Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-10-16
The Battle of Munfordv Ilie....COI.
Dunham's Report.

To the A. A General and Chief of Stg0 of the /
Army of kentucky:
SIR | have the honor to report that in obe- /
dcnce TO an order of Major General Gilbert, |. /
on the 18th inst at III o'clock p NJ left the de
pot of the Louisville and Nashville railroad with
six companies of the 5Oth regiment Indiana vol
unteers. and one con pany (K) of the 18th In
diana, attached to the 5Oth for duty-ln all 446
strong rank and fle-for Green river, near Nun /
fordville To reinforce Col Wilder ia the defense
of that point. The train ran very slowly until
some distance below Elizabethtown, when went
forward and earnestly urged the engineer to
greater speed. assuring him that it was all impor
tant for to reach Green river before daylight.
He did increase the speed as far as safety would
permit. just below Bacon Creek, and about
seven miles from Green River, the train stopped
for wood Immediately passed along the cars,
aroused the men, and bid them stand by their
arms in readiness for any emergency, We were
approaching dangerous ground. l took position
on the engine, and the train novel cautiously
forward. We had proceeded about mile when
We ran upon a portion OF the track which had
been undermined by the enemy. and slid to one
side in such a manner as not to make the injury
apparent to the engineer myself. The train
was thrown off and several of the cars completely
wrecked, yet strange TO say, not man horse
was seriously injured. The men seemed inspired
with even greater confidence, if feeling them.
selves under the especial protection of an over
ruling Providence.
They were Immediately formed in line of bat
tie, an instantaneous attack being expected. The
woods which skirted both sides of the road were
promptly reconnOtered. No enemy appearing
the regiment put in rapid march for Nun
| fordvle presuming that the road had been de
strOyed 10 prevent reintorcements from reaching
that place. We had not proceeded far before
cannonading in that direction was heard Ii had
now become daylight. and the deposited
| their knapsacks ana blankets IN the thicket on
| the road side, and moved rapidly on We soon
met crowds of frightened and fleeing citizens
from whom no satisfactory information could be
got Of the situation OF affairs at or of the forces
investing works. When within between three
or four miles OF the place we were met by an in
| teligent citizen, of my acquaintance, who in
! formed me that cavalry force of the enemy
at least two thousand strong, and battery of
artillery, were posted some distance this side of
the river, and covering the road approaching our
works, which were upon the south bank, that
| guns were also so planted upon both banks of the
river cover the bridges and that he deemed
/ it impossible for US TO pass them and get in But
nothing daunted, our little force made detOur
TO the right and, by keeping under the cover of
the woods and cOrnheds and down ravines euded
the enemy and reached the river just below the
railroad bridge and opposite our works. Here
mOmentary halt was made under the cover of the
woods 10 close up the column and give the men a
little rest. They then plunged into and forded
the river at double quick, between the two
bridges, the first notice the enemy having of our
| approach being the hearty cheers of our belea-
guered troops in the works. Fortunately for US.
| the guns Of the enemy Upon the northern bank,
| bearing upon the crossing, had just before, by
well directed fire from our own, under Lieutenant
/ Mason, been silenced, and rom those upon the
| Ia. ha baH onlv 80 a. - Ill
| or two at our rear as it disappeared under the
cover OF tie bank, resulting only in slightly
wounding only one man. HIS cavalry came
dashing down in attempt 10 cut us of, but only
in time to be hastily driven back by our little
band. who promptly turned and fired upon them.
We found the engagement sul progressing.
BY General Gbert's written order. the command
was to go according to seniority. and being the
| senior officer, Col Wilder promptly rendered me
the command, but promptly refused to assume
it, feeling that to do so duriug the progress of the
| engagement would be ungenerous in me and un-
just TO him; but placed myself and my forces
under his command He has repooted the pro
ceedings of that day.
On Monday, the 10th. ! assumed command
The enemy had under the cover of night with
drawn from before us-the infantry and artillery
10 Cave City, ana the cavalry up the river
Work upon the entrenchments was at once re-
sumed. and pushed forth with vigor that day the
night following. and in fact throughout all the
affair. on Tuesday. Wagons were sent to the
wrecked train for the provisions upon it, and steps
successfully taken, by the aid of Mr. William
Gibson, patriotic Union citizen of Munfordville
of whom | cannot srcak m N'ch praise. TO
bring in the ammunlii'., Whi.n u,,,. oeen upon it.
but which the loyal moiioi the n.i -hbOrhoOd had
carried 10 the woods 49,. ,p. -ealed Efforts
were also made TO repair the telegraph line
( Messengers were sent TO different points north
ward 10 communicate to the Headquarters in this
city our situation. and inform them that we ex-
pected renewal of the attack by largely in
creased force. and ask for reinforcements. Mes
! sengers with a like object was informed had
been sent by Colonel Wilder TO Bowling Green
| regarded the place Of great importance to
the Government, and made every effort TO save il.
On Monday night, renforcements, under com
mand of Col. Owen, Goth Indiana were received
from Lebanon Junction. consisting in part of the
oOth Indiana. (42O men, including one company
% of the 2eth Kentucky, Lieut.. Conaway, which
had been attached to it for duty; a part OF the
6oth Indiana. Col. King. $50 men, and six
pieces of the 9th Ohio artillery, (l50 men, Capt
COnkle IN command.
On Tuesday, the 10th inst, about 81 A. VI.
the advance of the enemy attacked our pcke,s
on the south of our works. aad from the direction
of Cave City. His advance was sternly resisted
by Companies A, B. and II, 50th indiana. and
part of Company K. 18th Indiana. under Major
Wells, who. well the officers and men under
him IN this little skirmish displayed great cool
ness and courage. They held the enemy's ad-
vancing column at bay for over an hour and
we're only pressed back by overwhelming num-
bers. The object was evidently to avoid the field
work on our left. known as Fort Craig. from
which ne had been 50 fatally repulsed on Sunday.