The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1862-10-14
Official Report of Col. Morgan.
HEADQUARTERS 18th INDIANA Vols,
BOLIVAR, Tenn, Oct 9, $50.

Fourth Division:
CAPrAIN:-The following report of the
part taken By this regiment in the recent
engagement near the Hatchie river, is
respectfully submitted:
About 6 o'clock on the evening of the
9TH inst, an order was received directing
the regiment to move forward from camp
on the Big Muddy" and to take po-
sition beyond the --, crossing the
bottom, and there wait until the wagon
train had crossed, and for further orders
Soon after taking the position indicated,
an order was received through you from
Gen. Hurlbut to take possession of and
hold the road, which led through some
heavy timber and thick underbrush, in
advance of the position we were then oc-
cupying in an open field. The regiment
was accordingly thrown forward in line
Of battle, with Companies A and B de-
ployed as skirmishers forward and on the
right and left tanks respectively
A section of Bottoms battery was sent
forward at the same time, with which we
acted as support. This soon after be-
gan shelling house, in which some
rebel infantry were posted, distant about
six or eight hundred yards in front of
our position and beyond an old field
After the third or fourth round, | di-
rected the artillery to cease firing, as
previously instructed, and moved rap
idly forward in line of battle, until we
had reached position beyond the house,
which was found deserted, and there
halted until the 10th and 18th Illinois
regiments, then advancing, took posi-
! ton in line with and on the right and
left of us respectively, when we again
moved forward as before through the
woods distance of about three quarters
of mile, halting near the edge of the
timber bordering on an old field. Here
we received orders to move rapidly for
ward and take position on high ridge
about half a mile distant
While the infantry was advancing at
as fast a rate as was possible over the
rough, uneven ground, / rode forward to
the Hill and discovered the enemy COM
ing up the road in large force, apparent
| ly making for the same point at once
directed Major Rheinander, of the 25th,
who was present, to order the artillery
forward Immediately, and in short
time, the enemy replying, fine artillery
practice was carried on, which lasted,
| probably, for half an hour During this
time the regiment had advanced to with
in easy supporting distance, and was
halted. The enemys battery becoming
disabled, and retreat on his part indi-
Gated, a general advance was ordered.
| T.. ~ IL
two wings of the 18th were separated by
the road on each side of which was deep
ditch; and it was not until we had adj
vanced distance of about six hundred
yards that they (the Wings could be
brought together.
From this to the river we advanced on
the double-quick, with bayonets fixed,
driving the rebels, who retreated rapidly
before US. The firing was very heavy,
and many of the 25th we're wounded,
though none were killed A number of
the enemy gave themselves up as priso-
ners and were Immediately sent to the
rear.
Approaching a corn-iield we were di-
rected by Gen. Ord, who then appeared,
to press on until we should reach the tim
Der bordering the river, and there
halt Gaining the position designa-
ted, we halted, corrected our alignment,
and supplied ourselves with water.
Many of our number were well nigh ex-
hausted by the heat and the distance and
rapidity with which we had marched.
In moment however, we were order
ed by Gen. Veatch, to move by the left
flank over the bridge and engage the en-
envy, who had taken position beyond.
Major Rheinlander being on the left,
directed the leading guide, but before the
regiment had all passed over, considera-
BILE confusion was apparent occasioned
by most destructive fire of mnsketry
and artillery, and the rapid retreat of the
troops which had preceded us.
Other regiments following in quick
succession, it was with great difficulty
that order was restored Major Rhein-
lander fell here, severely though not dan
gerously wounded, and was carried from
the field, as also Lieutenants Shannon
and Mason. Lieutenant Webster was
killed about the same time, while gallant
ly leading his men.
The firing was renewed and continued
however, and i'll short time order was
restored.
Some of the men who had been assign
ed position on the extreme right. were
met by vastly superior force of the en-
envy and were compelled to give way.
reached the place in time, however, and
succeeded with the assistance Of the off,
GERS present in rallying them, and held
our position.
The enemy beat hasty retreat and
the battle was over
To Major Rheinlander, am partieu-
larly indebted for tie prompt manner in
which he executed all orders, from the
commencement to the moment when he
| fell, and the regiment for the services of
a brave and gallant officer.
Being without any other field officer,
Captain Larkin and Adjutant Walker
were substituted, and nobly did they do
their duty throughout, and were of great
assistance in collecting the men and re-
forming the line for any work offensive
or defensive that might be required
Captains Darling and Wright and,
Lieutenants Shannon, Mason, Enlow,
Reed, Yerhoff, Bennett, Crenshaw and
! Hurst, in word, all are entitled to great
credit throughout
Among the non-commissioned officers
and privates, as appears from the reports