-
port Of the l2th Illinois Volunteers, IN the
late batt1e1 at this place during Sunday, the
9Th inst. At eight O'Clock on the morning
Of that day, after the engagement had become
general along the left and centre Of our
lines, the Dth Illinois regiment, which
have the honor to command, was
from the right to the extreme left OF our lines
to support troops operating in that part of the
field I got up from sick bed, being very
weak, and took command Of my regiment,
With Capt. Hugnnin Of Company e acting
Lieutenant Colonel and Capt. Ferris, Compa.
thur commanding Brigade took position in
line OF battle in 3 deep ravine with the 9th Ill
inois on my right and the soth Illinois on my
left.
Soon after getting into line the enemy
opened brisk fire upon me with musketry
and artillery from the top Of the hill opposite.
Ny right suffered severely. did not Ut once
open fire, being in doubt whether the troops
to my left were our friends or the enemy. At
this time, my horse being wounded, dashed
and breast not being able to procure another
horse, l Was obliged though quite feeble
to walk. The ground which I occupied was
clearly unfav vorable for my men, now exposed
to 9 CALLING fire, without being able to reply
with any effect. I then determined to tall
back some seventy five yards, in line with the
regiments At my right and left. The movemcnt
was effected in good order. Just before leav-
ing this position, Capt. Ferris Of Co. Fl was
shot through the side. Lieut., Randolph, who
remained on the ground with Capt F., was ia
ken prisoner. Lieut.. Cook was wounded. Nv
new position was more favorable than the
other. threw out Co. &. Lieut.. Waite, com
manding. 10. my front as skirmishers. This
ground held about forty minutes, during
which time lost many men and several off,
ce1s. Lient. Seaman, CO: c, was killed. Lien
TENANT Maclain, Co; A, Lieut.. Watkins, Co. G,
Lient. Waite, Co. e, were wounded Not be-
ing able to effect much from this position, aud
aud seeing the 50th Illinois on my
left had fallen back, I ordered my
command back some fifty PAGES to
ground just over the crest of the hill As
soon as the enemy eame in range Of cur mus
kets, my men did fine execution, pouring vol
ley after yoley into his rank. held this posi-
tlon until compelled to leave it by superior
force. When returning became so exhausted
that was assisted from the tield By two o; my
officers. another position, some 500 yards to
the rear, was selected; my men fought in this
position and held the ground nearly an hour
sent out, when taking this last position
company F, Capt, Campbell, and company I,
right, IS skiTmishers. Finding that the left
wing Of ourfOrces was driven in, and TINT the
engagement was confined to our CENTRE re-
tired to another position Of the field and took
position enabling me to support battery
Of light artillery: Soon after, By order Of Ma
ArGJ( 1+at, Trafr 1nf fcr
ing sick and completely exhausted, was taken
Oh board the steamer latan, where remained
sixty hours without being able to leave my
bed. ny men, as general thing, acted with
GOODNESS and courage during the whole en-
gagement, although constantly exposed to q
constant fire, under circumstances that almost
precluded their replying with any effect. All
my officers acquitted themselves honorably.
It is excecdingl difficult to discriminate, when
OIL have done SO brassly; But cannot but
Ferris OF Co. I; Swain OF Co. q; Campbell Of
Company f; Fisher of Company 4; Steven
son of Company B and Sellar Of Company E.,
az having particularly distinguished them
selres for GOODNESS and efficiency in action. I
am under obligations to my aid, Lieut.. Near
thur, Acting Adjutant, for valuable services
rendered on the field.
I regret that circumstances should have
placed my command, during great part of the
lime, in position where it was exposed to Sc
to return with equal effect. Herewith | send
you the report Of Capt. Hugunin, who had
command OF the regiment when in action on
Monday, the 7th inst. ! enclose list of the
killed, wounded and missing Of my command
during the engag cement.
I have the honor to be respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) A. s. CHETLAN,
Lieut.. Col Comd'g 12th Regt.
