Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-02

In the FIELD, near
MURFRKksBoRo, Tenn, Jan. 5, 1867
COLONEL: The action commenced on our right,
and in an incredible short space of time found
hundreds Of sugitives and numerous wagons and
ambulances flying in confusion and attempting to
cross the river. Orders came from you 10 arrest
the fight of these fugitives, and to this end d.
rected my men to tx bayonets, and halt the panic
stricken soldiers. To Capt. John p. Duficy,
acting Major. and Adjutant John Scully, am
much indebted as well to the company officers,
for energetic efforts to form these recruits into
line Two small battalion we're thus formed,
and, under an officer, sent back to the right Of
the line The confusion very great, and L
feel as if il vas due to nv officers and men to
mention particularly the cool and determined
manner they brought order out of confusion. A
short time after the subsistence of the panic on
the west side of the river, / discovered a STAN
pede among the teamsters who had crossed on
the east side. An officer rode up and informed
me that battalion of the enemy's cavalry
about to charge upon and capture the wagons
among them were two wagons belonging to the
General in Chief and requesting me if posi-
bic to save them. | instantly put the regiment
on the march to the ford, in order to meet this
cavalry force On my road to the ford | was
ordered by A. A. A. &. Clark to form line again
on the Fifty-firs Ohio | did so, and the
cavalry coming in full charge on the train. At
this juncture, threw the left wing of the regi-
menJ back and opened severe fire on the
envy. the battery on our right Smelling them hand
sOmely at the same time. The result was, the
enemy remained but little while, and managed
to get but few of the wagons away with
him On the morning of January the LIST, our
division the third recrOSsed to the east side of
the river.
At midnight the enemy undertook to drive in
nv skirmisheFs by n vigorous assault. | am
proud to report that in this they signally failed.
The line of skirmishers never gave an inch; on
the contrary, in the gallant order of the moment,
they drove the enemy beyond his own line, and
established that of the Thirty fifth upon it. In
this affair i lost killed, and two
wounded. Capt. Duficy upon the right and
Capt Grove on the left of skirmishers behaved
with distinguished gallantrv.
Through all OF this terrible fire Of musketry
and shell, | an proud to say not a single Ofhcer
or man fiinched The 18th Indiana then gave
way under this terrific pressure The regiments
on my right, the 5lst Ohio and 9Th Kentucky,
were slowly retiring and fighting herOically. At
the end of forty three minutes of desperate and
unequal contest, found the enemy completely
around my TANKS To prevent useless destruc-
ton of life or entire capture of my regiment,
gave the order to retire. | was obliged to repeat
It, and even then the brave fellows complied re
lactantly- Many refused, and they either
killed or captured. On reaching the river IN
rear, some 400 yards, i rallied the torn ranks of
NV regiment. Here were the remaining irag
ments of the 5lst Ohio, Sth and 2lst Kentucky,
with some other regiments that | cannot now
designate. bold and determined fire was
opened by this new formed line. The enemy
paused, fought. and then at last broke and fled,
our men pursuing them with cheers and heavy
staggering fire. The enemy made one stand
more on hill IL was but mOmentary, for our
brave lads were upon them, and they fled, never
again to rally. had but few officers with me
each and every one had some peculiar tact of
excellence-sOme one splendid soldierly virtue.
respectfully append list of my staff and com
pany officers with a single remark-they were
more than brave. they were reckless. In conclu-
siUn l feel obliged to call attention to the SPLEEN
did conduct OF nv Adiutant, John Scully; his es-
cape was "A miracle-freely exposing himself and
cheering the men throughout the action to deeds
of valOr. Sergeant Major Robert StOckdale
fought desperately, but coOly. He deserves par
teular mention. not only for his conduct OF: this
field, but for the faithful and cheerful manner he
has performed mis- duties To DR. Averdick, my
Surgeon, must acknowledge valuable services.
Brave and defiant on the field, he is kind and at
tentive in the hospital wards Quartermaster
. Igoe was the field attentive to the wounded,
using every effort to have them carefully trans
ported to the rear. By ten O'Clock that night not
a wounded man of the Thirty-ifth could be found
on the field. To Father COoney, our Chaplain,
too much praise cannot be given. Indifferent as
to HIMSELF he WAS deeply sOlicitous for the lem
pOral comfort and spiritual welfare Of US all On
the field he was cool and Indifferent to danger:
and in the name of the regiment I thank him for
his kindness and laborious attention to the dead
and dying.