The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-05-29

BrvouAc m rHE FIELD. !
Miss;ssippi. May 5. 1868

SIR: l have the honor to submit the FOL
lowing report of the part taken by the lst
B,;case. I4th Division, 18th Army Corps.
Department OF the Tennessee. IN the en-
paoenent on the 9Th Of the 30th ultimo,
AID the LIST instant, near Port Gibson, lis
sissipri:
About midnight received the order OF
the General commanding the Division. TO
hasten forward the LIST Indiana Battery,
which was immediately executed at full
run, arriving on the ground in few min
ues The Battery was at once placed IN
position. and opened a vigorous FIRE. which
was continued, without intermission, until
8 O'Clock A. n Of the 1st instant. when the +
enemy ceased his fire and we lay upon our
arns awaiting the tardy coming OF daylight. !,
In the meantime, the Infantry, consisting .
of the 9Th and 18Th Indiana, and the SD
and e9tb Illinois regiments, had come on
the field and were also lying on their arms |
in support of the battery. Al the earliest
dawn all were on the alert. eager for the
coming fray. At this juncture Major Gen
eral McClernand came dashing 10 the front.
asking q thousand questions rs to the posi-
lion and strength of the enemy. the roads
and genera! topography of the ground and
with ma'chless energy proceeded to verify
every statement by personal investigation.
About o'clock A. ~, l was ordered to
push four companies down read turning
to the left of Schaeffers's house, and direct
ly in the rear If the one in which the pre-
vious engagement occurred. | accordingly
sent the gallant Major Potter of the SD
Illinois, with four com panies Of that regi-
ment, with orders to feel his way down the
road utiously and hold it until relieved BY
been ordered up, and then without further
orders hasten to rejoin his regiment. In
few minutes his skirmishers engaged the
outposts Of the enemy who replied sharply,
both with small arms and artillery. Owing
to the promptness of General Osterhaus, the
Majors fight. though spirited was OF short
duration and he in turn promptly rejoined
his regiment and shared with it the dan
gers and glory of the fight on the extreme
right.
General Osterhaus having thus secured
orr rear, by special direction of General
McCiei nand, | ordered the SD Illinois.
commanded by the cool and fearless Colonel
Lippincott 10 move forward along the high
, Ridge 10 the west, and carefully explore
the ravines intervening between Schaeffer's
5 house and our intended line Of battle, at
1 Al Elauc orIeraH
to change the position of one section Of his
battery to the high ground on the left of
tie road, and open fire with his whole bat
tory, while the gallant Major Brady of the
, 9Th Indiana. commanding my skirnishers.
, consisting of one company from each re9i-
, ment, was pressing forward under orders.
and the Sth and 18th Indiana formed for
rt---a-:-.- i:"o-of battle. The 99th Illinois
was also ordered forward as the reserve Of
the brigade. In very short time the bat
lie ragged with great fury. Having driven
the stubborn enemy at the points his left
onet SIaefed change of front forward
On the tenth company, which was accom-
iplished most handsomely at double quick.
over the most difficult ground So prompt
lily was the movement executed under a
CALLING fire of shell and musketry, that l
was at a loss which most to admire, their
valor or the efficiency of their drill | q the
meantime g Old Rough and Ready No e.
Col mel Bailey. commanding the 99th Hi
nois, ordered forwa ard which was
executed with cheer on cheer, at a double
quick. Our new line was formed with the
9Th Indiana, Colonel David Skunk, on the
right, the SD Illinois. Colonel Lippincott.
o9th Illinois. Colonel Bailey, and the 18th
was resting near the Ma gnolia Church,
Indiana, Colonel Washburn, whose lett
and his whole regiment in front Of the
enemy's battery. Now came the tug of
war in good earnest. l soon found that the
odds "ere largely against us. and that the
enemy was making a most desperate effort
TO turn our left flank. thus cutting US of
from our support. l Immediately dispatch.
ed Captain Marshall for reinforcements, and
did All IN my power to stimulate the men to
heroic action and right nobly did they |
respond For at least two hours, single |
handed, the first brigade fought three 5ri. |.
gades Of the enemy, giving bin vollev for |
voliey with interest. Three times did he !
form 10 charge us. and as often wss he |
hurled back discounted by the we'll direct
ed aim of the brave lads of Illinois and In. |
diana. We had already driven the enemy
over the bill and through rasine for q full /!
quarter of mile, never yielding one inch
ourselves. A, length the long looked for /,
succor came. We were all, officers and
men, glad TO know that it was composed off
part of the veteran troops of the gallant
General A. P. Hovey's division, and the
sequel proved that We were not mistak en- in !
our estimate OF their courage. No soonerj
had they come upon the ground before /
had fully completed my arrangements-thani
some one, unknown 10 me, gave The order
" charge, which was executed with the
widest enthusiasm. the men of my brigade!
vieing with their friends OF Hovey's division
as to who should frs; reach The euemv.
The result Of this splendid charge was The
complete rout of the enemy-the capture of.
TWO twelve FOUNDER howitzers. and. at least,
one dag. This was not the work, exclu-
sively, of General Cars division, or General,
Hovey Sit wss the joint work OF both. and
IN ny humble judgment. herein is elory
enough, and 10 spare. for both divisions.