SECOND DAY
! P17ranuRo LASDIse. Tennessee,
Lieut. George L. Paddock,
| 4 d q z7ssSS:;; s. Ssss$; i f.; 1:e!..ss:
| S1R-I have the honor to make the follow
ing report Of the part taken by the 18th regi-
| Ment III. Vols. under my command during
Monday the second day Of the battle at this
place. On Sunday, the first day of tue battle,
The regiment was Under the command Of
report Tor tue part be took.
on Monday tn 9Th lnst~t the Lieutenant
! Colonel being sick, and having been hurt
| by 1all from his horse, tive Command
Of the regiment deyolved upon me-. Tie
in tie action Of Sunday, aud it now turned
| ont with only about In men. hid becom:
separated from my division aud brigade, and
having no orders, l moved the regiment
toward the right and centre ef the l;ue5 where
the ::etion was 1nest severe, and with several
other pieces Of egiments fell in with Gen. Nc
| Clcrrs snd's dlyislou. Here had been Ae11y
fsh'1nE before CAME up and the enemy had
be. n driven back.
At a15 A. n: formed in line Of battle, aud
Nas ordered to advance acrosB a cleared field
! upon u point Of woods occupied by the enemy.
My eo1Umand advanced in good order, and
found The enemy III great force, occupying =
orcastwork Of logs and brush. WAS ordered
| to throw ont skiFnisheEs. ordered Lieut..
| 13-}fA I'M Iy,1n .r>FT T,-,
F, 10 advance, which he did promptly. At
this time We we're close upon the enemy. MY
skirmishers had advanced only about thirty
yards when the enemy poured . heavy fire
into our whole line. Thcskiroishers fell back
ard atttr my command had stood short time
our whole line fell back slowly until they were
sheltered by timber, I was now ordered to fall
in With and form another line, and moved
about 400 yards to the rear and took mp po-
sitfon where we we're held rs reserve, At
this position ne had but small force, con
sitting Of only parts Of two regiments. After
laying here About an hour was again ordered
up: 1advauced and dcployed the regiment as
shirmisheTs, but owing to our small 1o1ce and
in the absence Of all further orders, my COM
mand took no further active part in the en-
gagement.
withdrew entirely from the field at D. M.
The officers and men under my command did
their duty handsomely. Leut. Magner, who
led the shi1misheTs, was wounded, though not
! AAe N0S3 ~ oA N<@AS CALM N4~ T~-At
lbeg leave to mention houorably the names
q all the officers under my command, Capt.
VIM. Fisher, Co. A; Capt. Henry Stevenson,
Co. B; Capt. Henry Van Se1la1, Co. E Capt.
Wallace CAMPBELL. Co. F !; Capt. Guy c. War;,
Aojutant, Lieuts. Robert Kaeler, and Wm. F.
Jooe, Co. D; Lieut., David Jones, Co. G !;
Lieut. Nicholas Roth, Co. F; Lieut., John IL.
bills, Go. q; Lieut.. Vim. D. Mills, Co. {;
Lieut.. Charles E. Beaumont, Co. Z, and Ser
Eeant Major Marcy h Randall, all Of whom
ooeyed orders with alacrity and behaved
! bsaVely.
L also beg to mention fayorably Mr: George
Mason, Aid to Rr5gadier Gen Macarthur, WHO
accompanied me to the field.
The casualties In my command arc embraced
In the list Of casualties reported to Jpu By
Lieut.. Colonel Chet1aln.
am sir, your obedent servant,
(Gigned} JAMES &. HuGUsN,
Capt Com'd'g E,th Reg. LII. Vol
One Of the Heroes OK Pea Ridge.
ST. LOUIS, April 19 Col. John s. Phelps
who performed D distinguished part in the bat
tie of Pes Ridge, has aITiyed from Springfield
He Is, In bad health, suffering from disease
: contracted in the field He will remain few
], days and then proceed to Washington and
! take his scat In Congress.
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