, 1862-04-22
OFFICIAL, REPORT OF MAJ. EZRA TAYLOR.

BArrAL1oSs Osa AND Two CAR NEAR!
P1TTsBuRe. Tenn, April 10, 1861
J, r. Hammond A. a. Gen. 5th Division Z. s.
Forces IN the field Geo. ". fisherman Cong:
SIR: have the honor to submit the follow
ing report Of the part taken By the forces un-
7tb inst. By Instructions from the General
Commanding the Division, the mortar bat
tery, Capt. Behr commanding was placed on the
Purdr Road, in the rear OF McDoEe1rs Brig
ade; Taylor Battery, Capt. Barret command
o. On Ii The a road lsading to Corinth; Capt. 4 G.
Warehouses; Battery, near the left Of the Di-
vision: four guns on the right bank Of Owl
Greek, and two guns on the left bank Of Owl
Greek .....
The enemy appearing in large masses and
opening battery to the front and right Of the
two guns, advanced across Owl Greek. in
Et1ucted Capt. Waterhouse to retire the two
guns to the position occupied by the balance
Of his battery, about which time the enemy
appeared in large force in open 6eld directly in
front Of the position Of this battery, bearing
aloft, as supposed, the American fisg, and
their men ana officers wearing uniforms SO
similar to ours that I hesitated to open fire
upon them until they passed into the woods,
followed by other troops wearing an uniform
not to be mistaken. afterwards found that
the uniform jacket worn By these troops were
black. As soon az was certain as to tie char
mence, which Was done In fine style, and with
excellent precision. After instructins this
Battery to be cool, and watch all the move
ments of the enemy, who was throwing large
masses Of his men into the timber to the LETT
of its position, I vent to the position occu-
pied By Tay1or's Battery, Capt. Barret COM
maIding, and ordered him to open tire with
shell, which was done promptly, causing the
enemy to take shelter in the timber, under
cover OF which he advanced to within $50
yards of the guns, when they opened 4 tre-
nendous fire Of mnsketry, accompanied with
intimidate our men. The only effect it had
uas to cause them promptly 10 obey the order
given By me to move their guns by hand to
the point and pour in shower Of ca1nister,
causing both the yelling and the firing Of the
enemy to cease for time. In the meantime
the left Of both Of these batteries
Waterhouse's and Taylor's. Seeing
Warehouses; Battery imbering to the rear,
and fea1ing the result Of hasty retreat, I has
tened to their position and finding them rest
ing, at oace ordered them to unlimber and
messenger to find another battery to come to
their assistance. NY order was promptly
obeyed, and they were soon throwing canis-
ter among the enemy. But their bravery alone
could not driTe back the masses who nov
srarmed on their Jeff, pushing baek the in
4xA41J 0A AAI 4Elt A1A tqEu1lE - uA44h HlE
Of musketry and battery, which theyt had
succeeded in planting. In tho timber
in point, they were compelled to retire under
a CALLING fire leaving their guns and entire
camp and garrison equipage ID the field. I take
great pleasure in stating that the conduct o1
this battery was such as to entitle them to mg
entire appreciation, and consider too much
| praise cannot be bestowed upon them for theli
gallant conduct upon this their first battle
| field. Some time after this battery had retir
cd, and the infantry support on the left q
| Tay1or's battery had fallcn back, and the enc
I'd ~ Waterh houses battery- l. deem
! ed it prudent to order Captain Barre
to timber to the rear, and retire in good orde
to new position, which Was accomplished
without confusion; but owing to number 0
his horses being shot, he MAS compelled II
| leave TWO Of his caissons on the field, on
Of which he has recovered. Instrnctin:
Captain Barrett to take up q new po
| sition near the left Of the first brigade in III
first division, {Gen. McClerna1ld'5 81 and t,ikin
the responsibility Of ordering two guus Q
Schwartz's Battery to form on their left, (afai
Schwartz being wounded-) had not long t
wait before / opened 1lrr again, silencing
battery which the enemy had opened with tel
rife effect. After five hours fighting in taes
two positions, losing one man killed aud se1
eral wounded, our ammunition became e.
hausted, and I instructed them to retire out {
| Aa1EC aAA $,St - uEH futillj+ dlLEE mulE
one section engaged the enemy for about q
hour aud . hill, driving him to the cover Of th
mF personal observation on the ground i
front Of the position occupied by this batter
during the engagement, am satisfied the eat
my's mortality list has been greatly increase
By their 1einy ther,.
have to report that Capt. Silversparre's bal
terry Of four 24pounder Parrott guns has ne
yet been able to report to this field, owing
some deficiency in his horses and other equiI
ments. understand, however, that he ha
done good service near the landing on th
evening Of the 9Th inst.
deem it my duty to make honorable 1ne1
tion Of the services rendered by company i
Chicago Light Artillery How well they col
Quoted themselves during the fight, ref
; you to the General himself, who assures n
he never EaW guns better served
have also 10 mention Captain Bouton'
battery, which I found on Sunday, the Ct
; anxious to distinguish themselves, and as goc
fortune would have it got them q good pos
, ton near Col McArthnrs division, when tbs
, did most excellent service in driving the en-
ny from > very commanding position, bo
| officers aud men behaving like veterans. I ha
! the honor to be vey respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
EZRA TAYLOR,
-, Major, and Chief Of Artillery.