The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-01-14

BATTLE OF DAVIS MILLS.
Colonel Morgan's Official Report.

General, District Of jackson;
CAPTA1N-The following brief report of
the engagement between the forces of
nv command stationed at this place,
composed of parts of companies A, F, D,
l, c and HI of the 18th regiment Indiana
Volunteer Infantry, with Companies B
and NJ of the 9Th Ohio Volunteer Caval-
ry, and the rebels under Major General
Van Dorm, on Sunday, the 2lst inst, is
respectfully submitted.
Information that large rebel force
was moving Northward, with the evident
intention of capturing or otherwise dis
posing of the troops left as guard along
the line of the Mississippi Central Rail-
road as we'll as of destroying the Gov
eminent stores and the road at various
points, had been previously received.
' at once set to work to erect such de-
lenses as in my opinion would best pro-
tect my small force from injury or cap
ture, prevent the trestle work at this
point from being destroyed and at the
same time inhict the greatest amount of
ac a oRfn sRe fe 06R poss,sssou Or an
old saw mill, which converted into a
block-house by means of railroad ties
and cotton bales
This is so situated as to command the
entire trestle work, and the wagon road
leading to the mill from the South, cross
ing Wolf river by bridge distant only
about seventy yards.
In this block-house l placed Co. H of
the 25th Indiana with sufficient amount
of ammunition and bread to last them
siege of at least forty-eight hours. Our
work here was completed about dark Sat
urday evening, when, with one-half of
my command, | erected an earth-work
around the base Of a mound distant
from the bridge over Wolf river about
three hundred and fifty yards, and in
such a condition as to cover the APP
proach to, and with the aid of the block
house, afford us a cross-fre on the bridge.
Our circle was completed, and sutfi-
t GENTLY strong for an ordinary engage
ment by IL P. NJ. the same night; and
was then with a sufficient amount of am
munition, taken possession of by those
, of my men who had been up to that hour
1 resting in camp.
At four o'clock the following morning
Sunday, the 2lst,) all were in position,
prepared for an attack; but the enemy
e failing to make his appearance, we CON
:, tinued our labor on the earth-work, and
V were in this manner occupied until about
:. noon.
A few minutes after II NJ. my pickets
were driven in, and information was re-
ceived to the effect that the enemy (vari-
ously estimated at from FIVE to ten thou.
t sandy was approaching from the South
IT The infantry were at once ordered
- into, and took the positions previously
assigned to them, that of Companies A,
W F, D, l and c, of the 25th Indiana, being
st in the fort or earth-work, and the cav
IF airy (dismounted) were divided, and a
- mart under command of Capt Henry o.
D enforcement, and third party under
, Lieut.. Slade, to guard the approach tC
"a the river about one-fourth of mile from
ID and to the west of our position. Thi,
" disposition of my force had scarcely been
% completed, when the rebels Gas infantr,
and in large force) made their appear
r anee, formed their line for charge, and
came rapidly forward with loud cheer
= evidently expecting to force us into a
II surrender with little, if any, resistance
is on our part. Their impetuosity was
n checked, however, by the uneven ground
# the river, and the steady and destructive
fire from our defenses.
y For time their ardor appeared to
have diminished, but their number being
largely increased, an effort was made to
force passage over the bridge; and for
s. this purpose their forces were massed,
4 and desperate attempt was made to
secure footing on our side, but after a
most obstinate attempt on their part,
/ and an equally determined resistance on
ours for some minutes duration, thew
were compelled to fall back with consid-
:, cradle loss. During this time their
, forces had been gradually and rapidly
|, augmenting, and their line extended
j, from, and even beyond the railroad on
o their left to distance of three or four
hundred yards on the right, and from
= which they poured upon US an almost
continuous shower of leaden hail Efforts
: were also made at several points to effect
! a crossing over the river, but these were
unsuccessful.
, In d short time, indications of a Sec
;: ond attempt to cross the bridge were ap-
: parent, and deep masses, with banners
h flying, urged on by their officers, ad-
/. vanced only to be again driven back in
F. confusion and dismay.
ar9 HHhe r ffiigipG bE this time was very heavy
upon our little earth-work and block
; house; but nothing daunted, and now
firm in the belief that we could hold
them at bay, my gallant little band pour
J ed In upon them velley after volley in
; rapid succession.
Soon, third and similar attempt to
cross was made, but with like defeat
A few of their men, however, succeeded
in crossing, but these hastily took refuge
under the bridge.
After most incessant firing of three
and half hours duration, the enemy
withdrew leaving part of their dead,
and snch of the wounded as they were
unable to carry off the field, in our
hands. Those who had shielded them
selves under the bridge, not being able to
make their escape with the main force,
exhibited the usual token of surrender,
and were ordered to, and took shelter
within our works Several attempts
| we're made IN fire tho traetIa ,rorl- H.