Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-09

HEADQUARTERS Ter BRIGADE lsT DIVISION.
Camp near Pittsburg, Ysnn., April 8.

Camp near Pittsburg, Ysnn., April 8. /
Major Bravman, A. A. General, LIST Divis- |
ion: f.e
SIR: have the honor to report the part
taken by the LIST Brigade of the lst division
in the engagement with the enemy on the 9th
instant.
Early in the morning Of the 9th, upon the
alarm being given, the brigade, composed OF
the Slh and 18th Regiments of Illinois infant
~, the 18th and 18th Regiments of Iowa in.
fantry, and Dresser's Battery, were formed
in an open field in front of their respective en-
campments. received orders about 8 o'clock
A. NJ, to move three regiments to the left OF
the I'd Brigade. The 9Th and 18th Illinois,
and the 18th Iowa, were accordingly ordered
to form in line of battle in that position, and
moving at double quick formed in good order
in q skirt ofwoods bordering on field, the
18th Illinois on the left, and the 18th Iowa on
the right; at the same. time was ordered
to form regiment on the right of the I'd
Brigade, which position, by my orders, the
18th Iowa under command Of 1t. COL Hall,
Immediately took, and, with battery, form
ed a.reserve, isA After seeing the order execut-
ed, Joined the three regiments at their posi-
lion on the left, as above stated. Upon ar
irving at that point, found this position Of
my brigade then formed under the fire of the
enemy's cannon and musketry; on the right
was . battery Of our guns supported by in.
fantry still on its right Against this bat
terry the principal Are Of the enemy's cannon
was directed, and fargo bodies Of infantry
were moving around the field in its direction.
A charge being made by three bodies of the
enemy infantry directed upon the battery,
and our Infantry on the right, they broke and
retired in great disorder. Seeing the enemy
approaching in great numbers and our troops
on the right having given way, my regiments
also broke and retired in confusion. Having
retired to the distance of about one hundred
Yards, succeeded with the assistance Of my
regimental Field Officers, in rallying them
and forming them in the same order as be-
| fore. Here we maintained our position in
good order under constant fire Of the enemy
until II o'clock NJ, when, discovering that
the enemy were approaching in great num-
bers, and that our troops on the right and
left had retired, ordered my regiments to
retire and take up new position about two
hundred yards to the rear, which they did
in good order and without confusion. They
remained in this position repelling charge af-
ter charge of the enemy until Al o'clock P. NJ,
all the officers and men behaving with the
greatest gallantry. At that hour, my regi-
ments having exhausted all their ammuni-
ton and great numbers of them having been
killed and wounded and the forces on the
right and left having retired, again ordered
then, to fall back, which they did in as good
order as before. At this time | received q
severe wound in the hand and arm, which
compelled me to retire from the field. L
| n~ooeo~So Ia nd oov,f
the 11th Iowa, did not see after they took
fed that they behaved with great gallantry,
and their reports, herewith submitted, fully
attests the bravery with which they acted
To 1t. Col. Hall, commanding the 18th Iowa
great praise is due for the bravery and ski
shown by him on the field of action. Major
AbercrOmbie, of the 18th Iowa, who was
wounded severely during the day, displayed
that GOODNESS and courage which marks TIE
good soldier. .+.--.. ...
To Col. M. NJ. Crocker, of the 18th Iowa
wish to call especial attention; the GOODNESS
and bravery displayed by him on the field Of
battle during the entire action Of the 9th; the
skill with which he maneuvred his men,
and the example Of daring and disregard to
danger by which he inspired them to do Their
duty and stand by their colors, show him to
be possessed Of the highest qualities Of com
mander and entitle him TO speedy promo
ton.
His Adjt., 1t. Wilson, who accompanied
him on the field during the day and shared
all the dangers, wish to mention as the
''bravest of the brave"
Capt. w. H. Harvey, Of &c. K, 9Th Illinois
was instantly killed while commanding his
regiment. and died the death of a brave man
Capt R. d. Sturges, of Co. II, took command
Of the regiment, and led them CALAMITY
through the day.
Major Samuel Eaton, of the 18th Illinois,
was badly wounded while commanding his
regiment.
Capt D. H. Brush, next in command, was
soon after also severely wounded.
Capt. Dillon, of Co. G, arrived on the field
at this moment and took command, but was
almost instantly killed, and from that time
the regiment was led on by Capt Anderson,
who did his duty nobly.
Ny thanks are due my volunteer aid, It.
Coldwell, of Gen. Oglesby's staff, who assist
ed me during the day.
And express my very great obligations to
my Adjutant, 1t. G. Cadle, who accompanied
me on the field and during the whole of the
action by his promptness, energy and activity
exhibited all the best qualities of soldier.
Respectfully, A. M. HARE,
COL, Comm'dg Brigade,