The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-06-09
official Repsrs ~ the Battle 81
Champion Hiiis.
HEADQUARTERS l7rH Iowa REd.,


Before Vicksburg, May 81.
CAPTAIN: 10 compliance with special
order No. 81, from your headquarters. ]
herewith submit the following report OF
the part taken by my rsgimeut-7l7th
Iowa Vol. Infantry in the battle Of
Chsmpion Hills, on the 18th inst.
Isrrived in the vicinity of the hills on
which the battle was being fought about
o'clock p. M. and without having time
to rest my men, (who had that day
marched l2 miles through dust and .
burning sun, with knapsacks on their
backs. Was ordered forward at "double
quick" ] established my line at point
midway up and on the north side of the
hill, my right, resting on he let. Of the
yicksburg road, in the rear of the 9th
Illinois, (Col. Putoam. } which WIS Sc
verery pressed BY the enemy's masssd for.
ces. On doing this, mymen suffered from
the FIRE intended for the 9th Illinois. As
soon ~ my line was formed Col. Putnam
moved his regiment out BY the right flank
and left me fronting the enemy direct,
some forty or fifty yards only intsrve.
ming.
This position held under we'll d..
rected FIRE, which my gallant fellows re-
turned with interest for about fifteen min
utes, when ordered an advance, which
was executed ~ith hcroism arm proud
Of. This caused the enemy to give way,
but he soon rallied, and again CAV way.
and in this way ! advanced, driving him
slowly, inch by inch, FROM the ravine and
bitches in which he had effected q lodg-
ment, up one ravine and down another,
and finally on to the summit Of the ridge
along which the road runs, and charged
him down the slope on the other (south J
side, re'aking four pieces of artillery
WaddeIl's Alabama battery. This bat
terry had been taken earlier in the engage
ment by the 18th Indiana regiment, but
this splendid regiment had again to yield
it, the enemy having massed his forces
sgainst ~ After this charge l com
handed a halt and recti6ed my lima, which
had been somewhat deranged All being
quiet at his moment on ny frunt, ran
back short distance to yet q herse.
mine having been killed early in the en-.
gagsmsnt; but overcome BY excessive IN
Dor and beat, ell BY the way, and By
the tine returned, which was il few
minutss, Il hsd made anoiher gallant
charge. under the command of Lieut.
Col. Weaver. routing the 31st Alabama
regiment. In this charge great many
prisoners were taken. including the col.
ors, color bearer and guard Of thas rsgi.
ment. The cOloS are nov in.ny posses.
sion. The enemy sgain rallied, bat b.
this time the gallant 10th Missouri wss ia
position 90 my right. and We cave him
Two more charges which put him 10 per.
feet rout. This then ended the fight &C
far a. We were concerned, and, l think
entirely. My regiment then, y carried a.d
worn, with thinnsd ranks, restsd on theil
arms until ordered into camp.
II II 10 worthy Of note that ia this en-
gagssneati ths rsIiment charged the enc
my sueoessfally i've times under the mos
calling fre from mnsketry and shell, ant
that, too, over ravines and bitches thu
are very difficult of passage, and which
offered him excellent protsetion.
In conclusion, feel that my commant
did their whole dsty, and are worthy 0
all commsadatios. 70 Lieut.. Col. Weave
and Adjufsst Woolssy ! an greatly in
debted fqr ths1r dsiiag Ard assistance du
ring the esOlGsnssts Both sf these Off
osrs had thsir horses shot from unde
them early in Che light. ! cannot forbsa
Mentioning 10 this connection, special,
for great bfasSfy.. TIT Lieut.. Nv Wood
ROW, &c. X /; I'd Lisat. Geo. w. Dcal, Co
G.; ID Lieut.. Tower, Co. b, whose gal
lantry rcsulted ia the loss Of . iek; ls
Sergeant Swesrinesn. Go. I, and privat
Trussell. Co. @, who captured The color
and color bearer Of the 3lst Alabama. Il
the engagement had but nine oonapssies
one company (E) having been leit bscl
at Jackson on duty. My loss in killed
wounded. &C., 10 81, Is per cent. Of th
number engaged, - per list Of oasualtie,
which send with this report. W. car
tpred l7o priMnsra, mpsAy Alahama q,
Missouri troops. aikasa
= ID. y. HILLS,
ca. Coad.g l7sh Isvs. 4
| Cap<. WV. McCuxMoH, n. a. "A. q
% Brig, TN Nv. It'll A.C. q
TR~~ ~~k~1.