The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-06-04


osnies-A and K to the right, and COM
oany.G in support of the skirmishers IN
'front.'. They were hardly deployed in
inc before the Gring commenced on our
right, the enemy making an effort to
turn our right At 100 A. N. 1 was
ordered to advance in line of battle, and
by II O clock my command was IN close
contest with the enemy, whose force ex-
ceeded ours by more than FIVE times our
numbers. Our line advanced from
where it was first formed near sixty rods,
across the timber when discovered the
enemy in large force, moving to my right,
and making an effort, as L supposed, to
capture our batteries, stationed IN the
field to the right, at once halted my
command and poured CALLING obhque
fire into his flank. This, with the de-
structive fire of the artillery, checked,
for a time, their advance.
By this time the action became gener
al along the whole line, and very severe.
From the edge of the timber we drove
the enemy, step by step, for near eight
hundred yards, over deep ravlnes and
abrupt hills At this time, the rebels
were heavily reinforced, land again the
struggle commenced, the most desperate
and destructive OF the day. While en-
gagged actively with the enemy, receiv-
ed notice through Capt. Gavin, to come
to the support of the centre of our
line, which was sorely pressed by the
enemy, Immediately moved by the left
force This point l contested against
superior numbers for near an hour, un
der the most calling fire | ever witness
ed. Again the enemy massed ] their
forces, and threw their whole weight,
upon the right and centre of our line,
and here my men fell by scores, but yet
with determined bravery, held the enemy
in check and again it became necessary
fo-..a,o-tU change my position, as the enc
envy FIRE was converging upon my. lines.
l moved to the rear about seventy-fv e
f yards and again opened fire upon the
rebels, who were still pressing forward
Here we stood before d destructive fire
fifteen minutes, when L was compelled
to change my position, and again fol-
twenty minutes we fought ten times oul
number. At this times word came to me
that the left of the Division was giving
f away, and that our troops to the right
were overwhelmed or nearly so. l again
fell back and formed line and return
ed the enemy fire, which was kept W
: for considerable time. Here it wa.
a that our colors fell The gallant Lieut.
Col. Barter, believing that the bearer
was wounded, rushed forward, siezeC
: them and waved them with cheers in thC
: very face of the enemy. The flagstaff
. was shattered and Col. Barter severely
wounded Being entirely out of ammu
:, milton, and overwhelmed in front, m,
command fell back near three hundred
yards, and here the llth and Oath form
. ed new line, replenished their cartridg
boxes, and again advanced to the field
By this time we were sufficiently rein
= forced, and i'll less than an hour the enc
q my gavo ovvay, leaving our gallant troop
= in full possession of Champion Hill.
, But amid our rejoicing over this grea
:, victory, we are called upon to mourn tn
f gallant dead.
Captain Felix G. Wellman, of comps
. ny b I'd Lieut.. Jesse g. Cain, {
company "a, and twenty-seven other
: who1
h duty. Let their names be inscribed i
e the hearts of our people, and their men
! cries revered as noble patriots and ga
liant soldiers
!. l shall feel the loss of these men to
p getber with the loss to the services O
a the gallant Lieut.. Col Barter, and Lieut.
f James H. Baldwin, who are so severed
wounded as to leave me without the ben
eft of their valuable assistance for
considerable time. l desire also t,
make mention of Capt. n. J. Bolton
Lieut.. Danl Smith, Lieut. Fred. T. But
e Ter and Assistant Surgeon T. c. VII
llams who were severely wounded Will
: engaged in the gallant performance o
their duty. Adjutant Z. r. Henderson
i; and Capt. Hugh Erwin, Lieut.. Smith
company &C." Capt. +. j. Downey
: Lieut.. Frank. Robbins, commanding
company F. after Lieut. Baldwin fell
Capt. Charles Jenkins, Capt. John b
Hutchins, Capt Benz. +. Summers anc
Capt Redburn, with their subordinate
officers are deserving special notice, fol
the ability and zeal with which they per
formed their duty
The men without exception did gallant
, service, and stood up to the CALLING fire
: OF an overwhelming force for three hours
and twenty minutes, like veterans, and
, Indiana and the country generally may
) well feel proud Of the gallant men en-
gagged in this greatest battle of the war
My loss in killed and wounded was POI
out OF force of less than FIVE hundred
men, return Of which | herewith most
respectfully submit.
| have the honor to be, Sir, very
respectfully, your ob't serv't.,
w. I. SPfCELY,
Col Com d. 24Gh Ind VoIq