The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1862-09-27
EVANSVILLE, Indiana, l
Sept. 26, 1862.

10 has ETcettency, u. +. Morton, Coo
ernor of the State Of Indiana: 4 g
Simon Friday, the 10Th inst, re-
port reached Evansville that Owens
boro, Kentucky, was in the hands ofthe
rebels, and the Federal forces in the Vi
cinity in danger of being c~rt---sa. e .---'-
Desiring to render all the assistance
in my power, FASTENED to the scene of
action and upon arriving on the banks
of the river below Owensboro, I found
about 200 of the Indiana Legion, waiting
to be ferried over, this was soon accom-
plished and we reported ourselver for
duty. vss xr sa~arrss eress
Upon arriving in camp, i ascertained
that Col. Meter, 3Sth Kentucky Volun-
teers, had been killed in the early part of
the day, and in consequence, confusion
and CONSERVATION had seized the soldiers
in camp, who were momentarily expect
ing an attack, and things generally were.
in a critical and defense1ess condition
In view of these facts | felt it my duty to
assume command, which did by issuing
an order to that effect, and directing my
attention to a more efficient organization
of the troops and preparation for defense.
The troops under my commend con-
sisted of two hundred and sixty cavalry,
and about four hundred militia from
Spencer county, Indiana, with two pieces
of artillery.
Of this force | took two hundred and
| fifty of the Indiana BOYS and sixty-two
cavalry, with one six-pound gun, (leav-
ing the remainder in camp for its pro-
tection) With this force L started in
pursuit of the enemy, intending, if pos
sible, to surprise and capture them. !
Between daybreak and sunrise on Sat
urday morning, we encountered the
rebels about eight miles south of Owens
boro, posted in a strong position and evil
IDENTITY awaiting an attack. | immedi-
ately pushed on small force of cavalry
to engage the enemys attention in front,
while threw out company of infantry
] to out flank them on their left. Our cav
airy soon engaged the enemy, who open
ed upon them with artillery and small
arms Bringing up our artillery-com-
posed of one old iron six-pounder, we
! fired three rounds, when the gun became
entirely useless in consequence of the
trunnion caps breaking to pieces.
Advancing closer with the infantry,
we soon encountered the main force of
the enemy, occupying a corn field, and
entirely hid from our sight
Here the Indiana Legion displayed
great courage and pertinacity in fighting
rarely equalled and never excelled by
veteran troops Here was an enemy,
800 strong. occupying strong position,
sheltered by fence and ditch, and hid
behind high corn and brush, their artil-
lery posted on rising ground in their
rear.
At this point the Indiana boys fought
the rebels full one hour, and then the
ammunition was in great measure ex-
hausted, when the order being given to
charge bayonets, we crossed the fence,
pushing over the ditch and into the corn
driving the enemy before US We took
the hill by storm, routing and dispensing
the enemy in the utmost confusion, but
for the want of cavalry we could not pur-
sue them. With two good companies OF
cavalry we could have taken them bag
anu DoSSoSC.
/ The casualties on our side were three
killed and twenty-three wounded. One
of the wounded has since died 3 e
The casualties on the enemies side
were Sc dead on the field and 80 wound.
ed. Seven of the wounded have since
died t.
| We took l6 prisoners besides number
| of horses guns sabres &c
The rebel commander acknowledges a
loss of 70 or so. s4 s4fs tAssfE-s
Col Crooks 4th regiment Indiana lie
gion and the men under his command
deserve special notice, and are worthy
of commentator for their unfiinchine
courage in the face of superior numbers
l,have the honor to be, Governor, e 2
i Your obi servant,
s8ss VIM Il. WooD,
| Lit Col lst Ind. Cavalry.