The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-07-30

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klns Ford, made q forced march will
my command, crossing the river after darl
preceded by squadron Of cavalry sen
Il forward as advance pickets. L H,3. 80.
Une regiment Of my command, the77tl
Onio Infantry, Col. VIM. B. Mason com
my battery were detached after Ieavips
Okalona, BY order of Maj. Gen. Steele, 4
support the cavalry, supposed at that tim,
to be engaging the enemy at Antoine. th1
remainder OF my forces, consisting OF fhs
56th Iowa Infantry, Col. @. w, kittridg,
Commanding, 43d Indiana, Maj. w. W
Missouri. Light Artillery, Il. Pests com. q
manding, encalnped near the bank Of tn,
river. The day after my arrival. occasion
al firing on our picket lines and skirmish.
ing in front convinced me that the enemy
were on the alert, either for the purpose O
watching the movements Of the army. ol
which my Brigade constituted the advance,
or II possible by direct attack upon nae
fore reinforcements could be obtained from
across the river.
Early on the morning of the Sd instant
ordered Major Norris, 43d Indiana, to pro-
ceed with four companies Of that regiment
TO the front to reconnoiter the position OF
the enemy, deploy his men az skirmishers
succeeded in discovering the position 81
the advance pickets and skirmishers Of the
enemy, drove them back for some distance.
pressing them 80 closely that the retreat o1
= number Of them being cut of, sixteen
came into our lines and surrendered.
On the same evening, being satisfied that
the enemy were IN our front in force and
designed attacking us during the night OF
early next morning, ! ordered Lieut.. Col.
Drake, 36th Iowa Infantry, to proceed
with three companies Of that Regiment and
three companies Of the 43d Indiana. to =
position on the main road leading from the
Ford, Immediately in our front, to deploy
his men on the right and left Of the road.
watch the movements Of the enemy and
resist their approach es long as was pru.
dent and retire to the Yeeervee whon fhev
approached in force. One section Bf artii-
lery under II. Peetz was planted 10 "A Ia
fully command the road and the leading
approaches on our right and left.
At six o'clock, on the morning Of the 4th.
the enemy approached in force and com.
nies Of 1t. Col. Drake, who resisted them
CALAMITY for near two hours being Wen
supported BY the artillery Of 1t. Peefz,
Too much praise cannot be awarded Col.
Drake for the very distinguished gallantrv
and determined courage be exhibited dur.
ing al this contest. The report Of 1t. Col.
Drake, giving . detailed statement Of the
disposition Of his forces and skirmiehinr
with the enemy is submitted herewith.
Ine capture oy MS forces early IN the morn
ing, OF rebel Lieutenant, IN aid-de-camp
o. Gen: Mermaduke, confirmed me in the
belief that that General was near in person
With 2 larEe portion O. his command. AZ
ter very lively skirmish ofnear two hours.
the enemy having discovered the position
.: e 1ni @ natserY ana Tepiy;ng 20 It vigorously
wltn iour pieces Of artillery, our pickets
and advance skirmishers were driven back
upon their infantry reserves. gaa II
Ine enemy !sincs ascertained TO be Col.
Cabars brigade, 1850 strong,) charged with
. yen upon our LEFT, for the purpose Of
Tso;l TTssn;k,ng os, ana capturing our battery.-I
Ans.r apPloacn ,Iom the cover Of the tim.
6Sr !; 49, =, net net gallently by two OF three veil
y 1lIec!ed volleys rom the o6th Iowa. Col.
kittr1dges report Of the part taken BY his |
ss y nr ~ lSsisung tne charge q the en-
~ Ssys s - nes9wIn IN 1ofHarded, together With
81 sfser the charse snd 1a 1.nnie u heosae,y .ho