The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1862-04-25
omciaI report of Col. Veatoh.

Capt Snsith D. atkins, Assistant Adjutqnt
General 4th DiVisiOn:
CAPTAIN 81 have the honor to submit
the following report of the Second brigade
during the battle that was fought at this
place on the 9Th and 7th of April, 1862:
On Sunday morning, while most of the
troops were at breakfast, heavy firing was
heard on our lines in a direction South
West from my camp. In a few minutes
the second brigade, consisting of the 18th
Illinois, Lieut.. Col. Ellis, 25th Indiana,
Lieut.. Col Morgan, 45th Illinois, Col.
Davis, and 14th Illinois, Col. Hall, was
formed in line and awaiting ordersE
In short time Gen. Hurlbut's Aid, Lieut..
Long, directed me to move forward to sup
port Gen. Sherman and to take position
near field for reviews beyond Col. Ross's
| headquarters. When we reached the field
the enemy was pressing rapidly toward that
point. A line of battle was already formed
in front of US, and a second line in the rear
| of the first was being formed on our right.
1 had but little time to examine the ground
but took the best position that could be
found to support the troops in front of US.
| An officer representing himself as acting
under Gen. Shermen's orders rode up in
great haste and directed me to move my
brigade by the right flank and Join to the
line which was forming on our eight. I
executed the movement as directed, but it
placed the right of my brigade on worse
ground than had chosen, though it had
the advantage of forming line of battle
of greater length. The enemy now opened
Al e
threw them in confusion and they broke
through the lines of the 18th and 46th
Illinois, many of them without returning
fire. At the same time the line on the
right of their brigade gave way and left
the 9Th Illinois exposed to the whole force
of the enemy's fire in front and a raking
ere from the right. Lieut.. Col. Ellis
heroically held his ground and returned the
FIRE with deadly effect While cheering his
men and directing their fire. he fell mortal
ly wounded. Nearly at the same time
Major Goddard was killed, and the regi-
ment now without field officers was COM
PEELED to fall back before overpowering
J numbers. AS the enemy was moving an
other heavy column on the point occupied
by COL Davis of the 46th Illinois, the line
in front of him broke and rushed through
his ranks throwing them into confusion
7 As sooa as these scattered troops had cleared
: his front, he poured in a well directed fire
upon the enemy which for time checked
his progress, but it was impossible to hold
his position against force so far super,
ior. Major Dornblaser was severely
wounded, a large number of hi!
company officers disabled and his color
B. guard shot down, Col. Davis seized his COL
{ ors and bore them from the field, presenting
a most noto' for the enemy, who SEN
after HIM terrific FIRE as he retired. / d.
rected him to fail back and rally his mer
j in the rear of the fresh troops that were
e then advancing.
The force of the enemy at this point now
fell on the l4th Illinois and 25th Indiana
These regiments met the fire " 18th frmness
and returned it with great spirit, changing
front, in good order, SO as to meet the enc
= my in, the new direction, in which he WA
now advancing and attempting to flank III
u on the right. They held the ground will
,. great determination until ordered to fal
a back to save them from being surrounded
by very superior force. The 18th and
46th Illinois having been separated from
t the brigade by the first heavy attack
q fell back to the rear on our right and then
q formed with portion of Gen. McOlernand'E
force and new troops rapidly filling up the
line between US, they were shindered from
joining the brigade and were not under my
: command again during the day, but they
n Joined the first line of battle at the poin
where they fell back and fought CALAMITY
throughout the day. Having been COMPEL
: ed to fall back with my command my lint
4 was speedily reformed and we again NOV
ed forward and took q strong position Oh
the brow of the hill, our right resting OF
Gen. McClernaud's left. Here we held thu
, center for length of time, while the battle
D was hot on the right and left of us. Tht
: enemy advanced and Unanswered in from
of us and engaged our skirmishers, but oul
/ position being too strong to be easily driver
II back, they moved q heavy body tn tht
q left and attempted to get in our rear. This
moment being perceived by Major Genera
McClernand, he ordered me to fall back
across a ravine in my rear and to form
new line into his forces. This was prompt
ly done and [ formed my brigade on Gen.
L eral McClernand's left, as directed by hi:
y Aid--my front towards his right. We held
g this position but a short time tillthe enemy
u was found moving in my rear. took 6
, new position by changing front to the real
= on the right and extending the line of Gen
II Netherlands left. This movement was
II warmly approved by the Geenral. The en-
} envy soon advanced, and the action be-
came splflCeus Our men were mucn en-
couraged by the strength of our position
o and our fire was telling with terrible effect
Our forces were eager to advance and
charge him when We were surprised by his
driving back the awhole left wing os our
army and advancing close to our rear near
Gen. Hurlbuts headquarters. A dense mass
OF baggage wagons and artillery crowded
upon our ranks while we were exposed to g
heavy fire of the enemy both in front and
rear. My horse, which had been wounded
{, early in the day, was now abandoned, and
+; a second horse was killed under me. In
+. getting a third horse was separated from
my command, but found them few min
utes after falling back in good order, and
: they were soon formed in line ready fol
action. Gen. Hurlbut now ordered me tc
Is fall back and take position i'll the road lead.
e ing to the landing, near the heavy siege
guns, and my brigade rested on their arms
u during that stormy night. Early next
u morning Capt. Kelly, commanding the l5th