Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-26

which found In position opposite the center Of
nv command Here We bivOuacked on the edge
OF the brush until morning.
Al 100 A NJ. the Ere vas opened ty David
sons and klaus's batteries which in a short time
was answered by tremendous ire Of grape and
canister from a masked latteTy in a point OF
scrubby timber not over one hundred and fifty
yards from my line. KLAUS battery. after firing
few rounds, were forced TO retire the 22d and
9Th likewise falling back in haste. The 18th re
NAMED in ambush unobserved vet by the enc
my. their fire passing over, until deemed II ad-
yisable 70 bring them 10 the rear, which order
executed without loss and in good order. |
now reformed the 22d and 9Th and directed my
line Of battle parallel with and about three bun
dred yards from my FIRST position in the woods
but on receiving orders from YOU | changed my
line Of battle by throwing tie right back little,
in which position We cautiously advanced until
right reste,l on the clear land adjoining first
position. Here ! received a message that the
masked battery had retired: that bad to change
position TO get out of the line Of fire of oar bat
teries, which we're then moving forward, the enc
my having given away. Here passed TO the
front by file from the right until We were on the
ground pointed out for US near the brush con
cealing the enemy's batteries when To my sur
prise found that there had been a mistake in
suppOsing il Withdrawn, as perfect shower of
canister belched forth from the thick brush m
front. which fortunately was aimed too high.
Lieut.. Col Washburn being forward promptly
gave orders 70 change front forward and form
line along the fence. which was rapidly executed.
our own batteries and that OF the enemy in the
meantime playing over Us
An order to charge and take the battery was
now given which was received with cheers. the
line advancing steadily, with fixed bayonets, in
creasing the speed to a double quick, our men
cheered with uudaunted spirit. which caused the
rebels 10 hastily Withdraw their battery, aud gen
eral stampede ensued. We now deDl0yed to the
right. the 18th being in the advance. and the 9Th
and 22d being separated by COleDel Whites brig
ade, which. IN the excitement consequent upon
the unexpected attack from. and subsequent
charge on the battery had formed on its left; in
this position the two brigades pushed on the enc
my. in full retreat. frequently giving them a
heavy fire from muskets and rifles, the chase be-
Ing kept up through heavy fallen timber, passing
which We got into open timber, and moved rap
IDLY forward: the enemy now having passed out
of sight and the men beng exhausted | gave up
the chase. but advanced steadily up To the Hunts
Vile road. when hiltsd on the 18th. and await
Ell the arrival of the rest of the brigade. which
came up in a short time Colonel Benton arrived
/ with the right wing of the Sth and the balance
of Klaus battery, who had been left to hold the
crossing at Sugar Creek, no doubt thinking their
! lot hard one at not being permitted TO take a
more active part in the achievement of SO glo-
riOus victory. This was the first time my com
mand got all together since the engagement first
commenced.
! During the engagement of both the 9Th and
/ 9Th, Captain Klaus rendered the most efficient
service, being several times the first day unsup
/ ported by infantry, consequently in great danger
/ of being cut off 10y the enemy
] | cannot close this report without noticing the
promptitude with which nearly all the officers
executed the commands given but more particu-
larly would return thanks for the efficient aid
rendered by Lieut. Colonel Washburn. Major
/ Thomas and Captain Short. acting Major OF the
18th, to Colonel Benton and Lieut. Colonel Skunk
of the Sth; also to my acting Assistant Adjutant
General Lieutenant George 5 Marshall and Lieu
tenant Vim. + Davis aid de camp, who both
rendered prompt aud efficient service in deliver
ing orders on the field.
The officers of the line tried to emulate each
other in forwarding the good cause in which We
| are engaged, and the men deserve the praise and
| congratulation of the whole country for t cour
age and efficiency exhibited on all occasions il
the face OF desperate and INSCRIPTIONS toe
In consideration of the CALLING fire to which
my comm md was frequently exposed, | am hap
! py To SAY but little loss, comparatively, sus
tanned. every advantage being taken to save tn,
men from exposure 10y living down and otherwise
| To which the accompanying list of killed, wound
ed and missing will bear testimony.
The following officers have been favorably no
tced by their respective commanders in regiment
/ al reports.
Captains Jonathan II. Williams. John c. jerks
and DR. G. W Gordon, of the 18th, and Lieut.
| Colonel David Skunk of the eth.
Many others. no doubt. deserve particular at
tention. who have escaped the observation of my
/ self and their immediate commanders.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS PATTIsoN,
Col Commanding LIST Brig, Sd Division
Number killed, wounded and missing in the
% brigade Sd division: